South Africa’s National Arts Festival’s economic impact on its host city, Makhanda, is estimated to be US$4.5 million a year. But it also makes an impact on a social and an artistic level.
Failure by local government to provide basic services has led to protests around South Africa. Now, some residents are resorting to self-help.
EFE-EPA/Kim Ludbrook
South Africa needs a way to incorporate active citizens within the prevailing constitutional and legal structures, so as to strengthen all levels of government.
Failures by municipalities to do their work are forcing many residents to take matters into their own hands.
EFE-EPA/Nic Bothma
There has been growing discontent with many local authorities and calls by concerned citizens for the municipalities to be dissolved.
The 1820 Settler Monument in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, commemmorates the arrival of 5,000 British colonial settlers.
Hoberman Collection/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
Ramaphosa’s detractors are unlikely to succeed in their rumoured bid. And, their failure will not be because they’ve suddenly become weak within the administration.
The town of Makhanda, formerly Grahamstown, and surrounds have suffered serious neglect by the local municipality.
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Chief Research Specialist in Democracy and Citizenship at the Human Science Research Council and a Research Fellow Centre for African Studies, University of the Free State