CONCLUSION

Developmental local government which addresses poverty, promotes development and provides sustainable levels of services requires municipalities which are geared for these challenges. The systems of municipal government described in this document, and the types of municipality which they form, will strengthen political leadership, establish clear systems for decision-making and implementation and encourage the democratic participation of communities. The flexibility of this new approach - which allows for various combinations of the different systems - means that municipalities will have the structures which are best suited to their different circumstances.

With the establishment of these new types of municipality after the next local government elections, we will have completed our journey of transformation to truly democratic local government. What remains is for each one of us - councillors, officials, citizens - to ensure that local government in the 21st century will bring about the transformation of our society that we all desire.

Introduction | Responsibilities of municipal councils | Delegation of powers and duties | Community participation and accountability | Municipal types | Systems of municipal government | Plenary executive system | Collective executive system | Mayoral executive system | Executive powers, duties and committees | The ward participatory system | The subcouncil participatory system | Combining the systems of government to form municipal types | Applying types to individual municipalities | Conclusion | Annexure A | Annexure B

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