Local government in South Africa has undergone a number of fundamental changes over the past few decades to ensure that the local communities receive
56 a specific level of municipal services. The current local government system endeavours to achieve a local government decision-making process that involves the community and to provide essential services that are required by the community on a daily basis. To clarify the relevance and importance of local government, it is also important to identify the motivation and the basis for the establishment of local government. The origin and importance of local government are discussed in the next two subsections.
3.2.1.1 Origin of local government
The origins of human settlement in reasonably densely populated areas can be traced back to the early stages of human culture (Van der Waldt, 2007:2). Urban settlements were the residential structures adopted by citizens and which became the religious, administrative and political centres of society. Produce harvested in rural areas was sold in towns and eventually new commercial practices and industries emerged in these towns. The urban areas of the developing world provided an environment where the community could live in harmony and in safe surroundings (Bekink, 2006:20). Citizens who were prepared to live in close proximity to others and who were prepared to be subjected to a form of governing body gave rise to the need for service provision (Du Toit et al., 2002:88).
In South Africa the oldest urban settlement dates back to the establishment of the country‟s first port by the Dutchman, Jan van Riebeeck, in 1652. This colony was governed by the first Dutch settlers on a centralised basis until a system of landdrosten (magistrates) and heemraden (local court members) was created (Craythorne, 2006:9). This system remained in place until the British occupied the Cape Colony and established the municipal government system in 1836 (Van der Waldt, 2007:3).
57 According to Craythorne (2006:9) ordinances were passed in the Cape and Natal colonies in 1840, 1854 and 1867, which initiated the following actions:
Towns were constituted as corporate bodies.
Representatives were elected by citizens registered on a voters‟ roll.
Councils decided on a local tax levied on property, which had been valued.
Auditors were appointed.
Town clerks and staff members were appointed and not elected at a public meeting.
The committee system was introduced.
Due to various socio-political processes, the South African governance landscape has undergone constant change during its recent history. Over a period of 86 years, South Africa has had five constitutions that have served to change the entire nature of the South African state, and therefore also local government (Craythorne, 2006:1). Although the South African local government system has been transformed from time to time, local government has remained the cornerstone of service provision in South Africa. The key challenge, however, is to ensure that quality services are actually provided to the community.
3.2.1.2 Importance of local government
It is generally accepted that local government is in the most favourable position to address and satisfy the needs and expectations of the community. As the sphere of government that functions closest to the community, it is an essential service provider.
In support of the above, Reddy (1999:9) in Van der Waldt (2007:3) defined local government as the sphere of government that has been created to bring government to the populace and to give residents a sense of involvement in the political processes that affect their lives. The same author also defined local
58 government as local democratic units vested with prescribed, controlled governmental powers and sources of income to render specific local services and to control and regulate the geographic, social and economic development of demarcated local areas. Zybrands (2006:133) agreed, stating that local government is that sphere of government that is closest to its constituents and which provides a wide range of services that materially affect the lives of all residents.
Local government services are of fundamental importance to the growth, development and stability of a municipality (Craythorne, 2006:153) and are aimed at satisfying the needs of the community (Zybrands, 2006:144). Van der Waldt (2007:5) mentioned that the effort to improve the liveability of urban areas places large demands on government and that good governance implies the inclusion and representation of all groups of society, with local government having to uphold accountability, integrity and transparency in pursuing its goals.
However, sufficient financial resources are required to improve service delivery, and municipalities need to identify ways of augmenting their income. The collection of outstanding consumer debts, for example, would provide adequate revenue to fund the provision of services.
According to Du Toit et al. (2002:88) the recognition of local government in South Africa as a distinctive sphere of government has enhanced the status of local government, giving it a new dynamism as an instrument of government service delivery. Bekink (2006:67) explained, however, that local government must be aware of this status, but should also not ignore the fact that their entrenched status also carries a substantial burden. As part of government, local government has a number of constitutional obligations to fulfil and to which it must comply.
Local government is the sphere of government that is most suitably positioned to provide the services that affect the lives of residents on a daily basis. The challenge faced by local government is that it plays an indispensable role in
59 ensuring that municipal services are provided to the community in a financially sustainable manner and that there is equitable access to the municipal services to which the community is entitled.