The promotion of public participation in local government : the case of Ditsobotla Municipality

Abstract

Public participation has become an important concept and practice in democratic societies. Since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, municipalities have increasingly been obliged to promote the participation of people in municipal affairs. The research report in this study deals with the promotion of public participation in local government with the Ditsobotla Municipality as a case study. The objectives of this research was to explain the phenomenon "public participation" within the context of the new system of local government in South Africa, to analyse relevant legislations and other sources regarding this phenomenon, further to analyze existing mechanisms and systems that are in place in the Ditsobotla Municipality in order to promote public participation and lastly to evaluate the efforts being made by public representatives of Ditsobotla to promote public participation and to recommend practical and sustainable mechanisms that can be used to enhance participation by the public in Ditsobotla, A random sample of 20 participants took part in the study. A questionnaire was used as a major tool for data gathering from the participants, that is councilors and ward committee members. Literature study was utilized to support the empirical research and to check compliance of the Ditsobotla Municipality to existing theories, legislations and regulations regarding public participation. It was discovered that the Ditsobotla Municipality has inadequate structures which are not properly used and also not enough efforts have been made to promote public participation. This study therefore recommends that existing mechanisms and systems to promote public participation in the Ditsobotla Municipality be reviewed and be systematized.