Conference Agenda

Good governance is a cornerstone of effective local government, ensuring transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to community needs. In South Africa, local government plays a crucial role in service delivery and socio-economic development. However, challenges such as corruption, poor financial management, lack of public participation, and weak institutional capacity have hindered good governance. This study explores strategies for enhancing governance within South African local government to improve efficiency, public trust, and sustainable development.

The primary objective of this study is to assess the governance challenges in South African municipalities and propose measures to enhance good governance. Specifically, the study seeks to: (1) examine the governance principles guiding local government operations, (2) identify key obstacles to effective governance, and (3) provide recommendations for policy and practice improvements.

To achieve these objectives, the study employs a systematic literature review as a research methodology. By critically analyzing existing literature on governance frameworks, case studies of South African municipalities, and international best practices, the study synthesizes key findings on governance effectiveness in local government. The systematic literature review provides an in-depth understanding of the factors influencing governance outcomes and offers a comprehensive basis for formulating recommendations.

The findings indicate that while South African local government operates within a robust legal and policy framework, implementation gaps persist due to political interference, financial mismanagement, and inadequate citizen engagement. Additionally, capacity constraints among municipal officials and governance failures have exacerbated service delivery challenges. The study highlights that strengthening institutional capacity, enforcing accountability mechanisms, and fostering public participation are critical for improving governance at the local level.

Based on these findings, the study recommends the adoption of integrated governance strategies, including enhanced financial oversight, capacity-building programs for municipal officials, and digital governance innovations to improve transparency. Furthermore, promoting civic engagement through participatory governance models can enhance accountability and responsiveness. By implementing these strategies, South African local governments can create an enabling environment for good governance and sustainable development.

This study contributes to the discourse on regional and local governance by offering practical insights for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners committed to fostering good governance in South Africa’s municipalities. Future research should explore empirical case studies to validate the effectiveness of the proposed governance interventions.

Background:

Good governance is crucial for effective public administration, promoting accountability, transparency, and efficient service delivery. The North West Provincial Government has encountered ongoing governance challenges, such as financial mismanagement, unsatisfactory audit results, political instability, and inadequate oversight mechanisms. These issues have compromised service provision and eroded public trust.

Aim:

This study examines the key governance challenges facing the North West Provincial Government and explores possible strategies and reforms to improve accountability, efficiency, and service delivery.

Methods:

The study adopts a qualitative research approach, using secondary data sources such as academic literature, policy documents, government reports, and audit reports. A content analysis of reports from the Auditor-General, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), and the North West Provincial Legislature was performed to evaluate governance challenges and identify potential reforms.

Results:

The findings show that governance problems in the province are due to weak financial controls, limited capacity in institutions, and poor oversight. However, despite these challenges, efforts like better legislative oversight, stronger accountability measures, and training programs have shown no improvement.

Conclusion:

Despite ongoing governance issues, current reforms and oversight strategies present opportunities for progress. Addressing these challenges requires continuous political commitment, better financial management, and stronger institutional capabilities. Increased public involvement and transparency will be key to restoring public trust and achieving effective governance.

A growing number of FOI laws have been passed worldwide, but their enactment remains a challenge. Despite progress, the antecedents, conditions, and dynamics driving transparency institutionalization remain largely unknown. This article fills a gap by empirically examining institutionalization processes in Spanish municipalities under the 2013 Spanish Transparency Law. As it does not mandate formal structural changes, this law provides a compelling case to observe organic municipal responses to legal mandates. Using a sequential mixed-method approach, we surveyed compliance across 1,031 municipalities, followed by a questionnaire for transparency officers on implementation strategies. Additionally, we conducted 51 interviews with transparency technicians and 14 with provincial entities assisting municipalities. Our contributions are twofold: we identify sources of transparency implementation and analyze how institutionalization unfolds. We highlight factors and conditions that increase the likelihood of success, paving avenues for further empirical research. More broadly, our article contributes to debates on institutional implementation and strength.

Corruption is not only a matter of incidence but also of spatial distribution, with distinct patterns emerging across different institutional and economic contexts. This study explores how corruption risk varies spatially within Italy, a country that exemplifies the contrast between high-performing and low-performing economic areas. Using municipal-level public procurement data from 2007 to 2021 and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA), we identify non-random clusters of corruption risk that challenge conventional narratives. While Northern Italy exhibits localized corruption hotspots, the South shows more dispersed patterns, reflecting divergent institutional frameworks and market conditions. Our findings suggest that the spatial distribution of corruption at regional and sub-regional levels has distinct implications for governance, influencing institutional effectiveness and policy outcomes. This study contributes to the debate on anti-corruption strategies by highlighting the need for spatially differentiated approaches to tackling corruption.