Abstract
The study examined the effectiveness and challenges of public participation at the local government level as a catalyst for promoting effective service delivery in the case of Greater Tzaneen Municipality. A qualitative research methodology was applied, and data was collected from a purposive sample of 5 municipal officials and ward councillors. Semi-structured interviews were used, and the collected data was analysed using thematic analysis on ATLAS. Ti version 23. Findings revealed that citizenship participation in the GTLM found significant barriers to effective engagement in service delivery, including a lack of awareness among residents about their rights and available services and insufficient communication channels, especially for those without digital access. Challenges like corruption and leadership disconnect also hindered citizen participation and service delivery progress. The study recommended that increasing awareness through targeted educational campaigns was vital for empowering residents, especially the youth. Promoting leadership accountability and organising community-building activities will strengthen social ties, while feedback mechanisms can improve service delivery and build trust.