In communities across the country, frustration is quietly building. What begins as a missed service or delayed response often grows into something deeper, a sense that the system meant to serve the people is no longer working for them. The failures of local government are no longer distant policy concerns or abstract debates. They are lived, daily realities, and for many, it is not just about the lack of services but about a loss of trust.
It was within this context that the Faculty of Humanities at the North-West University (NWU) hosted a critical engagement on 13 April 2026, bringing together policymakers, academics and students to reflect on the state and future of local governance in the country. The discussion formed part of national consultations on the review of the White Paper on Local Government, a process widely regarded as an opportunity to reset the system and rebuild public confidence, and to begin rebuilding public confidence.
Opening the engagement, Prof. Dumi Moyo, executive dean of the Faculty of Humanities, welcomed guests and introduced the principal and vice-chancellor, Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka. He acknowledged the importance of the platform, noting that the lecture forms part of the faculty’s prestigious lecture series, designed to encourage critical engagement on issues that affect society at its core.
He emphasised the value of bringing together practitioners and scholars, not only to exchange ideas but to confront uncomfortable realities and collectively seek solutions to challenges that continue to shape people’s everyday lives.
Prof. Moyo also reflected on the significance of hosting the lecture in partnership with the vice-chancellor’s office, describing it as an important step in strengthening collaboration across the institution in the face of complex societal challenges.
In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Tyobeka,, described the engagement as a moment of both reflection and responsibility. He noted that reform cannot be superficial or rushed. It requires careful alignment, sustained commitment and, importantly, a genuine understanding of the lived experiences of communities that rely on local government for basic dignity.
He positioned the university as an active contributor to this process, highlighting its role in shaping future practitioners who can bridge the gap between theory and practice and in producing research that responds to real-world governance challenges.
Prof. Tyobeka further stressed the importance of bringing together leadership, scholarship and practical experience to engage meaningfully with the complex and often painful realities facing communities across the country.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Ben Bole, Head of the Department for North West Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and professor of practice in the Faculty of Humanities at the NWU, brought both academic insight and lived experience to the conversation.
With more than fifteen years in public governance, Dr Bole has witnessed firsthand the complexities and pressures within the system. His work across provincial government, particularly in stakeholder engagement, communication and public participation, has placed him at the intersection of policy and community realities.
He holds a PhD in Governance and Political Transformation from the NWU, where his research focused on the sustainability of Section 139 interventions in municipalities in the North West Province – a subject that speaks directly to the ongoing struggles within local government.
Drawing on this experience, Prof. Bole described local government as a shared responsibility but acknowledged that the burden of its failures is borne most heavily by ordinary citizens.
He reflected on the evolution of the system while confronting persistent challenges, including declining service delivery, governance failures, and weakened institutional capacity. These, he noted, are not just technical issues, but deeply human ones that affect livelihoods, dignity and trust.
Positioning the review as a critical moment, he called for honest reflection and a shift away from routine, short-term interventions. Instead, he urged stakeholders to ask harder questions about what meaningful, lasting change should look like in practice.
He outlined key areas under review, including governance systems, ethical leadership, financial sustainability, administrative capacity, and community participation – all essential to building municipalities that are not only functional but truly accountable to the people they serve.
While acknowledging the depth of the crisis, Dr Bole also noted pockets of progress, pointing out that some municipalities continue to function effectively. These, he said, offer hope and practical lessons that can be strengthened and replicated.
The question-and-answer session that followed revealed just how deeply these challenges are felt, with attendees speaking honestly about their experiences, frustrations, and hopes for something better. It was clear that South Africans are not only looking for policy reform but also for change they can feel in their daily lives.
