South African Local Municipality boundaries, 2018

In 2018, South Africa had 205 local municipalities, following municipal restructuring efforts aimed at improving governance, financial sustainability, and service delivery. This was a reduction from 231 local municipalities in 2009, as some municipalities were merged to address administrative inefficiencies and enhance service provision, especially in underperforming or financially distressed areas. Local municipalities, operating under the three-tier system alongside 44 district municipalities and 8 metropolitan municipalities.