Dear Reader
Implementing the Local Governance Barometer in SA Municipalities (2009-2012)
Citizen protests in various municipalities all over the country are not only an expression of their dissatisfaction with the quality of service delivery. They also demonstrate the frustration of citizens with the poor quality of governance in these municipalities because of:
- Lack of responsiveness, transparency and accountability (including the mismanagement of funds) by local government;
- Poor communication between local government and citizens;
- Absence of real engagement by citizens in decision-making at local and provincial level.
What is the Local Governance Barometer (LGB)?
The LGB is a holistic tool that generates a collective opinion about, or measurement of, the state of local governance in a certain locality. It translates the major aspects of good governance into locally relevant and easy-to-understand indicators. Relevant stakeholders attach a score to these indicators, which are generated through a software package into an overall score.
Why is it important to address good governance?
- Quality of governance affects the quality of service delivery;
- Quality of governance affects the legitimacy of the state.
Why is it important to address good governance at local level?
- At local level there is direct interaction between government and citizens. Government (or the state as an institution) derives a large part of its legitimacy at this level. More and more services are decentralised to the local level – an increasing part of the government budget is spent at local level.
- There is a strong relationship between the quality of governance and the quality of service delivery – to improve service delivery you also need to improve governance.
What makes this project unique?
Drawing on its 15 years of experience promoting democracy and good governance in South Africa, and given its non-aligned position as mediator in the governance arena, Idasa can work with willing municipalities to improve the quality of governance and service delivery. This is a four-year initiative, involving all stakeholders.
- We make the notion of “governance” tangible, measurable and discussable, using the Local Governance Barometer;
- We work holistically, involving all aspects of governance and stakeholders;
- We engage actively with all partners, at national, provincial and local level, who deal with aspects of good governance;
- We take a long-term process approach with communities (3-4 years) to achieve an attitude change;
- We stimulate active citizen engagement;
- We emphasise self-assessment to stimulate local ownership;
- We provide capacity development support that is demand-driven;
- We have high level of flexibility to adapt to local and provincial requirements.
Partners involved in implementation
National level: Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, South African Local Government Association, Technical Assistance Unit, Auditor-General, Good Governance Learning Network.
Provincial level: Premiers’ Offices, Departments of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Civil Society Organisations, Service Providers.
Contact Idasa’s Local Governance Unit at:
Kutlwanong Democracy Centre
357 Visagie St, cnr Prinsloo St,
Pretoria 0002
Tel: 012 392 0629
Fax: 086 633 3263
Cell: 082 487 5557
Email:
Mr Bongani Qwabe - bqwabe@idasa.org.za or
Ms Marece Wenhold - mwenhold@idasa.org.za
This project is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency
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