Navigating Today's Challenges in Local Government: Impact on Leadership at the Local Level

Dr Vuyiwe Tsako explores the issue of factionalism in local government and its impact on governance and service delivery.

Factionalism, as discussed in a 2020 study, results in political instability, patronage, and functionalism, leading to challenges in municipal environments.

While aligning with factions can have benefits, the speaker advises against it, as it can make leaders untrusted by those outside the faction. In the context of South Africa, factions have come to dominate local government, leading to service delivery issues and reputation problems for those not part of the dominant group.

Decisions in local government are influenced by these factions, with senior managers often seen as their offspring, making it challenging to provide effective services.