Nurturing Development Administration in South African Local Government

A Critique of Socio-Economic Development

Abstract

This paper aims to unpack the relationship between the development administration and local government in fostering socio-economic development. the paper argues that the effective implementation of the development administration sufficiently contributes to local government productivity in delivering government development-oriented services and programs. Development administration includes strengthening administrative capabilities. Development administration covers a wide range of techniques used by large organizations, most notably the government to implement plans and policies that are meant to assist them in achieving their developmental objectives. The main goal of development administration is to create a better social, political, and economic environment. The local government plays a crucial role in Africa's economic development trajectory.  the paper is conceptual in nature as relies heavily on secondary data and existing literature to address the answer to the inherent argument. from the literature, authors derived findings such as a lack of adequate political capability and politicization of development, corruption, lack of accountability, low priority of quality assurance, poor monitoring, and evaluation of socioeconomic policies, excessive political control, poor capacity development, nepotism, lack of community participation, resources constraints, inter alia. the study recommends that further research should be conducted in all municipalities within South Africa to detect the problem associated with development administration for effective enhancement of socio-economic development as well as reinforcing and easing the sustainable development in local government. since public administration is regarded as a social science discipline the study contributes to the field of public administration and development as it deals with assessing and resolving the social, political, and economic problems that affect day to day life of communities. Development administration also contributes to the National Development Plan as it enhances the social, political, and economic arena.  the study can also influence public officials to be equipped with more skills to meet the socio-economic needs of the communities.