Steering Developmental Local Government in Post-apartheid South Africa: Consistencies and Ambiguities

Description

Page: 371-378

Ntombikayise M. Bhomoyi¹, Daniel N. Mlambo², Khathutshelo Matshela³, and Pearl Mokoena⁴ (Department of Development Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria¹ and Department of Public Management, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa²,³,⁴)

During the apartheid era, when the National Party (NP) was in government, development-driven and economic growth initiatives were a distinctive feature in South Africa. Laws and policies drawn and implemented by the apartheid regime favoured the minority white population over most blacks. After the transition period from 1990 to 1994, significant strides were made to transform South Africa’s political leadership and governance structures in all aspects of government, and local government became an essential doctrine of development from this period. Post-1994, after the first-ever democratic elections in South Africa and the inauguration of Nelson Mandela (the late) as the first-ever black South African President, developmental local government became an imperative doctrine for the African National Congress Government (ANC). This was also documented in the South African Constitution (1996) as a stepping-stone for economic growth through numerous legislations and policies. However, over the last few years, local government has been confronted with numerous challenges, notwithstanding some of the achievements that have been made. Growing corruption, inequality, nepotism, cadre deployment, and maladministration have presented a daunting task for local government in South Africa’s 30 years of democracy. This article aimed to delve into the successes and challenges of local government since 1994, considering the transformation made in South Africa over the last three decades.