OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development
Open-access peer-reviewed journal
https://doi.org/10.64211/oidaijsd190105
Local Government Autonomy in South Africa: Governance, Service Delivery, and Development Agendas
John Mamokhere 1*, France Khutso Lavhelani Kgobe 2
1 Department of Research Administration and Development, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, South Africa.
2 Department of Development Planning and Management, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, South Africa.
* Corresponding authour: johnmamokhere@gmail.com
Volume 19, Issue 01, Pg. 81-94, 2026.
Abstract: In terms of section 151 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) envisions local government as an autonomous sphere of government. However, in practice, political systems and dominant party structures have eroded this autonomy, weakening local representation and decision-making. Local government remains a key mechanism for providing essential services such as water, electricity, housing, and infrastructure, aimed at narrowing socio-economic disparities and improving citizens’ quality of life. Despite its critical role, local government in South Africa continues to face major governance and service delivery challenges, including maladministration, political interference, administrative inefficiencies, working in silos, inadequate resources, and persistent corruption, all of which constrain its effectiveness. This study seeks to explore the governance challenges that erode local government autonomy and contribute to poor service delivery in South African municipalities. The study adopted a Network Governance theory, which posits that governance involves managing relationships among interlinked organisations with shared policy goals, arguing that no single actor or institution can effectively address multifaceted socio-economic problems alone. The study adopted a qualitative research approach to explore the governance challenges. Secondary data sources such as policy documents, government reports, and academic publications were used to validate the study. Thematic discourse analysis is employed to identify core governance and service delivery challenges. In addressing these challenges, the study advocates for the revision of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government as a crucial step toward improving municipal performance and responsiveness. Updating this framework would help dismantle systemic barriers built over three decades and strengthen the efficiency of essential delivery, particularly in water, sanitation, and electricity. Furthermore, the study recommends breaking down working in silos among the three spheres of government. The study advocates that there is a need to enhance intergovernmental coordination, broaden stakeholder participation, and build institutional capacity to promote sustainable governance and effective service outcomes.
Keywords: Autonomy, Governance, local government, service delivery, working in silos
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