1. PRESENTATION ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT TO THE NCOP PRESENTED BY HONOURABLE COUNCILLOR SABISA

2. OVERVIEW Mhlontlo Local Municipality (MLM) was identified as a Comprehensive Rural Development Pilot (CRDP) Site in 2009 by the Eastern Cape Cabinet. Identification of MLM as a pilot site was based on high levels of poverty. Ward 02 and 13 were identified for the piloting, with two villages per ward. CRDP structures were established and they include: Council of Stakeholders, Programme Steering Committee and department clusters. The principal structure is the Council of stakeholders.

3. IDENTIFICATION OF PROJECTS Council of stakeholders as the principal structure identifies projects to be implemented. MLM plays a co-ordinating role of the implementation of projects. Communities in which projects are implemented remain central as the beneficiaries. Programme steering committee is responsible for the management of projects. Programme steering committee is composed of all the departmental officials participating in the programme.

4. CHALLENGES Non-attendance of meetings by the departments. Budget allocation Poor communication between the municipality and departments. Shortage of personnel dedicated to the programme. Expectations of the community are not met as a result people are beginning to lose patience. Ward 02 and 13 are still not entirely covered with rural development projects. Reduction of rural development to agricultural related activities.

5. CO-ORDINATION AND ALIGNMENT WITH IDP Rural development is one of the key performance areas in the municipality and it forms part of municipal IDP. The municipality has a Rural Development Co- ordinator, that is, a person who liaise between the municipality and communities on a daily basis about projects. Projects that are implemented are usually extracted from the IDP.

6. REQUIRED INTERVENTIONS Dedicated officials to the rural development as a section. Allocation of budget for the programme to run smoothly. Improvement of communication and assertion of the municipality as the centre of co-ordination. Ownership of the programme by provincial head of departments. Need an assistance with a suitable funding model to accelerate the programme.

7. RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME