Three Decades of South African Democracy, Volume I - Political Leadership and Local Government

This book is one of two volumes that examines democracy and politics in South Africa over the last three decades. Bringing together leading scholars and practitioners, this volume provides a comprehensive, evidence-based evaluation of South African governance, economic performance, service delivery and institutional accountability under six administrations since 1994. It provides critical insights into the successes and challenges of South Africa s democracy, and offers actions to strengthen state capacity, local governance, and policy implementation. Multidisciplinary in approach and bridging theory and practice, the book is an essential resource for reimagining South Africa s democratic future. It will appeal to students and scholars of public administration, governance and politics in Africa and beyond, as well as practitioners and policymakers. 

List of contents

Chapter 1 An overview of the performance.- Chapter 2 South Africa at thirty.- Chapter 3 Three decades of democracy.- Chapter 4 Tracing the historical stucture.- Chapter 5 Reframing the transition.- Chapter 6 One country two systems.- Chapter 7 Putting people first.- Chapter 8 Local government amidst coalitions.- Chapter 9 Professionalising.- Chapter 10 Conclusion.

About the author

Ayabulela Dlakavu is a Senior Lecturer at the Wits School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

Sinelisiwe Thwala is Deputy Director for Research at the South African National School of Government.

Busani Ngcaweni is Director of the Centre for Public Policy & African Studies, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

 

 

Product details

• Assisted by: Ayabulela Dlakavu (Editor), Busani Ngcaweni (Editor), Sinelisiwe Thwala (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 05.02.2026
• EAN: 9783032064479
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3206447-9
• Illustrations: Approx. 210 p.
• Series: Governance and Public Management
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Law > Public law, administrative procedural law, constitutional procedural law; Afrika, Politik und Staat, Economic Policy, Leadership, Democracy, Zentralregierung, South Africa, Public Administration, Public Policy, African Politics, local government, Governance and Government, political reform