UKZN Professors Co-Edit New Book on Subnational Governance and Development in SA

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Two senior academics in UKZN’s School of Management, IT and Governance have co-edited a new book titled: Subnational Governance and Development in South Africa Post 1994: Prospects and Challenges.

Professor Purshottama Reddy and Professor Henry Wissink worked in collaboration with the executive director of the Democracy Development Program (DDP) Dr Paul Kariuki with funding from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), headquartered in Germany. The book was published by the Democracy Development Programme (DDP).

The work highlights that while challenges facing subnational government in South Africa are not uncommon for developing countries, there is nevertheless an urgent need for remedial action, both at political and administrative leadership levels, to enhance the governance of subnational governments in South Africa.

Contributors to the book include senior national and international academics, high-ranking subnational government representatives, executive functionaries of non-governmental organisations and international consultants - all of whom shared their valuable experience and insight.

UKZN contributors included Professor I Nzimakwe, Professor M Naude, Dr S Zondi and masters and doctoral graduates Dr N Ndlela, Mr M Mzelemu and K Ngwenya, all attached to the School of Management, IT and Governance and Dr G Makolomakwe (School of Applied Human Sciences).

Knowledge generated through the compilation of the book will enable students, academics, researchers, subnational government functionaries and the leadership of non-governmental organisations gain a deeper understanding of past policy failures and resultant shortcomings of subnational governments post-1994. This understanding is expected to stimulate the conceptualisation of strategies and approaches that chart new pathways for future courses of action aimed at promoting responsive subnational governments for the third decade of democracy.

Said Reddy: ‘The dawn of democracy in 1994, paved the way for a democratic system of governance where subnational governments, notably provinces and municipalities were created to facilitate development to meet the needs and aspirations of communities at the provincial and local level. A plethora of institutional reforms was introduced and implemented to inform the new era of transformation. The primary policy trajectory at present is characterised by the National Development Plan: Vision for 2030 (2012), which seeks to create a capable and ethical state that includes functional and responsive subnational government. Whilst the vision for such subnational state structures is still very much alive and high on the governmental agenda, the journey towards its realisation is mired with momentous governance challenges.’

Words: NdabaOnline

Photographs: Supplied