Accountability and renewal in South Africa’s municipal sphere

IN THE quest for a better South Africa, the Democracy Development Program funded by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and led by the CEO Dr Paula Kariuki felt the need to host a conference entitled “reimagining local democracy: accountability, participation, and renewal in South Africa’s municipal sphere at the Elangeni Hotel on the October 16. The participation of the MEC for Corporate Governance Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi gave gravitas to the occasion.

- DEVI RAJAB

KHAYELITSHA Ward 99 residents marched to Parliament over the lack of basic service delivery, including electricity.

(AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Newspapers)

Municipalities are pivotal institutions responsible for delivering essential services - such as water, sanitation, roads, electricity, housing, and more - fundamental to the daily lives of ordinary South Africans and directly impacting local development, economic growth, and social stability.

Over the years, South Africa's municipalities have faced significant challenges. Many are characterised by governance failures, urban decay, corruption, and inadequate service delivery. These issues have led to disenchantment among communities, decreased trust in local government, and in some cases, violent protests.

Despite admirable ambitions, the reality remains that most municipalities struggle with operational capacity, financial management, and political stability. Local Government, though it is the lowest tier of governance, matters. It seeps through the crevices of our homes through municipal created negligence, in cracks and leaking roofs into badly gutted roads and neighbourhoods of unattended garbage. It affects our children at schools, victims of pit latrines, patients in under-resourced and poorly managed hospitals with no food or water.

It causes accidents on the roads with malfunctioning traffic lights and pot holes big enough to bathe a new born baby in and stunts the growth of our children. It causes pain to our aged in their dying years.