Maphazi, N.Raga, K.Taylor, J.D.Mayekiso, T.2016-11-142016-11-1420162013Maphazi, N., Mayekiso, T., Raga, K. and Taylor, J.D. 2013. Public participation: a South African local government perspective. African Journal of Public Affairs, 6(2): 56-67.1997-7441http://hdl.handle.net/2263/58056The need for enhanced community consultation and participation is clearly articulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Constitution), and also in terms of a variety of developmental local government legislation. Community members are now expected to play a more meaningful role in terms of their involvement in civic matters. Community members who play an active role in local government matters and who are well-informed, will have greater confidence in their local government structures. However, various recent studies on community participation reveal that the envisaged participatory role has generally not met the expectations of government. A great deal of apathy still exists, especially regarding matters pertaining to local government. The article reviews the need for community consultation and participation from a variety of perspectives within the South African context. Certain strategies to enhance public participation are reviewed with emphasis on the third sphere of government.12 pagesJournalenAfrican Consortium of Public Administration © 2013Public participationLocal governmentPublic administration--AfricaArticle