Unpacking the Municipal Demarcation Application in South Africa

Jeeva, ZI; Gumbo, T; Cilliers, J

Unpacking the Municipal Demarcation Application in South Africa

Jeeva, ZI Gumbo, T Cilliers, J

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Publisher:: University of Johannesburg
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: The Thinker, 2022, 92, (3), pp. 61-69
Issue Date:: 2022-09-02

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Jeeva, ZI
dc.contributor.author	Gumbo, T
dc.contributor.author	Cilliers, J
dc.date.accessioned	2022-11-02T03:58:37Z
dc.date.available	2022-11-02T03:58:37Z
dc.date.issued	2022-09-02
dc.identifier.citation	The Thinker, 2022, 92, (3), pp. 61-69
dc.identifier.issn	2075-2458
dc.identifier.issn	2075-2458
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163145
dc.description.abstract	<jats:p>The year 2022 marks the sixth democratic local municipal demarcation process in South Africa. The Municipal Demarcation Board has invited the public to put forward their suggestions for the revision of local municipal boundaries based on the Municipal Demarcation Act (27 of 1998) by the end of March. However, the legislative criterion that guides the process remains as complex as it was in 1998 and the public still questions how and why municipal boundaries are demarcated in South Africa. A direct product of the complexity is that many voices remain muffled and their frustrations are displayed in public protests. These protests are to an extent due to municipalities being too large, lacking economic bases, and having poor governance structures to administer efficiently, resulting in many struggling to provide basic services and remain financially viable and sustainable. This article unpacks the application process that needs to be followed by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), the Member of Executive Council (MEC), and the public to motivate for the re-demarcation of local boundaries. The paper argues that the process is complicated and calls for its revision. Furthermore, the paper suggests that smaller and more compact municipalities, at scale and proportional to economic base, might be the solution to the on-going crises of South African Municipalities.</jats:p>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	University of Johannesburg
dc.relation.ispartof	The Thinker
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.36615/thethinker.v92i3.1459
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Unpacking the Municipal Demarcation Application in South Africa
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	92
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Built Environment
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-11-02T03:58:34Z
pubs.issue	3
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	92
utslib.citation.issue	3

Abstract:

The year 2022 marks the sixth democratic local municipal demarcation process in South Africa. The Municipal Demarcation Board has invited the public to put forward their suggestions for the revision of local municipal boundaries based on the Municipal Demarcation Act (27 of 1998) by the end of March. However, the legislative criterion that guides the process remains as complex as it was in 1998 and the public still questions how and why municipal boundaries are demarcated in South Africa. A direct product of the complexity is that many voices remain muffled and their frustrations are displayed in public protests. These protests are to an extent due to municipalities being too large, lacking economic bases, and having poor governance structures to administer efficiently, resulting in many struggling to provide basic services and remain financially viable and sustainable. This article unpacks the application process that needs to be followed by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), the Member of Executive Council (MEC), and the public to motivate for the re-demarcation of local boundaries. The paper argues that the process is complicated and calls for its revision. Furthermore, the paper suggests that smaller and more compact municipalities, at scale and proportional to economic base, might be the solution to the on-going crises of South African Municipalities.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163145