Programmes
Peace-building
2011
Testing the boundaries of Zimbabwe's fiscal decentralisation for urban councils by Sylvester Marumahoko
There is a realisation that urbanisation has overstretched the ability and efforts of central governments to serve from the centre, thus, giving rise to the search for a robust decentralisation policy that vests urban local governments with some level of autonomy.
Local government in Ethiopia: Adequately Empowered? by Zemelak Ayele
This study, therefore, inquires into whether the regional states are discharging their constitutional obligation of creating adequately empowered local government. It will attempt to do so by examining the decentralisation programme of four of the nine regional states of the Ethiopian federation.
Professionalisation of local government: Legal avenues for enforcing compliance with competency requirements, by Phindile Ntliziywana
This study is a response to the dilemma of poor service delivery or the lack thereof. In this regard, this study posits the professionalisation of local government as part of the solution. The focus is on the administrative arm of local government, which is the major conduit for service delivery. Professionalisation of local government is a broader theme. For the present purposes, focus will be devoted to the competency component which entails attracting qualified personnel competent to discharge local government responsibilities. However, it is not limited to attracting already competent and professional staff. It also entails developing the skills of existing staff. This definition, in essence, relates to qualification through training, learning and specialisation. In essence, professionalisation of local government ensures that all employees act and behave in a professional way.
Breaking to build : decentralization as an efficient mechanism for achieving national unity in Cameroon by Yosimbom Raymond Eyiomen
The question this paper seeks to answer is whether decentralization is helpful or harmful to Cameroon’s national unity. This study traces the historical, constitutional and political development of the concepts of national unity and decentralization and critically examines their application in the Cameroonian context. It further tests the consolidation of national unity in Cameroon against a theoretical and empirical framework of decentralization.
A critical analysis of decentralization in Zimbabwe: focus on the position and role of a Provincial Governor by Tinashe Chigwata
Provincial governors constituted an important part of the decentralization package unveiled in Zimbabwe in 1984 and 1985. The President appoints provincial governors among other duties, to coordinate development planning and implementation at the provincial level.
Local Government in Tanzania: Does the local government law give autonomy to local government by Mzee Mustafa Mzee
Despite a highly centralised system of government, Tanzania, has attempted several measures aimed at achieving decentralisation of its immense powers to allow people to have a say on matters affecting their respective areas of jurisdiction.
Institutional Recognition and Accommodation of Ethnic Diversity: Federalism in South Africa and Ethiopia by Yonatan Tesfaye Fessha
This thesis focuses on federalism and ethnic diversity. Using two case studies, South Africa and Ethiopia, it sets to examine whether institutional designs in a form of federalism can serve as an effective instrument to respond to ethnic claims while at the same time maintaining national unity in the context of multi-ethnic societies.
A legal analysis of the appointment of caretakers to act as council in terms of Zimbabwe’s section 80 of the Urban councils Act by Naison Machingauta
The monitoring and supervision of local government is usually done by central governments. However in some countries like South Africa where there three spheres of government the provincial executive is charged with the supervision of the local sphere of government. In Zimbabwe the monitoring and supervision of local government is done by the central government through the relevant Minister.
LGB September 2011 (Volume 13, Issue 3)
The Brazilian Presidency recently convened an international seminar to discuss the creation of municipalities. Experts from South Africa and India, as key members of the BRICS alliance (Brazil, India, China and South Africa) were invited to share their experiences with Brazilian parliamentarians, government officials, representatives of local government and academics.
Ethnic Diversity and Federalism: Constitution making in South Africa and Ethiopia
Dr Yonatan Fessha published a book on constitution-making in divided societies. Dr Fessha was a doctoral researcher in the Local Government Project from 2005 to 2009 and then a post doctoral fellow until early 2010. He is now a senior lecturer at the Law Faculty of the University of the Western Cape.
LGB July 2011 (volume 13. Issue 2)
The last issue of the Local Government Bulletin highlighted some key battlegrounds in the 2011 local elections. This issue looks at the aftermath.
Community Protests in South Africa: Trends, Analysis and Explanations - Continuation Report
This report presents a continuation of research on the frequency and the nature of service delivery protests throughout South Africa. The initial report had been completed by Hirsh Jain in 2010.
Will the DA make a clean sweep in the Western Cape and take more metros
Local elections 2011: Will the DA make a clean sweep in the Western Cape, or will new ANC leadership there turn the tide? Will the ANC retain control of 5 of the 6 metros?
LGB April 2011 (Volume 13, Issue 1)
The upcoming local government elections are a critical milestone for democracy in South Africa. Perhaps for the first time, there will be real choice and in quite a number of municipalities, it will be a close call. This Bulletin highlights the provinces and regions that will be watched closely.
