QUESTION 1 [40 MARKS]

In his inauguration address in June 2024, President Ramaphosa described the government of national unity (GNU) as the beginning of a new era that requires a common mission anchored in safeguarding national unity, stability, peace, non-racialism, non-sexism and inclusive economic growth (SANews.gov.za, 2024).

In his budget vote speech, the new minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa (leader of the IFP), committed to implementing the district development model (DDM). This is the previous ANC administration’s plan to improve failing local governance and a diminished impact on the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and employment. Minister Hlabisa noted that “this is a clarion call to action, to build a functioning community-centred local government, which is responsive to the needs and aspirations of our people” (Gerber, 2024).

ANC MP Zweli Mkhize agreed on the implementation of the DDM while DA MP Marina van Zyl expressed the DA’s rejection of the DDM saying that the DDM is not the answer to improving the state of local government in South Africa. Van Zyl noted that the DDM regulations, by attempting to centralise governance and reduce municipalities’ autonomy, may be in violation of section 151(4) of the constitution, which protects municipalities’ rights to exercise their powers and perform their functions. A further GNU partner, Rise Mzansi, also gave conditional support to the CoGTA department saying that should unqualified cadres be deployed to municipalities their support will be withdrawn (Gerber, 2024).

Sources:
• Gerber, J. (2024, July 17). GNU parties at odd over another policy – this time Cogta’s district development model. News24. https://www.news24.com/news24/politics/parliament/gnu- parties-at-odds-over-another-policy-this-time-cogtas-district-development-model-20240717 (accessed 7 August 2024).
• SANews.gov.za. (2024, July 5). GNU: A new era for SA.
https://www.sanews.gov.za/features-south-africa/gnu-new-era-sa (accessed 7 August 2024).

Required:

a. Critically assess the district development model (DDM) proposed by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) minister in the context of its possible effect on local governance. In your discussion you should consider arguments from both proponents and opponents, for example the IFP and the DA (20 marks); and
b. Evaluate the constitutional validity of the district development model (DDM) as argued by the DA MP Marina Van Zyl. You should analyse section 151(4) of the constitution and discuss whether the DDM’s implementation could infringe upon municipalities’ rights to exercise their powers and perform their functions (20 marks).

QUESTION 2 [40 MARKS]

2.1 The newly formed government of national unity (GNU) faces key challenges and issues pertaining to intergovernmental relations and governance. Conduct research and identify and comprehensively discuss six such key challenges and issues. Practical examples should be used to illustrate and substantiate your answers.  (30)

2.2 Considering the multifaceted challenges and issues identified, critically assess the chances that the government of national unity (GNU) will sustain its governance structure and complete its mandated five-year term. (10)
QUESTION 3 [20 MARKS]

South Africa’s intergovernmental fiscal relations have been termed “a model of good practice”. However, the model has problems that threaten its efficacy. Appraise these problems and provide examples outlining the problems, their sources, and their implications for achieving the aims of intergovernmental relations. You may refer to the period before the forming of the recent GNU in your answer.

Answers to Above Questions on Intergovernmental Relations

Answer 1: An analysis of the district development model indicates that it has been proposed with the objective to address the challenges faced in the local government such as corruption, service delivery failure, administrative inefficiency etc. This approach emphasizes a centralised mode of governance whereby coordination efforts are made at different government levels, local priorities to ensure efficient performance.