Munsoft, SALGA Honour Outstanding Municipality Women Leaders

Home-grown developer of world-class financial management systems – Munsoft – partnered with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to honour the country’s outstanding women leaders in municipal management and service delivery.

Munsoft is a partner to more than 70 municipalities across South Africa, Namibia, and Eswatini, where it provides financial management and internal control systems.

Together with SALGA, Munsoft – in Women’s Month – put the spotlight on outstanding women at the forefront of service delivery during an award ceremony on Thursday (25 August 2022).

The awards recognise excellence by women leaders in municipal management demonstrated through both service delivery and good governance, as evidenced through clean audits.

Thirteen women, who lead municipalities in SA, were presented with awards at the gala event at the Birchwood Hotel in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

The women who received awards included:

• Patience Semakaleng Mamello Leteba from Ulundini municipality
• Daniswa Mafumbatha from Winnie Madikizela-Mandela municipality
• Nomvuyo Mposelwa from Joe Gqabi District
• Tania Campbell from the City of Ekurhuleni Metro
• Jesta Sidell from Ehlanzeni District
• Leah Moriti Mabuza from Nkangala District
• Unondumiso Buda from Frances Baard District
• Pulane Queen Mogatle from John Taolo Gaetsewe District
• Gesie van Deventer from Stellenbosch municipality
• MC Basson from Z Mgzawu District
• Antoinette Steyn from Breede Valley
• Dr. Elna von Schlicht from Cape Winelands District
• Dr. Annelie Rabie from Overstrand

Munsoft Regional Client Relations Director Natalie Khambi said: “Munsoft has chosen to partner with SALGA to put a spotlight on women who are at the forefront of service delivery, responsible for clean audit outcomes and positive turnarounds in their respective municipalities”.

Khambi said Munsoft was borne out of the desire to support municipalities through long-term partnerships, ensuring that municipalities are run in the best way possible.

There are 278 municipalities in South Africa, comprising eight metropolitan, 44 districts, and 226 local municipalities.

Encouragingly, the number of women leading lights this time around was an improvement from the previous reporting period where only nine women-led municipalities were recognised for excellence.

Guests at the gala included the executive leadership of SALGA, executive mayors, municipal managers, councillors, and a surprise guest – celebrated fashion design icon David Tlale.

Commenting on challenges that municipalities face, Khambi warned that “without a good handle on their financial matters, the most well-conceived plans will not produce the desired results.”

She said Munsoft can lend a hand by “providing a platform for municipalities to effectively and efficiently manage their financial affairs.”

SALGA President Bheke Stofile said shareholders in the business of local government, “who are our communities”, want a return on their investment, and “that return is quality service”.

Munsoft provides financial management and internal control systems.

“Our solutions are designed to improve governance, administration, transparency, and financial management of municipalities,” said Khambi.

The company, which was established 21 years ago, has more than 160 employees.

Although Munsoft’s primary service to its partner municipalities is financial management and internal control systems, it also provides other services.

“Some of the other services we also provide are revenue enhancement, payroll and human resources software, asset management solutions, and disaster recovery solutions to mention a few,” said Khambi.

Speaking exclusively to The Bulrushes, Khambi revealed that: “As a business, we have made it our core mission to contribute to the success of local government institutions in South Africa”.

Asked which gender was doing better, Khambi said: “I don’t have empirical evidence to prove this, but I do believe women-led municipalities do better when it comes to audit outcomes.”

Three women-led municipalities that received clean audits using Munsoft systems were Nkangala District Municipality, Elundini Local Municipality, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality.

Municipalities are at the coalface of government, and this is where people see and feel instantly the impact of a malfunctioning administration and system.

Unlike our competitors, we position our business as a partner to the municipality and not just a service provider.

Munsoft currently has over 60 municipalities using our systems and ancillary services.

“We provide advisory services and training that include audit preparation and training regularly,” said Khambi.

“In addition, our Key Account Managers provide the municipal management with monthly status reports to flag and mitigate any risks to a clean audit outcome.

“In my view, if municipalities with Munsoft systems fully use and adopt the systems; they definitely will do better than other municipalities.

“After implementation of a system, it should be utilized in its entirety to achieve the desired outcome.”

She said Munsoft carries out regular system utilisation analysis to close the gap where the system is underutilised.

“As a South African-owned company, our vision is to be in every province. We’re equally excited about our growing footprint outside our borders and we’re confident that Team Munsoft is fit for the challenge,” said Khambi.

Munsoft continues to grow and increase its market share in South Africa.

MAIN PIC, AWARD WINNERS: Three leading lights with Salga President Cllr Bheke Stofile and Munsoft COO Karlien Vosloo