Over 70 Ethiopian cities working for a standard of living

On Wednesday, 11 May 2022, the Department of Cooperative Governance, in collaboration with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the National Treasury, hosted a technical delegation from the Ethiopian Cities Association as well as representatives from the Association of Dutch Municipalities who are on a study tour in South Africa.

The Ethiopian Cities Association is an alliance of currently more than 70 Ethiopian cities working towards improving the living conditions of the country’s population. At the same time, the Association of Dutch Municipalities or Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeentes supports and encourages municipalities with the exchange of knowledge and experience regarding the implementation of national and local policies.

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The Director-General (DG) of the Department of Cooperative Governance, Avril Williamson, delivered a cordial welcoming address which she prefaced by accentuating years of friendly ties between South Africa and Ethiopia.

“This visit is a pleasant reminder of the affection that exists between the people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the people of South Africa, which extends back decades, even before the two countries established formal diplomatic relations,” said DG Williamson.

About:

Ms Williamson has been in Human Resources for the past 27 years. Her experience stems from working in diverse industries, including Manufacturing, ICT, Telecommunications, and Public and Higher Education Sectors. She had Senior and Executive Director roles in large corporates such as DaimlerChrysler, SARS, BMW South Africa, Vodacom, DHA and SRSA. 

These environments are positively demanding and complex. As a seasoned HR professional, she has a love for people with interests in leadership, strategy, employee engagement, talent management and development, change management and transformation.