Seychelles and South Africa strengthen local governance ties |12 May 2025

Seychelles and South Africa strengthen local governance ties

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs has deepened its collaboration with the South African Local Government Association through a strategic, week-long visit aimed at building partnerships, enhancing institutional capacity, and promoting mutual learning between the two nations.

This visit, hosted in Seychelles, follows a series of meaningful engagements that began in October 2023, when Principal Secretary (PS) Kevin Perine, accompanied by director general for Public Affairs, Quality Assurance and Monitoring, Murielle Marie, travelled to Pretoria for the South Africa-Seychelles Mid-Term Review of the Third Joint Cooperation Commission (JCC). There, both sides explored avenues for enhanced cooperation in local governance, setting the groundwork for what has now become a vibrant and promising partnership.

Among the key outcomes of that initial engagement was the proposal for South African experts to provide targeted capacity-building support to Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA) staff – an offer received with enthusiasm. The exchange not only highlighted the professionalism of the South African delegation but also confirmed the wealth of knowledge and best practices both countries stand to share.

One year later, in October 2024, the ministry returned to South Africa for the National Urban Forum. This time, the delegation included several district administrators who participated in workshops focused on sustainable development goals (SDGs), urban resilience and community participation. Visits to South African municipalities offered practical insights into governance models that are directly applicable to the realities of Seychellois districts.

These foundations culminated in the formal establishment of a partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) – one grounded not just in knowledge-sharing but in a shared vision for people-centered governance, service excellence and community empowerment.

During the recent exchange in Seychelles, MLGCA facilitated a dynamic programme of visits to various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), thematic workshops, and district tours designed to exhibit Seychelles’ local governance systems while learning from South Africa’s innovative approaches.

The centrepiece of the visit was a two-day capacity-building workshop led by SALGA experts, covering key themes such as good governance, leadership development, organisational culture, and workforce transformation. These sessions saw active participation from ministry staff and district administrators, and reinforced the role of local government in advancing SDG targets such as inclusive communities and climate resilience.

Speaking at the workshop’s opening, Minister for Local Government and Community Affairs, Rose-Marie Hoareau, underscored the importance of staying adaptive: “Local governance must evolve with the needs of the people. Evolution requires reflection, courage and exposure to new ways of thinking. This workshop offers exactly that – an opportunity to explore practical solutions, gain fresh perspectives, and strengthen the leadership capacities of our district administrators, who are on the frontlines of service delivery.”

High-level meetings were also held with MDAs including the Ministry of Lands and Housing, the Disaster Risk Management Division and the Mayor’s Office, where discussions tackled shared challenges such as land use planning, disaster preparedness, and affordable housing. The conversations reaffirmed the need for a coordinated, community-first approach to governance – a core tenet of MLGCA’s strategic vision.

In addition to formal meetings, the South African delegation paid courtesy calls to several key figures, including the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Roger Mancienne; Hon. Sylvanne Lemiel on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition; and Thelma Estico, chief executive of the Industrial Estates Agency.

Beyond institutional engagements, the delegation immersed themselves in community life – visiting districts, experiencing Seychellois culture, and seeing local projects in action. These moments echoed the ministry’s belief that effective governance must be rooted in lived experiences and cultural understanding.

Reflecting on the week’s success, PS Perine remarked: “This exchange is not only about sharing knowledge but about building long-term partnerships that empower our communities and equip our leaders with the tools to serve better. We are proud of what we’ve achieved together and look forward to continued collaboration.”

The delegation’s stay in Seychelles concluded on a warm and celebratory note. During the evening, tokens of appreciation were exchanged, symbolising the mutual respect and growing friendship between the two countries. In their closing remarks, members of the South African delegation expressed their gratitude for the hospitality received and affirmed that Seychelles and South Africa now share a strong and promising link in the realm of local governance. They reiterated their commitment to nurturing this partnership and looked forward to continued collaboration and future exchanges that will further enrich both nations’ approaches to community development and public service delivery.

The successful hosting of the SALGA delegation showcases the ministry’s forward-thinking leadership and commitment to continuous learning. It positions Seychelles not just as a beneficiary, but as a contributor to regional excellence in governance – one that values transparency, accountability, and inclusive development.

As MLGCA continues its journey of reform and growth, partnerships like this are helping to ensure that the community benefits from innovation, professional development, and strong international networks.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the South African delegation’s visits while in Seychelles.

Contributed