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Questions and Answers
What is the difference between a metropolitan municipality and a district municipality in South Africa?
A metropolitan municipality is a large city, whereas a district municipality is a group of local municipalities.
What are the three main functions of local government in South Africa?
Service provision, developmental functions, and regulatory functions.
What is the role of a councilor in a South African municipality?
A councilor is an elected representative of the community, responsible for making decisions.
What are the main sources of funding for local government in South Africa?
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What is a major challenge facing local government in South Africa?
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What is the role of the Municipal Manager in a South African municipality?
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What is the difference between a local municipality and a district municipality?
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What is the ceremonial role of the Mayor in a South African municipality?
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Study Notes
Structure of Local Government in South Africa
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Municipalities: 278 municipalities in South Africa, categorized into 3 types:
- Metropolitan municipalities (8): large cities, e.g. Johannesburg, Cape Town
- District municipalities (44): group of local municipalities
- Local municipalities (226): smaller towns and rural areas
Functions of Local Government
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Service provision:
- Water and sanitation
- Electricity
- Roads and transportation
- Waste management
- Housing
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Developmental functions:
- Economic development
- Social development
- Environmental management
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Regulatory functions:
- Building regulations
- Zoning and land use
- Health and safety regulations
Roles and Responsibilities of Municipal Officials
- Councilors: elected representatives of the community, responsible for making decisions
- Mayor: ceremonial figurehead, represents the municipality
- Municipal Manager: administrative head, responsible for implementation of council decisions
- Department Heads: heads of various municipal departments, e.g. finance, infrastructure
Sources of Funding for Local Government
- Grants: from national and provincial governments
- Rates and taxes: property taxes, service charges
- User fees: charges for specific services, e.g. water, electricity
- Donations and sponsorships: from private organizations and individuals
Challenges Facing Local Government in South Africa
- Financial constraints: limited resources, budget constraints
- Capacity constraints: lack of skills, inadequate infrastructure
- Service delivery protests: community unrest due to unmet service delivery expectations
- Corruption and maladministration: allegations of corruption, mismanagement of funds
Structure of Local Government in South Africa
- South Africa has 278 municipalities, categorized into three types: metropolitan, district, and local municipalities
- Metropolitan municipalities (8) include large cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town
- District municipalities (44) consist of groups of local municipalities
- Local municipalities (226) cater to smaller towns and rural areas
Functions of Local Government
Service Provision
- Provides water and sanitation services to the community
- Manages electricity distribution and supply
- Oversees road construction and transportation systems
- Handles waste management and disposal
- Is involved in housing development and provision
Developmental Functions
- Focuses on economic development initiatives
- Implements social development programs
- Manages environmental concerns and sustainability
Regulatory Functions
- Enforces building regulations and zoning laws
- Oversees land use and health and safety regulations
Roles and Responsibilities of Municipal Officials
- Councilors are elected representatives making decisions for the community
- The Mayor serves as a ceremonial figurehead, representing the municipality
- The Municipal Manager is the administrative head, responsible for implementing council decisions
- Department Heads lead various municipal departments, such as finance and infrastructure
Sources of Funding for Local Government
- Receives grants from national and provincial governments
- Collects rates and taxes, including property taxes and service charges
- Charges user fees for specific services, such as water and electricity
- Accepts donations and sponsorships from private organizations and individuals
Challenges Facing Local Government in South Africa
- Faces financial constraints due to limited resources and budget constraints
- Experiences capacity constraints due to lack of skills and inadequate infrastructure
- Deals with service delivery protests from the community due to unmet expectations
- Grapples with allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds
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Description
Test your knowledge of South Africa's local government structure and functions, including municipalities and service provision.
