Local Government: Strengthening Capacity – A Review of Measures Taken in the Last Fifteen Years
Policy Brief
2008-02-20
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University of Cape Town
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Recurring episodes of local protests, in the period preceding the 2006 elections, have focused public attention on the state of local government. The main cause of this spectacle is reportedly inadequate or/and absence of municipal services (Ndletyana, 2007). This inevitably raises questions about the capacity of local government to execute its mandate. Existing backlog in social infrastructure renders the resolution of this problem even more urgent. In September 2005, the Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) reported that a significant number of municipalities were failing to provide social services (Atkinson, 2007). Moreover, municipalities are increasingly expected to lead economic development in their respective communities. The purpose is to make residential areas more than just places of residence but also economically viable to absorb residents into the labour market. This is a response to the high rate of unemployment that not only denies residents a quality lifestyle, but also breeds anti-social behaviour with unsettling consequences for the community. Thus, among others, municipalities lead public works programmes, build infrastructure and initiate local development, all in an attempt to create employment and better living conditions (www.thedplg.gov.za). Needless to say, if the backlogs continue unattended and a significant segment of South African populace remains economically inactive, local unrests and a host of other anti-social behavioural traits are likely to persist. Municipal capacity, therefore, is the catalyst in this whole scenario. This begs the question: Do municipalities have the requisite capacity to live up to their mandate? The study sought to answer the afore-mentioned question. Specifically, the study sought to ascertain the existing level of skills relative to municipal needs; evaluated the existing programmes introduced to offset a lack of municipal capacity; and then, where possible, made some recommendations on how these programmes could be strengthened.
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Ndletyana, M., Muzondidya, J. & Naidoo, V. (2008). Local Government: Strengthening Capacity – A Review of Measures Taken in the Last Fifteen Years. For: Office of the Presidency – Policy Co-ordination and Advisory Services. 20 February. Pretoria: Democracy and Governance Programme, Human Sciences Research Council.