BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//National Business Initiative - ECPv6.16.4.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.nbi.org.za X-WR-CALDESC:Events for National Business Initiative REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Africa/Johannesburg BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:SAST DTSTART:20240101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20250730T083000 DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20250730T153000 DTSTAMP:20250728T140724Z CREATED:20250728T134522Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250728T140724Z UID:24712-1753864200-1753889400@www.nbi.org.za SUMMARY:Roundtable Discussion Collective Action for Local Government Reform Review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government DESCRIPTION:Dear Valued Stakeholder\, \nYou are invited to a pivotal Roundtable Discussion on the Review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government\, hosted by the National Business Initiative (NBI) in collaboration with the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG). \nThe Roundtable is supported by Border-Kei Chamber of Business and Absa Group Limited. \nDCoG gazetted a Discussion Document for public comment on 10 April 2025\, setting out some questions for final comments by 31 July 2025. \nThe recommendations from the roundtable discussion will directly inform the revised White Paper to be published in March 2026. This event provides an opportunity to share your insights on governance\, finance\, infrastructure and economic development could redefine how municipalities serve communities for decades. \n  \nEvent Highlights \nKeynote Address: Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa\, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs \n  \nBreakaway Discussions on: \n• Governance and Finance (Ethics\, capacity\, political-administrative interface\, funding models\, revenue management)\n• Infrastructure\, LED and Spatial Planning (Private sector partnerships\, service delivery\, regional growth\, inequality\, business engagement) \nThe roundtable discussion is an opportunity to contribute to a transformative policy reform process aimed at building an efficient and accountable local government system for South Africa. The success of South Africa’s municipalities depends on our collective action. \nRSVP\nKindly respond by Friday\, 25 July 2025. \nConcept Note and Programme \n  \nThis Discussion Document is a step in the process of reviewing the1998 White Paper\, which is part of a process of local government reform and restructuring over the short medium and long term. The intention is to publish a revised Local Government White Paper in March 2026\, following an extensive and inclusive process of consultation based on the Discussion Document. The launch marked the beginning of an all-inclusive and participatory policy reform process to design a modern as well as fit-for-purpose local government system. \nThe review is an open call to action for communities and stakeholders\, including business to collectively build a new and ideal system of local government characterised by responsiveness\, efficiency and accountability. The responsibility to ensure viable and sustainable municipalities is a shared national duty in the advancement of democracy. \n  \nSupported By: \n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n Water security is no longer a future concern\, it is already affecting communities\, businesses\, cities\, economies and ecosystems. As pressure on water systems grows\, organisations need credible and practical ways to respond beyond their own operations. This is where water stewardship becomes critical \n\n\n\n \n Join the National Business Initiative (NBI)\, in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)\, for a thought leadership webinar exploring the newly launched AWS Standard Version 3.0 the global benchmark for credible water stewardship. \n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Building on the NBI’s early 2025 Thought Leadership Session\, which introduced the AWS Standard and the CEO Water Mandate’s Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) Ambition Guide\, this session will explore how the AWS Standard Version 3.0 can help organisations move from ambition to practical action\, strengthening water management and supporting lasting impact for people\, nature and economies. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Participants will gain insights into: \n\nThe revised AWS Standard Version 3.0\nHow water stewardship can support utilities\, cities\, industries and other organisations\nSouth Africa’s water security challenges\nPractical examples of collective action and implementation\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Speakers \n \n\n\n\n\n \n \nGarth Barnes: Programme Manager: Environment & Society\, National Business Initiative (NBI)\nFaith Lawrence (PhD): Head of Strategic Partnerships & Policy Engagement\, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)\nTyler Farrow: Standards Manager\, Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)\nHelen Seyler: Technical Consulting Director\, ERM\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Event Details: \n \n\n\n\n\n \n \nDate: Thursday\, 09 July 2026\nTime: 15h00 – 16h30 (SAST)\nPlatform: Online via Zoom\n \n\n\n\n \n Join us to explore how the AWS Standard 3.0 can help organisations respond to today’s water challenges and create lasting positive impact for people\, nature\, and economies. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n Click Here to RSVP URL:https://www.nbi.org.za/event/roundtable-discussion-collective-action-for-local-government-reform-review-of-the-1998-white-paper-on-local-government/ LOCATION:East London International Convention Centre\, 22 Esplanade Street\, Quigney Esplanade\, East London\, South Africa CATEGORIES:Environmental Sustainability ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.nbi.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Collective-Action-for-Local-Government-Reform-Review-of-the-1998-White-Paper-on-Local-Government.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="NBI":MAILTO:bhavnad@nbi.org.za END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR