From Policy Draft to Public Impact: Navigating Policy Implementation Challenges in South African Local Government

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18313491

Sanah Tebogo Matloga (Department of Public and Development Administration, Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law, University of Venda, South Africa)

Complex socio-economic conditions, resource constraints, and administrative bottlenecks often hinder policy implementation in South African local governments. This study employs a desktop methodology to investigate the key challenges and success factors in translating policy drafts into tangible public outcomes within this context. The research identifies obstacles such as limited capacity, weak intergovernmental coordination, and public disengagement by analysing existing literature, government reports, and case studies. The study also highlights effective strategies, including participatory governance, performance monitoring frameworks, and adaptive management approaches. The desktop methodology ensures a comprehensive synthesis of secondary data, offering insights drawn from diverse municipal experiences across South Africa. Findings emphasise the need for context-specific solutions that address local realities while strengthening institutional capacity. This research provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and local government officials to enhance policy implementation to improve service delivery outcomes.