Local Government Association on 2026 Future of HR Conference
South Africa needs its best talent where it can make the most immediate impact: in local government. This was the message from SALGA CEO Sithole Mbanga when he addressed the 2026 Future of HR Conference in Fourways, Sandton, this morning (14 October). Speaking at the annual event hosted by Topco Media, Mbanga reminded hundreds of HR practitioners from across sectors of the central role municipalities play in driving local development and the urgent need to strengthen the capacity of local government.
“South Africa needs its best talent where the impact is most immediate — in local government. Municipalities are where policy meets daily life; where water, sanitation, roads, electricity, human settlements and local economic development become real to communities. Every investment, business expansion and infrastructure project ultimately finds expression in a municipality.”
The SALGA CEO emphasised the importance of the private sector joining forces with local government to co-create solutions, arguing that the country’s future depends on such collaboration. “As you explore strategic partnerships with SALGA to strengthen municipal service delivery, five priority areas demand attention: reviewing the local government funding model; strengthening local economic development; advancing spatial transformation; responding to the effects of climate change on municipalities; and professionalising the sector by strengthening its human capital,” Mbanga said.
Held under the theme, “HR Without Boundaries: Connecting Capable People, PerformanceEnabling Technology and National Progress,” the two-day conference is exploring how HR leaders can connect talent, technology, ethical leadership and organisational purpose to strengthen institutional performance and advance South Africa’s development. Conference deliberations centred on leadership, ethics and organisational trust; workforce foresight and predictive analytics; employee wellbeing, belonging and benefits; digital inclusion and the responsible use of artificial intelligence; disability inclusion; recruitment and talent retention; leadership pipelines; employment-law compliance; and partnerships to close South Africa’s skills gap.
The programme also placed municipal renewal firmly on the national HR agenda, with discussions on employee accountability, service delivery, revenue management, citizen responsibility and the role of public-private collaboration in building capable institutions and responsible citizens. Mbanga said that, as the country marks 30 years of organised local government and approaches the 2026 Local Government Elections, which will usher in a new municipal administration, professionals should prioritise casting their votes on 4 November as an important step towards building a better local government system.
SALGA’s partnership with Topco Media and participation in the conference forms part of the Association’s commitment to capable leadership, professionalisation and differentiated support for municipalities. Mbanga also called on private-sector HR leaders to strengthen public-sector capability through skills exchanges, secondments, mentorship, shared leadership-development programmes, graduate pipelines, technology partnerships and support for scarce technical skills.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Motalatale Modiba
E-mail: mmodiba@salga.org.za
Cell: 072 515 3022
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