Chair, it is critical that we closely examine the relationship and responsibilities respective to our governing bodies, and review the impacts national and provincial government restrictions and interference have on the provinces, and on local councils' ability to govern effectively. The recent occurrence in the City of Cape Town puts emphasis on the need for this approach. We therefore need to discard the current prevailing attitude of "government always knows best". There is a dire need for genuine consultation, disclosure, impact statements, deference and most importantly, enforcement.
More importantly therefore we must reinvigorate the partnership amongst national, provincial and local governments to ensure that all South Africans, and not just a portion of the population, are the true benefactors of a strong united effort to address and solve the problems that face our country.