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The GGLN is a network of South African non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that aims to promote participatory, effective, accountable and pro-poor local governance.

The network was established in 2003 in order to provide an interface for civil society organisations  working on issues of local governance and citizen participation to network and share information towards strengthening local democracy in South Africa. Other objectives include the documentation and dissemination of good practices, building the capacity of practitioners, advocacy, as well as creating awareness about the value of participatory local governance.

State of Local Government Report - 2008

Local Democracy in Action: A Civil Society Perspective on Local Governance in South Africa

Last year marked the tenth anniversary of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government. Under the guidance of this document, the form and substance of local government and governance in South Africa has been fundamentally reshaped. As a network of civil society organisations active in the field of local governance, we have been witnesses to the development of South Africa’s new system of local government over the past decade, and have observed its successes and shortcomings as they unfolded. This report provides the GGLN’s perspective on the local governance environment, of what has been achieved, and the priorities and challenges that lie ahead.