14/09/2026
EARLIER TODAY | LEADERSHIP AND CAPABILITY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM
Earlier today, the Department of Cooperative Governance convened an Extended EXCO Alignment and Commitment Workshop, led by Director-General Mr Mbulelo Tshangana, to strengthen organisational alignment around the next phase of local government reform.
At the centre of the engagement was a direct and important question: Are we up to the task?
As the local government sector enters a significant period of reform, the DG emphasised that successful implementation will require more than sound policy. It requires the right leadership, specialist and technical skills, operational capability, systems, and organisational culture to translate reform into measurable outcomes for communities.
The DG stressed that leadership must be treated as a strategic priority, with deliberate investment in succession planning, coaching, mentorship, and the development of a strong pipeline of capable future leaders across the Department.
Discussions focused on:
▪️ What the revised White Paper on Local Government means for CoGTA
▪️ Why the task must now shift decisively towards implementation and outcomes
▪️ What this demands of the Department’s operational and specialist capabilities
▪️ The leadership culture and behaviours required to drive reform
▪️ Strengthening succession planning and CoGTA’s leadership pipeline
The workshop provided an opportunity for open and robust reflection on the Department’s readiness to lead and support the transformation of local government.
The message was clear: leadership is a collective responsibility, and reform must ultimately translate into better-functioning municipalities and improved outcomes for communities.