“Municipal Elections: What Does Your Vote Mean?”

6 October 2010, Square Hill Civic Centre - David Daniels, the municipal manager in Stellenbosch, began by describing himself as a “local government junkie.” He explained the post-apartheid shift local government has made to a developmental approach, mentioning the Local Government White paper published in March of 1998. He also discussed the active engagement of communities in the affairs of municipalities as being the fundamental aspect of local government. Mr. Daniels then briefly addressed the subject of the IDP, instructing the audience to view it as a 25-year, long –term plan, rather than a 5-year plan. In conclusion, Mr. Daniels again stressed the importance of community involvement in local government, involvement that begins with the vote.