Dikomiti tsa Dikgotla

This guide, published by the Public Affairs Research Institute, explains the role and functioning of ward committees within the local government system of South Africa. It outlines the structure, responsibilities, and support mechanisms for these committees, which are intended to facilitate community participation in municipal governance and the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The document provides a checklist for effective committees, advice for citizens dealing with dysfunctional committees, and a sample pledge for members to sign.

• Ward committees are designed to enable citizens to govern within their municipalities by identifying community problems and encouraging participation in ward-related programs. They serve as a vital communication link between ward councillors and the public, allowing residents to voice concerns and receive feedback on specific issues.
• Typical ward committee structures consist of 5 to 10 members who act as advisors to the ward councillor. These members may represent specific sectors or different geographical areas within the ward. The ward councillor serves as the chairperson and is responsible for convening regular meetings.
• Ward committees are fundamental to community participation in municipal governance, particularly regarding the integrated development plan (IDP). Members are entitled to reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel and data/airtime.
• Municipal councils have the authority to determine how ward committee members are elected, whether through secret ballots or a show of hands. Council bylaws must ensure that these committees include women and marginalized groups. The council also possesses the power to dissolve a ward committee if it performs poorly.
• To be effective, ward committees require ongoing training, capacity building, and necessary working tools. Ward councillors and the municipal manager's office must ensure that monthly committee reports are tracked and reviewed by the council, and that public meetings are held at least once a quarter.
• Citizens can take action if ward committees are unresponsive by sending complaints to the municipal manager's office regarding the committee's conduct or filing an appeal with the municipal council. The municipality may then decide to remove a member or dissolve the committee based on its laws.
• The document notes that many ward committees are currently dysfunctional, ineffective, or have been 'captured' by individuals seeking self-enrichment, or they operate merely as extensions of the ward councillor's political party.
• Ward committee members are encouraged to sign a pledge of commitment to serve the municipality and the community. This pledge references the Municipal Structures Act, 1998 and a Code of Conduct published by SALGA, although the SALGA code is not legally binding.

APA

Public Affairs Research Institute (n.d.). Dikomiti tsa Dikgotla. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/COMPACT-Ward-Committees-Setswana.pdf

Chicago

Public Affairs Research Institute. Dikomiti tsa Dikgotla. n.d. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/COMPACT-Ward-Committees-Setswana.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Public Affairs Research Institute |title=Dikomiti tsa Dikgotla |url=https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/COMPACT-Ward-Committees-Setswana.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{publicaffairsresearchinstitutenddikomiti, author = {{Public Affairs Research Institute}}, title = {{Dikomiti tsa Dikgotla}}, institution = {Public Affairs Research Institute}, url = {https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/COMPACT-Ward-Committees-Setswana.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }