Rescaling municipal governance amidst political competition in Gauteng: Sedibeng’s proposed re-demarcation
Date
2021-08-01
Authors
Mkhize, Thembani
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Gauteng City-Region Observatory
Abstract
The paper unpacks key developments in the Sedibeng merger proposal since its inception, particularly the multiple arguments for and against it. Insofar as resistance to the proposed re-demarcation has emanated from the ground – mainly from Midvaal
residents – it has especially played out through the actions and conflicting utterances of the ANC and DA.
While informed by technical reasons, both arguments
for and against the Emfuleni–Midvaal merger have
tended to gravitate more towards party-political
rationales for why the re-demarcation should or should
not go ahead. Although these debates raise important
merits and demerits for the proposal, they are difficult
to disentangle from the interests of those whose
fortunes would be changed by restructuring. These
competing claims have not only had implications for
the governance of Sedibeng’s municipalities but have
also affected ostensibly non-party-political institutions
directly and indirectly involved in the re-demarcation
issue.
Description
Keywords
rescaling, municipal governance, political competition, Sedibeng, Gauteng