EAST LONDON- The Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) held a two-days Revenue Management Indaba in East London, on 13th-14th March 2025 with the focus being on problem-solving solutions and essential revenue management, financial sustainability and viability in municipalities.
According to Provincial CoGTA Deputy Director for Municipal Development Finance Babalwa Mbangeleli, “We are working towards revenue management maximization for financially sustainable municipalities.”
Mbangeleli emphasized that the department has been assisting municipalities with revenue management however the problem still persists, particularly with government departments failing on paying their debts to municipalities.
In addition they have seen that government departments are not in some instances, in a position to make debt to municipality.
Furthermore the Indaba was intended to address these challenges as Mbangeleli clarified, “We have invited all government departments and organizations, the provincial treasurer, South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and there are some councillors too because we also want to their opinion on the impact of non-payment on service delivery.”
The session featured insightful exchanges by Chief Director Strategic Management Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dr Siviwe Mditshwa on improving municipal revenue management, including improvement in revenue collection strategy, finance accountability and ensuring sustainable local government.
The Revenue Management Indaba is a significant step towards attaining such a point when municipalities in the Eastern Cape would be sound fiscally as well as capable of rendering quality service delivery to the locals.
Photograph: supplied
Ziphelele Nompula
15 March 2025
