South African Cities Network

The South African Cities Network is an established network of South African cities and partners that encourages the exchange of information, experience and best practices on urban development and city management.

The network is both a source of information for leadership of South Africa’s largest cities and a catalyst for debate.

It is an initiative of the Minister for Provincial and Local Government and nine of the country’s largest municipalities, in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

Our goals are:

• To promote good governance and management of South African cities;
• To analyse strategic challenges facing South African cities, particularly in the context of global economic integration and national development;
• To collect, collate, analyse, assess, disseminate and apply the experience of large city government in a South African context; and
• To promote a shared-learning partnership between different spheres of government to support the governance of South African cities.

Our activities are designed:

• To update leaders on current and emerging changes and trends in urban policy across the world and in South Africa;
• To promote innovation and strategic thinking between cities and other spheres of government;
• To foster cooperation and exchange of best practice;
• To mobilise the capacity of cities to support local government and national development; and
• To strengthen linkages between cities, towns and rural areas.