The 1998 White Paper on Local Government states that:¹

Apartheid has fundamentally damaged the spatial, social and economic environments in which people live, work, raise families, and seek to ful!l their aspirations. Local government has a critical role to play in rebuilding local communities and environments, as the basis for a democratic, integrated, prosperous and truly non-racial society.

Despite the clarity of this vision and the agenda for social and economic integration spelled out in the Reconstruction and Development Programme (in 1994), South African cities and towns continue to be marked by profound spatial, economic and social divides and inequalities. This legacy must be arrested and reversed, as the country unites behind the vision of the National Development Plan (NDP). President Jacob Zuma highlighted this in his State of the Nation Address in February 2013:²

We should also remain mindful of rapid urbanisation that is taking place. The Census Statistics reveal that 63% of the population are living in urban areas. This is likely to increase to over 70% by 2030. Apartheid spatial patterns still persist in our towns and cities. Municipalities alone cannot deal with the challenges. We need a national approach. While rural development remains a priority of government, it is crucial that we also develop a national integrated urban development framework to assist municipalities to effectively manage rapid urbanisation. As part of implementing the National Development Plan, all three spheres of government need to manage the new wave of urbanisation in ways that also contribute to rural development.

Download the document above.

Interested parties are invited to submit comments to TafitaM@cogta.gov.za by 23 October 2013.
For all enquiries please contact Mr Tafita Mokoena on 082 967 8049.

Contact: The Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs