West Coast District Municipality

Mayor’s Speech “I want to start by saying something simple: this budget is about people. It is about the family in Vredendal who needs clean water. It is about the farmer in…

Business leaders and government weigh reforms to improve the operating environment and service delivery. The days of impunity at local government are over, says Velenkosini Hlabisa, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional…

Local government has been ‘place branding’ for years, especially in the obvious tourism field. However, as businesses come under pressure, the support provided to a municipality’s business base becomes more important. Equally…

It can be challenging to measure the return on investment of trade shows as sales can take some time to materialise. Yet, Weskus Distrik has consistently exhibited at key tourism events, most…

In an area open to abuse, Weskus Distrik’s Manager Income and Expenditure Carlo Mentoor outlines the governing legislation, compliance controls and actors behind municipal salary increases. Applicable legislation, acts, or regulations include:…

In South Africa, a mayor is appointed through an internal election by the municipal council. Following local government elections, councilors convene within 14 days to elect a mayor. Procedures are determined by…

The implementation of the Public Administration Management Amendment Act 7 of 2025 signals a bold move toward a more integrated, mobile, and professional public service. The idea of a “single public service”…

The spotlight is firmly on the Weskus at the World Travel Market Africa 2026, where this remarkable region bordering Cape Town is captivating audiences from across the globe. Defined not by a…

Discipline is governed by the SALGBC Disciplinary process to ensure fairness, consistency, and legal compliance. This includes: The disciplinary process covers: Immediate dismissal may result from fraud, theft, or corruption; gross dishonesty;…

The obvious aim is to employ suitably qualified and capable people, guided by the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000; Appointment Regulations for Senior Managers(2014); Municipal Staff Regulations (2021); and the South…

Weskus’s appointments are governed by strict statutory requirements that prevent political patronage and irregular appointments. These regulations apply to all municipalities. Key safeguards include: The process is framed and informed by the…

The Constitution clearly separates political governance (Council oversight and policy-making) from administrative implementation (Municipal Manager and officials). Safeguards include delegation frameworks, oversight committees (including the Audit Committee), a Code of Conduct for…

Weskus Distrik’s Dr. Hugo Brand discusses the regulations which extend organisational accountability to personal liability. Apart from operational leadership, the MM is legally responsible for the following: Personal liability may arise when:…

Internal checks are an ongoing process governed by legislation, recognising that an annual audit is insufficient. Applicable regulations include the Municipal Finance Management Act ( MFMA), No. 56 of 2003, and the…

Legislation doesn’t differentiate between a cynical gift intended to buy unwarranted favour and a sincere gesture of appreciation or celebration. As Manager of Internal Audit, Karel Frans is very clear on applicable…

The Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activity Act (PRECCA) clearly states that officials who are aware of malfeasance but fail to report it can be held criminally accountable. Given this situation, whistleblowers…

Some may argue that local government is over-regulated, but the intent is clear: protect public funds and ensure service delivery. Regulations are one thing but having qualified and ethical people to interpret…

Cape Town has many attractions and has developed into a world-renowned international city. It attracts much attention due to its natural beauty, and favourable geography that promotes an attractive lifestyle. This has…

In local governance, finance is not about profitability – it is about public accountability, clean audit outcomes, credible budgets, sustainable service delivery, and regulatory compliance. The role of the municipal CFO is…

The political arm consists of the mayor and councillors while the administrative arm comprises municipal management and employees. The politicians focus on policy making, oversight and by-laws, while administrators concentrate on implementation…

A Municipal Manager (MM) is the administrative head and Accounting Officer of a municipality, forming the critical link between the elected council and the administrative arm. The MM drives the Integrated Development…

Following Weskus achieving 15 consecutive clean audits, Weskus Executive Mayor ‘Boffie’ Strydom explains why promoting the achievement extensively in the media has little to do with vanity. Hope.Municipalities which pass the test…

Betway SA20 Media Visit Highlights Economic Spin-Offs for the West Coast. The West Coast District Municipality (WCDM), in partnership with Wesgro, recently hosted a delegation of Indian media representatives covering the Betway…

A clean audit from the Auditor-General indicates that a municipality has produced credible, transparent financial statements and performance reports, and has complied with key legislation. It also talks to desired and entrenched…

A municipality’s performance management system (PMS) monitors, reviews and improves the implementation of its integrated development plan. It is a management tool that also facilitates increased accountability, learning, improvement while providing early…