Abstract:
Through the renewed interest in good governance the development agenda
is shifting focus in a country’s development processes by drawing attention
to fundamental questions like appropriate governance structures, values and
overall direction of the society. The scholarly discourse on local governance
in developing countries is full of examples of ineffective administrations
with an inward focus. Hence developmental local governments should
have appropriate structures, values and strategic direction that refl ect more
on an outward community focus.
The purpose of this article is to provide a discussion of the complexities
of governance in South African local government, in particular, to assess
the signifi cance of the independence that municipalities have in the three
spheres of government and the intergovernmental relations system. The
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 stipulates that each
sphere is distinctive, interrelated and interdependent, meaning that the
functioning and execution of constitutional duties by the local government sphere should not be interfered with by the other spheres. Firstly, the article
highlights the signifi cance of the existence of a local government sphere in
a democratic environment. The discourse on local democracy in Africa,
also takes into account the phenomenon of traditional leadership that is
constitutionally recognised in South Africa and the role and functioning of
traditional leaders in democratic government. The article also emphasises
the fl aws that exist in the intergovernmental relations framework, which
impacts negatively on the progress of municipalities. Furthermore,
challenges facing the local government sphere will be discussed and
suggestions for the improvement of municipalities will be made.
