In South Africa, a local municipality or Category B municipality is a type of municipality that serves as the third, and most local, tier of local government. It falls under the jurisdiction of the district municipality (also known as "districts"); there are no local municipalities in any of the 8 metropolitan municipalities, which have their own respective systems of urban governance. There are 226 local municipalities in South Africa.
The closest U.S. equivalent to a local municipality is the civil township, which is a common subdivision of the county in several states. Multiple towns, cities and farms may occupy the expanse of a local municipality. Local municipalities are usually governed by a mayor and municipal council.
[edit] Census
For census and statistical purposes, local municipalities are divided into "Main Places". These generally correspond to towns, small cities, boroughs of large cities, or tribal areas also known as townships. Those areas that do not fall within any of the above are incorporated in a main place named for the municipality.[1]
[edit] Elections and legislative bodies
Like metropolitan municipalities, local municipalities are further divided into electoral wards, which play a pivotal role in both municipal and national elections. The wards also serve as constituencies for the municipal councils.
- ^ Frith, Adrian "Census 2001", based on data from Statistics South Africa
[edit] See also
