Research & Publications

Unpacking the 2024 Government of National Unity in South Africa: Challenges, opportunities and lessons for Stable Coalition Governance

This Policy Brief describes and analyses the Government of National Unity (GNU), formed in the aftermath of South Africa's elections of 29 May 2024. It sets out the main features of the GNU nationally, and in the three provinces where there was no outright majority. It also assesses the GNU's impact on intergovernmental relations, and reflects on GNUs concluded elsewhere on the continent.

Registers of councillors' interests: A missed opportunity to enhance accountability and transparency in local government

This report presents the findings of a study undertaken by the Multilevel Government Project at the Dullah Omar Institute. The study examined whether municipalities are publishing councillors’ declarations of interest on their respective municipal websites.

A citizen's perspective on the rule of law: Democracy and elections in South Africa

A documentation of the seminar titled "A citizen’s perspective on the rule of law: Democracy and elections in South Africa," conducted on 21 February 2024, and organized by the Dullah Omar Institute, in partnership with the Hanns Seidel Foundation South Africa (HSF).

Coalition governments: What are the options for law reform at municipal level?

In this Policy Brief, we explore two issues, namely (1) what are the options for thresholds at municipal level? and (2) how to ensure that municipal service delivery continues when there is instability?

Why are municipalities not publishing procurement information on their websites and the eTender Portal?

This report presents the findings of a study conducted by the Dullah Omar Institute (DOI) in partnership with the International Budget Partnership South Africa (IBP-SA). The study examined the state of transparency in local government procurement, in particular the reasons why municipalities do not publish key procurement information on their websites and National Treasury’s eTender Portal timeously and consistently. Procurement information in this context includes tender notices, tender specifications, and tender awards.

Constitutionalism and the Economy in Africa

This book offers a range of comprehensive arguments and case studies that will be of interest and use to academics, post-graduate students, judges, lawyers, economists, and policy makers involved in the economic role of the State, the impact of globalization, and the constitutional foundations for land and natural resources exploitation.

The application of ubuntu in law, mediation and social change

This report summaries what emerged during the lecture on 'The application of ubuntu in law, mediation and social change.'

Contemporary Governance Challenges in the Horn of Africa

This book argues that a leading cause of the political instability in the Horn of Africa is a crisis of governance, caused by extreme centralization of power, weak institutions, and the failure to institutionalise the responsible use of authority.

In 2021 the Dullah Omar Institute (DOI) and IBP South Africa conducted comprehensive assessments of the transparency and oversight of, and participation in, the budgets of five of the metros.

Local Government in South Africa: Responses to Urban-Rural Challenges

The Dullah Omar Institute's Multilevel Government Project, with the support of the South African Local Government Association, produced the Country Report on South Africa in the framework of the H2020-MSCA-RISE-2018 project “LoGov - Local Government and the Changing Urban-Rural Interplay”.

How transparent is municipal procurement?

This report, which focuses on transparency in local government procurement, follows on the 2020 report titled "How transparent are municipal websites about the goods and services that municipalities procure?" In total, 34 municipalities were assessed for the 2020 report. The sample of municipalities was increased to 49 in the 2021 survey.

Framework for Coalitions in Local Government

This Framework provides practical guidelines to political parties and councillors on the formation and management of coalitions in local government. It sets out the relevant law but also offers guidance on issues such as coalition agreements, kingmakers and the distribution of political offices.

Developmental Local Government Series: Municipal Perspectives on Development, Governance and Service Delivery

This book offers insight into the experience, practice and future of local government in South Africa. The book merges practical and theoretical perspectives to inform policy debates, to educate and to guide the practice of local government.

Comparative Federalism and Covid-19: Combating the Pandemic

This comprehensive scholarly book on comparative federalism and the Covid-19 pandemic is written by some of the world’s leading federal scholars and national experts.

Combating Corruption in Local Government in the Western Cape

This report surveys the experience of local government stakeholders in the Western Cape with addressing corruption. The report was commissioned by the Western Cape Department of Local Government and supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The report gives an overview of manifestations of corruption in local government, as well as the experience of local government stakeholders in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting allegations of corruption, involving local government officials and councillors.

The Legal Framework for Combating Corruption in Local Government in the Western Cape

This report details the legal framework for combating corruption in municipalities. It was commissioned by the Western Cape Department of Local Government and supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation. It presents an overview of the law applicable to detecting, investigating, and prosecuting allegations of corruption, involving local government officials and councillors.

Electing Councillors: A Guide to Municipal Elections

The Manual provides us with further insight into the electoral process and will ensure that the various role-players are suitably informed of the rules and regulations governing them. We hope in particular that citizens, the media, political parties and their candidates take note of these legal prescripts.

FACT SHEETS ON DECENTRALISATION IN AFRICA: A SHORT-CUT GUIDE

A growing number of African countries are considering passing or implementing reforms that include some form of decentralisation. There is thus a demand for clear and accessible materials that would assist policymakers, practitioners, students and members of the public to better understand the various concepts and mechanisms associated with decentralisation. A few countries on the continent are considering or implementing federalism, while many more are weighing up or are already implementing decentralised systems of government.

Democracy, Elections, and Constitutionalism in Africa

The third wave of democracy that reached African shores at the end of the Cold War brought with it a dramatic decline from 1990 onwards in dictatorships, military regimes, one-party governments, and presidents for life. Multiparty democracy was at the core of the constitutional revolutions that swept through most of Africa in those watershed years. However, that wave is either losing momentum or receding - or being reversed in its entirety.

Report on Hung Councils in South Africa: Law and Practice

Coalition governments across South Africa's municipalities have mostly been unstable. Are there any mechanisms or rules that can be adopted to facilitate stability in coalition governments? Does the law need to be reformed to accommodate coalition governments in local government? How can existing structures in local government be used to structure coalition governments in a way that parties are encouraged to cooperate in the coalition? This paper discusses coalition governments in municipalities and offers insight into these questions.

The Value of Comparative Federalism: The Legacy of Ronald L. Watts

This book explores new avenues of international research in comparative federal studies. It re-examines the conceptual tools and methodologies for understanding federal systems, and the role of comparative federalism in the dissemination and implementation of federal concepts. It highlights the influence of comparative federalism on constitution-making as well as constitutional reforms.

How transparent are municipal websites about the goods and services that municipalities procure?

This report, which focuses on transparency in local government procurement, presents the findings of a survey of municipal websites. The survey, which targeted 34 selected municipalities, aimed to establish the extent to which municipal websites are transparent about the goods and services municipalities procure.

The Journey to Transform Local Government

The Journey to Transform Local Government is about the challenges and opportunities for municipalities in South Africa as they journey towards delivering on the promise of developmental local government.

Provincial and Local Government Reform in Zimbabwe: An analysis of the Law, Policy and Practice

Zimbabwe’s Constitution of 2013 provides for multi-level government at national, provincial and local level. This book explores the nature, evolution and future of this multi-level system of government against the background of international best practices.

Local Government Reform in Zambia: The 2016 Constitution’s Framework for Devolution

Local Government Reform in Zambia: The 2016 Constitution’s Framework for Devolution is the first book that assesses the framework for devolved governance as provided for in the 2016 Constitution of Zambia. Experts from various fields discuss the motivation behind the adoption of devolution in Zambia. They explore what the framework for devolution entails and how it can be implemented in practice. This in-depth analysis of local government reforms in Zambia was edited by Tinashe C Chigwata, Nico Steytler, Jaap de Visser and Frank Kunda.

MUNICIPAL PLANNING AND BUDGETING DURING COVID-19: WHAT HAPPENED IN PRACTICE?

This report presents an analysis of major issues relating to the 2020-2021 municipal budget consultation process.

Transparency in local government procurement during COVID-19

Municipalities procure goods and services from private entities almost daily. These goods and services are often essential for ensuring the provision of basic amenities such as water, sanitation, electricity, and refuse removal.

Webinar on Municipal Budgeting and Planning During COVID-19: Key issues and observations from the Webinar

The first of a series of webinars on local government and COVID-19, hosted by the Dullah Omar Institute and the International Budget Partnership, took place on 04 June 2020, in partnership with the South African Local Government Association. The webinars aim to promote best practices pertaining to transparency and responsiveness in local government during the era of COVID-19.

MUNICIPAL BUDGETING AND PLANNING DURING COVID-19

A municipality’s Integrated Development Plan is a five-year strategic plan, where the many interests, wishes and preferences of a municipal community are mediated and put into action. The municipality’s budget allocates resources to this plan. Each year, municipalities review their IDPs and pass a budget for their financial year, which runs from 1 July to 30 June.

Corruption and Constitutionalism in Africa: Revisiting Control Measures and Strategies

This collection of essays to focuses on the critical issue of corruption that lies at the heart of the crisis of constitutionalism in Africa.