What makes this project unique?

Partners involved in implementation:

Drawing on its 15 years of experience promoting • National level: Department of Cooperative

Capacity
democracy and good governance in South Africa, Governance and Traditional Affairs, South
and given its non-aligned position as mediator in African Local Government Association, Technical
the governance arena, Idasa can work with willing Assistance Unit, Auditor-General, Good

Development for
municipalities to improve the quality of governance Governance Learning Network.
and service delivery. This is a four-year initiative, • Provincial level: Premiers’ Offices, Departments
involving all stakeholders. of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Civil
• We make the notion of “governance” tangible,
measurable and discussable, using the Local
Society Organisations, Service Providers.
Local Governance
Governance Barometer;
• We work holistically, involving all aspects of
governance and stakeholders;
(CDLG)
• We engage actively with all partners, at national,
provincial and local levels, who deal with aspects
of good governance; Partnering for good
• We take a long-term process approach with
communities (3-4 years) to achieve an attitude
governance in South
change;
• We stimulate active citizen engagement;
Idasa is an Contact Idasa’s Local
African Municipalities:
2009 – 2014
independent Governance Unit at:
• We emphasise self-assessment to stimulate local public interest
Kutlwanong Democracy Centre
ownership; organisation 357 Visagie St cnr Prinsloo St
committed Pretoria 0002
• We provide capacity development support that is to promoting Ph 012 392 0629
demand-driven; sustainable Fax 086 633 3263
Cell 082 487 5557
democracy based
• We have high level of flexibility to adapt to local on active citizenship,
Email Mr Bongani Qwabe,
bqwabe@idasa.org.za or
and provincial requirements. democratic institutions Ms Marece Wenhold,
and social justice. mwenhold@idasa.org.za

Funded by the Canadian International Development Agency

www.idasa.org
Good governance threatened
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:
• 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
Why is it important to address
decision-making at local and provincial level.
good governance?
Good governance is the single most important
factor in eradicating poverty and promoting
development. Kofi Anan
• Quality of governance affects quality of service
delivery: ‘good governance as a means to improve
livelihood.’
• The poor have less access to services and can’t
influence actual decision-making. Improving the
quality of governance ensures that services are
delivered according to policy intentions and no
money is lost due to corruption or ineffectiveness.
• Quality of governance affects the legitimacy of the
state: ‘good governance as an end: building local
democracy.’
• If local government is not accountable and
responsive to its citizens, people will lose trust in
their local government and in the processes that
regulate interaction.
What are we addressing in
terms of good governance?
We collectively have the power to change bad
governance by bringing together all stakeholdersto
start a dialogue. Each of the municipalities will have
its own Governance Capacity Development Plan with
specific targets and benchmarks:
• Improved financial management
• Better leadership (LG and CSOs)
• Develop communication structures and skills
• Lobbying and advocacy skills (for CSOs)
• Investigative journalism (for local media)
• Budget tracking (councillors and CSOs)
Idasa will try to group training activities and work as
much as possible with local capacity-building service
providers.
We will use an issue-based approach to capacity
development i.e. geared to resolve real issues
e.g. improving participation, transparency and
accountability in the housing sector.
At end of the programme, Idasa will:
• Assess changes and impact at municipal level
by doing a second round of assessments in all
municipalities.
• All lessons learnt will be integrated into a national/
provincial level policy dialogue on improving
governance at the local level and the related
support structures and provincial departments.
• Work with the Good Governance Learning
Network on how it can scale up good governance
advocacy work.