What 12 years of clean audits mean for the West Coast District municipality
The municipal manager of the West Coast David Joubert says good audit outcomes impact the evaluation and assessment of a municipality’s credit rating.
Photo: Bob Adams
David Joubert became the district municipal manager of West Coast (Weskus) in March 2018. We spoke to him over email about his district’s 12 consecutive years of clean audit results. Here is a lightly edited version of our conversation.
What does a municipal manager do?
My role is to give effect to a clear strategic vision for the municipality, facilitate synergy between governance (the political office bearers) and administrative staff to reach the municipality’s strategic objectives and goals.
What does it mean to have a clean audit?
Good audit outcomes have a direct impact on the evaluation and assessment of an entity’s credit rating. It gives prospective investors confidence to invest in a particular region or sector where sound corporate governance is critical within the institution.
What are the most important challenges facing municipalities?
One of the biggest challenges is financial sustainability. At [West Coast District Municipality] we can proudly say that even with budget cuts and various cost containment regulations we have continued to deliver on our mandate. This is testimony to the effective coordination of projects, a skilled and competent workforce and clear division in roles and responsibilities of the executive management and council.
What have you learnt during your time as a municipal manager?
I’ve learnt that agility in responding to a highly regulated environment with many complexities requires care, understanding and the ability to respond to the matters on hand.
What you need to know about the district municipality
Council seat: Moorreesburg
Municipalities in district: Bergrivier, Cederberg, Matzikama, Saldanha Bay and Swartland
Population: 464,056 (2020 estimate)
Audit results: 12 years of clean audits
Mayor: Boffie Strydom
Mayor’s political party: DA
Hung or majority run? Hung
Ruling party: DA
Under administration? No
Eskom debt: None as of December 2022
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