Why the SALGA national members assembly matters for South Africa’s future?

Every year, South Africa’s local government sector pauses to take stock of its progress, its challenges, and its responsibilities to communities across the country. The SALGA National Members Assembly (NMA) is more than a conference. It’s the key forum where leaders from all 257 municipalities come together to shape the policies, strategies, and innovations that drive local service delivery.

The 2025 NMA, hosted at the Durban ICC, arrives at a crucial moment. Municipalities are navigating complex realities: pressure on infrastructure, growing communities with evolving needs, climate-related risks, shifting economic landscapes, and the increasing demand for digital inclusion. Against this backdrop, the NMA serves as a powerful opportunity for reflection, planning, and collaboration.

What makes the National Members Assembly particularly significant is its focus on high-impact thematic areas that will shape South Africa’s development path. These include strengthening economic resilience, modernising infrastructure systems, improving municipal financial sustainability, accelerating digital transformation, deepening climate readiness, and advancing sustainable human settlements. Each theme addresses practical, everyday issues experienced by residents across all provinces; from power supply disruptions and water scarcity to waste management, housing demand, and the need for local economic opportunities.

The Assembly brings together mayors, municipal managers, councillors, administrators, technical experts, national leaders, and international partners. Through masterclasses, high-level panel discussions, breakaway commissions, and policy dialogues, the NMA creates an environment where ideas turn into actionable solutions. Delegates engage not only in thought leadership but also in the challenging, hands-on work of identifying obstacles and forging realistic pathways forward.

One of the key strengths of the NMA is its commitment to honest, transparent reflection. Municipalities openly examine what has worked, what has failed, and what requires urgent reform. This culture of accountability strengthens local governance and ensures that communities remain at the centre of decision-making. When leaders acknowledge challenges - whether financial, operational, or infrastructural - they create the space for meaningful innovation and support.

The theme of “Inspiring Service Delivery” captures the heart of the Assembly: renewing the sense of mission and responsibility that local government officials carry. Service delivery is not an abstract concept; it touches every part of daily life. The availability of clean water, the reliability of electricity, the condition of roads, the safety of neighbourhoods, the functionality of clinics and libraries; all of these are outcomes of effective local governance. When municipalities function well, communities thrive.

Events like the SALGA NMA are a reminder that service delivery improvement isa collective effort. No municipality operates in isolation. The exchange of ideas, learnings, and best practices ensures that solutions developed in one region can inspire progress in another. Collaboration between municipalities strengthens the entire sector, helping to build a more cohesive, resilient local government system.

The presence of major radio platforms such as 702’s Clement Manyathela and SAFM’s Afternoon Talk at this year’s Assembly adds an important layer of public engagement. By broadcasting live from the event, these platforms help South Africans stay connected to the decisions and discussions that affect them. They open the Assembly's doors to the public, making governance more transparent and accessible.

As the 2025 National Members Assembly unfolds, it stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of local government in shaping South Africa’s future. Whether through infrastructure reform, economic development, or digital innovation, the Assembly reinforces a shared national commitment: to deliver reliable, responsive, and future-fit services to every community.

SALGA - Inspiring Service Delivery.