Abstract
International developments in the area of governance over the past few years have seen an increase in the powers and responsibilities of local authorities. These responsibilities have to a greater extent assumed a developmental dimension.
In order for local government to fulfil its constitutional mandate, it has to ensure that services are effectively provided in its area of jurisdiction. They also have to ensure that they do this in as cost-effective a way as possible in order to reach as many beneficiaries as possible, i.e. there is a proportional relationship between the resources of a local authority and its ability to carry out its developmental responsibility. Local government has to manage this huge responsibility with a clear understanding that, increasingly, it is seen as constituting a distinct sphere of government rather than an extension of provincial and national governments.
A further implication that local authorities have to grapple with is the problem of insufficient capacity to fulfil their developmental roles. Local authorities have also been assigned a pivotal role in the implementation of the development agenda outlined in the RDP.
Local authorities are essential to realising the transformation of the socio-economic landscape of the country. To this end they must ensure the effective delivery of services to communities within their areas of jurisdiction.
It is at this level that government is closest to the people; it is this sphere of government which affects their daily lives more directly than any other; and it is only in this sphere of government in South Africa where individual representatives are elected directly from defined geographic constituencies. The new constitutional dispensation offers very little diversion from the international trend referred to above.
Councillors and officials within local authorities must find amongst themselves common ground to enable them to serve the long-term interest of communities.
Capacity needs to be built in order for local authorities to be able to accomplish their developmental obligation. Councillors and officials need to find a way to develop a shared vision among all stakeholders within their area of jurisdiction. They need to facilitate the forging of relationships with communities, businesses, other spheres of government and the structures of civil society. An achievement of a common vision will enhance effective service delivery and sustainable development in the local authority’s area of jurisdiction. Stakeholder involvement is an essential ingredient for sustainable development.
Funding capacity for local authorities remains a major problem in local government. Municipalities may in this regard consider engaging the private sector, i.e. to privatise certain functions in order to effectively provide some of the services.
Effective communication and co-operation between councillors and officials is important to ensure the efficient implementation of the community vision and financial management or optimisation of scarce resources. Councillors must be able to work and communicate effectively with the officials who implement their policies and manage the public affairs of the community. Financial management for councillors is not merely accounting or audit practices. It is, in effect, fulfilling the public trust placed in local representatives by the electorate.
This brings into the picture the very important aspect of capacity building which is required for local authorities to fulfil their mandate of effective service delivery to residents. Local authorities have to ensure that services are provided to the communities in the most effective way possible and that the benefits of resource optimisation are further reinvested in the interest of the residents. It is a solemn responsibility which, if not handled properly, can result in economic decline, political gridlock and even violent protest against a local authority.
Prof. C.J. Maritz