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Contents

1. Introduction

2. the south African Foreign Policy

3. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality International Relations

4. the International Partnerships • BuffaloCity-Gävle,Sweden • BuffaloCity-Leiden,Netherlands • BuffaloCity-Milwaukee,USA • BuffaloCity,AmatholeDistrict-Glasgow,Scotland • NETSAFRICA-Tuscany,Italy

5. Future opportunities

6. Conclusion

1.INTRODUCTION

This booklet covers development cooperation and international relations efforts for the period 2006 to 2011. These are the targeted efforts of the municipality to mobilize resource, improve service delivery and improve skills and capacity within the municipality. Municipal International relations is a policy framework which enables municipalities, communities, and community based organisations to develop and establish links with and among one another in different countries for purposes of sharing information, experiences and expertise in matters of mutual interest in respect of Buffalo City’s and South African foreign relations. International linkages may provide numerous benefits including facilitating the sharing of international expertise and best practice experience.

BuffaloCitytakesitscuedirectlyfromtheSouthAfricanForeignPolicywhichhasthecountry’sinterestatheart.However,theBuffaloCitycommunityhasbeenthedirectbeneficiarytoallmostallprojectsandinterventionsthroughoutthecity,whichisaptgiventheaimofdevelopmentcooperationandinternationalrelations,shouldbetomakeacontributiontowardsstrengtheninggovernanceandlocaldemocracy,andreducingpoverty.

ThepartnershipswithGävle-Sweden,Leiden–Netherlands,MilwaukeeCounty-USA,Glasgow–ScotlandandRegionofTuscany-Italythroughtheirdonoragenciesallstrivetoachievethisideal.Ithashoweverbecomeessentialtolocalizeinternationalrelationssothatlocalcommunitiesunderstandthestrategicnatureofourinternationalengagements.Thiswillhelperadicatemanymisconceptionsandconfusionswhichcloudsdevelopmentcooperationand international relations efforts.

2. THESOUTHAFRICANFOREIGNPOLICY

IntheperiodsinceSouthAfrica’stransitiontodemocracy,localgovernmentinternationalrelationsbecameanintegralpartofthegrowingcontactbetweenSouthAfricaandtherestoftheworldbothatabilateralandmultilaterallevel.SouthAfricanmunicipalitiesincludingBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalityhavebeenparticipatingextensivelyinnumerousactivitieswithinternationalassociations;andasaresult,awiderangeofinternationalcooperationarrangementsbetweenmunicipalitiesfromSouthAfricaandothercountrieshavebeenestablished.Theserangefromtwinningagreementstoexchangeprogrammeswhichareguidedbythesouth African Foreign Policy.

the south African Foreign Policy guides all internationalrelationsactivitiesinthecountry.ItprovidestheprioritiesoftheSouthAfricangovernmentwhichmunicipalitiesandotherparticipantsneedtomindfulofwhenembarkingoninternationalrelationsactivities.

SouthAfrica’sForeignPolicyprioritiesareasfollows:

Consolidation of the African Agenda:

ConsolidationoftheAfricanAgendabystrengtheningtheAfricanUnion(AU)andtheimplementationoftheNewPartnershipforAfrica’sDevelopment(NEPAD),capacitatingtheSouthAfricanCustomsUnion(SACU)asamotivatingforceforanintegratedandeffectiveSouthernAfricanDevelopmentCommunity(SADC);

South – South Cooperation:

ThiscooperationisofstrategicimportanceinthepursuitofRSAforeignpolicyobjectivesofaddressingthechallengesofeconomicandpoliticalmarginalisationemanatingfromglobalisationwhichfavoursthecountriesoftheNorth.EndeavouringtoadvancetheagendaofAfricaandtheSouth,SouthAfricaactivelyengagesandcooperateswithlike-mindedcountriesinregionalandsub-regionalblocsoftheSouthsuchastheNon-AlignedMovement(NAM),theG77,China(andtheChina–AfricaForum),theIndia-Brazil-SouthAfricaDialogueForum(IBSA)and

theNewAsia-AfricaStrategicPartnership(NAASP);

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality International RelationsPAGE001


2. THESOUTHAFRICANFOREIGNPOLICY

North – South Dialogue:

SouthAfrica’sengagementwiththedevelopedcountriesoftheNorthispremisedonthenotionofforgingpartnershipsandbringingaboutpeace,securityanddevelopmentintheSouth.SouthAfricatogetherwithotherleadersoftheAfricancontinenthassystematicallyengagedleadersofdevelopendcountriesincludingthoseofthemostindustrialisedcountries(G8)specificallytosecuresupportforNEPAD.ConsequentlyNEPADhasbecomearegularitemontheagendaoftheG8summits.

Participation in Global Governance:

MeaningfulparticipationinGlobalGovernance,regardingtheUnitedNations(UN),WorldTradeOrganizationandtheBrettonWoodInstitutions(theInternationalMonetaryFund(IMF)andWorldBank),SouthAfricastrivesforfundamentalreforminthegovernanceandmanagementoftheseinstitutionswithaviewtoenhancingequity,transparencyandefficiency.

south Africa has adopted an engaging stance withmajoreconomicpowersoftheworldintermsofissuesintheglobalenvironmentthatarenotfavourabletoSouthAfricaandSouthernAfrica.Inmultilateralforumsandthroughbilateralnegotiations,SouthAfricaaspirestoamendtherulesformulatedinthepastbyspecificinterestgroups,whetherpolitical or institutional so that it is in the interest of the continent.

TheunderlyingprincipleswhichserveasguidelinesintheconductofourforeignrelationswerecoinedbyMinisterAlfredNzoattheHeadsofMissionConference,heldinSeptember1995,inPretoria.Theprinciplesinclude:

a)acommitmenttothepromotionofhumanrights;

b)acommitmenttothepromotionofdemocracy;

c) acommitmenttojusticeandinternationallawintheconductofrelationsbetweennations;

d) acommitmenttointernationalpeaceandtointernationallyagreed-uponmechanismsfortheresolutionofconflicts;

e) acommitmenttotheinterestsofAfricainWorldAffairs;and

f) acommitmenttoeconomicdevelopmentthroughregional and international cooperation in an interdependentworld.”

TheseprinciplesformthebasisofallBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipality’sengagements.

Offi cial Development Assistance (ODA) IntermsofthePolicyFrameworkandProceduralGuidelinesforManagementofODA,thereisanincreasingemphasisongovernmentservicedelivery,capacity-buildinginsupportofservice-delivery,andan increased decentralisation of support. According to theFramework,thereisalsoanincreasingrealisationinGovernmentandamongsttheinternationaldonorcommunitythatdevelopmentco-operationcanplayanevengreaterroleinthemassivetaskofreconstructionanddevelopmentdelivery.AsfundsarechanneledthroughtheRDP(ReconstructionandDevelopmentProgramme)Fund,NationalTreasuryisresponsibleforoverallODAcoordinationandinBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalityvariousdepartmentsmunicipalitymanagetheofficialdevelopmentassistancefromvariousdonors,namelyEuropeanUnion(EU),GTZ(GermanyDevelopmentAssistance)andotherdonors.


International relations and more especially development cooperation has been one of the priority needs of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.

ThemunicipalitiesIntegratedDevelopmentPlan(IDP)setstheprioritiesforinternationaldevelopmentcooperation efforts.

TheLocalGovernmentMunicipalStructuresAct.117,1998,56.(2);makestheExecutiveMayorresponsibleforinternationalrelationsengagements.IntermsoftheAct,theExecutiveMayormust:-

a) identifytheneedsofthemunicipality;

b) reviewandevaluatethoseneedsinorderofpriority;

c) recommendtothemunicipalcouncilstrategies,programmesandservicestoaddresspriorityneedsthroughtheintegrateddevelopmentplan,andtheestimatesofrevenueandexpenditure,takingintoaccountanyapplicablenationalandprovincialdevelopmentplans;and

d)recommendordeterminethebestwayincludingpartnershipandotherapproachestodeliverthosestrategies,programmesandservicestothemaximumbenefitofthecommunity.

BCMMhasrecognisedtheimportancetoensurethatitsdevelopmentcooperationandinternationalrelationsshouldnotbeadhocbutratherguidedbyaclearframeworkrecognisingtheimportanceofalignmentwithinter alia the priorities of south African Foreign Policy. In this regard a Municipal InternationalRelationsFrameworkwasdraftedandadoptedbyCouncilin2008.Thedocumentprovidesanoverviewoftheworkingsoftheinternationalrelations,objectivesandprioritieswhichwarranttheattentionofallparticipantsofthemunicipality,thecountry and foreign counterparts.

BuffaloCity’sapproachtointernationalrelationsislargelydrivenbytheopportunitiesthatcanbeharnessedfornotonlythemunicipalitybutthecityasawhole.Itisdevelopmentalignedandensuresthatthemunicipality’sinvolvementinestablishingandmaintaininginternationalrelationshipshastocontributeto:

• Economicdevelopmentoftheareaincluding,butnotlimitedto,tourism,investmentandtrade;

• Culturaldevelopmentoftheareaincluding,butnotlimitedto,respectfordifferentculturesandartisticpursuits;

• Socialdevelopmentincluding,butnotlimitedto,sportingexchangesandhorticulturalinterests;and

• Educationaldevelopmentincluding,butnotlimitedto,linksbetweenNGO’s,CBO’s,thebusinesscommunityandotherareasofexchange.

Throughthealignmentofthedevelopmentcooperation and international relations efforts and agreementsBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalityisableto:

• Facilitateinformationandknowledgesharing;• Equipcouncillorswithadditionalskillsand

capacity;• Buildmanagerialandtechnicalcapacity;• PromoteBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalityas

anattractivelocationforinvestmentandtourism;• Developprojectpartnershipsformutualbenefits;• Addressregionalandglobalchallengesthathave

localimpactwhichneedtobetackledonabroadbasis;and

• Contributetoglobalunderstanding,solidarityandpeace.

3. BUFFALOCITYMETROPOLITANMUNICIPALITYDEVELOPMENTCOOPERATIONANDINTERNATIONALRELATIONS

Whilst international development cooperation or aid is actioned by donors providing funds for developmental projects following an application process, aid also comes in the form of funding towards implementing projects, expertise, skills transfer and capacity building and also goods, such as food aid and secondhand books.

Inordertoensuremeaningfulcooperationwithpartnercities,BuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalityhasenteredintoagreementsintheformofdeclarationofintentsormemorandumofunderstandings.DetailedFrameworkshavealsobeendevelopedtoaccompanyandcomplementtheagreements.

Forinternationalpartnersmanagementandcoordinationofdonoraidandprogrammesisseenasapriority.BuffaloCitymanagesandco-ordinatesthepartnershipprogrammes,throughtheInternationalRelationsUnitintheDepartmentofCommunicationandDevelopmentCooperation.Theroleofthedevelopmentcooperationandinternationalrelationsunitistomanageandcoordinateallsistercitypartnerships,internationaldonor relations and other strategic international relationsthatwillstrategicallyenhancethemunicipality’sintegrateddevelopmentplan.

Theunitpreparesplannedactivities,budgets,andsix-monthlyandannualreportsandalsohastheoverallresponsibilityfortheco-ordinationofthepartnershipprogrammeincloseco-operationwiththerespectiveprojectleaders.

AspartofthegrowthandevolutionoftheBuffaloCitypartnershipsBCMMsawtheneedtoaligntotheMillenniumDevelopmentGoals(MDGs)inordertomakeamoremeaningfulcontributiontowardsreducingpovertyby2015.Thereareeightgoalstobeachievedby2015thatrespondtotheworld’smaindevelopmentchallenges.

• Goal 1: Eradicateextremepovertyandhunger

• Goal 2: Achieveuniversalprimaryeducation

• Goal 3: Promotegenderequalityandempowerwomen

• Goal 4: Reducechildmortality

• Goal 5: Improvematernalhealth

• Goal 6: CombatHIV/AIDS,malariaandotherdiseases

• Goal 7: Ensureenvironmentalsustainability

• Goal 8: DevelopaGlobalPartnershipforDevelopment

At present the BCMM partnerships is fully alignedtooneoftheeightgoalsnamelyglobalpartnership.However,thepartnershipshaveovertheyearsfocusedonaspectsoftheMDGgoalsnamely,PovertyEradication,GenderEqualityandEmpowermentofwomen,HIV/Aids,Health,EducationandEnvironmentalSustainability.TheaimisnowtoalsoalignmanyoftheinternationalpartnershipactivitiestotheMDG’s.

3. BUFFALOCITYMETROPOLITANMUNICIPALITYDEVELOPMENTCOOPERATIONANDINTERNATIONALRELATIONS



4. THEBUFFALOCITYINTERNATIONALPARTNERSHIPS

ThevisionoftheBuffaloCitymunicipalpartnershipsistoimprovedevelopmentcooperationeffortsbystrengtheninglocalgovernmentthroughstrategicprojectidentificationandimplementation,exchangeofknowledgeandexperiences,andbuildingcapacityofpoliticiansandofficialsinordertoenhanceservicedelivery.

SomeofthemoreprominentcurrentinitiativesofBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalityincludetwinningagreementsdirectlyorthroughotherpartnersarewiththefollowingcities:

01Gävle, SwedenfundedbyICLD(InternationalCentreforLocalDemocracy)

02Leiden, NetherlandsfundedbyVNGandUnionofWaterboards

03Milwaukee, USAfundedbySisterCities International

04Glasgow,ScotlandfundedbyCommonwealthLocalGovernmentFund

05Netsafrica,Tuscany, ItalyfundedbytheRegionof tuscany


>01BUFFALOCITY-GäVLE,SWEDEN PARtneRshIP

TheoverallgoalsofthepartnershipprogrammewhichisfundedbytheInternationalCentreforLocalDemocracy(ICLD)areto:

• Strengthenlocaldemocracy;• Alleviatetheeffectsofpoverty;• Improvethecompetenceandcapacityofthe

partiesintheirdevelopmentalroleandasservice-providerstotheirrespectivecommunities;and

• Shareknowledgeinaspiritofmutualsupportandrespect.

Theactivitiesthatformpartofthepartnershiparealignedwiththepriorities,goalsandobjectivesassetbyBuffaloCityandGävleintheirrespectiveDevelopmentPlansandPolicies.

However,BuffaloCity’spartnershipwithSwedengoesbackto1999whentheSwedishInternationalDevelopmentAgency(Sida)aspartofitsUrbanDevelopmentProgrammeinSouthAfrica,hadanextensivedevelopmentco-operationprogrammewithKingWilliam’sTown.

SidahadbeeninvolvedwiththeComprehensiveUrbanPlanningprogrammeintheerstwhileKingWilliam’sTownLocalCouncil,whichlaterformedpart of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality through amalgamationin2000.

InJune2002theideaofexploringthepotentialofapartnershipbetweenthemunicipalitiesofBuffaloCityandGävlecameabout.AftersomepreliminarydeliberationsitwasdecidedtoapproachSidatosupportinvestigationsintothefeasibilityofsuchapartnership.

FollowingsuccessfulexploratoryvisitstobothcitiesaDeclarationofIntentandaFrameworkProgrammeforthepartnershipbetweenthemunicipalitiesweresubsequentlyagreedtoandsignedbytherespectiveMayor’son03December2002.Sincethen,threeagreementshavebeensignedandframeworksapproved.The2011to2013agreementwassignedinFebruary2011.

TheSida-BCMMprogrammeincludedcorethemesofco-operationagreeduponwithintheframeworkofanationalinter-governmentalagreementforaperiodoriginallyintendedtoendinJuly2004butduetothepositiveoutcomeoftheUrbanProgrammeitwasextendedtoJune2007.However;Sida’sdirectinvolvementinthedisbursementofaidendedin2007andinMarch2007,SALAIDAtheinterimfundingagencywasphasedin.InJanuary2009,SALAIDAwasphasedoutandnewprogrammeundertheInternationalcentreforLocalDemocracy(ICLD)wasinstituted.ThepartnershipofBuffaloCityandGävleiscurrentlyfundedbyICLD.

UnlikeotherdonorstheSidasupportedprogrammesrequirethatpartnersareabletoshowmutualbenefitsfromactivities.ThispartnershiphasrecognisedBuffaloCityasanequalpartnernotintermsofmonetarycontributionbutintermsofsharingoflessons,contributiontopartnershipactivitiesandtheabilitytoimprovetheknowledgeand capacity of partners and other actors.

BUFFALOCITY-GäVLE,SWEDENPARtneRshIP




Fromprogressreportsandevaluationsundertaken,thefollowingoutcomeshavebeenidentifiedaspotentialareasofmutualbenefitandexchange:

• Developmentofjointworkstructures;• Newperspectivesonproblem-solving;• Sharingofknowledgeandexperience;• Similarityofchallengesandsolutions;• Newpracticalskills;and• Moreintegrationandco-operationfromother

internaldepartments.

Whilstprojectleadershaveobtainedanumberofskillsandexperiencetoempowerthemintheirrespectiveworkenvironments,thepartnershiphasalsoassistedinbroadeningtheiroutlookintermsofsocialissues,cultureandlanguage.SolidrelationshipshavebeendevelopedovertimeandwhilsttheSida-supportedpartnershiponedaymaybeending,theselong-lastingrelationshipswillcontinuewellintothefuture.

Thedevelopmentco-operationmodelhasalsoevolvedovertheyearsandwiththeassociatedreductionindirectmaterialsupportfromSidatothestructuredprogrammeofactivitiesinBuffaloCity,ithasbecomenecessarytofindwaystoensurethatthereciprocalbenefitsobtainedfromamunicipaltwinningrelationshiparesustainedbeyondthedurationofthecurrentmunicipalpartnershipactivitiesinBuffaloCity.

PROJECTS/PROGRAMMES

SomeoftheprojectsthathaveformedpartoftheBuffaloCity-Gävleengagementshaveincluded:

Directly funded partnership under Sida(2001 -2007)

SWECO / SIPU Consultancy support

TheassistancetoBuffaloCityintheformofconsultancysupporttodevelopmentplanningwasstarteduponaroundthe15thofOctober2001toDecember2002bySWECO/SIPU.ThefollowingprojectswereincorporatedintheSWECO/SIPUConsultancysupporttoBuffaloCity:

• Transportation and Traffic Safety Theactivitieshavebeenbasedonanoverall

structure for the Buffalo City transport area as describedintheIDPAnalysisPhase.BuffaloCityhasacceptedconsultancysupportfromSWEPCOintheareasoftrafficsafety,PublicTransportPlan,TransportModelsforintegratedtransportplanning,anddevelopingaTrafficAccidentDatabase.Theobjectivewastoimprovecapacityofmunicipalstaffintheareasoftransportationandtrafficsafety.


• Environment Thiscomponentconsistedoffoursub-components

viz. • AnoverallEnvironmentalManagement

Programme, • IntegratedSolidWasteManagementPlan • SanitationManagementStrategy • PollutionManagementStrategy

ThefocuswasonthepreparationofanIntegratedEnvironmentalManagementPlan(IEMP),whichalsoembracestheLocalAgenda21component.TheIntegratedSolidWasteManagementplan(ISWMP)wascompletedduringthisperiod..

• Local Agenda 21 AworkprogrammefortheintroductionofLocal

Agenda21(LA21)inBuffaloCitywasdrafted.ThiscomponentwasintegratedintotheIntegratedEnvironmentalManagementPlan.

• Spatial Planning Thesupporthasbeenlimitedtothespatial

representationofthesectoralinputintotheIDPaswellastheinitiatingofaworkprogrammeforthespatialplanningactivities,whichwereproposedintheIDPaspartoftheSpatialDevelopmentFramework.

• HIV / AIDS Thestudyon“HIV/AIDSPrevalenceandImpact

StudyandResourceMappinginBuffaloCity”wascompletedduringAugust2003.TheoutcomeofthestudyinformedthedevelopmentoftheHIV/AIDSStrategyforBuffaloCityandtheidentificationoffutureprojectsandprogrammes.

• Capacity Building Programme Avarietyofcapacitybuildingactivitiestookplace

inthethematictaskteamsandthedepartmentsrangingfromon-the-jobtrainingandinteractionwithSwedishexpertstoregularcourses,workshops,seminarsandstudytours.

Special Interventions

sida supported Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality withprojectsthatcanbeclassifiedasSpecialInterventionsinsofarthattheywereatthetimerequiredtoprovidestrategicinformationorinputintothedevelopmentandsupportoftheIDPprocessinBuffalo City.

• Orthophoto Mapping Theaimoftheprojectwastoobtaindigitalcolour

ortho-photographyandvectorcontoursfortheentire Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. A totalof2064photosweretaken.ThedigitalorthophotoimageswereprovidedtotheGISDivisionfordistributionontheGISintranet.

• City Development Strategy TheformulationofaCityDevelopmentStrategy

hasbeenseenasabroadeninganddeepeningoftheIDP.Sidaprovidedassistancewiththedevelopmentofthetermsofreference,thedevelopmentoftheadjudicationtemplateandtheevaluationofallthetendersreceived.TheUrbanAdvisortogetherwithassistanceofinternationalconsultant,Mr.OrjanMohlundandUCFassistedwithastudytourtoSweden.

• Integration of KWT CUP with IDP Manyusefulstudiesandplanswereprepared

withintheComprehensiveUrbanPlanning(CUP)projectinKingWilliam’sTownduring1999-2000.Theaimoftheprojectwastoalignandintegratetheseandrecentsectorplansandprogrammes,intomoreconcreteprojectsandprogrammestobeimplementedaspartoftheIDP.

• Duncan Village Housing Design Competition Theoverallobjectiveofthehousingcompetitionis

toshowaffordablehigh-densityhousingsolutionsfortheurbanpoor.




• GIS Phase 2 and 3 AGISstrategywaspreparedaspartofthe

bridgingprojects.Theimplementationofthestrategy,GISPhase2,isongoingwiththesupportbySida.Swedesurveywascontractedfortheconsultancy,whichendedinJune2004.TheGISPhase2implementationisstronglylinkedtoadigitalortho-photomappingproject.

• Community Support Centres Themainobjectiveoftheprojectwasto: • Takegovernmentclosertothepeoplethereby

improvinglocaldemocracy;and • Improveinteractionandcustomerrelationswith

localcommunitiesthroughcommunitysupportcentres.

Threecommunitysupportcentresweredeveloped.ThecentresarelocatedinMdantsane,DuncanVillageandKingWilliamsTown.

• Roads Management System ARoadManagementSystemencompassesall

theactivitiesinvolvedintheplanning,design,construction,maintenance,evaluationandrehabilitationofroads.Giventheextentoftheroadnetworkandthevaryingconditionofroads,thevarioustreatmentmethodsavailableandthelimitedfunding,theroadmanagementsystemassists greatly in the prioritisation of the roads formaintenanceandtheprudentuseofavailablefunds.

TheprojectwascarriedoutinclosecollaborationwiththecolleaguesinGävleandhascontributedsignificantlytothemutualbenefitofthepartnership.


• Water Management System Theoverallobjectivesoftheprojectareto

improveinformationmanagementforefficientdecisionmakingforBuffaloCity,andsecondlytheacquisitionandimplementationofawatermanagementsystemtoassisttheWaterDivisionofBuffaloCitytowardsachievementofitsgoalsofeliminationofservicebacklogsviaaprioritizedbasicservicesbacklogsprogramme,maintenance,refurbishmentandupgradingofinfrastructure,expansionoftheserviceandtheprovisionoffreebasicwaterservices(i.e.6kl/month),assistingwiththeimprovementoftheeconomyofthecitywherewaterservicescanplay.

• Transportation and Traffic Safety Sida’ssupportandassistanceincludedinstallation

ofatransportplanningmodel,conductingaTravelSurvey,preparingaPublicTransportframeworkPlan,installationofaTrafficAccidentDatabase,conductingatrafficsafetyaudit,preparationofpublictransportplan,capacitybuildinginpublictransportmanagement,developmentoftransportplanningmodel(visum),preparationoftrafficsafetyplan,developmentofintegratedtransportframeworkplanwithemphasisonnonmotorizedtransport,pilotprojectsintrafficsafetyandnonmotorizedtransportandcapacitybuildinginallprojects.MentoringprogrammeswithSwedishPublicTransportauthoritiesandstudytoursabroadarealsoareaswhereSidahasbeenveryinstrumental.

• Transportation and Traffic Safety Pilot – Frere Hospital

ThreetrafficsafetypilotprojectswereinvestigatedaspartoftheSWECO/SIPUConsultancy.Preliminarydesignsandreportswerecompletedforeachproject.TheprojectsaimedatimprovedtrafficsafetytointersectionsservingtheFrereHospital,ClaredonandSelborneschools.TheFrereHospitalprojectwasselectedforimplementation.




• Taxi Ranks Themainobjectiveoftheprojectwastoaddress

pedestrianmovements,trafficsafety,informaltradingactivitiesandenvironmentalissuesattherespectivetaxiranks.TheKingWilliam’sTownpartoftheprojectwasadirectresultoftheplanningactivitiesundertheCUPproject.

• Land Use Management System Thegeneralobjectiveoftheprojectwasthe

creationofadatabaseonthelanduseofpropertieswithintheBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipality,wherenoorlimitedexistinglanddataexists.Inthisregard,theprojectfocusedonobtaininglandusedataintheruralvillagesandcoastaltownswithintheareaofjurisdictionoftheMunicipality.

• Land Management Policy TheprojectaimedtoproduceaLandManagement

PolicyforBuffaloCity,whichwouldstipulatemeasuresthatcanbelegallybeimplementedtopreventillegalinvasionbypreventingpeoplefromerectinginformalstructuresoroccupyinglandwithoutpermissionfromtherightfulowner/s.Thepurposeofthisprojectthereforewastoclearlydefinetherespectiverolesandresponsibilitiesandtoassignthemaccordingly.Theprojectwillalsoanattempttoreconciletherelevantpiecesoflegislation,whichwhenreadclosely,seemtobecontradictory.

• Cadastral Data Theobjectiveofthisprojectwastoestablisha

completeandcurrentcadastraldatasetforBuffaloCity–oneofthecornerstonesoftheGISBaseData.

• Housing Policy the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

inheritedamajorbacklogintheprovisionofhousingandduetothisapolicywasnecessarytoguidehousingprovision.ThePolicywasenvisagedtoidentifytheneedforpeopletobeinvolvedintheirowndevelopmentdecisionsandtotrytoencouragethePeople’sHousingProcessinthedevelopmentofhousingforthepoor.

• Fact Finding study on Housing Associations IntheongoingprojectstoformulateaHousing

Policyitwasrealizedthattheknowledgeoftheoperating housing Associations in Buffalo City MetropolitanMunicipalitywasnotsatisfactoryenoughtoallowwell-fundedproposalsonthefutureengagementoftheorganizationsintheoverallhousingdelivery.Thereforeasaparallelactivity,theneedforafact-findingstudyoftherole-playerswithintheSocialHousingsectorhadbeenidentifiedasoneofthecrucialtasksintheformulationoftheHousingPolicy.



• Implementation of Housing Competition in Duncan Village & Haven Hills

ThejointHousingCompetitionforNelsonMandelaMetroandBCMMattractedagoodnumberofparticipantsfromSouthAfricaaswellasfromSweden.ThecompetitionforthedesignofthesiteinDuncanVillagewaswonbyaSwedisharchitect,MrPelleWikstrom,asjudgedbyajuryinJune2004.Sida’sinvolvementintheDuncanVillagesitehoweverhadbeenrestrictedtothedesignphases,asthelikelihoodofphysicalimplementationbeforeendofJune2007wasverylimited.

• Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan Theprimaryobjectivesoftheprojectwasto

developanIntegratedCoastalZoneManagementPlan(ICZMP)intermsofthestrategiesidentifiedintheIDPdocument,whichprovidedasystematicandco-coordinatedplantowardsthefuturesustainablemanagementandexploitationofBuffaloCity’scoastalandmarineresources.

• Nahoon point nature reserve Theintentionofthisprojectwastosecure

all the natural and cultural history aspects of thisareainaformalizedmannerbyhavingitdeclaredanaturereserveandtoprovideasafeleisureandlearningenvironmentforcitizens,touristsandvisitors.Thepilotprojecthascontributedtotheprotectionofthereservethroughfencingintheareaandbybuildingawalkwayacrossthedunessoastolimitandcontrolthehumanimpact.Furthermore,anumberofrangerguidesweretrainedandemployedtopatroltheareaandguidevisitors.

• Nahoon estuary nature reserve project Thepilotprojecthascontributedtothe

protectionoftheareaaswellastoeducationandjobcreationpossibilitiesthroughtheconstructionofaboardwalk,informationsigns,andtheconstructionofaneducationalenvironmentalawarenesscentre.



• BCMM Municipal Open Space System (MOSS) AmajorobjectiveofthecomprehensiveOpen

SpaceSystemwastocontributetowardstheconservationofindigenousbiodiversityaswellastoincorporateimportantsocialandeconomicconcerns.

• Sanitation Policy and Strategy Theaimoftheprojectwastoformulateasanitation

policyandtoimplementapilotprojectinBCMM.

• Sanitation Pilot Project Closelyrelatedtotheformulationofa

sanitationpolicywastheimplementationofanalternativesanitationpilotproject.Theneedtonotonlydemonstratesthetechnicalsolutionstoalternativesanitationbutalsotoapplymanagementsystemsandtestoperationalissues in full scale.

• Public Safety Programme Thepublicsafetyprogrammeaimedtoenhance

publicsafetyforcommunitiesinGävleandBuffaloCity.Animportantfocusoftheprogrammewastoimprovecooperationbetweenpolice,trafficpolice,disastermanagement,fireandrescueandambulanceservices.Cooperationbetweenthemunicipalitiesresultedinanexchangeofknowledgethatbenefitedbothpartners.

• HIV/AIDS - Employee Wellness Programme EpicentreAIDSRiskManagementFoundation

conductedanEmployeeWellnessProgramme(withemphasisonpreventingandtreatingHIV/AIDSandcaringforandsupportingitsvictims).Themainobjectiveoftheprojectwastodevelop,initiate,implement,monitorandevaluateanEmployeeWellnessProgrammefocusingonHIV/AIDSprevention,treatment,careandsupportforBCMMscouncillorsandemployees.Theothercomponentofthesupport,Primary Health Care HIV/Aids Package,includedtheconstructionandequippingofclinic(s)tomakethemsuitableforvoluntarycounselingandtesting.ThePetrosGobaneClinicinCambridgeTownshipwasextendedwiththeassistanceofSida.

• Special Programmes Theinterventionincludesthreeprojects.Twoof

themwererelatedtotheformulationofpoliciesandstrategieswithintheareasofGenderandDisabilitiesrespectively.ThethirdprojectdealtwithmoreconcreteandimmediateactivitieswithintheYouthatRiskfocusareaincludingHIV/Aids.

• Youth at Risk Themainobjectiveoftheprojectwasto

undertakeastudywiththefocusonYouthinBuffaloCity.TheresultoftheprojectwasaresourcedocumentdetailingthecurrentsituationinBCMM,theresourcestoaddresstheseissuesandatooltoguideBCMMwithregardsallocationofresourcesandmainstreamingwithintheIDP.Interactiononyouthinatri-partycooperationbetweenBuffaloCity,GävleandLeidenwasinvestigatedwhichaddedvaluetothespecialprogrammesactivities.

• Gender Themainobjectiveofthegenderstrategyand

policyprojectwastoensureanenvironmentofgenderresponsivenesswithinBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalityonhowtodealwithgendermattersandalong-termframeworkprogrammeforimplementationofthepolicy.

• Disabilities Theaimofthedisabilityprojectwasto

developadisablestrategywhichaimedtocreateawarenessandeducateBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalityonchallengesfacedbypeoplewithdisabilities.



SALA/IDA (2007-2009)

• Management & Co-ordination ( Compulsory) Managementandcoordinationisacompulsory

applicationinallICLDprojects.ThePartnershipCoordinatorsofbothmunicipalitiesareresponsibleforpartnershipcoordination,projectmonitoringandreportingtotheJPSCandICLD.Theymeetaccordingtotheprojectapplicationtodiscussandpreparefortheongoingactivitiesandalsoplanforthefutureactivitiesofthepartnershipprogramme.TheyareresponsibleforprojectsauditsandcontactswithICLD.

• Good Governance

• Citizen Relationship Management (CRM) TheobjectiveoftheCRMprojectwastodevelop

acomprehensive,Communications,CustomerRelationsandpublicparticipationstrategyandplanwhichwouldassistbothmunicipalitiesincreaseparticipationofCouncillorsandofficials,

increaseaccesstoinformationwhichwouldleadtoanefficient,effectiveandparticipativemunicipalgovernment.

• GIS - Geographic Information Systems Theprojectfocussedondevelopingstrategiesfor

implementinganArcGISServersoftwaresolutionanddevelopingcustomizedweb-basedspatialeditingtoolsthatareavailabletoalluserswithoutthecomplexityassociatedwiththetraditionaleditingtools,intherespectivemunicipalities.

• Youth Thepurposeoftheprojectwastoidentify

areasofco-operationaimedatharnessingtheyouthinitiativesbeingundertakenbyGävle,inordertoguideBCMMwiththedevelopmentofsustainableprogrammesfortheimplementationoftheBCMMYouthDevelopmentStrategy.



BCMMinpartnershipwiththeformerUmsobomvuYouthFundnowNationalYouthDevelopmentAgencyinitiatedYouthAdvisoryCentreswithdedicatedstaffwithintheMdantsaneandKingWilliamsTownCommunitySupportCentreswhilsttheGompoYouthAdvisoryCentreisrunfromthemunicipalofficesinEastLondon.TheseCentresprovidefreeinternetaccessforyouthtillage35andwomenofallages.

Inadditiontothis,theCentresprovideuserswithaccesstoinfo.Theseyouthclubswillenableyoungpeopletoparticipateinleisure,education,arts/cultureandhealthrelatedactivitieswhichwillcontributetodevelopmentalandsustainableyouthinitiatives.Thisyouthdevelopmentprojectseeksinthelongtermtoreducecrime,substanceabuse,poverty,teenagepregnanciesandHIVinfectionsbymeansofinformation,education,andtrainingonlifeskills,careerchoicesandentrepreneurial opportunities.

InadditiontotheYouthAdvisoryCentreshousedasabove,BCMM(infulfillingitsmandateofparticipatorydemocraticlocalgovernance),hasaBuffaloCityYouthCouncilwhorepresentthe45youthwardstructures.TheYouthCouncilhaveresourcedyouthdesksintheMdantsaneandKingWilliamsTownCentres.TheseyouthdesksenabletheyouthofBCMMtointeractwiththeirelected youth council on issues relating to youth developmentandlocalgovernment.

DuringreciprocaltrainingsbetweentheBCMMandGävlecounterparts,manylessonshavebeenlearntandknowledgesharedwithreferencetotheaforementionedinitiativesandtheCityofGävle-HelgesYouthCentreaspartofthecommunityresource node.

• Good Governance Public Participation Theprojectfocusedinthemainonthepublic

participationonhowcommunitiesdoormustengagewiththeirMunicipality.Itdealtwiththeco-ordinationandmobilizationofstakeholdersandcommunitiestoparticipateinthemunicipaldevelopmentalagenda.Italsodealtwithco–ordinationofhowvariousconstituenciesinterfacewithmunicipalactivitiesandtheparticipationofintersectoralforumsandcommunitystructuresintheaffairsofthemunicipality.ThisprojectbenefittedGävleimmenselyaspublicparticipationinGävlehasdeclined.AftertheinteractionswithBuffaloCity,GävleMunicipalityhasmanagedtoestablishstructuressimilartothatofwardcommitteesintheirmunicipality.ThishelpsBuffaloCity’sinterestlayintheplanningprocessforhousingdelivery.

• Electricity Masterplan and Maintenance system

Theaimofthisprojectwastodevelopanelectricity Master Plan for BCMM.

• Electricity Maintenance System Maintenanceoftheelectricalnetworkiscrucial

to ensure the safe and continuous supply of electricitytoconsumers.TheaimforthisprojectwastheimplementationofaMaintenanceManagementSysteminBCMMandto

• DevelopTemplatesforinspectionoftheelectricalequipments;and

• CompleteadetailedAssetAgingRegisterformaintenance.

• Multi-Agency Incident Management Thepurposeoftheprojectwastoexchange

informationandexperienceinthefieldofmultiagencyincidentswhichincludedtheplanningformajoreventssuchaslargesportingevents,aswellasplanningandorco-ordinationbetweenthevariousemergencyservicedisciplinesinorderthattheemergencyservicescouldbebetterpreparedforincidentssuchasaircraftcrashesandsevereroadtrafficaccidents.


• Emergency Services Thisprojectinvolvedthevariousdisciplinesthat

makeuptheemergencyservicesthatis,fireandrescue,policeandambulanceserviceswithparticipantsbeingthosepersonnelwhoarestillperformingdutiesatanoperationallevel.

• Infrastructure Asset Management Theobjectiveofthisproject,asharedstudy,was

toarrangeforanexchangeofknowledgeandexperiencesofbothmunicipalitiesintheareaofinfrastructureassetmanagement,areviewoftheapproachbythetwomunicipalities,andrecommendationstobothregardingareasofimprovement.Inthepast,significantcontributionshavebeenmadebySwedishdevelopmentaidtoBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipality(BCMM)inrespectoftheGeographicInformationSystem(GIS)andotherrelatedsystemsandprogrammes.ThesesystemsandprogrammesthatreflecttheassetsandservicesofthemunicipalitiesareabletoassistCouncillors,managers,auditorsandcitizensbyprovidingvitalinformationrelatedtothecontrol,monitoringandtrackingofassetsaswellastheadequateprovisionofservicedelivery.

• ICLD (2009 – 2011)• TheInternationalCentreforLocalDemocracy’s

(ICLD)mainareasoffocusinclude: • KnowledgeandCapacityDevelopment • MunicipalPartnership • InternationalTrainingProgrammes

TheGävle–BuffalopartnershipfallsundertheauspicesoftheMunicipalPartnershipprogramme.

• Management & Co-ordination ( Compulsory) Managementandcoordinationisacompulsory

applicationinallICLDprojects.ThePartnershipCoordinatorsofbothmunicipalitiesareresponsibleforpartnershipcoordination,projectmonitoringandreportingtotheJPSCandICLD.Theymeetaccordingtotheprojectapplicationtodiscussandpreparefortheongoingactivitiesandalsoplanforthefutureactivitiesofthepartnershipprogramme.TheyareresponsibleforprojectsauditsandcontactswithICLD.

• Good Governance - Housing and Public Participation Providingaffordable,safeandcomfortable

housingisessentialaspectofservicedeliveryforlocalgovernments.TheobjectiveoftheprojectwastothereforeexaminethetrendsincivicparticipationthatareaffectingbothBuffaloCityandGävlecommunitiesandcivilsociety,especially pertaining to the type of houses people wantorneed.Byexaminingthetrendsonewouldbeabletounderstandpeople’sneedsandhencedeliverhousesaccordingtotheseneedsandwithinthegrantsorsubsidiesprovidedbygovernmentbutmoreimportantlyfindhowpeoplewanttoparticipateinmattersrelatingtothemselves.BuffaloCityhasbenefittedfromtherentalhousingprogrammeofGävleKommun’sGävlegårdana,themunicipalitiesHousingCompany.

InFebruary2011anewpartnershipagreementfrom2011to2013wassignedbetweenGävleand Buffalo City for continued partnership. ThenewFramework(2011-2013)willfocusonnewopportunitiesthatcouldbeharnessedbybothmunicipalities.2012willmarkthe10yearanniversaryofthepartnership.AnumberofactivitieswillbeplannedbothinSwedenandinSouthAfricatocommemoratethismomentousevent.




>02BUFFALOCITY-LEIDEN,NETHERLANDS PARtneRshIP

BUFFALOCITY-LEIDEN,NETHERLANDS

In 1993 the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) established the Local Authorities Platform South Africa, which after South Africa’s 1994 local elections helped to link Dutch and South African cities.

EastLondonwaschosenasatwincityforLeiden.Formaltiesbetweenthetwocitieswereestablishedin1998,althoughinformalcontactsbeganin1995whenVNGandtheHabitatForumNederlandchoseEastLondonasapartnerforLeiden.

MayorLulamileNazoofthethenEastLondonTransitionalCouncilvisitedLeideninSeptember1995toinitiatethemunicipaltwinningpartnership.ThemunicipalitiessignedaDeclarationofIntentinMay1996andaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU)inAugust1998.

FollowingthenationwidemunicipalreorganisationinSouthAfricainDecember2000,BuffaloCitywasformedwiththeamalgamationofEastLondon,KingWilliam’sTown,Bhishoandotherurbanandruralareas.

InJanuary2002BuffaloCityandLeidenagreedtocontinuedpartnershipandDeputyMayorJanLaurierofLeidenandMayorSindisileMacleanofBuffaloCitysignedanExtendedMemorandumofUnderstanding.ThedurationoftheMOUwassetatthreeyears,withaprovisiontoevaluatetheagreementattheendoftheperiod.InOctober2005theresultswereevaluatedandMayorHenriLenferinkandMayorsindisile Maclean agreed for continued partnership andsignedtheMOUforaperiodoffiveyearsuntil2010.

AnewMOUwassignedinSeptember2010andwillendin2015.

ThepartnershipbetweenBuffaloCityandLeidenisbasedonacitywideapproachtopartnershipsadvocatedbytheHabitatPlatform,whichhelpedtoinitiatetheEastLondonPlatformin1998.Duringtheearlyyearsthecitywideapproachinvolvedcontactsbetweenrepresentativesfromwelfareorganisations,businesses,churches,police,schools,museumsandhospitals.HousingAssociationsfromtheHagueregionandAmsterdamwerealsoinvolvedinformingHAEL(HousingAssociationEastLondon),notonlytobuildhouses,buttofocusonbuildingcommunityspirittopromotethelong-termwelfareofEastLondonneighbourhoods.

Thegeneralprinciplesofacitywideapproachaimto:

• Strengthenlocalgovernment;• Exchangeexpertiseandsupportthe

reconstructionofSouthAfricabycontactsbetweenpoliticians,officials,companies,civilorganisationsandNGOs.

BUFFALOCITY-LEIDEN,NETHERLANDSPARtneRshIP



PROJECTS/PROGRAMMES

LOGO SOUTH HIV/AIDS PROJECT

WithintheSAandespeciallyBCMMcontext,HIV/AidsisviewedasadevelopmentalissuefortheSAlocalgovernmentagendabothasanemployerandserviceprovider

TheprojectwasandisalignedtotheIDPandseekstostrengthenandbroadenexistinginitiatives,throughanintegratedmainstreamedresponsebymeansof;firstlyreducingthesusceptibilityofindividualsandgroupsatriskofHIVinfectioni.e.biologicalfactors(accesstobasicservices);behavioralfactors(genderinequality);andsocialfactors(violenceagainstwomenandchildrenarisingfromanunsafecommunityenvironment).Secondly,theprojectseekstoreducethevulnerabilityoftheseHIVinfectedandaffectedindividualsfrombecomingmoredisadvantagedthroughthediseaseprogression,bymeansofincreasingtheirabilitytoaccessgrants,supportandservicesfromthestate,BCMM and other agencies

TheLogoSouthBCMMHIV/Aidsprojectisbasedonandisanextensionof,thepreviousproject.Itspurpose(inlinewiththeBCMMIDP)is:“ToimproveandenlargetheexistingBCMMco-ordinatedmunicipalresponsetoHIVandAids”.Continuedfundingwillbeusedtostrengthenandbroadenthedevelopedprogrammes,realizeanintegralandmainstreamedmunicipalresponseanddemonstrateanintegratedpartnershiptoreflectcommitmenttocross-cuttingissues.TheintegratedprojectapproachwillhelptoremovethestigmaontheeffectofHIV/Aids.

Completed Activities:

• Mainstreamingtrainingandsupport onHIV/AidsincludingotherSpecialProgrammesFocalAreasi.e.,youthandchildren,olderpersons,women,personswithdisabilitiesforIDPClusters;

• Mainstreamingcapacitation ofBCMMWardCommittees;

• Ensurenetworkedcoordinatedstakeholderresponse bymeansofanactiveLocalAidsCouncil(LAC)andanupdatedSpecialProgrammesFocalAreasdatabase;

• Establishment,inductionandlaunchandBCMMYouth,Gender,OlderPersons,Persons withDisabilitiesForumsandLocalAidsCouncil;

a) TheCommunityDevelopmentWorker(CDW)Toolkithasbeendevelopedandprinted.TheToolkitwillprimarilyserveasaresourcetoolfortheCDWsbutcanbeusedbyemployeesandthecommunitytoo.

b) BCMMhaseitherreviewedordevelopedstrategiesforHIV,Youth(includingorphansandvulnerablechildren),OlderPersonsandGenderwiththeassistanceofthepartnership.

c) TheReviewoftheBCMMYouthDevelopmentStrategyisnowinFinalDraftandwillfollowdueprocessestowardsadoptionbyBCCouncil.

TheStrategywillgiveattentiontothegrowingorphanandvulnerablechildren(OVC)phenomenaandguideBCMMonprogrammesto address this challenge.


BCMM-SAPS YOUTH AT RISK – SPORTS PROJECT (PILOT)

ThroughtheLeidenPartnership,BCMMhasbeenpartneringwiththeSouthAfricanPoliceServices(SAPS)toimplementaYouthatRisk–SportsPilotProjectinDuncanVillageandSceneryPark.

TheYouthatRisk–SportsProjectwasconceivedattheendof2010andemanatedfromtheBuffaloCityandLeiden2010LogoSouth–HIVandAIDSProject.ThispilotprojectisinlinewithboththeBCMMReviewedYouthDevelopmentStrategyandHIVandAIDSCross-CuttingStrategyandseekstomakeuseofexistingBCMMandSouthAfricanPoliceServices(SAPS)resources.Theprojectseedstoengageyouthwhoareatriskoforalreadyhavebeeninconflictwiththelawandbymeansofsport(namelysoccer),toreduceanyfurtherrisks.Theprojectfurtheraddressesyouth,HIVandAIDSasdevelopmentalissues.

TheDuncanVillageareawasselectedforthispilotprojectbasedonthenumberofBuffaloCityandLeidenprojectswhichhavebeenimplementedwithinthesaidgeographicalarea,thedemographicsandthatitisaredevelopmentnodeinitiative.SceneryParkwasselectedbasedonitscloseproximitytoDuncanVillage.

TheprojectwillbeformalizedbymeansofaMemorandumofUnderstandingbetweenthenewBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipality(BCMMM)andSAPSandwillfirstlyseektoreducethebarrierbetweenlawenforcersandyouthatrisk,promotecommunitypolicing,reduceandpreventyouthcrimeoffencesandupliftthequalityoflifeforyouthatrisk.Secondly,youthwillbeengagedinhealthyactivitiestherebydecreasingsubstanceabuse,teenagepregnancyandHIVinfection.




LOGO SOUTH STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROJECT

TheprojectwasdevelopedtodeterminefloodlinesandestablishthehydrauliccapacityofmajorandminordrainagesystemsofBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalityinordertodevelopaStormwaterManagementSystem,aswellasanaccuraterecordofBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalitystormwaterassets.Theprojectalsofocusesonotherareasthatimpactonthestormwatersystemandthisincludes:

• By-LawsfortheStormwaterSystem• Sanitationfacilitiesandeducation• WaterQualityoftheImzonyana/AmalindaStream

Completed Activities Storm water:

a)StormwaterPolicycompleted

b)Datacollectionofthestormwaterundertaken(WSUstudentsandWellandCollegeStudentsfromNetherlandsundertookthecollectionandplottingofstormwaterproblems)

c) ElectronicStormwaterdatanowavailableforbettermanagementofthestormwatersysteminBuffalo City.

Completed Activities By-laws for Storm water:

BuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalityhasaby-lawinplacewithrespecttostormwaterregulationwiththeby-lawhavingbeenpromulgatedintheGovernmentGazetteinMay2006. Inadditionanoffencelistwithadmissionofguilt[fines]peroffencehasbeendrawnupandsubmittedtotheChiefMagistrate,EastLondonMagistratesCourtforapproval.AssoonasthisisapprovedbytheMagistratesCourttheoffencelistcanbeinstituted.PeaceOfficertrainingwasundertakenfor10employeesinthemunicipalityinordertocapacitatethemtomonitorandactonstormwaterissues.

Completed Activities for Sanitation:

ExistingablutionblocksinDuncanVillageareinpoorconditionwithmostofthemleakingfromthecisternintothebowel.Generally,theplumbingisfoundtobepoorwithvariousfittingsleakingorvandalised.

TheBCMMWater&SanitationDepartmenthasimplementedaPilotProjectforelevenSemi-PermanentAblutionBlocksinDuncanVillage(Wards6-10)toreinstatethesituationinorderto:

• AddresswaterlossesintheDuncanVillageSuburb.

• FindaworkableandsustainablesolutiontothecommunalsanitationneedsoftheresidentsoftheDuncanVillageLess-formalareasuntiltheyhavebeenprovidedwithpermanenthousingwithin-housewaterbornesanitation.

• RolloutthePilotintheDuncanVillageless-formalcommunitiesandextendtheservicetoothersimilarcommunitiesinBCMM.

Todate26NewAblutionBlocks15ablutionblockshavebeeninstalledinWard5,Ward6;Ward7;Ward8;Ward9;Ward10;Ward11;andWard12ofBuffaloCity.


IMZONYANA/AMALINDA STREAM FLOOD PLAIN PROJECT (Duncan Village)

ThroughtheBCMM-LeidenpartnershiptheImzonyana/AmalindaFloodplainprojectwasinitiatedthreeyearsago.Thefloodplainpilotincludedacompletelynewdesignwithapark,asportsfield,andcommunitygardens.Theaimoftheprojectisrehabilitatethefloodplainwithamultitudeofactivitiesthathastheabilitytoconverttheareaintoaneconomically,sociallyandculturallyattractivehubie.“ANewHeartofDuncanVillage”.

ThroughtheBCMM-LeidenpartnershiptheImzonyana/AmalindaFloodplainprojectwasinitiatedthreeyearsago.Thisprojectchangedvariousprojectleadersandteamswhichchallengedtheprojectovertheyears.TheDepartmentofDevelopmentCooperationandCommunicationtookovertheprojectinAugust2008toensurethattheFirstPhaseoftheprojectwhichisinWard6wascompleted.FromAugust2008toJune2010thefollowinghasbeencompleted:

• Clean-upofEmbankments• ClearingofBushetconEmbankments• Wideningofstream• ReconstructionofEmbankmentsclearingofthe

vegetationonthefloodplain(Buildingofgabionstosupportembankments

• Settingupofcommunitygardenandfencingthegarden

• BuildingofaFootbridgeacrossthestream• Establishingasoccerfieldandfencingofsoccer

field• Establishinganetballcourt• Upgradingtheaccessroadtotheproject• Electrifyingtheprojectareatoimprovesafetyand

improvevisibility.• Waterqualityofthestream• InstallingaPlayPark• CreatingPathwayslinkingtheNompumelelo

schooltotheproject• Trainingcommunitygardenerstogenerateprofit

fromthegarden.




SOLID WASTE PROJECT

ThisprojectdevelopedfromtheStormwaterProject.InAugust2002BuffaloCitysustainedheavyrainfalls,causingfloodingthatledtolossesofpropertyandlives.Dwellingswerewashedawayandmore300inhabitantslosttheirhomesandpersonalbelongings.InLeiden,citizensstartedareliefactiontosupportthehomeless,whichraisedmoneyandcommitment.

Theprojecthadthreemaingoalsfor2009:

• EstablishingofCooperatives• Building27Dropofpoints• DevelopingaCommunicationprogramme

YOUTH BRIGADE (KEYS FOR KIDS)

EmanatingfromtheBuffaloCity-LeidenplatformandasmeansofaddressingchallengesfacedbyyouthinBCMM,includingaspectsofHIV/Aids,aDutchYouthBrigadeprojectwasinitiatedwhichhasdevelopedintotheKeysForKidsProject.TheprojecthasbeenactiveforthepastfouryearsattheKingWilliamsTownareaandspecificallyattheKingWilliamsTownChildandYouthCareCentreandexecuted6projects.TheprojecthasaffordedDutchyouththeopportunitytoworksidebysidewiththeyouthattheCentrespeciallythoseinconflictwiththelawandconvertordinary youth residences into child and youth friendly milieus.TheprojecthasalsointeractedwiththeIsibindiChildHeadedProgrammerunbytheCentre.


Inanefforttoplanforthe2010KeysForKids,theProjectCoordinatorsundertooksitevisitstotheMasizakheChild,YouthCareCentreandtheGlenStellaCampus(formerlyHouseontheRock)whichisnowunderthemanagementoftheELChildYouthCareCentreandKWTChildandyouthcarecentre.TheKeysforKids2010programmeontheupgradingoftheGlenStellaCampuswasundertakeninAugust2010.Theprojectassistedtostructurallyandaestheticallyconvertanumberofdysfunctionaladjoiningbuildingsintoachildunit.

TheBCMM(DirectorateExecutiveServices)undertooktoprovidetheMasizakheChildandYouthCareCentrewithplaygroundequipmentinordertoprovideachildfriendlyandsafeplayingareawithinthe Centre.

SCHOOL TWINNING

ThisisanongoingprogrammeinwhichpotentialschoolstwinningpartnersareidentifiedbyLeidenandBuffaloCity.Thefollowingschools/educationalinstitutionsinBuffaloCitywereidentifiedtoparticipatein(andareinvariousphasesof),twinningarrangementswithsimilareducationalinstitutionsintheNetherlands:

• NompumeleloSchool(DuncanVillage)–Morskring• AWBarnes(BuffaloFlats)–DaVinci• FantiQaqa(Mdantsane)–VlietlandCollege• LovedaleCollege(KingWilliamsTown)–Bona

VenturaCollege• BuffaloCityCollege-ROC-Leiden

InNovember2010anewagreementwassignedwiththeCityofLeidenfrom2010to2015.Someofthenewprojectsunderthenewagreementwillincludeasanitationprojectfocusingonrecycling,theKeysforKidsYouthBrigadeprogrammeandtheSchoolsTwinningprogramme.




>03BUFFALOCITY-MILWAUKEE,USA PARtneRshIP

BUFFALOCITY-MILWAUKEE,USA

In 1997, Milwaukee County and King Williams Town, South Africa entered into a Sister Community relationship with the intent of forging friendship and greater understanding between the peoples of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin and King Williams Town.

Whentherelationshipwasoriginallycreated,therewasanexchangeofvisitsbetweenbothpartnershoweverthepartnershiplaydormantuntil2008whenadelegationwassubsequentlyinvitedtoMilwaukeetoreestablishthepartnershipwithBuffaloCity.

ASisterCitiesAgreementwasofficiallyestablishedandbecameeffectiveatthesigningofaMemorandumofUnderstandingonthe29thJanuary,2008.

TheSisterCityAgreementwasestablishedforthepurposesof:

• forgingnewfriendshipsandgreaterunderstandingbetweenthepeopleofMilwaukeeCountyandthepeopleofBuffaloCity,eachsharingacommongoalofpeace,freedomanddemocracyandthecommitmenttopreservingtheseidealsforall;

• promotinginternationalgoodwillandunderstandingbyencouragingtheexchangeofcultureandknowledgeandthebuildingofmutuallybeneficialeconomicalliances;

• creatingnewpartnershipsforthedevelopmentofhealthprograms,tradeandbusinessendeavors,literary,artisticandeducationalactivitiesandscientificcollaboration;

• Encouragingvisitsbycitizensofbothcitiesandofficialvisitsbygovernmentofficials,civicleadersandrepresentativesofbusiness,academiaandthe church.

TheCentreforInternationalHealth(CIH)playsanintegralpartofthepartnership.CIHwhichwasoriginallyfoundedin1985byMilwaukeeCountyGovernment,isaconsortiumofacademicandhealthinstitutions,andmedicallyorientedmulti-nationalorganizationsincluding:TheMedicalCollegeofWisconsin,MarquetteUniversity,UniversityofWisconsin-Milwaukee,Children’sHospital,FroedtertHospital,theBloodCenterofWisconsin,GEHealthCareandMilwaukeeCounty.

Baseduponthesitevisits,subject/areaspecificexpressionsofcollaborativeinterest,andawarenessbytherespectivepartiesoftheirlocalcommunities,organizationalinterestsandresources,initially,fourprimaryareasforcollaboration/partnershipwereidentified:

• HealthServicesandHealthSystemsDevelopmentandExchanges

• Education/AcademicInstitutionExchangesandCollaborations

• CulturalExchanges• SportsActivities/Marketing

BUFFALOCITY-MILWAUKEE,USAPARtneRshIP



PROJECTS/PROGRAMMES

ThecurrentprogrammeswithMilwaukeeCountyinclude:

• TheInternationalFoodReliefPartnership(IFRP)programmewithUSAid;

• TheAfricanUrbanPovertyAlleviationProgramme(AUPAP)withSisterCitiesInternational;

• ExtendedagreementwithWalterSisuluUniversity,MedicalCollegeofWisconsinandCentreforInternational health.

• International Food Relief Partnership (IFRP) programme

WithInternationalFoodReliefPartnership(IFRP)supportandinpartnershipwiththeUSAid,CentreforInternationalHealth,BuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalityHealthDepartment,EasternCapeProvincialDepartmentofSocialDevelopmentandDepartmentofHealthandpartnernon-governmentalorganizations(NGOs),BCMMhasbeencoordinatingthedistributionofnutritionalfoodaidemphasizingthedevelopmentofin-country(local)capacitytoreduceunder-nutritionanditsmultiplehealtheffects.

Fourmillionmealsweredistributedto20,000beneficiariestoadvancethefoodsecurityandnutritionalstatusoftargetbeneficiarieswhichincludemalnourishedchildrenlessthan5yearsofage,HIVinfectedandaffectedhouseholds;povertystrickenneighborhoods,orphans,peoplewithdisabilities,theelderlyandfemaleandchild-headedhouseholds. the success oftheprogrammeinBuffaloCityhasseenthemunicipalitybeingconsideredforfutureaidprogrammes.


• Sister Cities African Urban Poverty Alleviation Programme

InNovember2009BuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalitymadejointapplicationwithMilwaukeeCountytotheSisterCitiesAfricaPovertyAlleviationProgram.TheSisterCitiesapplicationwhichisfundedbytheBill&MelindaGatesFoundationwasapprovedinJune2010.Theaimoftheprogrammeistobuildlong-term,sustainablebridgesofculturalunderstandingandeconomicdevelopmentworldwide.

Themajorgoalsofthepartnershipinclude:

• City-to-citytechnicalassistanceandcommunitycollaborationtoaddresstheareasofwater,sanitation and health.

• CapacityBuildingforAfricaGlobalSisterCitiesFoundation(AGSCF).

Unlikeotherpartnershipsthisprogramallowsforfundingtobeallocatedpriortotheidentificationoftheproject.Thisgivesthepartnerstogetherwiththerelevantcommunitytoidentifytheprojectonwhichtheywouldliketowork.

AspiranzaClinicinBuffaloFlatswasidentifiedasthefacilitythatwillbeupgradedinBuffaloCityfortheAUPAPprogramme.TheprojectisexpectedtobecompletedinDecember2011.

• Walter Sisulu University and Medical College of Wisconsin

Meaningfulbenefitsarebeingderivedfrominternationalpartnershipsandtwinningagreementswhichisnotonlybenefitingthemunicipalitybutthecityasawhole.ThroughthepartnershipwithMilwaukeeCounty,thepartnershipofWalterSisuluUniversity(WSU)inBuffaloCitywiththeMedicalCollegeofWisconsinandtheCentreforInternationalHealthhasbeenrealised.ThispartnershipshowshowlocalgovernmentcanutiliseInternationalRelationstodevelopnotonlythemunicipalitybutthecityasawhole.AnAffiliationAgreementwassigned10December2010.ThisagreementwillassistWSUdevelopthefacultyandstudentskillsin the area of health sciences. Mutualbenefitswillbegainedthroughteaching,collaborativeresearch,curriculumexchange,studentandstaffexchangeandothereducational,clinicalandresearchprogramdevelopmentactivities.Thefuturecollaborationwillimprovethecapacityoffuturedoctors,nursesandother health practitioners in the city.

OTHER

FollowingthesuccessoftheagreementsignedbetweenWSUandtheMedicalCollegeofWisconsin,BCMMhasalsobeenworkingwiththeUniversityOfFortHare(NursingSciences)toestablishapartnershipwithMarquetteUniversityandtheEastLondonHospitalComplextopursueinternationaltraining for physicians and specialists.




>04 BUFFALOCITY,AMATHOLEDISTRICTAND GLASGOW,SCOTLAND PARtneRshIP

ThepartnershipbetweenGlasgow,AmatholeDistrictMunicipality(ADM)andBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipality(BCMMM)aimstopromotetourismdevelopmentandjobcreationthroughdevelopmentalandsocialprogrammeswithinthetourismsector,andrelatedindustriesthatimpactontourism.Thekeyprogrammeidentifiedwithinthispartnershipistheplanninganddevelopmentofa:-

• JointMarketingBureau;• Communitybenefitclausesandcreditunion

programmes;and• Lightingofkeytouristattractions.

GlasgowCityCouncilhasaccumulatedconsiderableeconomicdevelopmentexpertiseoverthelastthirtyyearsfromwhichAmatholeDistrictMunicipalityandBuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalitywillbeabletobenefit.Inthemid1970sGlasgowhadreacheditslowestebb,withitsheavyengineeringandmanufacturingbasesinterminaldecline.Thepopulationwasalsofallingdramaticallyandthegeneralenvironmentwithinthecitywas

characterisedbylargeareasofwasteground,largelyalegacyoftheslumclearanceprogrammeofthe1960sandearly70s.Thecity’sreputationthroughouttherestoftheUK,wasofanugly,rundown,demoralisedcitywithareputationforviolenceandanunhealthy population.

Between1975and1985,Glasgowbegantoconcentrateontheprocessofregeneration,tryingavarietyofapproachesandlearningfromitsmistakes.Inthemid1980s,alocaldevelopmentcompanywasestablishedintheinner-cityGovanarea,whichworkedhardtosupportexistinglocalcompaniestogrowandtolinkthetrainingoflocalpeopletolocaljobopportunities.Thesuccessofthisapproach,creatingadirectlinkbetweenpeople,placeandbusinesshasworkedverywell.

Glasgownowhasanetworkofeightlocaldevelopmentcompanies,basedinthepoorestpartsofthecity,aswellasawealthofsophisticatedpartnershipsbetweenthepublic,privateandNGOsectors.Thecityiscurrentlyenjoyingconsiderableeconomicprosperityandhasamuchimprovedphysicalenvironment.Itsmainchallengeisnowrelatedtoassistingthelargenumbersofpeoplewhoareonlong-termStateBenefitsbackintosustainableemployment.

ThroughthepartnershipitisintendedthattheADMandBCMMMcouldlearnfromtheexpertiseandexperienceasbestpracticesfromtheGlasgowCityMarketingBureauandotherGlasgowCityCouncilinitiativesincludingtheintroductionofCommunityBenefitclausesandcreditunionprogrammes,andGlasgow’slightingstrategy.

AspartofexploratoryandexchangeactivitiesadelegationfromGlasgowvisitedBCMMMinMarch2010.Theaimofthevisitwastoidentifykeyareasofcollaboration.InOctober2010ajointdelegationfromBCMMMandADMvisitGlasgow.TheaimoftheworkingvisitwastosignanewtripartiteagreementandtoworkshadowattheGlasgow’sJointMarketingBureau,Creditunions,lightingdepartmentandattheLocalEconomicdepartmentforthecommunitybenefitclausesconcepts.

BUFFALOCITY,AMATHOLEDISTRICTANDGLASGOW,SCOTLAND




Joint Marketing Bureau

TheJointMarketingBureauprojectlookedattheestablishmentofaJointMarketingandEventsBureauforADMandBCMMMwhichcouldimprovebrandpositioningandtourismpotentialoftheregion.GlasgowhasalotofsimilaritiestoADMandBuffaloCityinparticular.InOctober2010theprogrammewasdesignedtogiveADMandBCMMMCouncillorsandofficialsanopportunitytoseeandlearnastohowtheMarketingBureaufunctions.MeetingswereheldwithvariouskeypersonneloftheGlasgowMarketingBureautodiscussvarioustopicswhichincludeamongstothersthefollowing:

• OveralldevelopmentvisionoftheGlasgowCityCouncil;

• Eventsandproductmarketing;• BusinessTourism;• Glasgowbrandingandpositioning;• Glasgow’susetheDigitalandSocialMediato

profileandpromotethecity;• Majoreventshostedinthecityandthebenefitsof

suchevents;and• ResearchandMonitoringtoolsanditsimportance

formarketing.

Lighting Strategy

AspartoftheMemorandumofUnderstanding,alightingprojectwasidentifiedascollaborationbetweenADM,BCMM,GlasgowandLightLinks.ThelightingstrategycoversthebuildingsthathavebeenlitupinGlasgowandhowthesecanbeadaptedtoBuffaloCity.AspartofthevisittoGlasgowinOctober2010discussionswereheldonhowGlasgowturnaroundthecityutilizingthelightingstrategy.Aeveningatourof

thevariousprojectswasalsoundertakenshowingtheuseofamazingcolorstolightupstructures,buildings,cathedrals,monuments,Kelvingrovemuseum,statues,University,St.AndrewSquare,BuchananStreet,theWeir,Bridges,socialhousingandevenwatertowerstocreateattractionsandimprovesafety.

Aspartofthepilottotheproject,threeprojectswereidentifiedforpossiblefuturecollaborationnamelytheEastLondonCityHall,theMdantsaneArtCenterandtheRockfaceattheentrancetothecityandneartheharbour.

Credit Unions

ThecreditunionprojectwasseenasaprojectthatcouldbenefitbothADMandBCMMcommunities.TheobjectivesofthecreditunionsinGlasgowwasthe:

• Promotionofthriftamongitsmembersbytheaccumulationoftheirsavings

• Creationofsourcesofcreditforthebenefitofitsmembersatfairandreasonablerateofinterest

• Useandcontrolmembers’savingsfortheirmutualbenefit

• Trainingandeducatemembersinthewiseuseofmoneyandinthemanagementoftheirfinancialaffairs.

ThevisittoGlasgowinOctober2010assistedthedelegationespeciallythelocaleconomicdepartmenttounderstudywithPollockandNHSCreditUnionsonhowtheywereestablished,howmembershipwasdeveloped,andtheoperationsofcreditunionsandtheirsustainability.ThisconceptwassimilartothestokvelconceptinSouthAfricahowever;thelongtermsustainabilityofthisprojectiswheretheconceptdiffered.AspartoftheimplementationplanitwasagreedthatatleasttwocreditunionswillbeestablishedinBuffaloCityandintheAmatholeDistrictwhichcouldbeguidedandassistedtobesuccessfulusingtheGlasgowmodel.

Community Benefit Clauses

TheCityofGlasgowhasthroughitsCommunityBenefitPolicyembarkedontacklingthehighlevelsofunemploymentthatprevailamongGlasgowresidents.Thepolicyisaimedatassistingunemployedpeopleaccessqualitysustainableemploymentandtrainingopportunities. the city is focusing on the opportunities thatarisefromthesignificantphysicaldevelopmentsinthecityinfrastructurebothintheconstructionandendusephases.ThiswasanewconcepttobothADMandBCMMM.However,theaimoftheprojectistoreviewbothADMandBCMMM’sSupplyChainandSMME(Small,Medium,MicroEnterprises)policiesinordertomakeprovisionfortheseenterprisestobesuccessfultenderersforpublicsectorworkthroughtrainingandcapacitybuildingprogrammesaswellasprovisionbeingmadeinthepoliciestoaccommodatethese enterprises.

Donation of Books

ThroughtheTripartitepartnershipwithADMandGlasgowCityCouncil,BuffaloCitywasdonatedaconsignmentofapproximately50000booksfromtheActionforSouthernAfrica(ACTSA)ananti-apartheidmovementlocatedinGlasgow,Scotland.Since1995ACTSAScotlandhasappealedfordonatedbooks,tobesorted,packedandsenttotheEasternCapeProvinceofSouthAfricafordistributiontoschoolsandlibrariesintheProvince.Thisisseenasaverypracticalexpressionofthetwinninglinkbetweenscotland and the eastern Cape.

AnotherorganisationsupportingthisinitiativeistheCommunityHEARTorganisationwhichisheadedbyDenisGoldberg,aRivoniatrialistwhohadspent22 years in prison for opposing apartheid. It is a smallSouthAfrica-orientedcharitybasedinLondon.CommunityHEARTassistsbymakingarrangementsforthepaper-workandcustomswaiversrelatingtotheshippingprocess.ApartnershipwasdevelopedwiththeEasternCapeDepartmentofEducationtoidentifyschoolsindesperateneedofbooks.Atleast100schoolsintheprovincebenefittedfromthebooksthatwerehandedoveratafunctionfortheuniversity,schoolsandlibrariesthatwerethebeneficiaries.




>05NETSAFRICA-TUSCANY,ITALY PARtneRshIP

NETSAFRICA-TUSCANY,ITALY

In2007thegovernmentsofSouthAfricaandItalyundertookseveralofficialmeetingsinpursuitofformulatingmeaningfulcollaborationsintheareaoflocalgovernmentdevelopment.Subsequenttotheseinteractionsthetwogovernmentsagreedtoundertakejointlyathreeyearprogrammeaimedatstrengtheningdecentralizationandlocaldevelopmentprocesses in south Africa.

AMemorandumofUnderstandingwassignedon6March2009betweenourDepartmentofProvincial&LocalGovernmentandtheRegionalGovernmentoftuscany.

The“SupportProgrammetoDecentralizationandLocalDevelopmentPoliciesinSouthAfricatargetedonlytwoProvinces(EasternCapeandGauteng)andtwomunicipalitieswithinthem(BuffaloCityLocalMunicipality,O.R.TamboDistrictMunicipality,EkurhuleniMetropolitanandMetswedingDistrictMunicipality).Thesechoiceswerebasedonmaintainingabalancebetweenruralandurbanaswellaspastexperiencesoftheseareaswithregardtodevelopmentco-operationprogrammessupportedbytheItalianDevelopmentCo-operationandexchangeswithItaly.

IntermsofimplementingtangibleprojectsinBuffaloCity,WardBasedPlanningPilotTrainingandHydroponicsEnhancementhavebeenthetwoprojectsearmarkedforimplementation.

NETSAFRICA-TUSCANY,ITALYPARtneRshIP



ITALIANPARTNERSHIP,CITYOFNERETO

MULTICULTURAL MAN STATUE –NERETO, ITALY

TheMulticulturalManisabronzestatuecreatedbyItalianartistFrancescoPerilliwhichdepictsafacelessmaninthemiddleoftheearthwhoistryingtounitetwomeridians,whiletheothermeridiansareliftedbydoves,theuniversalsymbolofpeace.Thebronzemanishimselfthreemetresinheightandhasbeendesignedtorepresentnoparticularcultural,ethnicorreligiousbackground.

TherearecurrentlyfourofthefiveMulticulturalManbronzesculptureswhichhavebeeninstalledinsignificantlocationsinfourcontinentsoftheworld;namely:

• Toronto(Canada)in1985;• Sarajevo(Bosnia-Herzegovina)in1997;• Changchun(China)in2002;and• EastLondon–BuffaloCity(SouthAfrica)in2006.

Thesculpture,amajorandpopulartouristattractioninEastLondonislocatedontheEastLondonEsplanade.Itissetoffamongstotherstatuesof

historicalsignificanceattheHeroesParkGardenofRemembrance.

ThestatuewasinstalledandunveiledonsitebytheformerPremieroftheEasternCape,NosimoBalindlelaandformerMayorofBuffaloCity,ZintlePeteron15December2006.Theceremonywasattendedamongstotherhigh-profilefiguresbytheItalianambassadorMrAlessandroCevese;MayorofNereto,Italy,MrSergioMoroni,andtheHeroesParkBoard of trustees.

Thestatuebecameasymbolinternationalconcerngiventhatthestatuehasbeenprogressivelyvandalized.ThishasrequiredthattheDevelopmentCooperation and International Relations unit together withtheDepartmentofSports,Arts,RecreationandCulture,thelocalItaliancommunityrepresentedbyMrsMarinaMarchetti,theItalianConsul,TheEastLondonMuseum,HeroesParkBoardrepresentativesandBCMArchitectureDepartmenttointerveneinordertorestorethestatuetoitsformerglory.

BuffaloCityMetropolitanMunicipalitywascommendedbytheItaliancommunityandtheItalianAmbassadorfortakingstepstorestorethemonument.

FRANCISTOWN,BOTSWANA

TheformerExecutiveMayorofBuffaloCity,MrLulamileNazoandtheformerMayorofFrancistown,Botswana,MrPeterJomoNgomaon19October2000signedatwinningagreementforaperiodof5years(2000-2005).

TheExecutiveMayor,CouncillorZukisaFakuinherStateoftheCityAddressin2010,requestedtheDepartmentofCommunicationandDevelopmentCooperationtorevivetheagreementwithFrancistown,BotswanainanattempttofurthertheInternationalFrameworkofBuffaloCity,whichhighlights the need for south to south cooperation. Inaddition,therevivalofthepartnershipwouldalso align to the south African Foreign Policy on developingtheAfricanAgenda.InOctober2010,adelegationledbytheExecutiveMayortravelledtoFrancistown,toinitiatediscussionsonrevivingtheagreementandtaketheagreementtothelevelofapartnershipwithconcreteprogrammesforactioning.AreciprocalvisitfromFrancistownisshortlyexpected.

SUPPORTTOSOUTHAFRICANEMBASSIESABROAD

South African Embassy in Helsinki, Finland

TheDepartmentofForeignAffairsandtheSouthAfricanEmbassyinHelsinki,FinlandinMarch2010invitedBuffaloCity’sDepartmentofDevelopmentCooperation and International Relations to facilitate theparticipationofChildrenandYoungPeopleinthe 14thInternationalArtExhibitionorganizedbytheArtCentreforChildrenandYoungPeopleinHyvinkää,inFinland.Thethemeoftheexhibitionwastitled“MyHome”.

InordertoensureBuffaloCity’schildrenandyoung people had an opportunity to participate in theexhibition,theDepartmentofDevelopmentCooperationandInternationalRelationsworkedwiththeDepartmentofEducation(DOE)tosupporttheartprogramme.Approximately6schools,namely;SakhikamvaHighSchool,SolomonMahlanguHighSchool,UviweHighSchool,DuncanVillagePublicSchool,LujizaPrimarySchool,AWBarnesPrimarySchoolandNompumeleloPrimarySchoolshowedinterestinparticipatingintheArtExhibition.Approximately70artworkswerereceivedfromthe participating schools. Prior to dispatching the artworkstoHelsinki,BCMMhostedthelaunchoftheArtExhibitioninApril2010.

Duringthesubmissionoftheartworksitwasnoticedthatallschoolshadlittleornoartequipmentandmaterialstoundertaketheworkandinordertoensurethatthisactivitycouldcontinueattheschools,eachofthelearnersandtheirschoolsweregivenartkitsasatokenofBCMM’sappreciationbutalsothatthekitscouldassistthechildrendeveloptheirartistictalents further.

South African Embassy in New York, USA

Global Partners Junior

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality supported the SouthAfricanEmbassyinNewYork’scallfortheGlobalPartnersJuniorprogramme.GlobalpartnersJuniorisastudentinternetexchangeprogramthatseekstoconnectNewYorkCitySchoolchildrenwiththeirpeersaroundtheworld.ItisaNon-profitorganisationthatconnectstheMayor’sOfficeoftheCityofNewYorktoglobalcities.Studentscommunicateabouttopicsofrelevanttoallculturesincludingsociety,history,environmentalconservationand entrepreneurship. students post and read messagesonasecureinternetforum,sharemediaprojectsandresearchfactsabouttheircities.

Buffalo City through the assistance of the DepartmentofEducationwasabletosubmitalistofschoolstotheEmbassyinNewYorkwhocouldparticipateintheprogramme.

ThiswasseenasauniqueprogramthatfostersglobalawarenessanddevelopspracticaltechnologyskillsformiddleschoolyouthandIbelievechildrencouldreallybenefitfromit.



SUPPORT TO VSA/NZAID

VolunteerServicesAbroad(VSA)partnershipwithBCMMonthegroundinEastLondongoesbackto2002whenthefirstvolunteerwasassignedtoassistinestablishingaLocalEconomicDevelopmentUnit,whichamongstotherthingsassistedinthedevelopmentofaRevitalizationplanforthemunicipalitywhichthenformedthebaseforthecurrentCityDevelopmentStrategy.

Theongoingrelationshipestablishedthroughthevolunteerassignmentin2002to2004sawthestudytourconceptevolveintoareality,oneoftheoutcomesbeingacommitmentbybothBCMMandVSAtowherepossiblecreateadevelopmentpartnershipbetweenBCMMandNewZealand.Theseassignmentsaredesignedtotakethiscommitmentonestepfurther.

For a period of three months (4 October 2007 to 4 January 2008) VSA sent two representatives to assist with developing a strategy that would scope and structure ongoing development partnership with New Zealand agencies, including VSA from a development cooperation and human resources perspective.

ThestrategywasdevelopedandsubmittedtoCouncilin2008.ThestrategyalsoencouragedanOperatingCommitteecomprisingofvariousstakeholders,namelyEasternCapeProvince,AmatholeDistrictMunicipality,RotaryclubsandotherinstitutionswhointheirownrightareabletoestablishrelationshipsindependentlyofBuffaloCityMetropolitan Municipality.

ItwasproposedthatasotherroleplayersmaywanttopursuerelationshipswithcounterpartsinNewZealandattheirowntimeandpace,itwasimportantforBuffaloCitytoinvestigatepartnershippossibilitieswiththeCityofWellington,NewZealand.TheestablishmentofconcretetieswiththeCityofWellingtonwillassistBuffaloCitycreatepossibilitiesforbroadercooperationwhichwillprovidelinkstoallotherroleplayers.PossiblebroaderpartnershipactivitiesrelatingtoWellingtonCitycouldinclude:

• trademissions,• partnershipsforuniversitiesandschools,• NGOpartnerships,• culturalexchanges,• sportsdevelopmentinitiatives,• tourismopportunitiesandotherpossibleareasof

exchange.

Followingthestrategydevelopment,BuffaloCitytogetherwithAmatholeDistrictMunicipalitiesLocalEconomicdevelopmentagency,ASPIREandImvomvoTraininghostedagroupofMaoriyouthfromNewZealand.ThisprojectwasfundedbytheNZAidSouthAfricanFundforExchange(SAFE). ThegroupvisitedBCMMfrom4thto25September2010.TheentireeventwascapturedonfilmandwillbethenairedonNewZealandtelevisionduringtheRugbyWorldCupin2011.TheMaoriyouthwerehostedbyhomehospitalityinhomesofparentsfromschoolsinMdantsane,BuffaloFlatsandEastLondon.SchoolsthatparticipatedintheprogrammefromBuffaloCityincludedSakhisizweHighSchool,HoërskoolGrens,JohnBissekerHighSchool,andSandisiweHighSchool.ThevisitwaspartofaculturalandsocialexchangebetweenyouthfromBuffaloCityandNewZealand.


5. FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Considering the south African agenda on developmentcooperationandinternationalrelations,ithasbecomeclearthatBCMMwouldstillneedtoconsolidatetheAfricanAgenda;thereforethepartnershipwithanAfricanPartnerisessential..PartnershipopportunitieswithotherAfricancountriescouldalsobepursuedafterconsultationwithDIRCO.South-southcooperationhasalsobecomeimportantgivenmostourpartnershipsareinthenorth.

OpportunitiesinsouthwhichincludesSouthAfricancitiesareimportantfornetworkingopportunitiesandsharingofknowledgeandbestpracticewithmunicipalitieswithsimilarchallenges. TheBRICcountries,namely,Brazil,Russia,IndiaandChinahaverecentlybeenrecognizedastheemergingeconomiesofthefutureandSouthAfricarecentlybecameamemberofthisformidablealliancewhichisnowtermedBRICS.

AninvestigationshouldbelodgedintocitiesthathavepotentialtopartnerwithBuffaloCityfromthisalliancemoreespecially,Brazil,ChinaandIndia.WiththesimilaritiesinsocialandeconomicchallengesBrazilandIndiapresenthugeopportunitiesforcapacitybuildingandskillsprogrammes.IndiaalsoformpartoftheCommonwealthwhichalsoprovidesopportunitiesforskillstransferandresourcemobilizationfromotherdonorsnamely,theCommonwealthLocalGovernmentFund. AsBuffaloCity’sapproachtoacity-wideapproachtopartnershipsbecomesareality,ithasbecomemoreandmorenecessarytoalsopartnerandformalizeagreementswithothergovernmentdepartments,municipalities,institutionsofhigherlearning,healthinstitutions,securityinstitutions,governmentalagencies,NGO’sandotherorganisationssothatpartnershipsareabletobenefitthecityasawhole.


6.CONCLUSION

DevelopmentCooperationandInternationalrelationsfromBuffaloCity’sperspectiveisahighlystrategicinterventionthat helps BCMM identify gaps that donors help us to bridgethroughprovisionoffinancialresources,capacitybuildingandskillsassistance.Therefore,DevelopmentCooperationandInternationalrelationsisnotjustinternationaltravelwithoutanyconcretebenefitsforthemunicipalityoritscommunity,norinternationalconferenceswhichcannotfundorimplementsustainableinitiativesinthecityandmoreimportantly,itisnottourism.Itisalong-termbenefitwithtangibleresultsforthemunicipalityorthecityasawhole.Asweembraceournewfoundmetropolitanstatus,itwillbeimportanttokeepthisinmindasweembarkonthisnewjourney.

ACRONYMS

ADM AmatholeDistrictMunicipalityAGSCF AfricanGlobalSisterCitiesFoundationASPIRE AmatholeEconomicDevelopmentAgencyAU AfricanUnionAUPAP AfricanUrbanPovertyAlleviationProgramBRICS Brazil,Russia,India,ChinaandSouth

AfricaBCMM Buffalo City Metropolitan MunicipalityCIh Centre for International healthCLGF CommonwealthLocalGovernmentFundCRM CitizenRelationshipManagementCUP ComprehensiveUrbanPlanningDIRCO DepartmentofInternationalRelationsand

CooperationDOE DepartmentofEducationGIS GeographicInformationSystemsHAEL HousingAssociationofEastLondonIBSA India,BrazilandSouthAfricaIFRP InternationalFoodReliefProgrammeIMF International Monetary FundKWT KingWilliam’sTownMOSS MunicipalOpenSpaceSystemMOU MemorandumofUnderstandingNGO Non-governmentalOrgnisationNAM Non-AlignedMovementNAASP NewAsia-AfricaStrategicPartnershipNEPAD TheNewPartnershipforAfrica’s

DevelopmentNZAid NewZealandAidSACU SouthAfricanCustomsUnionSADC SouthernAfricanDevelopmentCommunitySAFE SouthAfricanFundforExchangeSALGA SouthAfricanLocalGovernment

AssociationSALAIDA SwedishAssociationofLocalAuthorities

InternationalDevelopmentAgencySAPS SouthAfricanPoliceServicesSIDA SwedishInternationalDevelopmentAgencyUN UnitedNationsUSA UnitedStatesofAmericaUSAid UnitedStatesAgencyforInternational

DevelopmentVNG AssociationofNetherlandsMunicipalitiesVSA VolunteerServicesAbroadWSU WalterSisuluUniversity

ReFeRenCes

1. MunicipalInternationalRelationsPolicyFrameworkforSouthAfrica,issuedbytheMinistryforProvincialandLocalGovernment,July1999;

2. SouthAfricanForeignPolicy,DiscussionDocument,1996;

3. DepartmentofForeignAffairs,StrategicPlan2006–2009;

4. PolicyFrameworkandProceduralGuidelinesfortheManagementofOfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA),October2003;

5. SALGA3rdNationalConference:22–26April2007;

6. LocalGovernmentMunicipalStructuresAct.1998;and

7. IntergovernmentalRelationsFrameworkAct,2005.

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