Can boundaries make municipalities financially viable?

Can boundaries make municipalities financially viable?

The Municipal Demarcation Board has the important task of demarcating South Africa’s municipalities. The South African Research Chair in Multilevel Government, Law and Policy (Prof Nico Steytler), together with the Financial & Fiscal Commission (FFC) convened a colloquium to discuss recent proposals made by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) for amendments to municipal boundaries.

The Minister’s proposals requested the Board to change boundaries with the aim of making municipalities financially viable. The FFC’s Acting Chair Bongani Khumalo presided over the colloquium at which CoGTA’s Deputy-Director General Sigidi presented the Minister’s proposals. Prof Nico Steytler provided a background and various stakeholders (from provincial and local government) engaged with the proposals.

The Community Law Centre’s Director, Prof Jaap de Visser summarised the day’s proceedings in a final input. The colloquium took place on 29 May 2015 at Gallagher Estate in Midrand.

See also Prof Nico Steytler’s opinion piece published by Business Day Live.