Abstract
Background: In 1996, the governing body introduced the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) policy in South Africa to transform municipalities' administration and service delivery. One of the key aspects that the IDP policy emphasizes is community participation in the planning process. The Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000) indicates that communities should be engaged in the IDP process to ensure a true reflection of the communities' needs and aspirations. However, municipalities throughout the world, including in South Africa, are still struggling to achieve their duty of delivering basic services that satisfy community prospects due to ineffective community participation in municipal forums such as IDP. This is despite the constitutional mandates that regard community participation as one of the pivotal objects of local government and the principles governing public administration. Sections 152 (1) on local government and 195 (1) on the fundamental values and principles of public administration require public institutions and agencies to promote effective community participation. Aim: This study primarily assesses the IDP process for improved community participation in the Tzaneen municipal area. Theoretical foundation: This study is underpinned by three theories to ensure the validity and reliability of the arguments and data. The study first adopted democratic decision-making theory, emphasising that communities should be at the centre of their development. While the NPM theory promotes management reforms in implementing the IDP process, it also encourages participatory planning and decentralising power among the municipalities and communities. Furthermore, the ladder of citizen participation theory was also adopted as a theoretical lens. The theory focuses on the redistribution of power and control among public institutions and communities. The theory further argues that communities should have shared control and decision-making power. It argues that this can be done through the active participation of communities in the planning process. Study context: This study was conducted in the Tzaneen municipal area at Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: To achieve the primary aim of this study, the researcher adopted a parallel convergent mixed-methods approach, which involved a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The adoption of both methods ensured the validity and reliability of the data. Target
v | P a g e
population: The target population of this study was community members of the Tzaneen municipal area, a municipal official of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, and Ward Councillors/Ward Committee members of the nine wards of the Tzaneen municipal area. Sampling and Size: The study adopted both probability and non-probability sampling techniques. The total sample size of this study was 410 participants. Data Collection: Data collection was divided into two methods. The researcher collected primary data through a closed-ended online questionnaire and face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured guide. The secondary data was also collected through the review of existing literature and government policy documents. Data Analysis: The study adopted a mixed-method research approach. The analysis of the data was conducted differently as well. Quantitative data were generated and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS Version 26. Descriptive statistical data analysis is used to present the findings. The findings are presented in terms of frequencies, percentages, charts, and tables. While the thematic analysis method and NVivo were used to code and analyze qualitative data. Qualitative data are presented in the textual description. Findings: It is found that several IDP process challenges affect effective community participation in the local sphere of government, which include, among others, the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of institutional resources, working in silos, protests, lack of adequate roadshows, stakeholders’ inclusivity and citizen participation capacity and others. Equally, there is a continuous lack of community participation in municipal affairs despite the many laws in South Africa that encourage public involvement. It is found that some of the mechanisms to facilitate community participation are no longer relevant and effective in the COVID-19 pandemic era. Public meetings are no longer seen as an effective and safe means of public discussion due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Disaster Management Act: Amendment of Regulation (Act 57 of 2002) that restricts the physical contact of large groups of people, which has implications for public meeting attendance. Lastly, it is found that service delivery backlogs occur in local municipalities because of lack of community participation in major municipal decision-making, mismanagement, corruption, and decentralization of responsibilities. Recommendation: The study recommends that the Tzaneen municipal area should at all times uphold democratic principles by ensuring active public participation, transparency, and openness in
vi | P a g e
municipal affairs. The Tzaneen municipal area should design mechanisms that make it easier for marginalized and previously disadvantaged people to participate in local government policy and decision-making freely and without prejudice. The study recognizes the challenges that are faced by South African municipalities, including Tzaneen Municipality. Therefore, the study recommends that the Tzaneen municipal area develop and innovate institutional and organisational capabilities to better use their resources and enhance the implementation of service needs. Lastly, the study recommends that the municipality adopt the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to facilitate effective community participation in the IDP process. The municipality should also strengthen the use of its electronic and new media mechanisms to encourage community participation. Conclusion: The study concludes by recognizing and acknowledging a gap between the IDP and community participation. Therefore, more studies should be conducted to close the gap and educate the public, civil society organizations, and local government practitioners. As a democratic country, South Africa ought to embrace people-centred development approach by promoting a participatory planning process...