LOCAL GOVERNMENT: MUNICIPAL STRUCTURES ACT NO.117 OF 1998 (Published in the Government Gazette on 18 December 1998)

Two clauses in the Act clarify the situation in regard to funding for community tourism projects, and co-operation between Local Municipalities and District Municipalities. Clause 84.1 (m) of Act 117 states that a District Municipality must include the promotion of local tourism for the area in its functions and powers.

Clause 88.1 states that a District Municipality and the Local Municipalities (in the District Municipality’s area) must co-operate with one another by assisting and supporting each other.

Article 156 (4) of the South African Constitution also states that the National and Provincial Governments must devolve the function of tourism down to local level.

Local Municipalities can also provide funding upwards to a District Municipality, and one town can provide funding to another town. This means that they can initiate joint ventures, and a larger town can support a small town wanting to establish a community tourism organisation. The underlying principle is that a larger centre can provide funding for a town outside its boundaries – for example, Pretoria can assist Cullinan.

If a local authority applies to a District Municipality for funds and the application is refused, a valid reason has to be given for the refusal.

The Community Tourism Association of South Africa believes that, for tourism promotion and development to succeed, Act No. 117 must be properly implemented, instead of people in authority merely paying lip service to these directives.