The problems of community involvement in the integrated development planning : the case of Ditsobotla local municipality

Abstract

This was a study of the problems of community involvement in the Integrated Development Planning process in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality. These problems affects the manner in which the community participation should be done in the process. This exercise is the fulfillment of the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and Municipal Systems Act which emphases community participation in the IDP process. It was found that though surveyed legislation emphasized community participation in the study area, in Ditsobotla Local Municipality this was a problem. This was due to the fact that Ditsobotla Local Municipality had a vast area consisting of urban and rural areas, as well as a diversity of races and cultures. For example, it was easy to convene mass meeting in the black communities but difficult to get similar response among the white or Asian communities. Interaction was through the media, or written messages. The following are recommendations derived from the findings: 1. That public participation should encompass a sense that the public's contribution will influence the final outcome. 2. That the public participation process must reflect the interests of and meet the needs of participants. 3. The participation process should facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected. Consideration should be given to how unorganized communities or interest groups could be brought together as participants. 4. That participants should be involved in defining the manner in which they wish to participate. 5. Participants should be provided with the information they need to make their contribution meaningful.