The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has released a Draft White Paper on Local Government for public comment. This long-overdue review openly acknowledges the failures of local governance over the past two decades — and while this honesty is refreshing, the solutions proposed miss the mark.
Instead of confronting the core issues of financial mismanagement and systemic corruption, the draft paper shifts the spotlight onto climate change and other external pressures. Environmental issues matter — but they’re not the root cause of collapsed service delivery. The truth is, our municipalities are failing because of poor leadership, lack of accountability, and widespread corruption.
Let’s make it clear to government: South Africans want real reform in our local municipalities, not just rhetoric.
Key concerns with the Draft White Paper
Key concerns with the Draft White Paper
We are calling on COGTA to:
Use your voice to demand a White Paper that reflects the reality on the ground.
Make a submission before 30 June 2025 using our form above. Your input will be sent directly to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs — and every submission counts. Under South African law, public comments must be considered before a policy is finalised.
Be part of Free SA’s official submission. Along with your submission we will be submitting a longform submission, where we will be leaning on the comments made through our platform.
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