Key role-players' perceptions of developing and implementing the integrated development plan in the municipality of uMhlathuze

Abstract

The researcher makes a statement that the African National Congress (ANC) driven local government ideology, prescribes a specific strategic mechanism for municipal service delivery, mechanism of which is further endorsed by various pieces of legislation for local government. This mechanism is referred to as the integrated development plan - the IDP. A perception by the researcher is that the complete mandate for municipalities in both, conventional municipal service delivery and its developmental obligations, as envisaged by the ideology and the respective legislation specific to the IDP, is not sufficiently comprehended by municipal practitioners. It is a further perception by the researcher that effective municipal service delivery through the IDP, as envisaged by the ideological and legislative prescripts is best achieved through the generally recognised process of strategic management. However, using the IDP as a strategic imperative for municipal service delivery, does not appear to be common practice in South Africa. Although the reasons for poor municipal service delivery in South Africa and the challenges municipalities face are numerous, it is perceived by the researcher that one of the primary root causes therefore, lies precisely in the lack of using the IDP in the manner prescribed. The statement will be validated by presenting the reader with the relevant legislative prescripts. In addition the parallels between the legislative and ideological prescripts for the IDP will also be drawn with the theoretical foundation of strategic management. The perceptions of the key role-players towards the role the IDP fulfils in a municipality will be validated by a case study of the uMhlathuze Municipality. Perceptions of which, will be analysed in detail, concluding with findings there from. Although the research objectives are not to find solutions, it is perceived by the researcher that from the implications of the findings themselves, a recommendation is possible. A recommendation is put forward in the concluding chapter;- a recommendation of which should provide value to any municipal manager who has a passion to improve and maintain the quality of life for the inhabitants of any municipality in South Africa.