outh Africa’s population has risen from
40.5 million in 1996 to 44.8 million in
2001 and to 51.77 in 2011. Africans are in
majority making 79.2% of the whole
population. About 22.3% of blacks have
received no schooling with the
unemployment rate of the blacks at 28.1%.
Most of these unemployed and
uneducated blacks are found in rural areas.
This compelled government to introduce
Developmental Local government.
Developmental Local government refers to
the layer of public service that has the
capacity to deliver and account to the
people in a responsive, accountable,
effective and efficient manner. It is also
described as a sphere that encourages
community participation in matters of
governance and developmental initiatives.
However, Developmental Local
government is hindered by continuous
growth of population which is likely to
lead to overpopulation. Overpopulation is
characterised by lack of basic resources
such as water and food. Developmental
Local government on the other hand is
expected to deliver on these needs. Lack
of fulfilment of goals of Developmental
Local government is attributed to lack of
effective communication between local
government and community members.
Although population growth is not
attributed only to high birth rate,
governments around the continent have
introduced measures to encourage
healthy reproductive life. However, this
needs community members that are selfmotivated
to be active participants in
government initiatives. This is not
achievable as there is an indication of lack
of effective communication. This paper’s
main focus is the provision of effective
communication model at local sphere
which will see community members
working together with government on
matters of their own development
including initiatives to preserve limited
resources amid the challenges of
overpopulation. This paper is based on the
qualitative study on effectiveness of
communication in Mutale local
municipality on the enhancement of
Developmental Local government and
rural development. The study indicated
weaknesses and suggests for the
development of new model of
communication.