MOSSEL BAY MOST SUSTAINABLE MUNICIPALITY IN THE COUNTRY

Mossel Bay Municipality is the most sustainable municipality in the country for 2017, according to a recent financial report by Ratings Afrika, an independent ratings agency based in Johannesburg.

The agency recently published its annual report, the Municipal Financial Sustainability Index (MFSI), whereby 100 municipalities were rated according to the report’s scoring model which
evaluates the operating performance, liabilities management, budget practices and liquidity position of a municipality and scores these components out of 100.

Municipalities in the Western Cape scored the highest, with an average of 62. It is also the province that showed the greatest improvement over the last few years and whose
governance practices are considered to be sound. Out of all the municipalities, only three managed to score above 80.

Mossel Bay Municipality scored a remarkable 84 and is joint first place with Swartland
Municipality (Malmesbury), who showed a great increase in sustainability over the last few years.

The report states that the high scoring municipalities demonstrated consistency over the five years and have well entrenched financial policies and their budgets are based on sound
long-term financial strategies. They normally adhere to good budgetary practices, strict
financial control and good revenue collection even through tough economic conditions.

The lowest scoring municipality in the Western Cape is Kannaland (Ladysmith) with 25, but the lowest scoring municipality in the country is Madibeng (Brits) in the North West Province on 6.