Integrated development planning as a tool for promoting community participation at Fezile Dabi District Municipality

Abstract

The background of this study is established on the concepts, integrated development planning (IDP) and public participation. IDP serves as a principal strategic planning instrument which guides and informs all planning, budgeting, management and decision-making in a municipality. IDP has legal status and it supersedes all existing plans which guide development in the municipality. The basis for public participation in South Africa is outlined in key legislation and government policy documents. Public participation is seen as a democratic process of engaging people in thinking, deciding, planning and playing an active part in the development and operation of services that affect their lives. Many municipalities are challenged by poor performance, under-expenditure and unqualified audits resulting from inadequate institutional and organisational arrangements. Further, local authorities often lack clarity on role-divisions in project management for service delivery. The above mentioned statements with regard to community development, lead to the eruption of violent protest in local municipalities (Mafube and Metsimaholo). Further, the challenges faced by municipalities precipitated the need for research around the processes of participation in local affairs. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether IDP can serve as a tool for promoting community participation at Fezile Dabi District Municipality. The hypothesis for this study indicated that "The process of development of integrated development planning in municipalities requires the involvement of community, to enhance service delivery". The hypothesis and research objectives of this study were realised by means of literature review and empirical surveys. The interviews conducted were mainly supported by semi-structured questionnaires, based on open-ended and closed-ended questions. Further, the objectives of the study were realised through five chapters contained in this study. The study found that: * Community participation exists in FDDM, although community member are doubtful about their roles in local decision-making; * The alignment of public participation process and lOP process are applied incorrectly; * processes of the public participation vis-a-vis the one of the lOP process are not aligned; * the mechanism for public participation are inadequate; and * performance systems are not effective. Municipalities are playing a pivotal role in the delivery of basic social services necessary to improve the living standards of South Africans. The study concludes with a series of recommendations towards the enhancement of community development.