Contexualising leadership challenges in municipalities : a developmental impression

Abstract

Municipal services are imperative in maintaining a reasonable standard of living of the people in a particular area of jurisdiction. In most African states, municipalities have a challenge as they are not achieving their predetermined developmental objectives. The role of a municipality is to inter alia create an environment conducive to the advancement of development by ensuring the delivery of the expected services. The failure to deliver services is often associated with the lack of proper leadership that might exist in municipalities, where both the elected offi ce bearers and administrative offi cials lack the necessary skills to perform the required tasks. This article will address the leadership quagmire that exists in local government in selected countries. Firstly the article will explain the local government environment and its purpose in a developing country. This will be done by explicating the nature and character of municipalities. Secondly, a literature review will assist in assessing the different leadership styles and consequently comparing them with the existing municipal offi cials present in municipalities. The assessment of leadership styles is necessary for the determination of the effectiveness of the delivery of services and the implementation of municipal programmes. Lastly, the article will provide suggestions to resolve the pertinent question of effective municipal government and subsequently ensure equitable service delivery.