Exploring local service delivery challenges: A case of Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Free State Province, South Africa

This paper assesses the delivery of basic services to communities within South African municipalities, which is an ongoing challenge. Despite significant progress by the government, unemployment, crime, and inequality persist, and providing basic services remains a key concern. This paper further examined the difficulties Matjhabeng Local Municipality face in fulfilling its constitutional mandate to ensure that communities receive basic services in accordance with Section 152(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. The study identified the main obstacles to delivering effective services within Matjhabeng Local Municipality and suggested strategies and approaches to fully overcome them. This work is grounded in two theories: New Public Management (NPM) and Public Administration. Public administration involves the procedures and actions of the current government in providing essential services. NPM has contributed to the global debate on how governments can improve performance management and development. The research is qualitative, focusing on exploring variables, their interactions, and interpretations within a specific context. It aids researchers in generating descriptive data and insights. This study offers theoretical frameworks and practical guidance for addressing service delivery challenges at the local level. It also contributes to the dissemination of knowledge in public management and the understanding of government organisations responsible for capacity building in local government.