The training of Blacks at local government level in Natal.
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Date
1988
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Abstract
It is a hypothesis of this dissertation that the establishment of
fully operational, autonomous Black local authorities will
contribute to the peace and stability of South Africa and would
ultimately have far reaching effects.
This hypothesis is based on the postulation that the original
establishment of proclaimed Black residential areas was cardinal
to the policy of apartheid. This residential separation and other
aspects of community life, e..g. employment and mobility, were
maintained by legislation and institutions devoted to the
application and administration of the legislation were created.
This policy extended over a period of nearly four decodes during
which the internal and external resistance to an apartheid policy
increased with dramatic socio-economic effect.
In 1985 Dr Piet Koornhof, South African Ambassador to the United
States of America, announced at the press conference in Washington,
D.C. that ·apartheid was dead:
During the period prior to this statement, 1982 to 1986,
enactments viewed as the cornerstone of the separation policy
were repealed or amended by new legislation such as; Abolition of
Influx Control Act, 1986 (Act 66 of 1966), Abol1tion of Development
Bodies Act, 1986 (Act 75 of 1986), Black Communities
Development Act, 1964 (Act 4 of 1984).
Internally radical elements violently opposed to the government
launched a campaign of destruction and intimidation largely
confined to the Black residential areas. Generally this has been a
Black on Black violence and led to the declaration of a state of
emergency on 9 May 1986 which has continued to the present time.
An examination of these unfortunate circumstances has led the
writer to believe that there must be support in the Block
communities for the reform process. It is held that the
organisations opposed to any participation in this process have
recognised that it could succeed. The ·soft under-belly· is the
conditions prevailing in the Black towns and residential areas
within the Republic.
Official announcements have been made acknowledging that the
earlier policy had failed and that a developmental backlog existed
which is to be eliminated.
The strategy of the subversive elements is to prevent~ or delay~ the
improvements so as to exploit the dissatisfaction of the people
most affected, the Black communities.
Despite the very violent tactics applied under this strategy many
Black communities and their leaders participated in the system~
serving on community councils et al. Within Natal there are
eighteen formally established Black towns and in the three ye~rs
prior to 1968 only three did not have properly functioning
community councils.
On the announcement that local government elections would be held
on 26 October 1988 throughout the country for all local government
bodies, predictions were made that these would not succeed,
certainly not in the Black areas. These predictions proved to be
false and the situation in Natal was that 132 candidates were
nominated against a total of 108 vacancies. This and subsequent
events showed that there was a willingness to participate.
In the period between nominations and election day there was
constant and close contact with all eighteen towns and the
following impressions were gleaned.
1. The electorate generally was prepared to participate but did not
ful1y understand the democratic system of nominations and
elections. At many private and public meetings the view was
aired that nomination was infact~ the selection of leaders and
that no further action was required. The people themselves
maintained that the nomination of an unopposed candidate was
the total endorsement of that candidate and he could take office
immediately.
2. Candidates who had served as community councillors were
prepared to accept nomination~ and were supported by their
communities~ but did not understand the differences between
community councils and local authorities.
3. Both the public and the candidates were sceptical about the real
powers and duties of local authority bodies.
4. The attitude was often challenging in that the public and the
candidates made it known that they would participate on the
basis that after the elections the "government of the people by
the people for the greatest good of the greatest number" would
have to be demonstrated. One subsequently successful candidate
stated that if this did not occur he would step aside for the
"forces of revolution".
In the event~ the elections in Natal took place without any
incident. The highest percentage poll was over 68% and only one
of the qualifying towns did not participate.
The stage is now set for the further development of Black local
authorities. Successful local authority administration will
further confound those who 'seek advantage from chaos and
anarchy. Efficient and effective administration can only be
achieved through the efforts of dedicated officials and members
who have the skills to perform their function well.
It is not denied that local government per se is the most
important level of government because it affects the daily lives
of a11. It is accepted that it is in the interest of 011 that all local
government bodies be given every assistance to develop , end
improve. Historically instability and violent resistance to local
government has been experienced on I y in the Black communities.
This violence and instability has been exploited and widely
publicised overseas in an ongoing campaign to overthrow the
government. Clearly the highest priority is the improvement of
the Black local authorities and this improvement must involve
the people themselves. The long term effects of the development~
training and guidance of the Black people in a system of
-government of the people by the people- will be peace and
stability nationally.
This dissertation deals with the identification of the needs for
training~ the support for this training and on indication of what
should be done in this regard for the Natal Black local
authorities.
Description
Thesis (MPA)-University of Durban-Westville, 1988
Keywords
Local government--South Africa--Natal., Theses--Public administration.