,LGL3702 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025 - DUE 4 April 2025; 100%
TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and
explanations.
Section 195 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,
1996, stipulates the basic values and principles governing public
administration. Discuss the applicability of these values and
principles in the context of municipal administration. (20)
Subject to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,
1996, local government in South Africa exercises ‘original’ and
‘assigned’ powers in respect of matters listed in Part B of
Schedule 4 and Part B of Schedule 5 of the Constitution. 1.1.
Discuss the allocation of powers to the local government in
accordance to the Constitution with special reference to the
difference between ‘original’ and ‘assigned’ powers, and state if
whether there is any significance of ‘original’ powers. Write an
essay explaining the relationship between the powers and
functions of municipalities in their duty to deliver services.
Refer to both relevant legislation and the points referenced in
Nkuna NW & Nemutanzhela TL “Locating the role of service
delivery within powers and functions of local government in
South Africa” (2012) 47 Journal of Public Administration 355.
Write a short paragraph in which you explain the concept “good
public relations”. In your answer you should also define the
notion of “public administration”.
The Applicability of Section 195 in Municipal Administration
,Section 195 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa
(1996) provides the framework for public administration,
emphasizing key values and principles such as accountability,
transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness. These values are
directly applicable to municipal administration, as local
government must adhere to these standards to effectively fulfill
its service delivery mandate.
In municipal administration, accountability requires that local
governments manage public resources and services responsibly,
answer to their constituencies, and ensure that the needs of
the public are met with integrity. Transparency is crucial in local
governments’ decision-making processes, ensuring that actions
are open and accessible for public scrutiny. Efficiency relates to
the optimal use of resources to achieve service delivery goals,
while responsiveness emphasizes the need for municipal bodies
to respond promptly to the needs and concerns of the local
population.
The principles outlined in Section 195 are essential for ensuring
that municipalities act in the public’s best interest, reinforcing
the democratic values established by the Constitution and
enhancing public trust in local governance.
The Allocation of Powers to Local Government: Original vs.
Assigned Powers
The Constitution divides powers between the national,
provincial, and local levels of government, providing
municipalities with both "original" and "assigned" powers.
, Original powers refer to those powers and functions that
are specifically allocated to local government in Schedule 4
and Schedule 5 of the Constitution. These are the powers
that municipalities can exercise independently without
needing to rely on the delegation of authority from other
spheres of government. For example, municipalities have
original powers over matters such as municipal planning,
local economic development, and waste management.
Assigned powers, on the other hand, are functions that
municipalities may be delegated by national or provincial
government to execute. These powers are typically more
limited and can be withdrawn or adjusted by the
delegating authority. An example of an assigned power is
the provision of water services, where the national
government might delegate specific responsibilities to
municipalities to implement at the local level.
The distinction between original and assigned powers is
significant because original powers reflect the autonomy of
local governments to determine and manage their own service
delivery priorities and resources. Municipalities with original
powers are better positioned to address the specific needs of
their communities, as they are directly responsible for the
allocation and execution of key functions.
The Relationship Between Municipal Powers, Functions, and
Service Delivery
Semester 1 2025 - DUE 4 April 2025; 100%
TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and
explanations.
Section 195 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,
1996, stipulates the basic values and principles governing public
administration. Discuss the applicability of these values and
principles in the context of municipal administration. (20)
Subject to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,
1996, local government in South Africa exercises ‘original’ and
‘assigned’ powers in respect of matters listed in Part B of
Schedule 4 and Part B of Schedule 5 of the Constitution. 1.1.
Discuss the allocation of powers to the local government in
accordance to the Constitution with special reference to the
difference between ‘original’ and ‘assigned’ powers, and state if
whether there is any significance of ‘original’ powers. Write an
essay explaining the relationship between the powers and
functions of municipalities in their duty to deliver services.
Refer to both relevant legislation and the points referenced in
Nkuna NW & Nemutanzhela TL “Locating the role of service
delivery within powers and functions of local government in
South Africa” (2012) 47 Journal of Public Administration 355.
Write a short paragraph in which you explain the concept “good
public relations”. In your answer you should also define the
notion of “public administration”.
The Applicability of Section 195 in Municipal Administration
,Section 195 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa
(1996) provides the framework for public administration,
emphasizing key values and principles such as accountability,
transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness. These values are
directly applicable to municipal administration, as local
government must adhere to these standards to effectively fulfill
its service delivery mandate.
In municipal administration, accountability requires that local
governments manage public resources and services responsibly,
answer to their constituencies, and ensure that the needs of
the public are met with integrity. Transparency is crucial in local
governments’ decision-making processes, ensuring that actions
are open and accessible for public scrutiny. Efficiency relates to
the optimal use of resources to achieve service delivery goals,
while responsiveness emphasizes the need for municipal bodies
to respond promptly to the needs and concerns of the local
population.
The principles outlined in Section 195 are essential for ensuring
that municipalities act in the public’s best interest, reinforcing
the democratic values established by the Constitution and
enhancing public trust in local governance.
The Allocation of Powers to Local Government: Original vs.
Assigned Powers
The Constitution divides powers between the national,
provincial, and local levels of government, providing
municipalities with both "original" and "assigned" powers.
, Original powers refer to those powers and functions that
are specifically allocated to local government in Schedule 4
and Schedule 5 of the Constitution. These are the powers
that municipalities can exercise independently without
needing to rely on the delegation of authority from other
spheres of government. For example, municipalities have
original powers over matters such as municipal planning,
local economic development, and waste management.
Assigned powers, on the other hand, are functions that
municipalities may be delegated by national or provincial
government to execute. These powers are typically more
limited and can be withdrawn or adjusted by the
delegating authority. An example of an assigned power is
the provision of water services, where the national
government might delegate specific responsibilities to
municipalities to implement at the local level.
The distinction between original and assigned powers is
significant because original powers reflect the autonomy of
local governments to determine and manage their own service
delivery priorities and resources. Municipalities with original
powers are better positioned to address the specific needs of
their communities, as they are directly responsible for the
allocation and execution of key functions.
The Relationship Between Municipal Powers, Functions, and
Service Delivery