The South African local government elections of December 2000

Placing the South African local government elections of 5 December 2000 in the context of institutional reform and fiscal austerity, this article reviews the party political campaigns and the results. In particular, through use of local monitoring campaign reports - undertaken through the South African Civil Society Observer Coalition - a detailed analysis of electioneering is presented. In looking at the results of the elections comparisons are drawn with the 1995/96 local government elections, and it is concluded that the dominant position of the African National Congress is not totally unassailable and that the prospects for democratic consolidation are good.