Christmas, Annettede Visser, Jaap2019-08-192019-08-192009Christmas, A. and de Visser, Jaap. (2009). Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice: Reviewing the Functions and Powers of Local Government in South Africa. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance. 2: 107-119.http://hdl.handle.net/10566/4848The purpose of this practice note to evaluate the current allocation of functions and powers in the Constitution, and furthermore to propose a set of criteria to guide decisions on where powers and functions are best situated. For local government in particular, the review process provides an opportunity to reflect on the experience of the new local government dispensation just eight years after it was first established. Importantly, this evaluation probes the extent to which the functions and powers delineated for local government have enabled it to meet its developmental mandate.enLocal government powersSouth AfricaLocal autonomySubsidiarityDevelopmental mandateArticle