Local government may be the sphere closest to communities, but in South Africa’s intergovernmental conferences, its voice is often heard through others rather than speaking for itself.
 

Author:

N Steytler
 

Summary:

This article addresses the role that local government plays in intergovernmental conferences by resolving four interrelated questions: First, what is the formal place of local government within the legislative framework of intergovernmental relations? Secondly, how do local governments and organized local government perform their formal role in intergovernmental relations in practice? Thirdly, given the wide diversity of local governments, from very small local municipalities to mega-metropolitan municipalities, does the latter perform a different or separate role in intergovernmental relations? Finally, can local government’s role in intergovernmental relations be improved, and if so, how? The article argues that the South African Constitution premises devolution upon the principles of sound intergovernmental relations and cooperative government, and that local government is an integral part of that system primarily through organized local government. Despite its strong place in the overall system, various factors hamper the fulfilment of that role. Moreover, organized local government finds it difficult to represent all categories of municipalities, particularly the large metropolitan municipalities. Finally, local government can do better in asserting its own voice in intergovernmental conferences, but that would require some adjustments to its functioning, as well as a change in attitude of provincial and national governments.


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