Local Economic Development in South African Municipalities: Prospects and Challenges.

Extant literature has emphasised the significance of economic development at provincial and national levels in South Africa. However, there is less emphasis placed on economic development at the local level. Hence, this paper aims to fill the gap by discussing the Local Economic Development (LED) as a concept vis-à-vis its prospects and challenges. It relies heavily on secondary sources of data. This paper explicates the knowledge and understanding of integrated as well as coherent purpose of LED in the South African municipalities. On the one hand, it analyses the institutional need and relevance of LED with a view to understanding how LED has promoted and stimulated economic growth and development at the local level in South Africa. On the other hand, it identifies the contribution of LED to municipal system, and reflects on the challenges facing LED in SA. This paper concludes by providing consistent recommendations on measures addressing LED challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]