Pretoria: The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has announced an extension for submissions on the discussion document concerning the Review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government (WPLG). The new deadline is now set for 31 July 2025, an extension from the original deadline of 30 June 2025.
According to South African Government News Agency, this decision follows increased interest from stakeholders nationwide and numerous requests for additional time to prepare and submit inputs. The ministry recognizes the importance of inclusive participation in shaping a responsive and effective system of local governance and welcomes active engagement from all sectors of society, as stated in CoGTA’s official statement.
The department indicated that the extension provides an opportunity for broader consultation and deeper reflection. It encourages all interested individuals and organizations to take full advantage of the additional time to submit their views, emphasizing that these contributions are essential to strengthening the future of local government in South Africa.
In April, Hlabisa officially published a discussion document on the Review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government. According to the department, the review aims to inspire fresh thinking, facilitate honest reflection, and promote decisive action toward establishing a local government system that effectively serves the people of South Africa.
Adopted in 1998, the White Paper served as a foundational blueprint for building democratic local governance in the country. However, the department believes there is growing recognition that the current model is no longer adequate to meet the evolving developmental and service delivery needs of communities. Additionally, persistent governance, financial, structural, and administrative challenges have undermined the ability of municipalities to deliver effectively on their mandates.
Submissions may be sent via email to: [email protected]; [email protected] or [email protected]. Submissions may also be delivered by post to: The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Attention: Mr Thabiso Richard Plank (Project Manager: WPLG26 Policy Review), Private Bag X802, Pretoria, 0001.