Development of Local Authorities

Module 1 – Development of local authorities

• As towns and cities evolved, administrative and political structures emerged, and citizens needed representatives for governance
• This led to the development of local authorities

Social Development of Local Authorities up to the 1800s

• People gravitated to areas of agricultural production
• Closeness fostered socialization
• Churches were frequently the genesis of towns
• Teachers began educating children in groups, leading to the creation of schools
• Urbanization led to the fulfillment of social needs

Economic Development of Local Authorities up to the 1800s

• Farmers in the Cape of Good Hope traded with ships and kick-started the Cape's economy
• Entrepreneurs emerged to serve farmers, as farms didn't provide enough work for everyone
• Businesses were established in towns to trade and repair goods

Administrative Development of Local Authorities up to the 1800s

• Government was needed in developed urban areas to manage residents and resolve disputes
• The Heemraden was formed in Stellenbosch, appointing a Landdrost to settle disputes among farmers
• A Committee of the High Court of Justice was established in the Cape of Good Hope

Social Development of Local Authorities up to the 1900s

• Increased social needs resulted from the discovery of diamonds and gold
• Those who moved to cities required housing, jobs, and healthcare
• Disputes over land escalated
• Poverty and poor living conditions resulted from not everyone finding minerals

Economic Development of Local Authorities up to the 1900s

• Voortrekkers settled as farmers and traded livestock
• British settlers were artisans and used their trades
• Industries and businesses developed near mining towns
• The discovery of gold and diamonds caused an industrial and economic boom

Administrative Development of Local Authorities up to the 1900s

• The Dutch replaced the Cape Senate with Raad der Gemeente
• The British replaced the Raad der Gemeente
• The Burgher Senate was abolished
• All towns in the Cape Colony established municipal councils
• The Cape Municipal Ordinance became a basis for establishing municipal councils in Natal, Orange Free State, and Transvaal

Social Development of Local Authorities up to 1983

• Many African people migrated to cities in search of better prospects
• A rise in urbanisation occurred
• The demand for food, energy, heating, and water increased
• Squatter camps arose due to a housing shortage and the formation of informal settlements
• Apartheid policies after 1948 lead to unhappiness and riots

Economic Development of Local Authorities up to 1983

• Stagnation causes the loss of many jobs
• The Depression of 1929 affected South Africa
• Other mineral discoveries improved the economy after 1930
• White industrialists gained wealth through land ownership and industry, while Africans were laborers
• Apartheid caused international sanctions, boycotts, and the loss of international investments

Administrative Development of Local Authorities up to 1983

• Apartheid policies introduced by the National Party
• Advisory boards of white local authorities were established with Coloured and Indian management committees in the Cape and Natal
• Administration Boards and Community Councils were established to empower black people
• The Constitution was ineffective due to lack of black Parliament representation

Social Development of Local Authorities up to 1994

• Township residents experienced poor conditions and boycotted services
• Police killed people during increased unrest
• South Africans did not have equal rights
• The first democratic elections happened on April 27, 1994

Economic Development of Local Authorities up to 1994

• International sanctions were still in effect because of apartheid policies
• The economy was run by a white monopoly
• FW de Klerk realized the need to abolish such policies and unban anti-apartheid organizations to save the South African economy
• International economic relations were helped after Nelson Mandela's release and the passing of the 1993 Interim Constitution

Administrative Development of Local Authorities up to 1994

• Regional Services Councils Act allowed the establishment of RSCs for local authority income
• President FW de Klerk unbanned anti-apartheid groups and released Nelson Mandela
• The Local Government Transition Act was established
• The Interim Constitution of South Africa, Act 200 of 1993, dictated that local government restructuring align with the LGTA

Development From 1995 to 2000

• The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996 affected local government development
• The Organised Local Government Act 52 of 1997 affected local government development
• The Local Government: Municipal Demarcation Act 27 of 1998 affected local government development
• The Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 affected local government development
• The Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 affected local government development

Module 2 – The reason for existence of municipal authorities

• With more delegation of services from central to local government, the role of municipal authorities in governing and administering the country is very important

Reasons for Existence of Local Authorities

• Public administration principles are carried out through municipalities
• Higher authorities cannot render all the services the inhabitants need
• Local authorities generate own funds and use money economically
• Services are rendered more cheaply by local authorities
• Central government's burden can be lightened
• Better service ensures the interests of inhabitants and officials

Module 3 – Determining municipal boundaries

• The Demarcation Board must determine the types of municipalities:
• Category A municipality (metropolitan municipality)
• Category B municipality (local municipality)
• Category C municipality (district municipality)

Demarcation Board

• Determine municipal boundaries based on Act 27 and other legislation
• Render advisory services regarding demarcation

Demarcation

• Demarcation factors guide the Demarcation Board toward a benchmark:
• Interdependence
• Cohesiveness and integration
• Viability and capacity
• Sharing and redistribution
• Traditional and rural communities
• Land use
• Programmes and services
• Characteristics of an area
• Administrative consequences
• Rationalisation

Categories of Municipalities

• Category A: Metropolitan municipality that has exclusive authority to make rules over its own area
• Category B: Local municipality that shares responsibility with the district municipality it is in
• Category C: District municipality that shares authority with the local municipality within its area and administers areas across multiple municipalities

Module 4 – Environmental factors influencing services

• Environmental factors differ based on human needs in different circumstances
• Local authorities aim to meet community needs by providing the needed services
• Local authorities must consider environmental factors to succeed

Environmental Factors

• Physical factors
• Economic factors
• Social factors
• Political factors
• Judicial factors
• Religious factors

Module 5 – Levels of government and municipal co-operation

• The Constitution enforces that the 3 levels of government work together
• They should conduct their activities with the principles of co-operative government and intergovernmental relations in providing a citizen service

Levels of Government

• Working together enables Central, Provincial and Local government relations

The Role Of Central Government In Municipalities

• Authority and function are important between the three levels of government
• Central government delegates authority to provisional government
• Provisional government then delegates to local government through provincial ordinances
• By-laws enable local authorities to carry out delegated functions

The Relationship Between Municipalities and Provincial Authorities

• The Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act 13 requires a Premier's intergovernmental forum
• The Premier, MECs, and mayors of district and metropolitan municipalities must be members
• The Premier stays closely associated with the activities

Structure To Enhance Co-Operation

• To promote effective cooperation among governments, The Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act 13 was established
• The Act promotes and facilitates co-operative governance
• The Municipal Systems Act 32 also prioritizes this
• Section 3 specifies local governments must ensure efficient co-operative government

Module 6 – Powers and functions of municipalities

• Objectives of a municipality include providing democratic and accountable government to communities
• Objectives of a municipality include service provision to communities being ensured
• Objectives of a municipality include the promotion of economic and social development
• Objectives of a municipality include the promotion of safe environments
• Objectives of a municipality include encouraging participation in local government affairs

Powers And Functions Of Municipalities

• The right to create by-laws
• Allows exercising control over the town and ensure that all services operate
• Must render services with permission from higher authorities
• Levy taxes within prescribed limits
• Determine tariffs for rendering of services
• Ability to dismiss or appoint officials

Powers Between District and Local Municipalities

• District and local municipalities perform functions related to air pollution, building regulations, or child-care facilities
• District and local municipalities perform functions related to municipal health services or municipal planning
• Metropolitan municipalities perform functions related to street lighting and parking, the control of public nuisances, and other similar duties
• Metropolitan municipalities perform functions related to beaches and amusement parks, billboards, or amenities

Provincial Responsibilities of Municipal Councils

• Provincial legislatures legislatures pass legislation on certain matters of the Constitution
• Provincial legislatures are empowered to pass legislation on various local government matters

Module 7 – Services rendered by municipalities

• The Municipal Systems Act concerns basic municipal services
• A municipality provides power and functions for a benefit
• Municipal services are delivered directly or via third parties, with levied rates or tariffs

Structure of a Municipality

• Committees such as planning and finance make policy recommendation
• These committees make inputs to the municipal or town council
• The legislative authority is the people who make by-laws
• There is an executive authority in which by-laws are carried out
• The HOD's ensure that the Municipal Manager can carry out day to day tasks

Characteristics Of Services

• Renders local services
• Municipalities aim to promote welfare
• Services influence residents
• Delegated services have autonomous decisions
• Scope is decided by municipalities
• Development depends on services rendered
• Types of services depends on resident needs

Classification of Services

• Internal mechanisms use administrative or other structures to function
• External mechanisms use external parties entering service delivery agreement

Module 8 – Municipal elections

• Regular elections recur every four years for voters to substitute representatives who have not adequately represented their ward
• An interim election will be held solely for that ward if a council member resigns or passes away

Voter Qualification

• Voters must meet the following requirements:
• Be an individual person, not a corporate or business
• Be a South African citizen
• Be of a minimum age of 18 years
• Have a valid identification document
• Be registered to vote on the municipal voter's roll
• Be a resident in area of jurisdiction

Voters' Roll

• A list of names of all resident voters
• Helps the IEC with election planning and fraud identification

Electoral Wards

• Electoral wards are the boundary where the voter may cast a vote

Elections

• Needs to be an election timetable
• A need for local IEC representatives
• Ballot papers and voters role will be needed
• Nomination of ward candidates
• Political parties will take part in the election

Module 9 – Municipal councillors

• Elected local members in the municipality
• Every quarter they need to report back

Membership of Council

• Citizen who is qualified to be a member
• The person resides in the municipality for election
• The person must be registered
• If the person lives outside, they can still seek election if they own property

Disqualification

• Receives payment
• Is disqualified from voting for the National Assembly
• Candidate has been declared insolvent
• Declared of Unsound mind
• Is sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment

Code of Conduct

• Needs perform fair
• Needs to transparent
• Can not compensate integrity

Status of Councillors

• After election conduct serves under conditions
• The council needs make decisions to best serve the community

Functions of Councillors

• Stay informed on the voters needs
• Councillor must determine the needs to be meet
• Represent the ward

Module 10 – Office-bearers of municipalities

• Mayor
• Deputy Mayor
• Speaker

Executive leadership

• Mayaral system
• Plenary system
• Collective executive system

The Mayor/Executive Mayor

• Council elects a mayor from the members
• An executive mayor can be executive committee
• The council remains the supreme body
• Can serve under listing to mayor

Deputy Mayor/Executive Deputy Mayor

• Act of mayor during absence
• Council does not need to elect
• Can do meaningful work allocated

Chairperson of Committees

• Council can elect the chairperson and deputy

Speaker

• Performs delegating duties
• Ensures council
• Maintains order and ensures compliance

Whip

• Meeting management
• They help liaison for to counsel

Module 11 – Committee system of municipalities

• Advantage is to avoid lengthy meetings and report back to council for more effective decisions

Types of Committees

• Single
• assist multiple

Mayoral Committee

• Members are appointed
• Accountable to
• serves the same

Metropolitan Sub-Councils

• Establishing by consultants
• ward forms

Ward Committees

• communication council
• Municipality cant communicate directly

Module 12 – Meeting procedures of municipalities

• Counsellors need understand discussions
• participate

Reasons for Meetings

• evaluate informations
• problem solving
• resolve conflicts
• disseminate
• experience team work
• team work develop

Types of Meetings

• Ward
• constituency
• committee
• and executive
• council

Standing Orders or Rules And procedures

• Set standard rules of procedures
• behaviour running in meetings

Reports

• Head of department delegated
• under items in committee
• traceability

Meeting Procedures

• Agenda
• Meeting needs to been given 7 days before
• Issues need been drawn up before meeting

Minutes

• Records and hearing clear
• members absent
• matters discussing

The Chairperson

• guidance at the meetings
• contents of the meaning agenda
• ensure discussions do not develop
• council divide into groups

Motions and Resolutions

• Proposal
• Council recommendations
• Resolutions become approved

CYCLE OF EVENTS DURING A MEETING

• Agenda (information)
• Meeting (conducted in accordance with standing orders)
• Decisions
• Minutes (official record of decisions/resolutions)
• Action (execution of decisions)
• Report-back (on results at next meeting)

Explore the evolution of local authorities, including social, economic, and administrative developments up to the 1800s. Learn how urbanization, trade, and governance shaped towns and cities. Understand the emergence of representation and administrative structures.