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Meeting Emakhazeni Local Municipality’s Manager
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VALUES
Transparency,Accountability,Professionalism Efficiency,High Quality Service,Service Community with Integrity
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HIGHLANDS HERALD, SEPTEMBER 2011
The municipal manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the municipal administration and for the implementation of plans and policies.
Oscar Nksoi is the Municipal Manager of Emakhazeni, here he tells us a little bit about himself and the work he does.
Early life and family
I was born in Madala, the old township of Belfast, the first born and only son, followed by two sisters. I am married to Refiloe Nkosi whom I met on my 23rd birthday; so each time I celebrate my birthday we also celebrate our anniversary.
Schooling and academic achievements
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VISION STATEMENT
“A secure environment with sustainable development to promote service excellence, unity and community participation resulting in a caring society”
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I attended Belfast Primary school before completing my Matric at Khayalami Secondary school in Siyathuthuka, when I was one of seven students to obtain university exemption. I then went to the University of Durban Westville, where I did a BA degree majoring in English and Sociology. Since then I have completed various certificates, including in media management, public management (with Regenesys), leadership development (pitched at NQF level 6 - equivalent to a degree - with the University of Pretoria) and municipal development (also pitched at NQF level 6 with Wits University). I am currently studying towards a Master’s certificate in Senior Management with the University of Pretoria, which I plan to complete by November.
Political Life
While at school I enjoyed extra mural activities such as soccer, athletics, debating and choral music. I was introduced to politics by my late uncle, Steven Masango, after whom one of the major streets in Emakhazeni (Belfast) is named. In 1991 I became the president of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at Khayalami High School, a position I held for a year.
My time at high school was spent on debating, studying and choral music, as my mother was the choir conductor and insisted that I join the school choir; she also wanted me to do well at school so was very strict when it came to my school work. Nevertheless, she still allowed me to participate in community development issues led mainly by the African National Congress (ANC) and she kept our political consciousness alive through music. There was one particular song I liked which was called ‘Yingisani History Ya Ku Hlupeka Ka Vha Ntima’ loosely translated to mean: ‘listen to the history about the tribulations that black people suffered for the land of their birth’.
While at varsity I continued to take a keen interest in student politics under the South African Students Congress’ (SASCO) banner.
Upon returning to Belfast I helped establish NAFCOC, a business federation aimed at supporting and raising the voice of black businesses, becoming its interim chairperson. Between 2003 and 2004 I was Chairperson of the ANC Youth League branch of Alfred Mahlangu in Ward 2. After the 2006 local government elections I was elected as Chairperson of ANC’s Tholulwazi Branch in Ward 1, a position I held until 2008. I am currently the chairperson of the ANC in Ward 8.
Employment History
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MISSION STATEMENT
Emakhazeni Local Municipality is a category B municipality and a tourist destination within the Nkangala District; existing to provide sustainable basic municipal services to the local community and the visitors; creating a conducive environment for socio-economic development; and promoting democracy, accountability and public participation in our affairs
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I started my career as a training facilitator for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), training the presiding officers for the June 1999 general elections. In that same year I was appointed as the local information officer at the Belfast Information Centre, before becoming the Centre’s manager. The following year I moved to Nelspruit to join the Mpumalanga Tourism Authority as provincial information officer, being promoted three months later to the position of media marketing officer, a position I held for two years before I moved back to Emakhazeni as the unit manager of Dullstroom.
I was appointed acting municipal manager in 2003, when the then municipal manager, Mr S. H. Ngomane, tragically passed away in a car accident. I held this position for seven months until council appointed Mrs Linah Malatjie, when I was appointed as community services manager, a position I held for two years.
Then, in August 2006, I was appointed as the municipal manager of ELM after a lengthy selection process. My contract expires in December 2011, at which time it will be council’s decision to renew my contract or not.
As Municipal Manager, I am responsible for planning, organising, leading and control of all municipal systems, processes and delivery areas. I am responsible for managing all departments and service units of the municipality. I am the overall accounting officer and the chief advisor to councillors
Challenges
When I took over as MM in 2006 we had many challenges arising from the fact that ELM had just finalised amalgamating the four major towns of the municipality into one. Prior to this, all four towns were local municipalities in their own right, with their own budgets, staff structures and organisational cultures. Other challenges include the high costs of delivering services; high levels of joblessness and increasing strain on our road infrastructure as rising numbers of trucks use our roads. Furthermore, the high electricity costs charged by Eskom threaten the long term sustainability of the municipality.
Communicating with residents
The amalgamation of the four towns in Emakhazeni led to a number of communication challenges. We’ve put in place and are planning a number of systems to address these challenges:
- Since 2006 we have been involved in decentralising service delivery and administrative decision making. Senior managers responsible for all municipal services have been appointed in each of the municipality’s towns. Community members are encouraged to raise their service delivery concerns, complaints and queries at their local municipal office.
- Council has taken a decision to convene community feedback meetings, at least once every two months, including after every council meeting. Furthermore, ward councillors convene IDP and budget meetings at least twice a year.
- We are currently in the process of establishing ward committees that will serve as structures of communication.
- We have a bulk sms system that we use to send updates and relevant information to the community. Community members are encouraged to register their cell phone numbers at our municipal offices so that we can keep you updated on municipal services.
Future hopes for ELM
My immediate hope is to make ELM one of the best run local municipalities in the country with its own revenue streams and with the ability to meet its basic service delivery needs. To that end we need to work together with our community structures to make Emakhazeni the best area to live in.
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