Municipal activities for the environment : a perspective on the Kgalagadi municipal area

Abstract

Municipalities as the custodians of the environment in their areas of jurisdiction have the responsibility to care for the environment through their activities. This will ensure that the health and quality of the living of residents is protected and that residents continue to benefit from the environment in the long term. This study focuses on the environmental management activities of South African municipalities by providing a theoretical framework for environmental management, review available environmental management tools and reflect on environmental management activities by municipalities of the Kgalagadi area. Municipalities of the Kgalagadi area were analysed against the various available environmental management tools, municipal health responsibilities and powers and functions. The core finding is that most environmental management tools are developed and implemented in the Kgalagadi area. However a concern is the lack of effective utilisation of by-laws as a tool and the under-performance of the municipal health function by the District Municipality. It is recommended that municipalities should align their environmental activities to the powers and functions of local government and the performance management system of municipalities measure environmental performance as well.