JOHANNESBURG-LILONGWE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

1. JOHANNESBURG-LILONGWE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME CAPACITY BUILDING IN LILONGWE SACN Workshop – 25 May 2011

2. CAPACITY BUILDING IN LILONGWE Purpose • Explain the City of Joburg involvement • Provide an overview of the capacity building process in Lilongwe • Lessons

3. CAPACITY BUILDING IN LILONGWE Johannesburg-Lilongwe mentorship • Originated in a CityFutures Workshop in July 2007 – request to assist with the development of a CDS • Mentorship approach approved by CoJ Mayoral Committee, SALGA, UCLG, UCLGA and Malawi Government by March 2008 – ensure buy-in and political support • 3 phases (Preparatory, CDS Development & Implementation) – now in phase 3 (project support) • CoJ is self-funded • Identified need to address financial sustainability issues in phase 2 and approached SACN to • Include Lilongwe, despite problems, in their credit assessment process • “design a purpose-made package” focusing on financial sustainability and long-term capital requirements

4. CAPACITY BUILDING IN LILONGWE Process Issues • Making contact – identifying the right people and obtaining “the green light” • Mutual understanding of the scope of work and purpose • Question from recipients: Why are you doing this? What’s in it for you? – overcome suspicion • Agree upfront on a joint programme • Accessing the latest information • Embedded knowledge • Non-formal sources not generally known

5. CAPACITY BUILDING IN LILONGWE The challenge • Easiest part of process is to develop, compile and write a document – many examples of documents developed for countries and cities in Africa by donors/NGOs, etc – however, clear that many of these processes result in a lack of ownership, understanding, and most importantly WHAT TO DO WITH THE DOCUMENT • Internal buy-in • External buy-in • Lack of access to documents (copying, electronic)

6. CAPACITY BUILDING IN LILONGWE Lessons • Highest authority support required at outset • Build a relationship - SACN involvement in Lilongwe would not have been possible without the Joburg partnership • Plan for an implementation and support phase • Take cognisance of language, cultural aspects, capacity, etc • Funding of processes • Capacity building and knowledge • Participants need to form part of the process – regularly verify understanding of issues/process • Maintain momentum, meet expectations • Pitch input at level of the audience; this might vary from audience to audience • Ensure that targeted drivers own the content – can they present it to others? • Consistency – consultation material on OWN brand eg powerpoint slide packs

7. CAPACITY BUILDING IN LILONGWE Concluding remarks • Capacity building around the CDS required more than ensuring ownership of the product/process. It also require the following: • Be flexible – go on a journey with your peers • Ongoing support and advise – from learner driver to licensed driver • Knowledge management of processes • Motivate and build self esteem • Aftercare as important as main process – R Hunter: Issues for City Government Finances and Concluding Propositions: Way ahead?