Answer to Question #303275 in English for Adidi

Question

Outline THREE levels of government and their responsibilities

Answer 1

Government has the responsibility to make policies and laws about the rights and responsibilities of citizens and the delivery of government services. Government collects revenue (income) from taxes and uses this money to provide services and infrastructure that improves the lives of all the people in the country, particularly the poor.

The Constitution of South Africa sets the rules for how government works. There are three levels of government in South Africa:

• National government

Laws and policies are approved by Parliament which is made up of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). he NCOP was set up to ensure that provincial and local government are directly represented in Parliament. It is made up of representatives of provincial legislatures and local government. Each province has a set number of permanent and rotating representatives. The NCOP has to debate and vote on any law or policy that affects provincial or local government.

• Provincial government

Every province has a Legislature made up of between 30 and 90 members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs). Some provincial laws are approved by Legislatures. The Legislature also passes a provincial budget every year. Legislatures are elected in provincial elections that are held with national elections, every five years. Each province has to develop a Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) that spells out the overall framework and plan for developing the economy and improving services. Provinces also have a Spatial Development Framework (SDF) that says where and how residential and business development should take place and how the environment should be protected.

• Local government

Each municipality has a council where decisions are made and municipal officials and staff who implement the work of the municipality. The Council is made up of elected members who approve policies and by-laws for their area. The Council has to pass a budget for its municipality each year. They must also decide on development plans and service delivery for their municipal area. The work of the Council is co-ordinated by a Mayor who is elected by Council. The work of the municipality is done by the municipal administration that is headed by the Municipal Manager and other officials. S/he is responsible for employing staff and co-ordinating them to implement all programmes approved by council.