Weskus Mayoral Committee Member Monde Stemele, responsible for Economic Development, Tourism and Services, describes how it feels to be part of SA’S best-run municipality, factors leading to this status, and highlights.
How does it feel being part of the Weskus Distrik team?
I don’t wish I was elsewhere than at the Weskus Distrik during this term of local government. I am at the right place at the right time, with the right combination of people sharing common interest –
excellence and innovation.
In your view, what factors led to Weskus Distrik being recognised as SA’s best-run municipality?
- Weskus Distrik adopted a culture of excellence by allowing itself to be a learning organisation.
- Political stability creates an environment for excellence.
- However, more than stability is needed, and that comes from officials with proper skills and capacity, especially at operational management and senior management level. This is enabled by being a learning organisation. We live in an epoch where the knowledge economy determines the competitive edge of organisations.
- Weskus has embraced innovation to deal with current challenges in local government.
Leadership deliberately creates an environment where the team, partnerships and networks can make Weskus thrive.
Any particular highlights of the last year which stand out for you?
- There are many highlights, but investing in a Regional Landfill Site stands out as one. The initiative has economic opportunities such as recycling and compost manufacturing in a sustainable way, and
- Our capacity to play an agency role in provincial roads maintenance is another highlight.
Clean audits are the benchmark but how has this translated to service delivery?
The manner in which Weskus manages its finances – especially by doing more with less – and its service delivery and development focus inspires hope and attracts investment into the region.
Monde Stemele
Weskus Distrik
Mayoral Committee Member: Economic Development, Tourism and Services.
