Local Government in South Africa and Beyond
Johannesburg, 14-15 October
Local Government is a pivotal tier of government in South Africa with 2026 a particularly important year: elections are approaching in November and a newly drafted White Paper is being finalised.
At a time when South African municipalities face growing pressure to improve service delivery and tackle infrastructural decay amidst growing xenophobia, this colloquium seeks to explore both the structural challenges and the emerging opportunities for greater democratic organising and shaping local governance in the country.
Grounding the conversation in the South Africa’s context but in dialogue with broader global debates, this colloquium sets out to explore themes such as decentralisation, participation, spatial transformation and sustainable finance for local government. Bringing together scholars and policy makers to discuss the changing landscape of local government in South Africa and beyond, we encourage critical reflections on what an effective, democratic, and developmental local government would look like.
The colloquium is structured in two main sessions, the first one covering a discussion on local government as a site of political contestation, aspiration and innovation; and the second one tackling the inner working of local government.
The colloquium is preceded by a structured and constructive engagement with postgraduate students working on local government.
With Ellen Lust, Governance and Local Development Institute, University of Gothenburg
And Fangzhu Zhang, Bartlett School of Planning, University College London (UCL)
Full programme to follow.
