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The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Leadership (Cogta) is reviewing the 1998 White Paper on Local Government (WPLG) to evaluate its impact, tackle challenges, and align local governance with modern realities. Accordingly, the department invites the public, civil society, public institutions, interested stakeholders, and all three spheres of government to provide comments towards the WPLG review.
A revised and updated WPLG is expected in 2026.
“Many of the challenges in municipalities arise from the design of our local government system. We will therefore undertake extensive consultation to develop an updated White Paper on Local Government to outline a modern and fit-for-purpose local government system,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa in the 2025 State of the Nation address.
Central to this review process, says Cogta, is public participation, which will ensure that diverse perspectives contribute to shaping an inclusive and effective local government system. “The review process (WPLG26) will be guided by an inclusive and structured public engagement process, facilitating broad participation. A key avenue for engagement is the invitation for written submissions in response to the discussion document … Citizens, organisations, and stakeholders are encouraged to provide input on any aspect of local government – even beyond the specific topics outlined in the document.”
Download the WPLG discussion document for the full details and all necessary information.
The deadline is Monday, 30 June 2025.
Addressing challenges
Since 1998, South Africa’s local government has transformed, says Cogta, yet challenges like inadequate infrastructure and financial mismanagement persist, impacting service delivery and job creation. “Industries face rising costs and operational disruptions from unreliable electricity, failing water systems, and poor sanitation infrastructure, resulting in declining investor confidence and job losses.”
The department has identified several challenges contributing to this undesirable and unsustainable state of affairs:
- Financial instability: R230.5-billion in municipal debt (74% owed by households).
- Service failures: frequent water and electricity disruptions.
- Shortage of skilled staff: 37 municipalities without managers.
- Malfeasance: over-politicisation, unethical leadership, and poor accountability.
- Passive citizenry: weak community engagement, rising service delivery protests.
It has prioritised nine areas for improvement:
- Fiscal and financial reform.
- Combat unethical behaviour and poor accountability.
- Depoliticise municipal governance.
- Restore relationships with communities.
- Integrate traditional governance systems.
- Strengthen oversight at national and provincial level.
- Improve cooperative governance.
- Embrace climate-responsive governance.
- Tackle persistent spatial inequality.
This is an important matter for all residents, as lives are affected positively or negatively by local government’s capability and capacity to deliver on its mandated services. It is therefore vital that people share their experiences and suggestions for improvement. Please send comments by e-mail to Mr Thabiso Richard Plank at WPLG26@cogta.gov.za or RichardP@cogta.gov.za or MaphutiL@cogta.gov.za by no later than the deadline of 30 June 2025.
Alternatively, comments may be delivered by hand to:
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs,
Attention: Project Manager, Mr Thabiso Richard Plank (WPLG26 Policy Review)
87 Hamilton Street, Arcadia, PRETORIA, 0001
or sent by post to:
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs,
Attention: Project Manager, Mr Thabiso Richard Plank (WPLG26 Policy Review)
Private Bag X802, PRETORIA, 0001
