The promotion of developmental local government to facilitate a developmental state

Abstract

Unemployment and poverty levels in South Africa since 1994 have increased such that the Gini-coefficient – the disparity between the rich and the poor – has grown rapidly over the years. In overcoming the challenges faced by communities, the South African government accepted the concept of a developmental state as the answer to the plight of the poor. It is argued that municipalities could be utilised to address some of the socio-economic challenges. This article contributes to the discipline, by classifying South Africa in terms of the characteristics of a developmental state and measuring it against other developmental states. The concept developmental state is clarified and the post-apartheid local government sphere, which has its own unique set of challenges, is examined. Developmental local government, as a concept that has been developed with the idea of promoting a developmental state at the local sphere of government, is also explored. The policy initiatives for the promotion of development are discussed and the policies that were implemented since 1994 are critically analysed. Finally, the challenges that hinder municipalities in their attempts to facilitate a developmental state are assessed and recommendations are made.