The transformation of the South African local government system in the early 1990s saw the issue of service delivery related to the establishment of developmental local government come to the forefront of the debate. Since then municipalities have become an effective partner in the state's obligation to provide a better life for all. The new interim system of local government introduced in 1993 and consolidated in 2000 with the re-demarcation process is founded on the assumption that for the first time in the history of the country all communities will receive an equal standard of service delivery. However, this seems much easier said than done, more so in the provision of services in district areas. The literature review reveals that while almost 100 000 people live in district and management area settlements, not much has been written about service delivery in such areas, nor has there been much research about district manageme