Municipality best in SA
Mossel Bay and Midvaal municipalities tops in the country for financial sustainability
The Western Cape and more specifically, Mossel Bay, came out tops in the latest Ratings Afrika Municipal Financial Sustainability Index (MFSI) report.
At the awards ceremony held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 10 April, Mossel Bay Municipality and Midvaal Municipality in Gauteng, were recognised as the top municipalities in the country for financial sustainability. Both municipalities scored 74 out of 100.
The MFSI is a scoring model that evaluates six financial components, namely the operating performance, liquidity management, debt governance, budget practices, affordability and infrastructure development of a municipality.
Not far behind these two institutions, followed the municipalities of Saldanha Bay (73), Swellendam (72) and Swartland (71).
These top achievers form part of Ratings Afrika's annual MFSI for the financial results of the 104 largest local municipalities, plus the eight metros in South Africa, thus 112 in total. The analyses are based on the municipal financial year ending in June 2023.
During his speech at the awards ceremony, the mayor of Mossel Bay, Dirk
Kotzé, detailed some of the municipality's rankings since Ratings Afrika's first MFSI report in 2011.
"In 2020 and 2021, Mossel Bay Municipality achieved the highest rating in the Western Cape. In 2021, Mossel Bay achieved 74 points and was ranked top in the country during a period when Mossel Bay grew from a small holiday village to a thriving primary residential destination.
"In 2022, Mossel Bay was ranked fourth, with a score of 70, close on the heels of George Municipality, which was ranked third that year at 71."
"In 2023, at 70, Mossel Bay shared the joint second position with Swartland Municipality."
The mayor said this year's result could be attributed to sound long-term development planning, effective fiscal management policies and strict discipline by the leadership of the municipality.
Rating Afrika defines financial sustainability as: "The financial ability of a municipality to deliver services and to develop and maintain the infrastructure required by its residents without unplanned increases in rates and tariffs or a reduction in the level of services.
“Additionally, the municipality should have the capacity to absorb financial shocks caused by natural, economic, political and other adversities, without external financial assistance."