Local government is at the heart of South Africa’s developmental state. Municipalities are responsible for water provision, sanitation, electricity, housing, waste management, roads, and community development. Many South Africans experience service delivery challenges, and local government has been plagued by capacity shortages, governance failures, and financial instability.

The Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) plays a critical role in addressing these challenges. Funded by the Skills Development Levy, its mandate is to build the capacity of municipal officials, councillors, and administrators through training, learnerships, and workplace-based education. Aligned with the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) 2030, LGSETA seeks to professionalise local government, reduce corruption, and ensure a skilled workforce capable of delivering quality services.

Stats SA and National Treasury reports highlight the gravity of the challenges. Many municipalities face skills mismatches: senior positions are filled without the required qualifications, while technical skills in engineering, project management, and financial management are scarce. This has contributed to service delivery protests, high levels of community dissatisfaction, and weak employment generation at the local level.

Local government is also a significant employer, with over 300 municipalities collectively employing hundreds of thousands of South Africans. Retrenchments in this sector are less common, but instability often arises when municipalities are placed under administration or when funding shortfalls lead to hiring freezes.

Youth and women remain underrepresented in senior positions within municipalities, despite being a growing part of the administrative workforce. The lack of structured mentorship and career pathways further limits opportunities for young graduates.

Notably, companies and institutions that provide outsourced services to municipalities—including engineering firms, waste management companies, and ICT providers—depend on local government contracts for employment opportunities. Partnerships with these companies create further avenues for training and skills development.

LGSETA’s work is therefore crucial not only for the functioning of municipalities but also for enabling broader employment multipliers. By ensuring officials are qualified, ethical, and equipped to manage resources effectively, it strengthens the foundation for economic development across all sectors.

Career Indaba Daily Times believes that strengthening local government is non-negotiable for South Africa’s future, by investing in skills, professionalisation, and ethical leadership, LGSETA can help transform municipalities into engines of employment, service delivery, and inclusive growth.

Questions for the Future

How can LGSETA build structured pipelines for graduates in engineering, finance, and public administration to enter and thrive in local government careers?

What strategies could reduce political appointments of unqualified individuals in key municipal posts and replace them with skilled professionals?

How can partnerships with the private sector create new opportunities for youth and women in local government-linked services?