South Africa’s Local Government Progress: Steering Transformation in an Ever-changing Landscape

South Africa’s local government has made significant progress in effective governance and operations, according to the State of Local Government Report. Capacity-building programs have provided over 5,000 opportunities for unemployed youth to boost service delivery in municipalities. The government has laid the groundwork for substantial interventions to further improve the functioning and governance of municipalities, and stakeholders have contributed to the positive restructuring across categories. This progress highlights the strength of joint efforts, inventive strategies, and an unwavering commitment to progress.

What is the state of South Africa’s Local Government?

The State of Local Government Report has indicated a significant improvement in the overall state of local authorities throughout South Africa, with a considerable growth in effective governance and operations. The government has laid the groundwork for substantial interventions designed to further improve the functioning and governance of municipalities, and capacity-building programs have been gathering pace. These initiatives have provided over 5,000 opportunities to unemployed youth to boost service delivery in the municipalities.

In a global environment where governmental sectors tend to appear static and detached from the citizens they serve, South Africa’s Local Government has been functioning on a unique frequency. With the wise guidance of Minister Thembisile Nkadimeng, the country has been observing an impressive transformation of its local councils. Amidst fluctuating challenges and intricacies, this governance sphere has displayed notable resilience and adaptability, cultivating an environment of hope and advancement.

Report Findings and Stakeholder Contributions

The State of Local Government Report, a recent review of local administration, has indicated a noteworthy improvement in the overall state of local authorities throughout the country. Compared to the 2021 survey, which marked 64 municipalities as dysfunctional, 111 as medium-risk, 66 as low-risk, and just 16 as stable, the 2022 evaluation offers a more optimistic perspective.

Even though there has been a slight increase in the number of dysfunctional municipalities, the true wonder lies in the positive restructuring across the remaining categories. The medium-risk municipalities have shrunk to 107, and the low-risk municipal count now sits at 54. Most importantly, the count of stable municipalities has soared to 30, signifying a considerable growth in effective governance and operations.

This positive shift is attributable to the combined efforts, novel strategies, and zealous commitment of stakeholders dedicated to enhancing local governance. However, the journey extends beyond recognising the uphill struggle. It involves resolutely addressing the impending challenges, viewing the positive trajectory as a beacon of hope that underlines potential for continuous growth and development at the local community level.

Governmental Interventions and Reforms

Under the banner of the COGTA (Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) initiatives, extensive legislative and policy modifications have been put into motion in response to the multifaceted challenges encountered by the municipalities. These range from the revision of the Municipal Structures Act and Municipal Systems Act, the instigation of the Municipal Staff Regulations and Circular 88, amendment of the MIG/IUDG Framework, implementation of changes, to the reinforcement of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA). These concerted efforts aim to enhance the capacity, professionalism, and effectiveness of the municipalities.

In addition to these reforms, the government is laying the groundwork for substantial interventions designed to further improve the functioning and governance of municipalities. Proactive initiatives such as the Intergovernmental, Monitoring, Support, and Interventions (IMSI) Bill, proposed amendments to the Municipal Structures Act (known as the “Coalitions Bill”), and the General Laws Amendment Bill (GLAB), have been conceived to consolidate good practices, rectify regulatory gaps, and eliminate harmful practices. This proactive approach denotes a commitment to strengthening the structure and functionality of local governance.

Addressing Dysfunctional Aspects and Building Capacity

Certain municipalities that remained dysfunctional despite support from both national and provincial governments led to some being placed under section 139 (7) of the Constitution. This provision has played a pivotal role in resolving challenges within municipalities like Lekwa, Mangaung, and Enoch Mgijima. The progress in these municipalities varies, with a general trend of a slow pace in addressing financial and service delivery challenges. The complexities and diverse problems within each municipal contribute to the varying rates of progress observed.

Concurrently, capacity-building programmes have been gathering pace. The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) has been making progress in reskilling and upskilling municipal officials, offering over 6,000 training opportunities to date. These span technical short courses in collaboration with the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) to infrastructure-related skills development programs, learnerships, and candidacy programs. These initiatives have provided over 5,000 opportunities to unemployed youth.

In a bid to foster inclusion, a Sector Strategic Planning Session will be organised, with the aim of facilitating open discussions among the Department, Provinces, and Sector Entities. The main objective is to agree on practical steps, outline roles and responsibilities, and collectively implement various local government support packages to boost service delivery in the municipalities.

This gathering will unite executives from CoGTA, Heads of Department (HoDs) from all nine provinces, the South African Cities Network (SACN), MISA, the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). This collaborative effort is anticipated to boost the collective ability to navigate the complexities of local governance and contribute to the enhancement of service delivery across municipalities.

In conclusion, the transformative journey of South Africa’s local government sphere is a powerful demonstration of the strength of joint efforts, inventive strategies, and an unwavering commitment to progress. It also serves as a reminder that with dedication, resilience, and a shared vision, the opportunities for growth and development are limitless. With these words, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all stakeholders for their undaunted support and commitment to the ongoing transformation of local governance in South Africa.

What is the State of Local Authorities in South Africa?

The State of Local Government Report highlights a significant improvement in the functioning and governance of municipalities throughout South Africa. There has been a considerable growth in effective governance and operations, with over 5,000 opportunities provided to unemployed youth through capacity-building programs to boost service delivery in the municipalities.

What are the findings of the State of Local Government Report?

The 2022 evaluation offers a more optimistic perspective than the 2021 survey, with a decrease in the number of dysfunctional municipalities and an increase in stable municipalities. The positive shift is attributable to the combined efforts, novel strategies, and zealous commitment of stakeholders dedicated to enhancing local governance.

What interventions and reforms have been put in place by the government?

The COGTA initiatives have led to legislative and policy modifications, including the revision of the Municipal Structures Act and Municipal Systems Act, instigation of the Municipal Staff Regulations and Circular 88, amendment of the MIG/IUDG Framework, and reinforcement of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA). Proactive initiatives such as the IMSI Bill, proposed amendments to the Municipal Structures Act (Coalitions Bill), and the General Laws Amendment Bill (GLAB) have also been conceived to consolidate good practices, rectify regulatory gaps, and eliminate harmful practices.

How is the government addressing dysfunctional aspects and building capacity?

Some municipalities that remained dysfunctional despite support from both national and provincial governments led to some being placed under section 139 (7) of the Constitution. Concurrently, capacity-building programmes have been gathering pace, offering over 6,000 training opportunities to date. In a bid to foster inclusion, a Sector Strategic Planning Session will be organised, with the aim of facilitating open discussions to boost service delivery in the municipalities.

What is the aim of the Sector Strategic Planning Session?

The main objective of the Sector Strategic Planning Session is to agree on practical steps, outline roles and responsibilities, and collectively implement local government support packages to boost service delivery in the municipalities. It will unite executives from CoGTA, Heads of Department (HoDs) from all nine provinces, the South African Cities Network (SACN), MISA, the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

What does the progress of South Africa’s local government sphere demonstrate?

The transformative journey of South Africa’s local government sphere is a powerful demonstration of the strength of joint efforts, inventive strategies, and an unwavering commitment to progress. The ongoing transformation of local governance in South Africa serves as a reminder that with dedication, resilience, and a shared vision, the opportunities for growth and development are limitless.