With just six months to go before the local government elections, Buffalo City Metro has issued a tender for the training of ward committee members.
BCM said this was to prepare ward committee members for the 2016-2021 political term.
The Independent Electoral Commission has set its sights on May 18 next year to convene the much-awaited local government elections.
The tender, which closed on October 27, called on service providers to submit a quotation for the training of 500 BCM ward committee members in report writing and minute-taking.
BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi said at the start of every new term, ward committees members elected by the community received training in these disciplines.
“There are 50 wards in BCM and in each ward there are 10 ward committee members,” he said.
Explaining the responsibilities of ward committee members, Ward 6 councillor Vimbile Mbinqo said the members were a link between residents and the councillor.
“Ward committee members ensure public participation programmes are in place and ensure that residents are consulted or informed on changes and proposals in their area,” Mbinqo said.
He said each ward committee was assigned different tasks in the community.
“Some committee members focus on the social aspect such as living conditions.
“Others would focus on the service needs of the community, while other committee members focus on issues which sought to develop the community such as youth development programmes.”
Mbinqo said the interaction between the ward committee members and residents was brought to the councillor’s attention. The councillor could then take that information to council. “They are also responsible for taking minutes at community meetings and writing reports,” he said.
Mbinqo said ward committee members who were unemployed were paid a stipend of R1000, while those who were employed did not receive anything. “The stipend is just for transport money to ensure ward committees are available for meetings,” he said.
BCM had not responded to questions on when the training would commence and what the costs would be at the time of writing.
BCM to train 500 ward members
BCM said this was to prepare ward committee members for the 2016-2021 political term.
The Independent Electoral Commission has set its sights on May 18 next year to convene the much-awaited local government elections.
The tender, which closed on October 27, called on service providers to submit a quotation for the training of 500 BCM ward committee members in report writing and minute-taking.
BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi said at the start of every new term, ward committees members elected by the community received training in these disciplines.
“There are 50 wards in BCM and in each ward there are 10 ward committee members,” he said.
Explaining the responsibilities of ward committee members, Ward 6 councillor Vimbile Mbinqo said the members were a link between residents and the councillor.
“Ward committee members ensure public participation programmes are in place and ensure that residents are consulted or informed on changes and proposals in their area,” Mbinqo said.
He said each ward committee was assigned different tasks in the community.
“Some committee members focus on the social aspect such as living conditions.
“Others would focus on the service needs of the community, while other committee members focus on issues which sought to develop the community such as youth development programmes.”
Mbinqo said the interaction between the ward committee members and residents was brought to the councillor’s attention. The councillor could then take that information to council. “They are also responsible for taking minutes at community meetings and writing reports,” he said.
Mbinqo said ward committee members who were unemployed were paid a stipend of R1000, while those who were employed did not receive anything. “The stipend is just for transport money to ensure ward committees are available for meetings,” he said.
BCM had not responded to questions on when the training would commence and what the costs would be at the time of writing.
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