modimolle local municipality · developmental local government as prescribed by national...

Modimolle Municipality –Communication Strategy

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MODIMOLLE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY 2012/2013


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COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY 2012/2013

14 JUNE 2012 BOARDROOM

INTRODUCTION

Modimolle (a place of spirits) is one of the five local Municipalities in the Waterberg district. Nestled between the Municipalities,

Bela-Bela to the south, Mookgopong to the north, Thabazimbi to the south-west and Lephalale to the west and Mogalakwena to

the northwest, Modimolle is the entry point to the world renowned Waterberg Biosphere Reserve from the north and south.

Modimolle occupies a strategic position from the main markets of the country by being at the entrance of the province from the

South. The visibility of Modimolle Mountain from the N1 north attracts curious tourists to visit the area. The Municipal area has mild

winters and warm summer with an average annual rainfall of 520 mm to 650 mm. Modimolle enjoys easy access from the main

national arteries, the N1 and R101.

Strategizing for communication should therefore be taken seriously and these strategies should translate to concrete programmers

that are supported by all including the higher office of the Municipality.

BACKGROUND

Developmental local government as prescribed by national legislation seeks to forge a partnership between government and the

citizenry for effective service delivery. Communication therefore becomes central to the work of local government, the sphere of

government closest to the people.

The White Paper on Local Government state that “Integrated Development Plans are planning and strategic frameworks that

serve as a basis for engagement between local government and the citizenry at the local level, and with various stakeholders and

interest groups. Participatory and accountable government only has meaning if it is related to concrete issues and plans, by

serving as a basis for communication and interaction.”


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The Modimolle Local Municipality Integrated Development Plan itself therefore calls for greater community involvement in

decision-making and for the Council to take on a community leadership role. The Council has committed itself to effective

communication to fulfill these requirements and meet the information needs of the community and our own organization as also

stipulated by the Local Government Municipal Structure Act in section 44,(3) (g) where it states that “the executive committee in

performing its duties must annually report on the involvement of communities and community organizations in the affairs of the

municipality.”

Communication has a significant impact on how local residents judge their local council. Research shows that well informed

residents are more likely to be satisfied with council services and to be supportive of its work .

VISION :

The eco-tourism destination of choice.

MISSION:

To provide sustainable affordable services to the community of the Modimolle through efficient administration of resources.

COMMUNICATION ENVIRONMENT

Politically

The 2011 local government Elections brought about the new political leadership in the municipality. The Council consists of

18(eighteen)councilors of which 9(nine) ward councilors are directly elected and 9(nine) PR councilors are indirectly elected. The

ANC has 13 seats, DA 4, 1 FF Plus.

Some people of the community are not happy as it was showed by the disruptions of IDP/Budget and Public Participation

Programmes.


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Attitudes and Concerns

- Dissatisfaction of community members regarding the elections of Ward Committee members.

- Communities are concerned about the roles and responsibilities of Ward Committee.

- Some ward committees are unknown to community members.

- Communities are not aware of municipal programmes and projects.

- SMME are threatened by business operated by Foreign Nationals.

- Vandalism

Socially

- Teenage pregnancy

- Alcohol and substance abuse

- High unemployment rates

- Intolerance of communities about Foreign Nationals

- High rate of early school dropout.

- Relatively high rate of crime

- Non functional of MRM(Moral Regeneration Movement)

- Shortage of water in Mabatlane and Mabaleng.

Economic

- Household income levels are low. Almost all of the household within Modimolle area (94%) record income levels of R1 000,00

- R6 400 and 65% earn between R6 100 and R18 000 a year. This translates into approximately 80% a households having

annual income below R1 800.

- Many people and households in Modimolle earns a living from the informal sector, spazas, hawking and street vending.

- Agriculture and Tourism are ht largest economic contributes in the area. Most of the community really mostly on the

indigent and social grants.

Health

- HIV/AIDS ,STI,TB

- Non functional of AIDS Council.


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Media

- The report by the media houses is both positive and negative. To sustain the relationship, media statements/reports will be

submitted on a Weekly basis.

- After COUNCIL meeting the outcome should be communicated through media network sessions.

- Assist in establishing the Community Radio Stations(Waterberg Waves and Modimolle Community Radio Station)

- The municipality intends to engage the media on bulk buying to publish programmes of the municipality.

Public Participation

Development of PPP strategy, and empowerment on new PPP protocol.

Strategic emphasis

Key topics for the current period of communication for the MLM are as follows:

- Service Delivery issues

- 2014 deadline of the Operation Clean Audit Campaigns

- Xenophobic Attack

- The sporadic protest in community

- Ward Committees roles and responsibilities

- Eradication of informal settlement by 2014

- Electrification of Ext 10

- Crime Prevention and safety

- Violence against women and children

- Water and sanitations

- Internships and Bursaries

- Thorough feedback on issues


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- Upgrading of Bulk Infrastructure / infrastructure Projects

Communication Objectives

- To inform and educate the communities on programmes of the municipality.

- To educate the community of their rights and responsibilities.

- To forge the good relationship with media house.

- To develop a feedback mechanisms to address service delivery issues raised during PPP`S.

- To inform the youth about career opportunities available within the three spheres of government.

- To educate the community about the danger of substances and drug abuse.

- To promote transparency

- To promote organizational culture.

- To enhance communication between the Municipality and its stakeholders internally and externally.

Communication Challenges

- Poor and inconsistence of publication of newsletters.

- Disadvantage of native languages. (Newsletter is correctly published in English).

- Inadequate communication resources.(brail publications)

- Poor communication of municipal programmes e.g. IDP, LED, Learnerships, bursaries, internships.

- Under reporting of Municipal Turn Around Strategy (MTAS).

- Week coordination of government programmes across the spheres.

- Inadequate budget allocation.

- Lack of knowledge on the new PPP protocol.

MESSAGES AND THEME

National message

Working together we can do more.


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Provincial message

Working together we can do more.

Local

Local Government is everybody`s business ,Be part of it.

COMMUNICATION MESSENGERS, AUDIENCES, CHANNELS AND TYPE OF EVENTS

1. MESSENGERS

1.1 Primary Messengers

Mayor

Speaker

Councilors

Municipal Manager

Communication Manager

1.2 Secondary Messengers

All municipal officials and communicators.

CDWs, Ward committees

2. AUDIENCES

2.1

Communities/Ratepayers

Tourists

Investors


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Municipal employees

Stakeholders

Media

Schools, Church fraternity, sporting structures

2.2 Secondary Audience

Municipal employees

3. COMMUNICATION CHANNELS

3.1 Internal Communication Channel

Internet

Newsletter

Meetings

Notice boards

Memo’s and Letters

SMS’s

3.2 External communication channel

Loudhauling

Print Media

Notice Boards

Cdw’s

Ward Committees

PPP’s

SMS’s

4. TYPES OF EVENTS

Public Participation

IDP Road shows


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Ward Committee meetings

Council meetings

Internal briefing sessions with the Municipal Manager/Mayor

Budget speech and the passing thereof

Mayoral Awards for Excellence

Long Service Awards

Senior Citizens Awards

Matric Examination Good Luck wishes

Mayoral visit to Elders

Ward Committee meeting

A PHASED COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAMME

Phase 1

- Review the Strategy

- Submit the Strategy to COGHSTA and GCIS for alignment

- Adoption by the Council

- Implementation and monitor

Phase 2 – Launch of the Strategy

Communicate key messages about the Strategy to internal employees.

__________________________ _____________________________

MANAGER: CORPORATE SERVICES DATE

__________________________ _____________________________

ACTING MUNICIPAL MANAGER DATE


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Phase 3 – Implementation Plan

ACTIVITY DATE OBJECTIVE

OUTCOME RESPONSIBILITY REMARKS

JULY 2012

Anti fraud and

hotline launch

LGCF Meeting

26 July 2012

To discuss

communications

plan and

development.

To monitor and

report on

communication

plans

All LGCF members

Mandela Day

- Visit

children’s

ward

To observe and

celebrate Mandela

day.

To touch people in

a special way

/make a

difference to

people’s lives

All stakeholders

- Visit at

Phagameng

clinic

To educate the

communicate

about the danger of

substance and drug

abuse

To have drug free

society

Public Works,

DSSL,SAPS


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Drug and

substance abuse

campaign

To inform the

community about

programmes of

government and

the municipality

Informed

community

Sector Departments,

ICASA,Eskom

Information

Seminar

Launching of

Women’s Month

through media

statement.

To introduce

women’s month

Participation of

community in

women’s month

programme

Office of the Mayor

AUGUST 2012

Female/maternity

ward visit

To honour the

women in their

struggles for

gender

To recognise the

achievement of

women

Office of the Mayor

Sector Departments

WOMEN IN

LEADERSHIP

To honour the

contributions of

women.

Empowering women

in farming areas

WOMEN

FARMWORKERS

EMPOWERMENT


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WOMEN IN

MINISTRY OUT

REACH

To honour the

women in their

struggles for

gender equality

To recognise the

achievement of

women

National Women’s

Day Celebration

LGCF Meeting 23 August 2012 To discuss

communications

plan and

development.

To monitor and report

on communication

plans

All LGCF members

SEPTEMBER 2012

Greening Limpopo

National Arbor Day

To be confirmed

To popularise the

campaign

To promote nature

conservation,

beautification and

food security

Public Works

MLM

Sector Departments

Feedback

from Public

Works

LGCF Meeting 20 September 2012 To discuss

communications

plan and

development.


on communication

plans

All LGCF members

Public Participation To be confirmed To broadly

consult

communities on

service delivery.

Communities will be

informed of the

programmes and

plans of the

municipality

Office of the Mayor

All sector Departments

CDWs


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Heritage Day

(cultural festival)

Mobilize

communities to

participate and

to support

municipal

programs.

Teaching the

present

generation on

how to keep the

heritage for

future.

To ensure that

heritage month is

observed and to

promote national

identity.

Office of the Mayor

All sector Departments

Cleansing of

R33(arrive alive

campaign)

To be confirmed

To reduce

accidents

Accidents free road

Prayers

OCTOBER 2012

Pre-exams well

wishes and

messages

To motivate

learners during

their exams

period.

To have improved

and quality results.

Office of the Mayor

Dept. of Education

To attach

Social

Development

programme

Mayor Media

Breakfast

To be confirmed To inform the

media about

council

resolutions

To have more

informed community

Office of the Mayor


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LGCF Meeting 25 October 2012 To discuss

communications

plan and

development.


on communication

plans

All LGCF members

NOVEMBER 2012

16 Days of

activism

Popularising

the core

messages

through

water bills,

website and

newsletter,

pay-slips

To mobilize

communities to

act against abuse

of women and

children.

To have more

informed

community.

SAPS

Health and Social Development

Social Services

All sector departments

Drug and

substance

abuse

Fight against drug

substance

abuse(glue)

Educate the

children learners ,

about the danger of

drugs

SAPS

Office of the Mayor

Health and Social Development

Social Services


IDP/BUDGET

REVIEWS

To be

confirmed

To broadly consult

communities on

service delivery.

Communities will be

informed of the

programmes and

plans

of the municipality

plan

Office of the Mayor

All Sector Departments, CDW


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LGCF Meeting 25 October

2012

To discuss

communications

plan and

development.

To monitor and

report on

communication

plans

All LGCF members

DECEMBER 2012

World Aids Day

To educate the

community about

HIV/AIDS

To have reduced

cases of HIV/AIDS

infections.

Health and Social

Development


NGOs

Publication

Participation

To be

confirmed

To broadly consult

communities on

service delivery

Communities will be

informed of the

programmes and

plans

of the municipality

plan

Office of the Mayor

All Sector Departments, CDW

International day

for disabled

persons

Mayors Children’s

Day and

presentation of

Gifts

Christmas and New

year Goodwill

message

A joyous festive

season to all

Office of the mayor

CDW

Ward Committees


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Mayoral Cup and

visit to the hospitals

Christmas and New

year Goodwill

message

A joyous festive

season to all

Office of the mayor

CDW

Ward Committees

Festive Season

message

To wish all municipal

residents good and

safe festive holidays

To ensure that all

have an accident

free holidays

Office of the Mayor

LGCF Meeting 8 November

2012

To discuss

communications plan

and development.

To monitor and

report on

communication

plans

All LGCF members

JANUARY 2013

Back to school

campaign.

To be

confirmed

To motivate poor and

underperforming

schools and

congratulate the best

performing schools

within the

municipality

To have an

improved and

increase number of

performing schools

Office of the Mayor

Dept. of Education

Identify 1

performing

and 1 worst

school

LGCF Meeting 10 January

2013

To discuss

communications

plan and

development

To monitor and

report on

communication

plans

All LGCF members


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Substance and

Drug abuse –

Phagameng

campaign

Teenage

pregnancy-

Mabatlane

Fight against drug

substance

abuse(glue)

educate the

children learners ,

about the danger of

drugs

SAPS

Office of the Mayor

Health and Social

Development

Social Services


FEBRUARY 2013

Public Participation To be

confirmed

To broadly consult

communities on

service delivery.

Communities will be

informed of the

programmes and

plans of the

municipality.

Office of the Mayor


CDWs

SONA

Mayor’s

radio

interview on

POA

To be

confirmed

To informed

community about the

programme of

government

Communities will be

informed of the

programmes and

plans of the

government

GCIS

SOPA To be

confirmed

To informed

community about the

programme of

government-in the

Province

Communities will be

informed of the

programmes and

plans of the

Province

Limpopo Legislature

Office of the Mayor

LGCF Meeting 21 February

2013

To discuss

communications plan

and development.

To monitor and

report on

communication

plans

All LGCF members


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MARCH 2013

LGCF Meeting

21 March

2013

To discuss

communications plan

and development

To monitor and

report on

communication

plans

All LGCF members

Human Rights Day

To be

confirmed.

To educate and

inform residents of

opportunities

available as well as

their constitutional

rights and obligations

To have more

informed

community

All Sector Departments

ICASA and Sector

departments

Consumer month

celebration

APRIL 2013

Freedom Day To be

confirmed

To create awareness

and celebrate

freedom day

Freedom

celebration

Office of the Mayor

IDP Rep Forum To be

confirmed

To inform

communities about

municipal

programmers

To have increase

participation in all

municipal

programmes

Office of the Mayor

All Sector Departments


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LGCF Meeting 18 April

2013

To discuss

communications plan

and development.

To monitor and

report on

communication

plans

All LGCF members

MAY 2013

LGCF Meeting

23 May 2013 To discuss

communications plan

and development.

To monitor and

report on

communication

plans.

All LGCF members

Budget speech To informed

community about the

programme of the

municipality.

Communities will be

informed of the

programmes and

plans of the

Municipality.

Office of the Mayor

State of the

Municipal Address

To inform

communities about

the programmes of

the municipality

Office of the Mayor Communities informed about

municipal service delivery

issues


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JUNE 2013

World Environment

day celebration

To educate the

community on the

management of the

environment

Dept of Economic

Development

Save the environment

Youth day To educate and

inform the youth

about the policies

and programmes of

government

Office of the Mayor Youth celebration

LGCF Meeting 20 June

2013

To discuss

communications plan

and development

To monitor and

report on

communication

plans

All LGCF members

ADDITIONAL NOTES

STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES

1. Communications Forum (Roles and Functions)

The Communication Forum is a strategic meeting of government communicators in the Modimolle Local Municipality area.

The Modimolle Local Municipality shall coordinate the LGCF with assistance from DPLG, and GCIS.

The LGCF shall be attended by the Communicators from the Council Units, Parastatals, sector Departments and other

government related structures in the Modimolle Local Municipal area.


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The LGCF shall be used for information sharing and ironing out communication problems on a Municipal level.

The LGCF shall coordinate and organize a calendar of events for the municipality and ensure that these activities are

streamlined across the municipality to avoid duplication and waste of resources.

As the spirit of the LGCF is coordination and sharing, some aspect of the agenda shall include:

o setting the overall goals for the Council and leading communication and consultation internally and externally.

o The Municipal Manager and his management team have to engage with the public, listen to their views and

comments, propose and explain ideas; explain decisions and the reasons why those decisions have been made and

ensure opportunities exist for two-way communications.

o Staff have to engage with the public to listen to enquiries, help decide how needs can best be met, explain about

options or limits to services, refer to partners or other agencies. Members of staff also have to communicate with

each other as colleagues, managers, team members, customers and suppliers.

o Everyone has to promote the Council and Modimolle Local Municipality to the wider world to support the creation of

a positive image at regional, national and international level.

__________________________ _____________________________

MANAGER: CORPORATE SERVICES DATE

__________________________ _____________________________

ACTING MUNICIPAL MANAGER DATE

modimolle local municipality · developmental local government as prescribed by national...

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