Information campaigns and local authorities

Abstract

The new constitution links the duties of local governments to development,implying that the financial dilemma of local authorities caused by theculture of non~payment for municipal services, should be seen in the lightof the deve/opment~rientated situation in South Africa. As the failures ofthe authoritarian top-down development approach became evident, it is not'8 solution to remove the electricity cables of non-payers, neither is it asolution to modify behaviour only. The motivation behind a campaignaiming at correcting the situation should focus on the capacity building inthe community, which is in line with participatory development and DSCthinking. This can only be· done in a participatory situation, whereinformation is released about the operations of the local authority, and thecommunity is educated about the functions and processes taking place inthe local authority. In a workshop situation, the needs of the communityshould be prioritised, in order to address those needs. It is believed that byunderstanding the various functions and operations of the local authority,attitudes of the community will change towards the local authority, and thatsuch change might lead to a change in the culture of non~payment.