The place and role of local government in federal systems

Abstract

South Africa has embarked on an important experiment of creating a
\ndecentralised system of government comprising three spheres of government –
\nnational, provincial and local. In comparison with international practice, local
\ngovernment has been given considerable constitutional recognition. In many
\nrespects South Africa is a leader in the emerging role that local government is
\nexpected to play in entrenching democracy and promoting development.
\nSouth Africa is not, however, the only decentralised country in the world
\nthat has embarked on this route of strengthening local government as a full
\nsphere of government. In the more recent constitutions of Spain, Brazil, India,
\nNigeria and Switzerland, local government has been entrenched. But having
\nthree spheres of government operating each with a degree of autonomy makes
\nfor complex relationships. It may also impact on the effectiveness and efficiency
\nof government. These problems are shared by most decentralised countries.
\nThe place and role of local government in federal systems were examined at
\nthe annual conference of the International Association of Centers for Federal
\nStudies (IACFS). From 29 September to 3 October 2004, the Local Government
\nProject of the Community Law Centre, University of the Western Cape, hosted
\nthe annual meeting of the IACFS. The conference, sponsored by the Democracy
\nDevelopment Programme (DDP) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), was
\nheld at Mont Fleur, Stellenbosch.
\nThe conference was attended by 20 international delegates representing 14
\nIACFS member organisations from 11 different countries. Delegates were also
\nin attendance from South African organisations, including the Municipal
\nDemarcation Board, the DDP and KAS, the Palmer Development Group, and
\nthe Drakenstein Municipality.