What is local government affairs?

Local government affairs refer to the local level of government – that level of government which is in closest proximity to people, consisting of 257 municipalities countrywide. The country is divided into nine provinces which are in turn divided in eight metros, 205 local municipalities and 44 district municipalities. These 257 municipalities are therefore all contained under the collective term “local government”.

Why is AfriForum involved in local government affairs?

Municipalities are obviously the closest level of government to the people, and it therefore matters a great deal what happens at the local level. The Constitution granted a wide range of powers and competencies to municipalities to provide important services to their residents, including the supply of water and electricity, and the maintenance of roads. Although it is their duty, many municipalities across the country are not willing or able to perform these functions and fulfill mandates, for various reasons. AfriForum’s local government affairs department therefore fulfills the role of civil institution that helps communities at local level to solve problems and to hold municipalities accountable.

How is AfriForum involved?

AfriForum follows a twofold strategy when it comes to local government and essentially all community matters: pressure and self-determination. Communities nationwide are still largely dependent on municipal infrastructure (such as water pipes and electricity networks), but this infrastructure is generally poorly managed. AfriForum therefore puts pressure on municipalities in different ways to, for example, curb municipal corruption, repair water leaks and supply, fix potholes in roads, and ensure that residents’ electricity supply and rates are accurate and fair.

In addition to this, AfriForum’s long-term strategy is for communities to become self-sustaining where services are concerned. Even if the state has the will to adequately deliver services to residents, it clearly lacks the ability to do so – especially in the countryside, but also increasingly in the metros. Alternatives to state-driven service delivery must therefore be addressed in the longer term.