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Chapter 3
Related Sections
1
INTRODUCTION
2
DEMOCRACY
3
The principles of democracy
4
Electoral system and electing a government
5
Local government electoral system
6
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
7
How can you participate and influence decision-making?
8
Voting in elections
9
Lobbying (campaigning, petitioning)
10
STRUCTURES OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THESE STRUCTURES
11
Structures of national government
12
Public participation in the process of making laws and policies at national level
13
STRUCTURES OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THESE STRUCTURES
14
Structures of provincial government
15
Public participation in the process of making provincial laws and policies
16
STRUCTURES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THESE STRUCTURES
17
Structures of municipal councils
18
Ways of participating in local government
19
Mechanisms, procedures and processes for community participation in local government
20
INTER-GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE
21
Cooperative governance
22
Inter-governmental relations
23
TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP. GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
24
The Traditional Khoi-San Leadership Act (No 3 of 2019) (TKLA) 
25
Recognising traditional communities
26
Establishing and recognising traditional councils
27
Functions of traditional councils
28
Partnerships between municipalities and traditional councils
29
Withdrawal of recognition of traditional communities
30
Leadership and removal of traditional leaders
31
Houses of Traditional Leaders
32
Resolving disputes in indigenous and customary law
33
The Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims
34
PROBLEMS
35
Problem 1: Lobbying local government
36
CHECKLISTS
37
Checklist: Lobbying
38
Checklist: Making a written or verbal submission

Mechanisms, procedures and processes for community participation in local government

Section 17 of the Municipal Systems Act requires municipalities to put in place systems for communities to participate in the decision-making process. These include:

  • The process of receiving, processing and consideration of petitions
  • Procedures for notifying the public of issues being considered by the council and a process that allows for public comment
  • Procedures for public meetings and hearings by councillors and municipal officials
  • Regular sharing of information on the state of affairs of the municipality through consultation with community organisations and traditional leaders.

Municipalities must ensure that people who cannot read or write, people with disabilities, women and other disadvantaged groups are able to participate in these processes.

Each municipality should also have a system for processing and responding to complaints about service problems.