Developmental local government challenges and progress in South Africa

Abstract

Through the renewed interest in good governance the development agenda \nis shifting focus in a country’s development processes by drawing attention \nto fundamental questions like appropriate governance structures, values and \noverall direction of the society. The scholarly discourse on local governance \nin developing countries is full of examples of ineffective administrations \nwith an inward focus. Hence developmental local governments should \nhave appropriate structures, values and strategic direction that refl ect more \non an outward community focus. \nThe purpose of this article is to provide a discussion of the complexities \nof governance in South African local government, in particular, to assess \nthe signifi cance of the independence that municipalities have in the three \nspheres of government and the intergovernmental relations system. The \nConstitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 stipulates that each \nsphere is distinctive, interrelated and interdependent, meaning that the \nfunctioning and execution of constitutional duties by the local government sphere should not be interfered with by the other spheres. Firstly, the article \nhighlights the signifi cance of the existence of a local government sphere in \na democratic environment. The discourse on local democracy in Africa, \nalso takes into account the phenomenon of traditional leadership that is \nconstitutionally recognised in South Africa and the role and functioning of \ntraditional leaders in democratic government. The article also emphasises \nthe fl aws that exist in the intergovernmental relations framework, which \nimpacts negatively on the progress of municipalities. Furthermore, \nchallenges facing the local government sphere will be discussed and \nsuggestions for the improvement of municipalities will be made.

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