A strategic development management orientation for local authorities¹

This article started its life as a policy document produced after a series of workshops between Barry Gouws and André Human of Parow Administration, Tygerberg City, and Johan Burger, with input by Professors Erwin Schwella and Fanie Cloete of the School of Public Management, University of Stellenbosch, and Mr Harry Carstens, Town Clerk of Parow.

Abstract

One of the direct consequences of political transformation in South Africa is an increasing emphasis on development. An important element of this is the often‐expressed wish that local authorities become more development orientated. For the purposes of this article, being ‘developed’ is defined as having the capacity and power to resist threats from the dynamic environment and to utilise its opportunities in a responsible and sustainable manner. Development is not a condition that can be bestowed on people by a local authority or any other development agent. But a local authority is part of the multidimensional environment, and a development‐orientated local authority contributes to the process of development by purposefully eliminating threats from this environment and providing access to opportunities in matters it is mandated to deal with. A development‐orientated local authority should therefore have a strategic (or mission‐driven) development management approach. This article proposes an arrangement to incorporate such an approach into the organisational structure.

Notes

Senior Lecturer, School of Public Management, University of Stellenbosch.

This article started its life as a policy document produced after a series of workshops between Barry Gouws and André Human of Parow Administration, Tygerberg City, and Johan Burger, with input by Professors Erwin Schwella and Fanie Cloete of the School of Public Management, University of Stellenbosch, and Mr Harry Carstens, Town Clerk of Parow.