Marius Fransman, MEC for Local Government andHousing hosted a Public ParticipationConference from the 21st and 22nd July 2005. The conference aims:

• To enhance participatory governance in municipalities of the Western Cape.
• To articulate progress, challenges and plans for the strengthening of participatory governance in the Province.
• To provide a platform for broader discussion on best practices and challenges stemming from the implementation of participatory governance in the Province with the discussion of the following:
• Institutional and enabling support to the ward committee system;
• Utilisation of the methodology of community based planning within IDP processes.
• Role, function and linkages of CDW's within municipalities and the relationship with ward committees in facilitating improved government services.
• To formulate further measures to strengthen existing structures as well as communication with communities to accelerate service delivery.

Documents and Presentations presented at the Conference