The ability of local government and municipalities to successfully maintain financial sustainability has become paramount in South Africa and across the African continent to achieve efficient and timely service delivery.  As service delivery protests grow, so does the pressure on local government to satisfy the basic needs of all citizens.  Still, many municipalities face severe financial burdens stemming from their reduced capacity for collection of revenue for services – impacting their ability to expand and sustain service delivery.

Principal local government stakeholders from South Africa are joining their colleagues from across Africa in Johannesburg from 11-13 November at the Syntell Sustainability Forum. The forum is changing the status quo of the African municipality by uniting municipalities, utilities and road traffic authorities from across the continent to confront the massive challenges they face with revenue collection, management and accountability.  It is bringing together industry-elite speakers such as Martin Achar from the Mombasa City Council in Kenya and Andile Dyakala from the City of Tshwane, encouraging them to share best practices so that pockets of excellence can be replicated.

Syntell Sustainability 2013 promotes, enhances and strengthens inter-country and regional partnerships within municipalities, utilities and traffic departments.  The platform creates a learning and knowledge exchange forum that allows African municipalities to identify systematic and technological solutions, and put procedures in place, to meet their financial targets.

Sponsored by P&DM at Wits University, Syntell, Sebata, Touchwork and UMS the forum will provide a distinctive opportunity for cross-border collaboration and shared learning amidst Africa’s local government sectors. With specialised programmes designed for municipalities, utilities, and road traffic authorities, this is the only African forum that brings together decision makers from all aspects of local government under one roof.

Visit http://www.sustainability2013.co.za/ for more information.