In its continuous pursuit of evidence-based public policy, especially in the area of municipal finance, the Public Policy Hub (PPH) and the Chair in Municipal Finance partnered with the School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) at the University of Pretoria, conducting a training workshop on 16 April 2024.

Facilitated by experts from the National Treasury, this training focused on the strategic utilisation of the local government (LG) database to advance research that supports informed and effective decision-making at municipal level throughout South Africa.

This joint effort was designed to provide academics at the University of Pretoria with the necessary tools to access, analyse, and apply municipal data. By harnessing this data, researchers can unearth valuable insights that promote governance reforms and optimise fiscal management, thereby contributing to better fiscal resource utilisation and ultimately, the sustainable development of municipalities.

The Chair in Municipal Finance is central to this initiative, dedicated to transforming African cities and smaller municipalities through improved property taxation and land-based financing strategies. By advancing sustainable local policies via rigorous research and strategic collaboration among academics, policymakers, and community leaders, it enhances municipal finance practices and supports the development of resilient cities in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.

Prof Gerda van Dijk, Director of the SPMA, highlighted the urgency of addressing foundational municipal challenges – infrastructure, corruption, poverty, unemployment, housing, etc. – through a unified approach between academia and government. "Creating a cooperative environment allows us to leverage our collective expertise and resources to achieve significant progress in upholding human rights and building a more equitable society," she stated.

Echoing this sentiment, Mrs Una Rautenbach, Director of the LG Database and Reporting System as well as the Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts (mSCOA) at the Intergovernmental Relations Division of the National Treasury, emphasised the critical role of evidence-based research in improving governance and financial management practices. "Through our collaboration with UP, we seek to unearth research-driven, practical, and innovative solutions that tackle the pervasive challenges and inefficiencies in our municipalities, thereby significantly improving the quality of life for our communities," she stated.

The workshop welcomed diverse participants from the Faculty of EMS, along with the faculties of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS), Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology (EBIT), as well as postdoctoral fellows and PhD students, broadening the scope of this transdisciplinary initiative.

This aligns with the PPH, which is committed to fostering evidence-based and sustainable public policies by bridging the gap between academic research and governmental needs. Key pillars of the PPH include:

• co-producing targeted research that responds directly to public sector policy demands;
• facilitating a mutual exchange of expertise and skills between academia and the public sector; and
• tackling complex developmental issues with innovative, transformative strategies.

Prof Nara Monkam, head of the PPH and Chair in Municipal Finance, emphasised the importance of translating research into practical, actionable policies that tackle some of the most pressing challenges in South Africa and beyond. This approach not only meets scholarly publication standards, but also ensures significant community impact. "We are committed to conducting robust, interdisciplinary research that delivers tangible improvements for our communities," she affirmed.

A follow-up training session will take place in May 2024. This session will build on the April achievements and further the PPH’s mission to influence and contribute to impactful local government policy. Details regarding the exact date will follow soon.

Join the PPH in its commitment to fostering impactful research that not only informs policy, but also promotes the development of resilient, sustainable cities in line with SDG 11.