Challenges, progress and lessons in the implementation of Sustainable Developmental Goal 16 to improve service delivery in local government

Abstract

Despite notable progress since the end of apartheid, South Africa continues to experience deficiencies in peace, social justice, and institutional strength. This phenomenon is primarily observed in local government, characterised by complex and nuanced issues pertaining to insufficient service delivery and governance.  Municipalities nationwide exhibit significant unethical leadership, inadequate governance, and excessive expenditure, thereby eroding public trust and accountability. These challenges may deplete public resources and hinder the efficient implementation of policies designed to improve public living conditions.  The disparity between governmental statements and actual service delivery increases, leading to considerable public dissatisfaction. This has affected the effective execution of SDG 16. This study analysed the advancements and obstacles in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16 within local government, focussing on the identification of key lessons to enhance service delivery and promote improved governance practices. The research employed a desktop methodology, focussing on the analysis of secondary data to meet its objectives. The findings indicate that, despite significant advancements in delivering basic services to municipalities, the country has not fully achieved its potential, as evidenced by ongoing public dissatisfaction and major protests regarding inadequate service provision. The ongoing outcry and clear dissatisfaction underscore the necessity for policymakers to urgently address these gaps. Municipalities have advanced in achieving SDG 16 by establishing legislative frameworks, such as Municipal Finance Management, to enhance governance. Notwithstanding these accomplishments, significant reforms are still necessary, and the attainment of SDG 16 by 2030 remains uncertain.

Keywords: {'name': 'Sustainable Development Goal, Local Government, Service Delivery And Good Governance.'}

Authors & affiliations

Nhlanhla Sibusiso Malinga
Affiliation not supplied

Hlengiwe Nomzamo Mabizela
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

Ashdown, L. (2018). Performance management: A practical introduction (Vol. 16). Kogan Page Publishers.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130032

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.102

DOI: 10.1080/13504509.2021.1948456

DOI: 10.1177/16094069231180160

DOI: 10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100556

Kganyape, O. (2024). Ethical leadership and service delivery: A case of Mangaung Metropolitan area.

Kgobe, F., Makalela, K., Sebola, M., & Tsheola, J. (2018). The unabated power of South African traditional leaders on service delivery enhancement. International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA).

DOI: 10.47577/tssj.v26i1.5020

DOI: 10.1007/s10639-018-9790-7

Laberge, M. (2019). Is Africa measuring up to its goal 16 commitments? The road to HLPF 2019 and beyond. SAIIA UNDP Report on Africa and SDG16. United Nations Development Programme. (Accessed 7 May 2025).

DOI: 10.20525/ijrbs.v12i7.2746

Mabizela, H. N. (2020). Evaluating the provision of basic services in rural settlements: The case study of Maswazini rural area.

Mabizela, H. N. (2023). Monitoring and evaluation on the performance of local government in South Africa: Insight from selected district municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal.

DOI: 10.26710/jafee.v9i4.2891

DOI: 10.6000/1929-7092.2019.08.50

DOI: 10.21272/bel.7(2).9-17.2023

Mamokhere, J. (2019). An exploration of reasons behind service delivery protests in South Africa: A case of Bolobedu South at the Greater Tzaneen Municipality.

DOI: 10.55190/JPADA.2024.309

DOI: 10.33756/jlr.v3i2.9424

Manyathi, S. (2022). The role and effectiveness of accountability mechanisms in the Midvaal Local Municipality to promote good governance [Unpublished master's thesis, University of Johannesburg].

DOI: 10.1002/pa.1935

DOI: 10.4102/aej.v8i1.464

Mbandlwa, Z., & Dorasamy, N. (2020). The impact of substance abuse in South Africa: A case of informal settlement communities. Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(19).

Mbandlwa, Z., Dorasamy, N., & Fagbadebo, O. (2020a). Ethical leadership and the challenge of service delivery in South Africa: A discourse. TEST Engineering & Management.

Mbandlwa, Z., Dorasamy, N., & Fagbadebo, O. M. (2020b). Leadership challenges in the South African local government system. Journal of Critical Reviews.

Mbatha, N. P., & Mutereko, S. (2022). Examining financial management of local government in South Africa: A case study of a local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. Interdisciplinary Journal of Economics and Business, 11(4), 285–308.

Messerli, P., Murniningtyas, E., Eloundou-Enyegue, P., Foli, E. G., Furman, E., Glassman, A., Hernández Licona, G., Kim, E. M., Lutz, W., & Moatti, J.-P. (2019). Global sustainable development report 2019: The future is now–science for achieving sustainable development.

DOI: 10.31920/2634-3649/2023/v13n2a2

Mnembe, F. Q. (2022). The nexus between project management and service delivery in the eThekwini Municipality.

DOI: 10.22610/jebs.v12i1(J).3003

Modise, J. M., & Modise, P. S. (2023). Improved public trust, integrity and good governance with respect to corruption. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 8(3), 2573–2583.

Moloto, A., Mkhomazi, S., & Worku, Z. (2020). Factors contributing to poor service delivery in South African rural communities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAAPE.2022.10047971

DOI: 10.32566/ah.2021.1.1

Motsitsi, A. (2021). A framework for performance monitoring in the Mafube Local Municipality.

DOI: 10.5296/jpag.v11i2.18373

DOI: 10.4102/apsdpr.v12i1.749

DOI: 10.3390/su15053913

DOI: 10.21511/ppm.20(4).2022.04

DOI: 10.31920/2516-3132/2020/v4n2a2

Nkhabu, M. F. (2021). The role of local government in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals: A case of Tshwane Municipality [Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Pretoria].

Ntshangase, B. (2023). The implication of a strained political-administrative interface on service delivery in Emfuleni Local Municipality.

DOI: 10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.136

DOI: 10.1016/j.envdev.2017.09.002

DOI: 10.1080/1523908X.2020.1753181

Sebola, M. (2018). The South African public service and the ethical problematiques: The discipline and practice-talking different tongues. African Journal of Public Affairs, 10(4), 57–67.

DOI: 10.25159/0256-8845/3849

DOI: 10.1159/000500725

Thusi, X., Matyana, M., & Jili, N. (2023). Lack of political will: A barrier to public service delivery in South Africa and a high cost for citizens. Journal of Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities, 9(2), 137–147.

Thusi, X., & Selepe, M. M. (2023). The impact of poor governance on public service delivery: A case study of the South African local government. International Journal of Social Science Research and Review, 6(4), 688–697.

DOI: 10.1080/19463138.2019.1573172