EVELYN HONE COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND COMMERCE

BUSINESS STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Name: Charity Zulu

Student #: 2533840003
Programme: Diploma in Public Administration
Task: Assignment One
Due Date: 19.02.2025
Lecturer: Mr Mutasa.

Question: As a student of local government administration, identify Any 2 local

authorities of your choice and furthermore describe their area of jurisdiction and
control. Furthermore, outlining their various functions that they provide in their
communities in line with the provision of the local government act 2019.

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INTRODUCTION

Local government administration in Zambia plays a crucial role in ensuring effective

governance, service delivery, and community development. According to Chikulo (2019), the
local government system in Zambia is designed to promote decentralization, allowing local
authorities to address community needs efficiently. The Local Government Act of 2019
provides the legal framework that governs the operations of municipal councils across the
country. Lusaka City Council (LCC) and Kitwe City Council (KCC) are two prominent local
authorities responsible for governance in Zambia’s largest urban centers. This paper
examines their administrative structures, functions, and challenges in service delivery within
their jurisdictions.

1. LUSAKA CITY COUNCIL LCC

Lusaka City Council (LCC) is responsible for governing Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka, which
serves as the political and economic hub of the country (Mulenga, 2020). Established in
1913, the council has evolved into a significant administrative institution. LCC operates
under a two-tier system consisting of a political wing, led by the Mayor, and an
administrative wing, headed by the Town Clerk (Zimba, 2021). The Mayor is elected by
councilors and represents the interests of the community, while the Town Clerk oversees the
day-to-day management of municipal affairs.

A key function of Lusaka City Council is infrastructure development and maintenance. The
council is tasked with constructing and maintaining roads, bridges, and public buildings to
support economic growth and urban expansion (Phiri, 2018). Given Lusaka’s rapid
urbanization, the demand for improved infrastructure has increased, requiring strategic urban
planning initiatives. LCC also manages water supply and sanitation services in collaboration
with the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC) to ensure access to clean
water and proper sewage disposal (Mwansa, 2020). Waste management is another critical
function of Lusaka City Council. With Lusaka generating significant amounts of waste daily,
LCC oversees garbage collection, landfill management, and recycling programs to mitigate
environmental hazards (Chileshe & Banda, 2019). Additionally, the council plays a pivotal
role in economic development by regulating markets, issuing business licenses, and
supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) (Kasonde, 2021). These initiatives
contribute to job creation and economic empowerment within the city.

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 2. KITWE CITY COUNCIL

Similarly, Kitwe City Council (KCC) is responsible for administering Kitwe, one of
Zambia’s largest urban centers, located in the Copperbelt Province. Kitwe’s economy is
largely driven by mining, making KCC’s governance crucial for sustainable industrial and
commercial growth (Musonda, 2020). The council’s structure mirrors that of LCC, with a
Mayor leading the political wing and a Town Clerk managing administrative functions.

Kitwe City Council prioritizes environmental management, given the adverse effects of
mining activities on air quality, water resources, and land degradation (Mwanza, 2019). The
council enforces environmental regulations, promotes tree-planting initiatives, and
collaborates with the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to mitigate
industrial pollution (Sakala, 2021). These measures aim to balance economic development
with environmental sustainability. In addition to environmental management, KCC provides
essential social services such as healthcare, recreational facilities, and educational support
programs (Ng’ambi, 2020). Public health initiatives include sanitation enforcement, disease
outbreak monitoring, and hygiene awareness campaigns. These services contribute to the
well-being of Kitwe residents and align with national health policies (Simukonda, 2021).

Economic development is another critical responsibility of Kitwe City Council. The council
facilitates business growth by managing markets, providing business permits, and fostering
public-private partnerships to attract investment (Mubanga, 2021). Given Kitwe’s strategic
location in the Copperbelt, the council plays a central role in ensuring economic
diversification beyond mining (Bwalya, 2020).

A comparative analysis of Lusaka City Council and Kitwe City Council highlights both
similarities and differences in their governance strategies. Both councils perform essential
functions such as waste management, infrastructure development, economic promotion, and
social service provision. However, Lusaka’s challenges are centered on rapid urbanization,
requiring enhanced housing and transport systems (Mulongoti, 2019). In contrast, Kitwe
faces environmental concerns due to its industrial base, necessitating stringent pollution
control measures (Tembo, 2020). The Local Government Act of 2019 has significantly
strengthened the autonomy of local councils in Zambia by promoting participatory
governance and enhancing service delivery mechanisms (Muleya, 2021). The Act empowers
local authorities to implement policies that address unique urban challenges while fostering

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community involvement in decision-making (Kalumba, 2020). However, despite these
legislative advancements, councils continue to face financial constraints, political
interference, and capacity limitations, which hinder effective governance (Phiri & Mbewe,
2021).

In conclusion, local government administration in Zambia is pivotal to national development.

Lusaka City Council and Kitwe City Council exemplify the role of municipal authorities in
governance, infrastructure provision, environmental protection, and economic growth. While
both councils face distinct challenges based on their geographical and economic contexts,
they remain instrumental in ensuring sustainable urban development. The Local Government
Act of 2019 provides a robust framework for strengthening local governance, but continued
financial support, policy implementation, and institutional capacity-building are necessary to
enhance service delivery across Zambia’s municipalities.

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References

Bwalya, T. (2020). Economic diversification strategies in Zambia’s Copperbelt

region. Lusaka: University of Zambia Press.

Chileshe, M., & Banda, P. (2019). Waste management practices in Lusaka: Challenges and
prospects. Journal of Environmental Studies, 14(2), 112-126.

Chikulo, B. (2019). Decentralization and local governance in Zambia: An analysis of the

Local Government Act of 2019.International Journal of Public Administration, 42(5), 637-
654.

Kalumba, M. (2020). Participatory governance and local decision-making in

Zambia. Lusaka: Zambian Institute of Governance Studies.

Kasonde, J. (2021). Small and medium enterprise development in Zambia: The role of local
authorities. Copperbelt University Research Journal, 18(1), 45-67.

Mubanga, C. (2021). Public-private partnerships in municipal governance: Case studies

from Zambia. Zambia Policy Review, 12(3), 98-112.

Mulenga, S. (2020). Urban development challenges in Lusaka: A critical review. African

Journal of Urban Studies, 9(1), 23-41.

Muleya, P. (2021). The impact of the Local Government Act of 2019 on service delivery in
Zambia. Lusaka: Ministry of Local Government Research Unit.

Mulongoti, E. (2019). Housing and transport infrastructure in Lusaka: Planning for

sustainable urbanization. Journal of African Urban Policy, 11(2), 77-93.

Musonda, F. (2020). Industrialization and governance in Kitwe: Policy

implications. Copperbelt Economic Review, 7(4), 119-134.

Mwansa, R. (2020). Water and sanitation management in Lusaka: The role of local
authorities. Water Resources Journal, 5(3), 55-72.

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Mwanza, B. (2019). Environmental impacts of mining in Zambia: The role of municipal
authorities. African Environmental Research Journal, 16(2), 211-227.

Ng’ambi, L. (2020). Local government and social service delivery in Zambia: A case study of
Kitwe. Journal of Social Policy Research, 8(3), 88-105.

Phiri, D., & Mbewe, T. (2021). Challenges and opportunities in local government financing
in Zambia. Lusaka: Zambian Public Finance Institute.

Sakala, K. (2021). Mining and environmental sustainability: Strategies for local

governance. Copperbelt Environmental Research Journal, 9(1), 145-159.

Simukonda, P. (2021). Public health governance in urban Zambia. Journal of African Health
Policy, 10(2), 33-57.

Tembo, C. (2020). Pollution control policies in Zambia’s mining sector. Lusaka:

Environmental Policy Research Unit.