Revitalising the “good” in good local governance : calling for active participatory citizenship

dc.contributor.authorMchunu, N.
dc.contributor.authorTheron, Francois
dc.coverage.spatialAfrica
dc.coverage.spatialSouth Africa
dc.date.accessioned2016-11-17T08:23:55Z
dc.date.available2016-11-17T08:23:55Z
dc.date.created2016
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractGood governance is a principle and a practice much sought after in the contemporary world, but most countries, including South Africa, struggle to meet the ideals of (the) “good” in “good governance”, despite the fact that the relevant principles have been institutionalised in policy frameworks, and despite the scrutiny of “compliance watchdogs” to safeguard compliance. This article explores the roles that active citizenship and citizen participation should play in holding the State accountable and in instilling a “culture of good governance” in the sphere of local government. Government processes created to ensure good local governance should allow citizen participation spaces through which citizens can experience a sense that they can influence, direct, control and own their own development. Active citizenship, citizen participation and protest action are fundamental instruments to hold local government accountable and to ensure good governance in order to enable social transformation. The article is based on a literature survey, previous research and participatory observation by both authors, as well as the outcomes of participatory workshops with municipal officials during the facilitation of programmes on citizen participation and good governance. Good governance as a concept and universal norm is unpacked, and active citizen participation as a key governance tool is explored. The article makes recommendations on improving good local governance through active citizenship.en_ZA
dc.format.extent14 pagesen_ZA
dc.format.mediumJournalen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMchunu, N. and Theron, F. 2014. Revitalising the “good” in good local governance: calling for active participatory citizenship. African Journal of Public Affairs, 7(2): 39-52.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1997-7441
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/58119
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherAfrican Consortium of Public Administrationen_ZA
dc.rightsAfrican Consortium of Public Administration © 2014en_ZA
dc.subjectGood governanceen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshPublic administration--Africa
dc.titleRevitalising the “good” in good local governance : calling for active participatory citizenshipen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA

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