By Nkhensani Chauke
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, is set to launch a pivotal review of the White Paper on Local Government on Monday next week.
This landmark initiative aims to establish a new local government framework centered on developmental priorities, democratic engagement, and intergovernmental cooperation, including a thorough examination of municipal funding models.
The upcoming launch follows extensive discussions, notably at the Presidential Local Government Summit in September 2022, jointly convened by the Department of Cooperative Governance and the Presidency.
The summit issued a formal call for the review of the White Paper.
Themed “Every Municipality Must Work – A Call to Collective Action,” the official launch ushers in the start of an inclusive policy reform process led by the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The objective is to craft a modern and effective local government system through broad participation and engagement.
“This review invites communities and stakeholders to collaboratively shape a responsive, efficient, and accountable municipal system,” said the Ministry on Tuesday.
“Ensuring sustainable municipalities is a national imperative in advancing democracy.”
The ministry also acknowledged widespread consensus on the current system’s inadequacies in meeting evolving developmental and service delivery needs.
“The launch of this review is a critical step to address governance, financial, structural, and administrative challenges hampering effective municipal service delivery,” said the ministry.
“It aims to reimagine a resilient and developmental local government aligned with our constitutional ideals.”
The ministry said that the National Launch will unite stakeholders from government spheres, traditional leadership, civil society, and research institutions.
Together, they will tackle ongoing governance failures, policy implementation gaps, service delivery issues, and accountability concerns.
President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed these sentiments during the 2025 State of the Nation Address, highlighting significant capacity constraints in many municipalities and the urgent need for a revised local government framework.
“Many of our municipalities face challenges rooted in our current local government design. Extensive consultations will inform an updated White Paper on Local Government to shape a modern, sustainable system,” Ramaphosa told legislators in Parliament.
“This process will include a review of municipal funding models to ensure sustainability, alongside continued collaboration with traditional leaders for local development initiatives.”
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