System of Capacity Building for Local Government

National and provincial departments are obliged by the Constitution to support local government, specifically in respect of programmes that increase the ability of local government to meet its constitutional mandate. National Treasury’s Inter-Governmental Relations division has grappled with how best to support municipal capacity for years, with disappointing outcomes.

This Diagnostic Review  analyses the reasons why these efforts have not, to date, delivered the desired outcomes. The review is the first step in the National Treasury’s design of a broader multi-year programme intending to improve the outcomes of the current capacity building system. It contributes to improving the value for money aspects of capacity building investments across all of government.

Critically, the Review recommends embracing a new approach towards these efforts and adopting a new Capability Development Problem-led approach. The four guiding principles for the proposed new framework are the following:

• A clear focus on capability development;
• A problem-led approach;
• Co-production and inclusion at all points in the system; and
• A whole-municipality (fully integrated) approach.

Adopting this approach will result in significant improvements in the outcomes of our efforts to support local government, and to build sustainable, efficient and effective local municipalities.

Abstract based on original source.