Local economic development in South Africa : policy implications

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to locate and examine the effi cacy of the implementation
\nof the policy on local economic development within the context of the sphere of local
\ngovernment in South Africa. The sphere of local government is currently faced with
\nnumerous challenges and bottlenecks that stem from high poverty and unemployment
\nrates, shortage of skills required to propel local economic development, lack of
\nadministrative capacity and ineffective implementation of policies.
\nThe article further examines the alignment or lack thereof between national and,
\nprovincial government development policy frameworks in relation to the policy
\non local economic development implemented in the sphere of local government.
\nThe Emakhazeni local municipality is used as a case study. Pertinent and plausible
\nstrategies with a view to address the challenges facing the implementation of the
\npolicy are elucidated and explored in the article.