The objective of this study is to consider the role of public participation in promoting goals one and two of sustainable development goals in South Africa. The aim is to raise awareness that public participation is a great tool that government should use in order to reduce poverty and hunger in South Africa as well as achieve goals one and two of sustainable development given by the United Nations. This includes the influence that the public has on the decision-making and policy-making process and the help that it provides to government on the implementation level. The research used a qualitative approach as the methodological approach. Qualitative research is a form of social behaviour that highlights people’s interpretation and understanding of their experiences in order to understand the social reality of each individual (Haradhan 2018: 2). Due to the fact that this research emphasise’s people’s input to understand their realities and give a solution to it, a qualitative approach is necessary to achieve the objectives of the research.
The findings acknowledge that poverty and hunger are a great challenge and that there are many factors making the matter worse such as the change of climate, economic problems, social unrest and many factors. However, people’s participation in government’s process reduces the burden on government as well as reduces the impact of these factors in the country. The study also presents policies that are in support of public participation such as the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, The Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000, the Public Participation Framework, the White Paper on Local Government 1998 and Batho Pele. There are sections and principles under each policy in support of public participation. The research does not only focus on the importance of public policy, it also emphasises the importance of public participation in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) one (no poverty) and two (zero hunger).
The achievement of SDGs one and two in South Africa is important to ensure an upgrade in the standard of living of citizens. The research further explains what sustainable development is, what the seventeen goals of sustainable development are and then focuses on SDG goal one (no poverty) and two (zero hunger). The study elaborates on the relationship that exists between
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sustainable development and public participation and how public participation can be used to achieve SDG one and two. The findings show that participation in the decision-making or policy-making process is the best way in which public participation can achieve the abovementioned SDGs, as the partnership between government, private companies, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is another way to fight hunger and poverty in South Africa. The recommendations provided in this research states that there is a need to intensify the fight against climate change while involving the public in this crucial process, establishing a bottom-up approach in government, organising public enlightenment campaigns and establishing a positive leadership that is accountable and transparent to the people.
- The role of public participation in promoting goals one and two of the sustainable development goals in South Africa
- Chancelle Madiya Mbuyi
- Shana Epifania Alexandre Mavee
- University of Johannesburg; Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Arts (MA), University of Johannesburg
- 9939508207691
- University of Johannesburg
- College of Business & Economics (CBE); Department of Public Management and Governance; University of Johannesburg
- English
- Thesis