Democratising the system of local government in South Africa required a total transformation of all the municipalities and the services they provide. Local government as government closest to the people demanded particular attention as the services they are expected to provide in a transformed system affect the daily lives of all inhabitants of the state. During the apartheid regime South Africa consisted of racially based local authorities responsible for a limited number of municipal services. The major transformation commenced in 1998 with the establishment of comprehensive municipalities with extensive functions covering the total geographic area. The aim of this article is to briefly trace the stages in the development of the new system of local government and administration. Particular attention will be paid to the role of the elected municipal council and its substructures and the administrative structure with a municipal mana