City Manager
eThekwini municipality
Focus Area(s)
Balancing the Central and Local
Interviewers
Daniel Scher
Country of Reform
South Africa
Town/City
Durban
Place (Building/Street)
City Hall
Country
South Africa
Date of Interview
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Abstract
Michael Sutcliffe discusses the process of transitioning local and provincial government with the end of apartheid in South Africa. He explains the process through which the different provinces were delineated and sub-national government was built by the African National Congress party. Sutcliffe discusses efforts to strengthen local democracy and the troubles of attempts to use boundary changes to solve service delivery problems. He also touches on the challenges of working with the Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal province. Sutcliffe also discusses why he believes provincial level government is unnecessary and why the focus should be on national and municipal government.
Transcript
Full Interview
43MB
Michael Sutcliffe Interview
Profile
At the time of this interview, Michael Sutcliffe was city manager of eThekwini municipality, which incorporated the city of Durban, South Africa. Sutcliffe also served as African National Congress member of the legislature of KwaZulu-Natal province from 1994 to 1999 and was chairman of the Municipal Demarcation Board. Sutcliffe was an anti-apartheid activist and member of the United Democratic Front prior to the end of apartheid in South Africa. From 1982 to 1991, he was an associate professor at the University of Natal in town and regional planning. He earned a master’s from the University of Natal and a doctorate from Ohio State University.
Keywords
boundary delimination
local democracy
local government
service delivery
provincial government
government transition
Not specified