1. Introduction -- 2. A brief introduction to local government in South Africa -- 3. The origins of urban development and the early establishment of local authorities -- 4. A brief history of local government in South Africa -- 5. The process of transformation and restructuring of local government -- 6. The current state of local government and the general impact of the Constitution of 1996 -- 7. The status, objects, challenges and developmental duties of local authorities -- 8. The legal nature and general rights and duties of local government institutions -- 9. Local government within a system of co-operative governance -- 10. The new institutional models in local government and the formal establishment of municipalities -- 11. Demarcation of new local government boundaries -- 12. The composition, election and term of municipal councils -- 13. The role and importance of the institution of traditional leadership in local government affairs -- 14. The powers and functions of municipal governments -- 15. Political structures and internal procedures of municipal councils -- 16. Municipal services and service delivery and the basic functional activities of municipal governments -- 17. Municipal personnel, labour relations and staffing matters -- 18. Aspects relating to municipal finance and municipal fiscal management -- 19. The principles of municipal public administration and the requirements of performance management, capacity building, accountability and public participation -- 20. Municipal development planning -- 21. Basic legal matters relevant to local government structures -- 22. Concluding remarks.