The 2011 local elections campaigns in the Tlokwe Municipality, North-West Province: enhancing participatory governance?
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Date
2011
Authors
Fourie, Lynnette
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Communication Science, University of the Free State
Abstract
The South African Local Government Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000) requires
participatory governance. Although this Act is not concerned with electoral
participation in the first instance, it is argued that it also sets the tone for electoral
communication. In the spirit of participatory governance it could be expected of
political parties to inform the electorate about issues relevant to local government,
stimulate debate, motivate voters to participate in the elections and promote
democratic values. Against this background, this article endeavours to investigate to
what extent the campaigns of political parties in the 2011 local elections displayed the
context of local developmental government and enhanced participatory governance. A
qualitative content analysis was done of the election material (manifestos, posters,
television advertisements and pamphlets) of the ANC, DA, FF+ and Cope in the Tlokwe
Municipality. It was found that all the parties adhered to the spirit of and actively
promoted local developmental government in their manifestos, although they did so to
a lesser extent in the more popular media (posters, television advertisements and
pamphlets). It was concluded that these messages were not harmful to the sustainability
of local developmental democracy.
Description
Keywords
South Africa, Local government, Participatory governance, Local development
Citation
Fourie, L. (2011). The 2011 local elections campaigns in the Tlokwe Municipality, North-West Province: enhancing participatory governance?.Communitas, 2011(16), 131-14.