Volume 9, Issue 3, June/July 2007

HIV and AIDS: Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality's Response.
Author: Marije Versteeg
HIV&AIDS is much more than a health problem. It is a developmental challenge that affects local government in various ways. in the last issue, we looked at how municipalities can apply the concept of mainstreaming as a strategic way to address this enormous challenge and Ethekwini Metro shared their experience and lesson learnt.
Local Government Bulletin lgb-policy-framework lgb-idp-budget
Legal Briefs:
Author: MLGA(Community Law Centre)
When Does A Councillor Vacate Office Mid-Term?
Local Government Bulletin lgb-governance
Local Government in Nigeria.
Author: Dr Habu Galadima
The Federal Republic of Nigeria, with a population of about 140 million, is not only Africa's most populous state but also one of the largest federations in the world. The history and development of its local government is a direct consequence of British colonial history.
Local Government Bulletin lgb-local-government-africa
Local Government Under the Spotlight: DPLG's Policy Review Process
Author: Dr Jaap de visser
On 31 July 2007, the Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) initiated a policy review process of provincial and local government. It will ultimately result in a first White Paper on Provinces and a discussion document on local government. The process will be a national debate, comprising a public participation process, research and a review of experience.
Local Government Bulletin lgb-policy-framework
Name Changing of Towns: Public Participation At the Forefront Once More.
Author: Annette Christmas
The Supreme Court of Appeal recently examined the processes surrounding the changing of town names and the extent to which they must facilitate public consultation in the case of Chairpersons Association v The Minister of Arts and Culture , the Chairman of the South African Geographical Names Council and the Municipality of Makhado. This is to be distinguished from the changing of names of municipalities in terms of section 16 of the Municipal Systems Act.
lgb-powers-functions Local Government Bulletin lgb-governance
The Housing Dilemma: Reviewing Local Governmnt Functions.
Author: Dr Jaap de Visser
An essential part of the current review of government structures is evaluating the success of local government in meetings its constitutional obligations to citizens. Key to the current review of structures is the extent to which powers and functions designated enable it to meet its developmental mandate. This article proposes a model for analysing which functions should be performed by local government and applies this model to housing. It concludes that the location of housing as a national/provincial function competency needs to be revisited.
lgb-powers-functions Local Government Bulletin lgb-municipal-revenue lgb-infrastructure
The Challenges of Urbanisation: Single Tier Local Government For Urban Areas.
Author: Nico Steytler
The growing importance of cities not only in South Africa but also around the world is well captured in the 2006 Cities Network Report as follows: "Cities are simultaneously the most productive sites in the national economy as well as areas that accommodate the largest number of poor people, cities are strategically important places for meeting the governments growth and development agenda."
Local Government Bulletin lgb-establishment-demarcation-elections
Where to Now With District Municipalites? Redefining Their Role and Application.
Author: Nico Steytler
The debate about district municipalities- their performance and their future is widespread. Some critics question whether districts have served their function. Others contend strongly that they should be disestablished. In the debate. This argument for redefining the role of districts is not based on the current capacity problems or adjustments to the new system, it is more systematic than that.
lgb-powers-functions Local Government Bulletin lgb-district-municipalities