Abstract
Background: E-participation in government decision-making is increasingly recognised, yet it remains underexplored in many developing nations. In South Africa, the Municipal Systems Act (2000) mandates municipalities to engage communities in integrated development planning through public participation mechanisms.Purpose of the Study: This study examines the challenges faced by rural municipalities in South Africa in implementing e-municipality and e-participation, with a focus on the Greater Tzaneen Municipality in Limpopo Province.Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employs a quantitative research approach, drawing on Arnstein Sherry's 1969 ladder of citizen participation theory. The study surveyed three hundred twelve (N=312) community members from the GTM through a probability sampling technique. Results/Findings: The descriptive analysis approach revealed that (N=52.6%) of participants face limited internet access, with some (N=13.1%) lacking formal education and digital knowledge. These are seen as the key barriers to effective e-participation. The digital divide remains pronounced in rural areas, where access to reliable internet and digital devices is scarce. Additionally, a lack of awareness about available digital tools for IDP participation contributes to low engagement rates. Findings indicate that GTM's e-participation initiatives are ineffective in providing real-time feedback during the IDP process, further discouraging citizen involvement. Challenges such as poor internet connectivity, inadequate digital resources, and limited municipal support persist. Recommendations/Value: The study recommends adopting digital governance principles to enhance e-participation, ensuring greater transparency, accountability, and engagement in IDP processes. It also advocates for community-driven digital literacy programs and collaborations to bridge the digital divide, empowering citizens to actively participate in municipal planning.Managerial Implications: Municipal management should integrate e-participation into governance to improve public engagement in IDP processes, address digital inequalities, invest in internet access, digital literacy programs, and infrastructure, and foster collaboration among stakeholders. Adherence to the POPIA Act is crucial for effective public participation, as it involves municipalities in the collection and management of data.