Local Government delegation participates in South African Study Tour and National Urban Forum

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs of Seychelles recently participated in a fruitful 10-day mission to South Africa from the 9th to 18th of October, 2024, which included attendance at the National Urban Forum held in Johannesburg from the 9th to the 11th of October, 2024. The mission follows a meeting held in South Africa late last year, where officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs engaged in discussions with SALGA, laying the groundwork for this collaboration.

The delegation, led by Mr Kevin Perine, Principal Secretary for Local Government and Community Affairs, was comprised of six other senior officials. Among them were Mrs Murielle Marie, Director General for Public Affairs, Quality Assurance and Monitoring, and five District Administrators: Ms Begita Melanie (Cascade), Mrs Vesna Gertrude (Glacis), Mrs Jancy Volcere (English River), Ms Nichole Agricole (Perseverance 2), and Ms Claudette Louise (Les Mamelles).

The primary objective of this mission, which extended beyond the National Urban Forum, was to pave the way for formal collaboration between the Government of Seychelles, particularly the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). Discussions throughout the week culminated in the groundwork for a potential Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties. Upon approval and signature, the MoU will create a platform for future exchanges, capacity building, and collaborative initiatives aimed at strengthening local governance and promoting sustainable urban development in Seychelles.

The National Urban Forum, hosted by SALGA, UN Habitat and other partners, from 9^th to 11^th October, provided the Seychelles delegation with an invaluable opportunity to engage with experts, policymakers, and senior officials from various South African municipalities.

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Sithole Mbanga, the CEO of SALGA, warmly welcomed all delegates to the National Urban Forum, with a special acknowledgment of the Seychelles delegation.

The National Urban Forum addressed several pressing issues related to urban governance, including the need for integrated approaches to managing rapid urbanisation, climate resilience, and the adoption of smart technology in urban spaces.

The forum also emphasised the importance of cross-border collaborations between local government entities, with SALGA positioning itself as a key partner in knowledge-sharing initiatives across the Southern African region. South Africa’s experiences in urban development were highlighted, particularly its advances in creating inclusive, safe, and vibrant cities through innovative policy and governance frameworks.

The Seychelles delegation was actively involved in these discussions. They participated in high-level dialogues on urban planning and sustainable development and took the opportunity to learn from South Africa’s extensive experience in managing urban growth. Mr. Perine, in his address to the forum, spoke of Seychelles’ commitment to strengthening ties with SALGA and other regional partners to ensure that Seychelles’ local government strategies are enriched by global best practices.

He noted, “The challenges of rapid urbanisation and sustainable development are universal, and they require shared solutions. Seychelles, as a small island nation, can greatly benefit from the expertise and experience that South Africa, through SALGA, brings to the table. We are keen to formalise our collaboration and explore how we can exchange knowledge and develop mutually beneficial strategies to improve governance at the local level.”

On the third and final day of the National Urban Forum, PS Kevin Perine had the opportunity to address the delegates, providing a detailed breakdown of Seychelles' national and local government frameworks. He highlighted the unique characteristics of Seychelles as a small island state, which differ from the challenges faced by a large country like South Africa, while also acknowledging some shared aspects. Before the closure of the forum, PS Perine expressed his gratitude to SALGA for their hospitality and acknowledged how the discussions from the previous year had successfully led to this fruitful collaboration.

PS Perine also had the opportunity to meet with South Africa's Human Settlement Minister, Hon. Mmamoloko Kubayi, during the forum, further cementing the Ministry’s commitment to fostering closer ties with South Africa on matters of local governance and urban development.

Following the forum, the delegation embarked on a study tour that provided valuable insights into South Africa's local governance structures, focusing on municipal-level innovation and service delivery. The study tour included field visits to various municipalities and engagements with the Ministry responsible for coordinating local government across South Africa’s 257 municipalities.

During the mission, the Seychelles delegation also participated in the SDGs Sectoral Working Group training at Statistics South Africa, which focused on key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Clean Water and Sanitation (Goal 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal 7), and Sustainable Cities and Communities (Goal 11). Additionally, they visited South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, where they engaged with senior officials to further strengthen bilateral ties.

As part of the study tour, the delegation visited various municipalities across South Africa, meeting with their mayors and local leaders to observe firsthand the innovative approaches these municipalities are taking to address urban development challenges. These interactions provided valuable insights into how Seychelles can adapt similar strategies.

The delegation further attended working sessions on multilevel governance, municipal health, and human development. The tour also facilitated discussions on small town revitalisation, integrated development planning, smart city frameworks​, sustainable transport networks, community-led initiatives, and innovative public-private partnerships that are reshaping urban environments.

Speaking on the overall success of the mission, Mr Perine further emphasised the immense value that this collaboration would bring, not only to Seychelles’ local government structures but also to the broader goal of sustainable development across the island nation. He highlighted that the proposed MoU is a crucial step towards fostering an ongoing exchange of ideas, technical expertise, and capacity building initiatives that will benefit Seychelles in areas ranging from infrastructure planning to disaster preparedness.

“This mission has been a resounding success. The exchanges we have had, both during the National Urban Forum and the subsequent study tour, have underscored the importance of partnerships in tackling common challenges. Seychelles stands to benefit immensely from the MoU we are set to sign with SALGA. Not only will it facilitate capacity building and training for our local administrators, but it will also foster the exchange of innovative practices that can help us create more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive communities. We are excited to see this partnership grow and to implement the insights we have gained in our own districts,” said Mr Perine.