South Africa's Local Government Structure

Structure of Local Government

• South Africa has a three-tier system of government:
  1. National government
  2. Provincial government
  3. Local government

Types of Municipalities

• There are three types of municipalities:
  1. Metropolitan municipalities: Large cities with a high population density (e.g. Johannesburg, Cape Town)
  2. District municipalities: Cover larger rural areas and provide services to local municipalities
  3. Local municipalities: Smaller, more localized areas that provide basic services to communities

Functions of Local Government

• Mandatory functions: Services that municipalities must provide, including:
  • Water and sanitation
  • Electricity
  • Roads and transportation
  • Waste management
  • Fire services
• Discretionary functions: Services that municipalities may provide, including:
  • Housing
  • Public health
  • Recreation and cultural services
  • Libraries

Election and Governance

• Municipal elections are held every five years
• Councillors are elected through a mixed system of proportional representation and ward representation
• The municipality is headed by a mayor or executive mayor, who is responsible for overseeing the implementation of council decisions
• The municipal council is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the municipality

Funding and Budgeting

• Municipalities are funded through a combination of:
  • Grants from national and provincial government
  • Rates and taxes collected from residents and businesses
  • User fees for services provided
• The municipality is responsible for drawing up and implementing its own budget

Structure of Local Government

• South Africa has a three-tier system of government, comprising national, provincial, and local government.

Types of Municipalities

• There are three types of municipalities: metropolitan, district, and local.
• Metropolitan municipalities are large cities with high population density, such as Johannesburg and Cape Town.
• District municipalities cover larger rural areas and provide services to local municipalities.
• Local municipalities are smaller, more localized areas that provide basic services to communities.

Functions of Local Government

Mandatory Functions

• Municipalities must provide water and sanitation services.
• Municipalities are responsible for providing electricity.
• Municipalities are responsible for roads and transportation.
• Municipalities must provide waste management services.
• Municipalities are responsible for fire services.

Discretionary Functions

• Municipalities may provide housing services.
• Municipalities may provide public health services.
• Municipalities may provide recreation and cultural services.
• Municipalities may provide libraries.

Election and Governance

• Municipal elections are held every five years.
• Councillors are elected through a mixed system of proportional representation and ward representation.
• The municipality is headed by a mayor or executive mayor.
• The mayor or executive mayor is responsible for overseeing the implementation of council decisions.
• The municipal council is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the municipality.

Funding and Budgeting

• Municipalities are funded through a combination of grants, rates and taxes, and user fees.
• Grants are provided by national and provincial government.
• Rates and taxes are collected from residents and businesses.
• User fees are charged for services provided.
• The municipality is responsible for drawing up and implementing its own budget.