It can be safely argued that only when Salga has a full-time political leadership that can serve in the NCOP and portfolio committees of the National Assembly, as well as Minmecs, will local government take up its role at the heart of our co-operative local government and avoid being marginalised in national debates and in other structures where issues which impact on developmental local government are discussed. Substantial political leadership is therefore required if Salga is to assume its constitutional and legislative obligations and participate in the key strategic intergovernmental structures.