Profile

Background

In terms of section 155(3)(b) of the Constitution, the Municipal Demarcation Board is an independent authority responsible for the determination of municipal boundaries. The Board's status as an independent authority is also protected by section 3 of the Local Government: Municipal Demarcation Act, 1998, and various judgements by the Constitutional Court. In addition to the determinations and re-determination of municipal boundaries, the Board is also mandated by legislation to declare district management areas; to delimit wards for local elections; and to assess the capacity of municipalities to perform their functions.

Members of the Board are appointed by the President of SA for a 5 year term of office. The first Board was appointed on 1 February 1999, and the second one on 1 February 2004. The Chairperson of the Board serves on a full time basis while all other Board members are part time. The Board is funded by money appropriated annually by Parliament, and is accountable to Parliament. The Board is supported by a lean administration comprising of a Finance Cluster, an Administration and Human resources cluster; a GIS cluster and a Research cluster.

Since its establishment on 1 February 1999, the Board has made major contributions to the transformation of local government in South Africa. (360kb)

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Names of Board members and the Manager of the Board

2009 - Present

Chairperson: Mr. Landiwe Jackie Mahlangu

Deputy Chairperson: Ms. Nondumiso Gwayi

Members:
Dr. Vuyo Mlokoti
Prof. Nicolaas Christiaan Steytler
Khosi Tshililo Jeffrey Ramovha
Ms. Sumaya Grace Sybil Castle
Ms. Wendy Ovens
Ms. Lynelle John
Mr. Ashraf Mohammed Adam

Manager:
Mr. Hillary Monare

2004 - 2009

Chairperson: Dr. Vuyo Mlokoti

Deputy Chairperson: Ms Morongoa Essy Letsoalo

Members:
Ms Modiehi Elisa Molebatsi
Ms Nondumiso Gwayi
Khosi Tshililo Jeffrey Ramovha
Dr. Michael Oliver Sutcliffe
Prof. Nicolaas Christiaan Steytler
Mr Abraham Mpho Mogale
Mr. Landiwe Jackie Mahlangu

Manager:
Mr. Hillary Monare

1999 - 2004

Chairperson: Dr Michael Oliver Sutcliffe

Deputy Chairperson: Ms Nkaro Aldefrida Mateta

Members:
Mr Vuyo Mlokoti
Mr Prince Duke Dludla
Ms Rosemary Monyamane
Mr Abraham Petrus Marais
Mr Kaobitsa Maape
Ms Jacqueline Marion Subban
Khosi Tshilio Jeffrey Ramovha
Professor Robert Greig Cameron

Vision

To contribute to Constitutional democracy through the spatial re-organisation of the whole territory of the Republic of South Africa, to make recommendations based on capacity assessments of the ability of municipalities to perform their powers and functions, and to give advice and support to enhance the development of a sound system of local government.

Mission

The mission of the Board is to perform its functions and exercise its powers in such a manner as to empower municipalities to:

fulfil their constitutional obligations;
provide democratic and accountable government for the local communities;
provide services to communities in an equitable and sustainable manner;
promote social and economic development;
promote a safe and healthy environment;
enhance effective local governance;
plan and implement integrated development; and
develop a tax base as inclusive as possible of users of municipal services in the municipality.

Mandate

The Board’s mandate derives from:

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No 108 of 1996)

The Board is mandated in terms of section 155(3)(b) to determine municipal Boundaries independently.

Local Government: Municipal Demarcation Act, 1998 (Act No 27 of 1998)

Section 3 provides that the Board is a juristic person, is independent and must be impartial and must perform its function without fear, favour or prejudice.
Section 4 provides that the Board must determine Municipal boundaries in accordance with this Act and other appropriate legislation enacted in terms of Chapter 7 of the Constitution, and must render an advisory service in respect of matters provided for in this act and other appropriate legislation.

Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (Act 117 of 1998)

Delimit wards in compliance with Schedule 1 to the Act.
In terms of section 85 the Board must consider the capacity of District and Local municipalities to perform their function and to exercise their powers, and provide advice to MEC’s responsible for Local Government.
Section 6 empowers the Board to declare District Management Areas.

Cabinet resolutions

In 1998 Cabinet resolved that departmental service delivery boundaries must be aligned to constitutional boundaries (National, Provincial and Local) and should be finalised by departments in consultation with the Municipal Demarcation Board.