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Chairperson Minister Mofokeng,
Honorable guests,
Delegates from various Transitional Councils,
Ladies and gentlemen.

It is a great privilege to address you on this historic launch of the Gauteng Association for Local Authorities (GALA).

Indeed, a cursory perusal of the draft constitution of this association shows that it is a prototype of an inclusive and democratic organization of local authorities in this Province. Quite admittedly, local authorities in this country have historically been organized, along fundamentally flawed racially exclusive policies and principles. Organizations like Municipal Employees Organization (MEO) the now defunct Transvaal Local Government Association (TRALOGA) and the Transvaal Municipal Association (TMA) bear testimony to this fact. Needless to say, the existence of the aforementioned organizations has unashamedly been rendered achaic and anachronistic by the Constitution of this country especially insofar as they continue to espouse racism which seems to be camouflaged as representation of so-called minority rights. I believe that the tide of transformation of Local Government should be able to transcend all kinds of facades.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the tasks that lie ahead and should be fulfilled by this association, cannot be overemphasized. Central to transformation of Local Government is the qualitative improvement of the lives of the ordinary people at grassroots level through, inter alia, delivery improvement of the lives of the ordinary people at grassroots level through, inter alia, delivery of good services, creation of jobs, development of human resources and an overall contribution to economic growth and empowerment.

Of course the above-mentioned are, in turn, central to the meticulous Government Program, the RDP. Invariably, though, Local Government is the implementing agent of the RDP. The launch of GALA therefore raises hopes and expectations of an improvement in the co-ordination of the RDP implementation as well as other special projects like Masakhane.

But in order to successfully implement the RDP the statutory impediments that were imposed by the previous regime should be removed. In essence, this means that the new association shall have to actively involve itself in establishing the legislative framework which will enhance rather than fetter developmental and democratic local governance.

Most importantly, I believe that the establishment of this association is not an alibi for local authorities to exclude other organizations that have vested interest in Local Government affairs. Such organizations include, inter alia, the trade unions, non-government organizations (NGO's) Community Based Organizations (CBO's) and other components of organs of civil society.

A working relationship between GALA and the organs of civil society I have alluded to, is not only strategically important but, indeed, a scintillating enhancement of the democratic ethos.

Undoubtedly, the establishment of GALA opens a new window of opportunity for more coordinated relations between Local Government and the other two tiers of Government.

Also linked to the above, is the need for GALA to network not only with similar associations in other provinces in the country but also abroad. This could assist in enhancing the qualitative development of our association herald by an understanding of global trends, models and paradigms in this regard.

The establishment of a National Association of Local Authorities has been organised by MINMEC for the 19 September 1995. I therefore hope this newly emerging Gauteng Association will be represented in that gathering.

In conclusion, I would like to expressly reiterate that Gauteng Government Stands four square in support of this association. I believe that the realisation of your aims and objectives and resolutions shall add an invaluable value to the process of democratization of Local Government which shall be formally ushered in by the impending November 1 election.

Thank you.

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