Examining Community Perceptions: A Participatory Development Communication Study on the Establishment of JB Marks Local Municipality

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine community perceptions of the development communication of the JB Marks Local Municipality in the North West Province of South Africa. The qualitative research methodology was adopted to carry out the study. Purposive sampling was applied to select the participants who were chosen for the study. The identified participants were chosen since they had the relevant informant that was needed for the study. Focus group discussions and interviews were conducted to solicit for qualitative data needed for the study. The sample size of the participants used to collect focus group discussions and interviews was sixty-eight participants. Saturation was reached at the sixty eighth participants and there was need to interview other participants as it was a duplication of the results obtained. The results confirmed that there was no proper consultation among the stakeholders on the merger of the Tlokwe and Ventersdorp Municipalities. It was reflected that the participants were not given adequate information during the consultative exercise. The participants were not involved in the decision making of the merger of the municipality. In this study the following were recommended: there is a need to have a participatory developmental communication strategy in place to ensure that sufficient outreaches are done. Communication departments should be part of the process from conceptualisation up to execution and conclusion of the plan. Implementation of the participatory developmental communication strategy would go a long way towards enforcing outreaches. Effective communication channels need to be put in place for efficient and effective communication among the various stakeholders. Allocation of resources is essential if the programmes are to be successful and this will also enhance the developmental agenda. Thorough community engagement is needed and hence structures need to put in place to facilitate consultative dialogue with the stakeholders. The municipalities are custodians of the development agenda. There is a need for them to ensure that they plan and implement developmental programmes, hence the need to communicate these developmental programmes to the stakeholders.