The role of local government in using social innovation for improved service delivery : a 21st century strategy with reference to South Africa

Abstract

This article argues that social innovation (SI) for delivering and improving local government services is already used with much success in European and Asian countries as well as in the United States of America. However, it appears as if in South Africa, the use of SI for improving service delivery is not receiving the attention policymakers have hoped for. This statement is based on the fact that although SI is addressed in many policy documents, it is still not sufficiently integrated in the National System of Innovation. Against the backdrop of a decline in key economic indicators and inadequate basic service delivery by local government, there has been a concomitant rise in municipal and labour protests and unnecessary turbulence in South Africa. The aim of this article is therefore to elucidate the role that local government could (and needs to) play when using SI for improved service delivery.