QUESTION 2
2.1 State the important events between 1900 and 1983 in terms of local development.
The period between 1900 and 1983 marked a transformative era in South Africa’s history, particularly in terms of local development. During these years, the nation witnessed significant shifts in its political, social, and economic landscape, all of which had profound implications for local communities.
British and Dutch colonial powers had left a lasting impact on the country. The South African Act of 1909 set the stage for a unified nation, bringing together four distinct provinces into what would become the Union of South Africa in 1910. This marked the beginning of a new era in the country’s history.
However, the early years of the union were marked by a lack of autonomy for local authorities and a centralized approach to governance. This situation would change dramatically in 1948 when the National Party came to power and introduced the policy of apartheid. Under apartheid, South Africa’s local development took a drastically different course, as the government implemented a series of laws and policies that segregated communities based on race.
The Group Areas Act of 1950, for instance, led to the forced removal and relocation of various racial groups, causing significant disruptions to local communities.
The South African Act of 1909 was a pivotal event in local development as it laid the foundation for the establishment of the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910. This union brought together four provinces, each of which had its own unique approach to municipal governance, largely modeled after the municipal system used in Cape Town. However, it’s essential to note that during this period, local authorities were not autonomous and were subject to the overarching policies of the central government.
However, in 1948, a significant turning point occurred in South Africa’s local development with the election of the National Party, which introduced the system of apartheid, a policy of racial segregation and discrimination. This led to the enactment of various laws, including the Group Areas Act (Act 41 of 1950), which aimed to segregate communities based on their racial background. Under this policy, black townships were forcibly relocated, leading to significant disruptions in local communities.
In 1960, management committees were established for colored and Indian communities. These committees had limited powers and were meant to manage certain aspects of local governance within their respective communities. However, they operated within the framework of apartheid policies, which restricted their effectiveness and authority.
Local development took another turn with the passage of Act 102 of 1982, which paved the way for the establishment of the first black municipalities. This was a significant step towards granting black communities a greater degree of local autonomy and self-governance.
This was followed by the launch of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1983. UDF was a coalition of anti-apartheid organizations. Although not directly related to local governance, the UDF played a crucial role in mobilizing grassroots movements and communities to resist apartheid policies, including those affecting local communities. It served as a unifying force and a platform for advocacy for democratic reforms at all levels of government, including local government.
2.2 Services are not rendered by either central or provincial government. Give TEN reasons for the existence of municipalities.
2.3 You are a presiding officer at the local elections. You are called by one of your staff who wanted to refuse a voter to vote. Advise your staff on the reasons why voters can be disqualified from voting.