Assignment Task

Test learner’s understanding of:

• Current and capital expenditure
• Categories of expenditure as set out in Sections 29 and 32 of the MFMA
• Social Contract
• Sound financial management
• Strategies and techniques to improve performance levels
• Separation of Responsibilities within a Municipal Environment.

Assessment-Assignment

• Critically analyse the IDP, Annual Report and other relevant documentation of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (Bloemfontein) and discuss the nature and profile of poverty as an environmental input to the making of relevant policies in the municipality with reference to:

1) Current specific efforts of the municipality to address poverty from a policy and budgetary point of view.

2) The environment in which policy-making takes place with particular emphasis on the factors which significantly impinge on policy-making on poverty initiatives in the municipality.

• Any recommendations, in the light of your answers and responses above, that you would consider relevant to the policies and procedures in your municipality?

Unit Standard Purpose

1. This unit standard is intended for political executives, municipal managers and strategic executive managers in South African local government. This unit standard contributes to the development of policy analysis and the reviewing of skills amongst political executives, strategic executive managers and other role players contributing to the development of relevant legislation as well as policy affecting municipal financial management. It is in this context that this study intends to provide details of South African legislation and policy affecting municipal financial management. This unit standard will provide a clear indication of the wide range of techniques of sound framework management in local government.

2. It is also a specific objective of this discourse to situate an understanding of the municipal officials and executives within a broader gamut of different models of constitutional forms, structures and organs of national government. Specific legislative instruments responsible for the promotion of sound financial management in local government, factors influencing policymaking environment and basic values of good governance and ethical behaviour will also be articulated. As a consequence, this unit standard will add value and enhance competence of municipal officials who are determined to cultivate a culture of good governance in the public sector.

Unit Standard Content

1. Apply the techniques of sound financial management in local government

2. Identify and describe the key elements in the structure of public-policy making in South Africa, the connections and power relations between them.

3. Interpret the elements of initiatives taken through various pieces of legislation to promote sound financial management in local government. 

4. Demonstrate through analysis, an understanding of the environment in which policy-making takes place with particular emphasis on factors that significantly impinge on policy-making 

5. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of good governance and ethical behaviour within setting legislation governing municipal borrowing.

Learning Tasks And Activities

• Each study unit contains a set of case studies and questions. Case studies are often followed by questions to help learners in self-assessment relating to their learning activities.
• These questions also help learners to relate the knowledge they have gained to the MFMA implementation. It is in this context that learning tasks and activities are essential components of continuous selfassessment.

Unit One: Techniques of Sound Financial Management in Local Government

Aim Of Study Unit

The aim of this study unit is to introduce learners to the techniques of sound financial management in local government.

• Learning Objectives
• Key Concepts
• Unit Content
• Different Types Of Expenditure In Local Government-Continue
• The Mayor
• The Municipal Manager
• Community Or Public

Unit Two: Key Elements In The Structure Of Publicpolicy Making In South Africa

• Key Elements In The Structure Of Policy-Making In Sa
• Key Concepts
• Different Models Of Constitutional Forms
• The Constitution of 1996
• Constitutional supremacy
• Separation of powers
• Bill of rights
• Financial provisions
• Different stakeholders in public-policy making