How to Become A Ward Councilor South Africa

The Ward Councilors also ensure that the demands of their wards are placed before the entire council for the welfare of their ward and also for the people residing there.

What is the duty of the ward Councillors?

The Ward Councilors also ensure that the demands of their wards are placed before the entire council for the welfare of their ward and also for the people residing there. It is also the duty of the Ward Councillor to communicate the work of the council to constituents.

What is the role of ward member?

To provide and mobilize voluntary labour and contributions in cash and kind for development work and supervise such development works through volunteer teams. To make efforts to ensure that the members of the Ward Sabha pay taxes and fees(if any) to the Gram Panchayat.

What does it mean to be someone’s ward?

a person, especially a minor, who has been legally placed under the care of a guardian or a court. the state of being under the care or control of a legal guardian. guardianship over a minor or some other person legally incapable of managing his or her own affairs.

Below are Role and responsibilities of a ward Councilor in South Africa

Each ward councillor is elected by a specific geographically-defined ward within the municipality.

The ward councillor, therefore, is expected to make sure that concerns related to his or her ward are represented on council.

The Municipal Structures Act, 1998 provides for the establishment of ward committees to assist the ward councillor in understanding the needs and the views of the community.

1 Councillors serve as representatives of the people

Councilors sit in council on behalf of their constituents. Newly-elected councilors represent different political partyies and/or organizations. Councilors need to interact with each other as every councilor is mandated by their respective voters.

2 Councillors serve as facilitators of community/constituency input

Councillors are expected to be in close contact with their constituencies ‘on the ground’ and to keep council informed of the real experiences and views of the residents within the municipality.

Local government legislation has in several places emphasized the importance of public participation as a means to influence council processes.

3 Councillors serve as a communication link between council and community

Every council will be involved in various planning and policy-making processes, and specific programmes or projects that are being implemented. The council will also conduct information campaigns on issues affecting the community.

4 Councillors help monitor the performance of the municipality

Councillors act as a key feedback mechanism for monitoring:

whether the municipality’s plans and programmes are achieving the intended effect

whether services are being provided in a way that is efficient and fair

whether capital projects as committed to in the IDP are actually taking place according to plan within a reasonable timeframe.

Skills and Eligibility to Become a Councillor

There are a certain number of requirements and considerations in becoming a councillor should you be elected:

Skills required to be a Councillor

There are certain personal skills that Councillors should have or pursue in order to become effective representatives and decision-makers;

Communication and presentation skills to express needs of local residents during meetings and become a voice for the Council;

Interpersonal skills when managing surgeries and conversing with the community;

Commitment towards representation of the electorate;

Decisive, quick thinker;

Maintain an objective, analytical and critical mind;

Be a strategic thinker with the ability to deal with a variety of issues;

Able to process large amounts of complex information, such as financial budgets;

Negotiation abilities to resolve disagreements and conflict;

Knowledge of IT such as email and Microsoft Word;

Leadership ability to chair meeting;

Effective reader

Training is available to all successful candidates in their new roles as Councillors.

Eligibility to become a Councillor

Before you put yourself forward as a candidate for election you should note the following legal conditions/requirements as noted under Section 29 of the Local Government Act 1973:
You must be:

At least 18 years of age

A qualifying British Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Irish Republic or a qualifying foreign national

Also one of;

A local government elector for the area of Moray Council and are registered on the Electoral Register on the day of becoming a candidate and the day of the election OR;

You have occupied or resided, as owner or a tenant, any land or premises in the Moray Council area during the whole of the 12 months before the day you become a candidate OR;

Your principal or only place of work in the 12 months preceding the day on which you are nominated as a candidate has been in the area of the authority; or has, during the whole of the 12 months preceding the day on which he is nominated as a candidate, resided in the area of the authority.

You are not eligible to become a candidate if:

Are subject to any legal incapacity

Been declared bankrupt

Had any of your estate sequestrated (seized)

Had a criminal sentence of more than 3 months (suspended or not) without the option of a fine, during the previous 5 years

You or your business partner are in paid employment of Moray Council or a member of any joint committee, the expenses of which are defrayed (paid) in part by the Council (please contact the elections office for more information about this clause).

What does ward councilor do in South Africa?

The Ward Councilors also ensure that the demands of their wards are placed before the entire council for the welfare of their ward and also for the people residing there. It is also the duty of the Ward Councilor to communicate the work of the council to constituents.

How is a ward Councilor elected in South Africa ?

Each ward has one seat in the wards committee. Members are elected to the wards committee on the basis of adult franchise for a term of five years. These members are known as councilors or corporates. The number of wards in a municipal area is determined by the population of the city.

How long does a Councilor serve?

You will also need to read reports and other Committee documents in preparation for meetings. If you are elected, your term of office will be four years. Councilors elected in by-elections serve until the next full election.

How is ward Councilor elected class 6?

Answer: Ward councilors are elected by the people while municipal commissioner is appointed by the government. Explanation: The ward councilor is the representative of people and is elected by them.

What is involved in being a Councilor?

A councilor’s primary role is to represent their ward or division and the people who live in it. As a local councilor, your residents will expect you to: respond to their queries and investigate their concerns (casework) communicate council decisions that affect them.

Do Councilors get a salary?

Councilors do not get paid a salary, however they do receive an annual allowance which reimburses them for time they have spent on council duties, as well as telephone and other office expenses.

Do Councilors pay tax on their allowance?

Council allowances are just the same as other income and are subject to income tax and National Insurance payments. This means that the tax-free element of your pay is “used” there, not the Council and 100% of your Councilor allowance is subject to taxation.

Can a Councilor be on benefits?

Being a councilor is not a full-time job and may not affect any benefits you receive, but individual cases will vary so do check this with your benefits office. Your local political party may also provide extra support for candidates/councilors with a disability.