Abstract
M.A. (Strategic Communication)
This study investigated the stakeholder perceptions of engagement strategies affecting service
delivery in the North West Province, Mahikeng Local Municipality which falls under the Ngaka
Modiri Molema District Municipality, using a case study of the Lokaleng village. Lack of service
delivery by the local municipalities has been the topic of various studies, and it has precipitated many
service delivery protests in various communities. Among the reasons for protests around service
delivery is the poor communication between the local municipalities and the communities they serve
(CoGTA, 2009:4). Lokaleng village was identified as the case study due to its rural nature and because
of the service delivery protests that have been experienced in the past.
Municipalities are mandated by the constitution and other legislations to promote stakeholder
engagement in municipal affairs. As such, the communities and the municipalities would be on par
with regard to their roles and expectation thereof.
This research was exploratory and qualitative. Semi-structured interviews with five focus groups and
four individual interviews were conducted. Four personal interviews were conducted with the
municipal representatives, one from the local municipality and the other from the Office of the
Premier, as well as two community representatives, namely the Chief and the ward councillor. The
findings indicate that the Mahikeng Local Municipality (MLM), which was selected as a sample from
the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) population has inadequate stakeholder
engagement structures, which are also not properly utilised. This study therefore recommends that
existing mechanisms and systems to promote stakeholder engagement in the MLM be continuously
reviewed, enhanced and monitored as part of the on-going stakeholder engagement process.