Local Government Transformation - A guide for health workers

Local government in South Africa has been undergoing significant changes in the last few years. Our new Constitution gives expanded responsibilities to local government and new policies are being implemented which will change the way municipalities function. 1 It is important to understand these changes, because whether you are from a non-governmental organisation, a private company, or a government department, it is likely that the new policy and legislation will have an impact on your work.

The changes in local government will have a significant influence on the health sector, for local government currently delivers some health services and will play an important role in the district health system which is being established (the role may differ according to the municipality). Furthermore, local government is in an excellent position to mobilise communities and to facilitate the interaction between different role-players in the health sector, such as national government, provincial government, and the private sector, as well as other sectors such as housing and water affairs.