In this video we describe the different types of municipalities that exist in South Africa and how they are structured and function. This video is part of the Civics Academy Local Government Series. In these videos we explore how local government functions and how we, as responsive citizens, can engage it. This video is also available in Afrikaans and IsiXhosa.
Municipalities are geographical areas which the Municipal Demarcation Board defines. The provincial MEC, or in the case of the Western Cape, the Minister of Local Government establishes the municipality.
Municipal Councils govern in the areas defined as municipalities. The Municipal Administration carries out the decisions of the Municipal Council and provides services to the people residing within the municipality.
There are 3 categories of municipalities in South Africa, namely metropolitan, district, and local. Metropolitan municipalities or metros exist in the 8 biggest cities. Areas that fall outside the metros are divided into local municipalities. District municipalities are made up of a number of local municipalities that fall into one district. Apart from district municipalities, all municipalities are divided into wards.
Municipal councillors are elected every five years during local government elections. In local and metropolitan councils party representatives make up half of the councillors elected to the council. The other half is made up of ward councillors, directly elected by the residents in each ward.
Every voter in a local municipality will also vote for the district council that their local area is part of.
After a local government election the Municipal Councillors vote for a chairperson who is called the Speaker. The Speaker presides and is thus in control of all Municipal Council meetings and applies the rules and procedures of meetings, called the “Rules of Order”. Municipal councils also elect a mayor who appoints council members to form the mayoral committee.
Certain decisions have to be made by a majority of the Council, for example when the budget gets approved or when municipal laws known as by-laws, are made. Other decisions are made by the Mayoral Committee. The Municipal Council can delegate matters to the Mayor or Mayco to speed up decision-making. For example, approving assistance to people, who are left homeless after fires or floods. The Mayor can also make certain decisions on his or her own. Importantly, our Constitution and laws require municipalities to encourage public participation and involve the public in certain municipal decision-making processes.
