The remaking of local government in the Eastern Cape: economic, demographic and political challenges

This paper focuses on the problems and prospects of urban local government in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. It commences with an overview of the institutional framework of local government in South Africa. Secondly, it assesses the 1995 local government elections in the province, and the nature and extent of party political competirion at the local level. Thirdly, likely demographic trends are reviewed, along with their implications in terms of service provision. This is followed by a consideration of the revenue and planning crises confronting local authorities in the region. This issue is located within the context of specific patterns of urbanisation and economic readjustment. It is concluded that, while the detacialisation of local government represents a significant extension of South Africa's new democracy, fiscal, demographic and political realities militate against any meaningful and sustainable devolution of power over the medium and long term.