Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation 2025 Special Collection: We invite you to submit

AOSIS calls on all authors to participate in the Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation 2025 special collection that will be published in the open-access scholarly journal. Submit your latest research for consideration, contribute to the open-access content available to everyone, and share your expertise with a wider audience.

Timelines:

• Submissions open: 01 June 2024
• Submissions deadline: 30 September 2024
• Expected publication date: 31 March 2025

We would be honoured to receive your positive reply and look forward to receiving your manuscript.

Innovating Governance: Revolutionizing Local Government through Innovative Research and Practices

Since the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994, the country’s local government system has undergone a significant transformation (Chikulo, 2010). This shift aimed to address the inequalities of the past and create a more inclusive system. This led to the establishment of the Municipal Demarcation Board. This board ensured that municipal boundaries were drawn to provide a more equitable distribution of resources and representation for all communities. Moreover, the post-apartheid era saw the introduction of innovative research and practices in local government, aimed at improving service delivery, community participation, and accountability. One notable example is the implementation of participatory budgeting processes in municipalities, allowing residents to have a direct say in how public funds are allocated and spent. This has led to numerous models and strategies that are aimed at enhancing service delivery and capacitating local governments to deliver on their mandate.

In addition, there has been a shift, towards giving decision making power to authorities and allowing them to cater to the unique needs of their communities. This involves supporting community driven development projects and acknowledging the importance of leaders as partners in local governance efforts (Chikulo, 2010). The overall strategy for government in South Africa since 1994 demonstrates a dedication to innovation and inclusivity aiming to address inequalities and establish efficient local governance systems. It is recognized that a collaborative approach involving stakeholders is essential for the functioning of local government. This entails cooperation, among government entities, civil society organizations, businesses, everyday citizens and traditional leadership structures.

Historically, traditional leaders have played a significant role in the governance of rural communities in South Africa. Their knowledge of local customs, traditions, and community dynamics positions them as valuable partners in local governance and development initiatives. The evolution of local governance in South Africa since 1994 has been marked by significant strides towards inclusivity, community participation, and accountability. As South Africa continues to innovate its governance structures, the commitment to empowering local communities and acknowledging the role of traditional leaders underscores its dedication to fostering a democratic and responsive governance framework. The emphasis on inclusive decision-making, participatory budgeting, and capacity-building initiatives reflects a progressive approach to addressing historical injustices and promoting effective, people-centred local government. The recognition of traditional leaders as key partners further exemplifies a commitment to leveraging local knowledge and expertise in driving sustainable development at the grassroots level. By embracing both innovative research and traditional practices, South African local government has embarked on a trajectory towards not only addressing historical inequities but also nurturing a culture of active citizenship and inclusive governance.

Reflecting on South African local government since the advent of democracy in 1994, notable strides have been made in innovating governance to address the legacy of apartheid and promote inclusive development. The adoption of a decentralized system with municipalities as the primary units of governance marked a significant departure from the previous regime’s centralized control. This transition aimed to empower local communities, enhance accountability, and promote equitable service delivery. However, challenges persist, including capacity constraints, financial management issues, and governance inefficiencies exacerbated by corruption and political instability. Despite these challenges, South Africa has witnessed notable successes in local governance innovation, such as the implementation of participatory budgeting initiatives, the expansion of digital service delivery platforms, and the promotion of inclusive public policy making. Furthermore, ongoing efforts to strengthen intergovernmental and intersectoral cooperation, encouraging citizen participation, and leveraging technology for governance have the potential to further enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of local government in South Africa. Ultimately, the South African experience serves as a rich context for understanding the complexities, opportunities, and imperatives of innovating governance at the local level within the broader framework of democratic transition and societal transformation.

Objective:

This call seeks to explore new and effective approaches in local government. It will highlight successful strategies, bring together researchers from different fields, and address contemporary challenges such as service delivery, financial management, coalition governments, urbanization, and social inequality among others. Furthermore, the call seeks to foster inclusive decision-making processes, enhance policy relevance, and promote ethical governance practices while facilitating knowledge exchange among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the field.

Recommended themes:

• Local Government Service Delivery Transformation
• Smart Cities for Sustainable Development
• District Development Model
• Multiparty and Coalition Government
• Urban/ Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Development
• Traditional Leadership and Indigenous Knowledge Systems
• Intergovernmental and Intersectoral Collaborations
• Women and Leadership
• Enhancing Participatory Governance

Manuscript information:

Manuscript contributions may consist of the following:

• Manuscript submissions should be in English.
• Original Research articles must fully comply with the JOLGRI guidelines for manuscripts (maximum 7000 words, 60 or fewer references with limited self-referencing; no more than 3 or Less table/Figures).

Interested authors must consult the journal’s guidelines for manuscript submissions at jolgri.org.

Submission procedure

To submit your article to the Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation (JOLGRI), go to jolgri.org. When you submit the article, select the ‘Innovating Governance: Revolutionizing Local Government through Innovative Research and Practices’ as the article type. The submission portal will be accessible on jolgri.org after login in with your personal user credentials. For more details, go to the submission procedure on the journal website. All submissions will undergo anonymous review to guarantee high scientific quality and relevance to the subject. The final decision regarding acceptance/revision/rejection will be based on the reviews received from the reviewers and at the sole discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.

Of course, we will be happy to provide you with any assistance during the submission and application process. Kindly enquire at submissions@jolgri.org.

All submissions and inquiries should be directed to the attention of:

• Dr Tando Rulashe (Nelson Mandela University) – tando.rulashe@mandela.ac.za
• Dr Kutu Ramolobe (Nelson Mandela University) – kutu.ramolobe@mandela.ac.za
• Prof. Pandelani Harry Munzhedzi (University of Venda) – Harry.Munzhedzi@univen.ac.za
• Dr Sareesha Pillay (Nelson Mandela University) – sareesha.pillay@mandela.ac.za

We would be honoured to receive your positive reply and look forward to receiving your article.