The Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality (CALM) held its main strategic planning session on January 29 at Aventura Resort in eManzana, focusing on sustainable development.
According to CALM’s spokesperson Thapelo Phetla, this followed the municipal employees’ technical planning session during which plans for the coming years were streamlined.
“The finalised plans were then presented to the political wing for further input on how to move forward.” He said strategic planning is a crucial process for organizational leaders to define their vision for the future, set goals and objectives and establish a roadmap for their realization.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Mayor, Cllr Mbuso Magubane, commended the administrative team for their dedication to ensuring the smooth operation of the Municipality.
“I would like to emphasize the importance of unity and inclusivity in making the Municipality a better place to live. This session provides an opportunity to reflect on past strategies, assess their effectiveness and make necessary adjustments,” said Magubane.
The Municipal Manager, Ephraim Thabethe, presented a situational overview and analysis of all CALM’s departments and a review of the 2022/2023 financial year. He addressed access to basic services, the performance of conditional grants for the 2024/2025 financial year, progress on capital projects, local economic development and key challenges.
One significant challenge, according to Thabethe, is the shortage of yellow fleet vehicles due to high demand. However, he assured delegates that CALM would continue working with available resources until a sustainable solution is found. The two-day planning session will continue with departments presenting the outcomes of their respective breakaway discussions.
