In conversation with Nelson Mandela Bay's Municipal Manager, Johann Mettler about local government, politics and administration

The South African Research Chair in Multilevel Government, Law and Policy, Prof Nico Steytler, invites you to a public dialogue with Mr Johann Mettler. He is an alumnus of UWC, is the City Manager of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality and is currently fighting his suspension by the City Council.

His career in local government spans more than a quarter of a century. He was researcher at UWC, private sector consultant, executive director at the South African Local Government Association, administrator of uMsunduzi Municipality, municipal manager of Drakenstein Municipality and in 2015, Minister Pravin Gordhan seconded him to Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. In 2016, the City Council appointed him as City Manager. In September 2018, he was suspended, a decision that he is challenging in court.

Mr Mettler will be in dialogue with Prof Jaap de Visser (Director of the Dullah Omar Institute) and with students of the Masters in Multilevel Government. They will discuss the opportunities and challenges in local government, seen through the prism of one of its most seasoned administrators but also deal with the manifestations of state capture at local level, the fight against corruption and the impact of politics on municipal administration.

DATE: Friday 15 March 2019

TIME: 11h00 - 13h00

VENUE: Kader Asmal Moot Court (Common Room)

Please RSVP to Valma Hendricks at vhendricks@uwc.ac.za

(by 13h00 on 14 March 2019)

Refreshments will be served afterwards