Download or read book Local Government in South Africa Since 1994 written by Alexius Amtaika and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This uniquely written and enterprising book reasons that local authorities are created to play two essential roles, namely: (i) service rendering, which is a utilitarian consideration, and (ii) democracy, which is a civic consideration. The utilitarian dimension entails the efficient and effective rendering of services to citizens. It has a bias for recipient-citizens, but also recognizes the fact that citizens, in turn, have an obligation to pay for these services. The civic consideration deals with the values of participation, representation, local autonomy, responsiveness, and fairness. It entails commitment and participation of citizens in the decision-making processes of local government--or contribution of ideas. In this book, Alexius Amtaika develops a compelling form of growing body of knowledge and literature which contend that an effective local government is vital for the provision of goods and services, in partnership with communities, in order to allow the communities themselves to lead healthier and happier lives. He tailors together conceptual issues, classical historical facts, various legislations and empirical data into a single coherent argument, and stresses that the challenges facing local government in South Africa today are historical and systemic, embedded in, and inherited, from the British colonial government's Westminster Model, which was first introduced into South Africa in 1806 and passed on to, and adopted by, various governments in South Africa. He stresses that the changes that took place in South Africa in 1994 were structural changes, and that these change altered fundamentally the structures of old the apartheid government, but maintained the Westminster Model System of governance and government, which has been in place since the beginning of the 19th Century. His case is animated by provocative discussions of topical issues, such as freedom, equality, order, nation-building, democracy, development, leadership, elections, and service delivery. This book is part of the African World Series, edited by Toyin Falola, Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities, University of Texas at Austin. "Amtaika takes a critical, yet exploratory view in providing a strong argument for the establishment and existence of local government as a distinct sphere in the post-apartheid state ... It is a good example of how an academic book should be writtin: well-researched, well-organised and well-written." -- Barry R. Hanyane, Journal of Public Administration 51(3.1)

Download or read book Traditional Leaders and Local Government in Africa written by Christiaan Keulder and published by HSRC Press. This book was released on 1998 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The aim of this book is fourfold: firstly, to investigate, compare and analyze the role and functions of traditional authorities in four African states; secondly, to reflect on the relationship between traditional authorities and local and national governments by investigating the formal and informal arrangements that exist between them; thirdly, to provide an overview of the role afforded to traditional authorities, by indicating their functions, decision-making powers and administrative functions; and finally, to provide possible lessons for South Africa deduced from these experiences.

Download or read book Developmental Local Government written by Jaap De Visser and published by Intersentia nv. This book was released on 2005 with total page 334 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book concerns the role of the state in achieving development. In many developing countries conventional wisdom concluded that development is best achieved through a centralised development strategy. The failure of this centralised development strategy has brought about the emergence of decentralisation to local government as one of the means to turn the tide of underdevelopment. This book presents decentralisation not only as a manifestation of 'good governance', but also as an indispensable tool towards development. The central question, however, is the following: how should the transitional state convert this into constitutional and legal arrangements? The author proposes a model for capturing the developmental role of local government in institutional arrangements. The new design for local government, put forward in South Africas 1997 Constitution, is based on the notion that local government should be the epicentre of development. This has prompted the author to use this South African concept as well as the first experiences with the implementation of the new local government dispensation as a case study.The importance of the book thus lies in the fact that it produces an institutional model for developmental local government that is not only based on development and decentralisation theories but is also tested in practice. It is hoped that those with an interest in the role of the state in development will find the arguments and conclusions useful. The book also provides a comprehensive overview of the South African design for local government, which is of interest to lawyers, policy makers and other parties involved in the implementation of the South African decentralisation strategy. Jaap de Visser teaches public law at the Law Faculty of Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Until the end of 2002, he worked as a researcher for the Community Law Centre (University of the Western Cape), specialising in local government law.

Download or read book Local Government Financing and Development in Southern Africa written by P. S. Reddy and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2003 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This text is not only suitable for undergraduate students but is also ideal for use by professionals employed in or working with local government in South Africa.

Download or read book Principles of South African Local Government Law written by Bernard Bekink and published by Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann. This book was released on 2006 with total page 620 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Financial Sustainability of Local Governments in Southern Africa written by Nirmala Dorasamy and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2024-09-09 with total page 277 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book delves into the critical issue of ensuring the long-term financial viability of local governments in the diverse region of Southern Africa. Across Southern Africa, cities and communities are facing a multitude of challenges, from rapid urbanization and infrastructure challenges to social inequality and environmental degradation. In this thought-provoking book, the authors explore the intricate relationship between financial sustainability and the pursuit of sustainable cities and communities through different lenses. Drawing on extensive research and case studies from various countries in the region, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of the financial realities faced by local governments. It examines the factors influencing revenue generation, expenditure management, and fiscal governance, shedding light on the complexities of financial decision-making in the context of limited resources and pressing development needs. Furthermore, it offers practical insights and actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and academics. It explores innovative approaches to revenue diversification, efficient expenditure allocation, and effective fiscal management, with the ultimate aim of fostering sustainable development, social services delivery, and environmentally sustainable infrastructure in Southern African cities and communities. This is an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with financial sustainability in the context of urbanisation and sustainable development in greater Africa. It serves as a guide and inspiration for building financially resilient local governments that can support the aspirations and well-being of their citizens while contributing to the broader vision of sustainable cities and communities.

Download or read book The Politics of Service Delivery written by Anne Mc Lennan and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Securing economic growth by ensuring that its rewards are distributed to the poor and marginalised through social grants and effective delivery, remains a key challenge facing South Africa. This title examines the obstacles to effective service delivery and, in a series of case studies, reflects on lessons for delivery in developing countries.

Download or read book Local Government Finance written by Dirk Brand and published by AFRICAN SUN MeDIA. This book was released on 2016-05-22 with total page 166 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Local Government Financeÿdoes not follow the conventional operational approach to local government finance which typically focuses on issues such as revenue collection, budgeting, performance auditing and accounting, and debt administration. Instead, it offers a broader systemic and multi-level perspective by assessing the governance model of local government finance. For this purpose, the authors compare and contrast the South African model with the international experience. The publication thus makes a significant contribution to analysts and scholars in their sense-making and knowledge production endeavours in this field.

Download or read book Democratising Local Government written by and published by Juta and Company Ltd. This book was released on 2002 with total page 356 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Local government is at the forefront of development. In South Africa the ambitious policy objectives of post-apartheid reconstruction and development hinge on the successful creation of a democratic tier of government close to the people. An entirely new system of 'developmental local government' has thus been introduced. As is the case in many developing countries, the responsibilities of municipalities in South Africa have been extended dramatically, often without adequate resources. Managing municipalities for development therefore requires political will and strategic intervention. The book provides a comprehensive introduction to developmental local government. It includes: the design of the new local government system and the issues posed by decentralisation; an overview of specific challenges of urban and rural municipalities; a discussion of special issues facing local government including poverty, gender and environment; new tools for local government, including budgeting, indicators, municipal partnerships and capacity building.

Download or read book Future Realities of Coalition Governments in South Africa written by Mzwandile Masina and published by South African Association of Public Administration and Management. This book was released on 2021-09-17 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The 2016 local government elections in South Africa, held on 3 August 2016, marked a crucial turning point in the politics of the country. These fifth local government elections in democratic South Africa were characterised by a marked change in patterns of voting, and consequently, in the constitution of local government. An unprecedented loss of power in the country's metropolitan municipalities by the governing African National Congress (ANC), which subsequently resulted in the formation of several coalition governments with opposition parties with simple majority. This seismic shift in power has had implications for local government at both a theoretical and practical level. What lessons, if any, have been learned from the 2016 elections? And how, if at all, do they help us to prepare for the multiple scenarios that could potentially play themselves out? These questions and more are engaged in this book. Through interviews with various local and national government practitioners in the country, as well as the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Download or read book Understanding Water Security at Local Government Level in South Africa written by Richard Meissner and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-11-11 with total page 181 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides unique insights into the complex issue of water security in South Africa. Based on qualitative research conducted through face-to-face structured interviews and focus group discussions with individuals, traditional leaders, municipal officials, researchers, businesspeople and farmers in the two local governments – the Sekhukhune District and eThekwini Metropolitan Municipalities – it focuses on the peoples’ understanding of the concept of water security and whether they believe that the municipalities have achieved water security for all. The research is supported by water security-related statistics, particularly those pertaining to water quality and quantity, and an extensive literature review for the concept of water security. In addition to assessing the state of water security in both municipalities, the book presents a new water security definition and typology, and offers valuable recommendations for future research.

Download or read book Governance in the New South Africa written by Guy C. Z. Mhone and published by Juta and Company Ltd. This book was released on 2003 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The major challenges confronting South Africa since the advent of non-racial multiparty democracy have been the need to promote democratic governance, economic growth, global competitiveness, and to improve the standard of living of its people, especially the previously disadvantaged majority Black population. These challenges have coincided with the ascendancy of globalisation with its attendant social, economic and political imperatives, all of which have consequences for governance and development at the national level, not least in emerging economies like South Africa. This important book assesses the implications of global imperatives for the nature, capacity, character and scope of democratic governance and the pursuit of equitable development in the new South Africa. A major conclusion is that the implementation of domestic economic reforms predicated on market fundamentalism, with its dominant logic and paradigm of globalisation and economic management, is incompatible and irreconcilable with the quest for democratic governance and equitable development. The contributors contend that such an approach reproduces a substantively undemocratic and inequitable society. "Governance in the New South Africa" concludes by offering some considerations related to how substantive democracy and equitable development may be promoted in South Africa on the basis of democratic governance and developmentalism.

Download or read book E Governance in Africa from Theory to Action written by Gianluca Misuraca and published by IDRC. This book was released on 2007 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Integrating information and communication technologies (ICTs) into governance processes can greatly enhance the delivery of public services to all citizens. ICT integration will not only improve the performance of governance systems, it will also transform relationships amongst stakeholders, thereby influencing policymaking processes and regulatory frameworks. In the developing world, however, the potential of ICTs for effective governance remains largely unexplored and unexploited. This book presents the context, theory, and current thinking on the interaction between ICTs and local governance, particularly in Africa. It discusses the shift from OC governmentOCO to OC e-governance, OCO describes the role of local-level authorities, and presents the benefits and limitations of introducing ICTs in government operations. Case studies from Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda describe local governance/ICTs projects executed by civil society organizations, academic institutions, and government authorities. Drawing from the findings in these case studies and from the introductory research and original conceptual framework, the book presents a series of conclusions and recommendation on the future of effective ICTs use for better governance and improved economic development at the local level. This book will be of interest to professionals, practitioners, and policy advisors at local and national government levels in developing countries (particularly in Africa); international organizations staff, bilateral aid agencies, international financial institutions, civil society organizations, and private sector; researchers, academics, students, and professors of public administration and governance in Africa and throughout the world."

Download or read book How to Steal a City written by Crispian Olver and published by Jonathan Ball Publishers. This book was released on 2017-10-23 with total page 333 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'In March 2015, I was tasked by Pravin Gordhan, the minister responsible for local government, to root out corruption in the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality in the Eastern Cape. Over the following eighteen months, I led the investigations and orchestrated the crackdown as the "hatchet man" for the metro's new Mayor, Danny Jordaan. This is my account of kickbacks, rigged contracts and a political party at war with itself.' How to Steal a City is the gripping insider account of this intervention, which lays bare how Nelson Mandela Bay metro was bled dry by criminal syndicates, and how factional politics within the ruling party abetted that corruption. As a former senior state official and local government 'fixer', Crispian Olver was no stranger to dodgy politicians and broken organisations. Yet what he found in Nelson Mandela Bay went far beyond rigged contracts, blatant conflicts of interest and garden-variety kickbacks. The city's administration had evolved into a sophisticated web of front companies, criminal syndicates and compromised local politicians and officials. The metro was effectively controlled by a criminal network closely allied to a dominant local ANC faction. What Olver found was complete state capture – a microcosm of what has taken place in national government. Olver and his team initiated a clean-up of the administration, clearing out corrupt officials and rebuilding public trust. Then came the ANC's doomed campaign for the August 2016 local government elections. Having lost its way in factional battles and corruption, the divided party went down to a humiliating defeat in its traditional heartland. Olver paid a high price for his work in Nelson Mandela Bay. Intense political pressure and even threats to his personal safety took a toll on his mental and physical health. When his political support was withdrawn, he had to flee the city as the forces stacked against him took their revenge. This is his story.

Download or read book Foundations for Local Governance written by Fumihiko Saito and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-01-15 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Successful reforms need coherent approaches in which a range of stakeholders are willing to share responsibilities and resources in order to achieve the ultimate outcome of poverty reduction in developing countries. This book provides a framework to access intended outcomes generated by decentralization measures implemented in Asian and African countries. It is based on comparative analyses of different experiences of decentralization measures in six developing countries.

Download or read book Urban Poverty in Africa written by Mary Gachocho and published by UN-HABITAT. This book was released on 1999 with total page 166 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume represents a selection of papers presented at the Africa Regional Workshop on Urban Poverty, held in Nairobi, Kenya, in September 1998. The papers are the outputs of the regional programme supported by UNCHS (Habitat) and the Ford Foundation since 1992. The papers published in this volume analyse urban poverty trends in East and Southern Africa, and review different strategies that countries and cities have pursued to address urban poverty.

Download or read book Political Parties in South Africa written by Thuynsma, Heather and published by Africa Institute of South Africa. This book was released on 2017-11-28 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Political parties and the party system that underpins South Africa’s democracy have the potential to build a cohesive and prosperous nation. But in the past few years the ANC’s dominance has strained the system and tested it and its institutions’ fortitude. There are deeper issues of accountability that often spurn the Constitution and there is also a clear need to foster meaningful public participation and transparency. This volume offers a different and detailed assessment of the health of South Africa’s political system. This study intends to unravel the condition of the party system in South Africa and culminates in the question: Do South African parties promote or hinder democracy in the country? The areas of the party system that are known to require continued work are the weakness of democratic structures within parties, the perceived lack of responsibility of elected parliamentarians towards voters, non-transparent private partner financing structures and a lack of attractiveness of party-political commitment, especially for women. Experts in the respective fields address all of these areas in this book.