What is a ward committee?

Nominations to become a member of your ward’s committee will open on 1 November. But, what exactly is this?

According to the City of Johannesburg’s speaker, Vasco da Gama, the main function of a ward committee includes various duties, including:

•  Advising and making recommendations to ward councillors on matters and policies affecting the ward;
•  Assisting the ward councillor to increase the participation of local residents in municipal decision-making, as they are a direct and unique link with the council;
•  Primarily representatives from the local ward community and not from a political party;
•  Members should be involved in matters such as the Integrated Development Plan process, municipal performance management, the annual budget, key activities and programmes;
•  Supporting the ward councillor in dispute resolutions and providing information about municipal operations;
•  Monitoring the performance of the municipality and raising issues of concern to the local ward;
•  Helping with community awareness campaigns such as, waste, water and sewage, payment of fees and charges.

Ward committee meetings will be held once a month to discuss community issues and receive feedback from the ward councillor on critical issues and decisions reached at the City’s council.