Johann Mettler is a self-motivated administrator, leader and expert in the local sphere of government. He has amassed a wealth of experience, competencies and expertise in the sector since 1995. His stint as a practising attorney up to 1995 contributed to the array of skills necessary to carve out a name for himself in the sector.

During his time as a researcher and later a senior manager at the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), he engaged with the full suite of local government legislation from 1998 to 2003, representing SALGA in legislative processes and participating in training workshops for councillors and municipal officials. As a consultant, he assisted management in implementing policies and procedures based on the newly developed legislative dispensation.

As a local government practitioner, he led several municipalities as an Administrator and as a City Manager where he was responsible for the strategic development and implementation of policies, from the Integrated Development Plan to performance management. He excelled in intergovernmental relations horizontally and vertically, representing municipalities at provincial and national level.

Some of his strengths include the following:

• Governance and intergovernmental relations support to municipalities
• Advocacy and lobbying
• Local government turnaround
• Legislative drafting