Latest News & Developments
local government policy
2024 MTBPS: South Africa's political parties respond with mixed views
South African political parties have expressed mixed reactions to the 2024 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday, October 30
The Battle for Fezile Dabi: Sipho Thomas Under Siege
The Auditor-General’s latest report praised the municipality’s financial discipline and improvements in service delivery with Sipho Thomas at the helm, says the writer.
Mayor Moya welcomes André Coetzee as Chief of Staff to enhance Tshwane’s city services
With André Coetzee as Chief of Staff, Mayor Nasiphi Moya seeks to advance Tshwane’s governance agenda and improve service delivery for all.
Dr Nasiphi Moya: A visionary leader for Tshwane's future
In 2020, Moya made the decision to leave the DA and join ActionSA, where she quickly rose through the ranks.
Johannesburg’s service delivery crisis deepens during constant mayoral changes
The City of Joburg is grappling with the consequences of its unstable mayoral leadership, marked most recently by the resignation of Kabelo Gwamanda, who served as mayor for just fifteen months.
eThekwini gets a clean audit from AG, but concerns raised over irregular expenditure and service delivery issues
While celebrating a clean audit report from the Auditor-General, the eThekwini Municipality faces critical scrutiny over its doubled irregular expenditure since 2020 and under-performance in key service areas.
Local Government in 2023: How full is the glass?
The issues discussed below focus on some of the key issues requiring immediate attention and reform within municipalities, say the writers.
Mixed views on gender equality in Africa: Governments praised, but citizens call for more action
While governments received acknowledgment for their efforts, citizens were vocal about the need for increased action to bridge the existing gender gaps and ensure equal opportunities for all.
City of Joburg elects Margaret Arnolds as new council speaker
The speaker’s position remained vacant after the axing of Colleen Makhubele, whose membership in Cope was terminated last week.
66 municipalities dysfunctional while 30 improved to stable category, Cogta determined to turn things around
Reflecting on the 2021 State of Local Government Report, in which 64 municipalities were categorised as dysfunctional, the latest 2022 report indicated that that number had increased to 66.
Education, health and security services saved from budget slash as Godongwana announces additional funding for those sectors
While budget cuts were expected in these critical sectors, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said they would not compromise on the work done by security agencies, health, education, and social development.
Durban ratepayers accuse eThekwini of forcing through tariff increases without consultation
At the forefront of this objection is the Westville Ratepayers’ Association, supported by the Bluff Ratepayers and Residents’ Association, the Musgrave Ratepayers’ Association, the Active Citizens Movement and the Tongaat Civic Association.
KwaZulu-Natal Cogta says Uphongolo and Abaqulusi municipal managers have required qualifications
The qualifications of the two municipal managers have been a bone of contention between the ANC in the Mzala Nxumalo (Zululand) and the IFP (Inkatha Freedom Party) for the most part of 2022.
Ekurhuleni mayor Tania Campbell to face another no motion of confidence next week
In a quest to unseat the DA in all metros in Gauteng, another motion of no confidence against Ekurhuleni mayor Tania Campbell will be heard at next week’s council meeting on March 30.
WATCH: Mayor defends using municipal funds for varsity bursaries, says service delivery won’t be affected
However, Sibisi differs, saying the local government sphere is duty-bound to aid so that it can have well-off ratepayers of the future and families not dependent on the state for survival
Tensions rise at ANC policy conference
Feuding ANC factions over the party’s step aside rule have turned the sixth policy conference into a battlefield for their own interests.