Municipalities

THE impact of government inaction on climate change is now clear for humans, animals and biodiversity, water and energy resources, agriculture, urbanisation and health-care systems, writes Desmond D’SA. South Africa recently submitted a nationally determined contribution to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Our leaders have failed us, lowering the target for our greenhouse gas emissions from 440 megatons in 2030 to just 420, as if this promised 5% reduction – voluntary with no binding provisions – is laudable. |

THE Constitution states that South Africa has three spheres of government – national, provincial and local and that these are “distinctive, interdependent and interrelated”, writes Bheki Mngomezulu. South Africa is a unitary state and not a federal one, so while these three spheres operate at different levels, they need to work together. Local government is also responsible for the provision of services to communities. Yet it is the least resourced sphere. Nepotism and party political preference paint a pessimistic picture about the prospect of turning underperforming municipalities around. |