SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Interpret South African legislation and policy affecting municipal financial management 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116361  Interpret South African legislation and policy affecting municipal financial management 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Public Administration and Management 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Public Administration 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is intended for political executives, municipal managers and strategic executive managers in South African local government. This Unit Standard contributes to the development of policy analysis and review skills amongst political executives, strategic executive managers and other role-players contributing to the development of relevant legislation and policy affecting municipal financial management.

Qualifying Learners are able to:
  • Interpret financial information and provide financial advice to help achieve the strategic goal of a municipality.
  • Assist municipal organisations in understanding the many challenges they face while trying to achieve their strategic goal, thereby maximising their capacity for service delivery. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the Learners are competent in:
  • Communication at Level 4.
  • Mathematical Literacy at Level 4.
  • Economics at Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • The typical scope of this Unit Standard includes conducting policy analysis and review of legislation affecting financial management in local government.
  • Sound financial management includes knowledge of expenditure management practices at local government such as preparation of capital and operating budgets, different types of expenditures.
  • The scope includes the regulations and legislation pertaining to municipal finance.
  • The context includes international accepted public sector accounting standards. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Apply the techniques of sound financial management in local government. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different types of expenditure are defined and distinguished at a local government level. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Various role-players are recognised who are typically involved in deciding the overall levels of expenditure at local level. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Mechanisms and processes are defined and evaluated for deciding the overall levels of expenditure at local government level. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Challenges are recognised in terms of achieving sound financial management for local government. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify and describe the key elements in the structure of public policy making in the South Africa and the connections and power relations between them. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Various models of constitutional forms are discussed to identify the nature of the South African Constitution and the roles played by different stakeholder in public policy making. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The role of courts in contractual law matters as they relate to public policy issues is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The structure and workings of government outside central government are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The structure and the working of different organs of central government are described with reference to parliament, cabinet and national departments functions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Interpret the elements of initiatives taken through various pieces of legislation to promote sound financial management in local government. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The notion of developmental local government is explained in the South Africa context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The link between outputs, outcomes and measurable objectives are explained in the context of municipal financial management. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The principles of efficiency, economy and effectiveness are defined in the context of municipal financial management. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The role of good-quality and timely information is defined in terms of sound financial management. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The role of a performance-based financial management system is outlined in maximising capacity of municipality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Capacity requirements for municipalities are defined to comply with legislation around financial management. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate, through analysis, an understanding of the environment in which policy-making takes place with particular emphasis on factors that significantly impinge on policy making. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The possible impact of selected general macroeconomic principles on public policy making and review is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The impact of selected socio-economic factors and concepts is demonstrated in the analysis of certain policy choices. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of good governance and ethical behaviour within a municipal setting. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The notions of political and managerial accountability and separation of responsibilities are defined within the municipal context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The notions of accountability, transparency and integrity are discussed within the municipal context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The principle of participatory governance is defined within the municipal context. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a Learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Different types of expenditure and the mechanisms for deciding overall levels of public expenditure.
  • Major initiatives that require municipal officials to exercise sound financial management.
  • Theoretical models of policy making in public and private sectors.
  • The process of policy making in South Africa.
  • The principles of governance and ethical behaviour within the public sector. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking processes, e.g. by trying to find the best possible policy analysis options. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community, e.g. through communicating with others regarding policy analysis issues and fostering team commitment amongst all stakeholders involved in the process. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively, e.g. through the demonstration of ethical and moral principles in all policy analysis processes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, e.g. through researching all possible policy options and presenting conclusions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion, e.g. through advising and motivating others with regard to policy analysis options. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use Science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility to the environment and health of others, e.g. use appropriate computer software for data capturing and document storage purposes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of interrelated systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation, e.g. in keeping in mind that implementation of policy effects the l well being of not only the municipality but the country as a whole. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities, e.g. acting as custodian of ethical behaviour and maintaining a high Level of commitment to providing effective policy analysis. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  48965   Certificate: Municipal Financial Management  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  LG SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Amabamba Recruitment 
    2. AVAX SA 481 CC. T/A Mandisa Development Services 
    3. Buena Vista Learning Academy 
    4. Commerce Edge South Africa 
    5. Concepts of Sustainable Management (CSM) 
    6. Edequette Training Institute 
    7. Excellent Minds Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    8. Growth Management Consulting 
    9. Hamonate Consulting 
    10. HDPSA 
    11. IQ Skills Academy (PTY) LTD. 
    12. Jobafrik Consulting 
    13. Josmap Training Institute 
    14. KOKANO PROJECTS PTY LTD 
    15. KYM MANAGEMENT CONSULTING 
    16. Lewerb Holdings (PTY) Ltd 
    17. Mamuhle Academy 
    18. MANCOSA Pty (Ltd) 
    19. Maritime Business Institute 
    20. MARS Business Consulting 
    21. MATEPE INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD 
    22. Morar Incorporated - KZN 
    23. Mortarboard Training Solutions 
    24. Nelson Mandela University 
    25. Nemalale Eagles Consultancy CC 
    26. Pachi Global Foundation 
    27. Pebetse Training and Consulting 
    28. Petra Institute of Development 
    29. PFIM Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    30. PMA Holdings (PTY ) LTD. 
    31. PTDEV (Pty) Ltd 
    32. Reflections Development Institute 
    33. Regenesys Management (Pty) Ltd 
    34. Regent Business School (Pty) Ltd t/a Regent Business School 
    35. Resonance Institue of Learning 
    36. Silalele Consulting CC. 
    37. Siza Nesu Training and Consultants 
    38. Stellenbosch University 
    39. Tachfin Holdings 
    40. Thinking Mind Trading 
    41. Tshepang Consulting & Project 
    42. Tshwane Training Institute (PTY) LTD. 
    43. Umqondo Consultancy 
    44. UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS EXCELLENCE(PTY)LTD 
    45. University of Pretoria 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.