Including the excluded in the integrated development planning process for improved community participation

Abstract

This article aims to assess the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) process for improved community participation. The IDP process was developed to improve strategic planning and community participation at the municipal level. Many South African municipalities have been struggling to use the IDP process to improve community participation. The methodology included 400 respondents who were chosen through a probability sampling technique and probed to complete the online survey using a closed-ended questionnaire guide, and ten respondents were also chosen through a non-probability sampling technique and were face-to-face interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The key findings revealed that poor community participation exists in the study area due to a lack of encouragement from responsible authorities. The Tzaneen municipality does not provide adequate feedback to the communities, and the inputs of the communities are not considered. There is a continuous lack of community consultation during the annual review of the IDP. The ineffective IDP process for improved community participation presents several challenges. Thus, this article concluded by providing a few recommendations to enhance the application of the IDP process and community participation. The Tzaneen municipal area should at all times uphold democratic principles by ensuring active public participation, transparency, and openness in municipal affairs. It also recommends making it easier for marginalised and previously disadvantaged people to participate in municipal policy and decision-making without prejudice. South African municipalities, including Tzaneen municipality, should develop and innovate institutional, and organisational capabilities to better utilise their resources, mitigate socio-economic challenges and enhance service delivery.

Comprehending stakeholders’ involvement in the integrated development planning process as a tool for improved community participation

“…To understand the meeting attendance level or manner in the IDP, meetings are attended by "a very small number of people". Therefore, it can be affirmed, that there is a lack of interest or knowledge of community participation processes [46] cited in [11]. However, it can be argued, that a lack of interest or participation occurs because communities have little knowledge of these meetings, and the municipalities are not even educating the communities.…”

“…"The ladder of citizen participation is one of the most widely referenced and influential models in democratic public participation. This theory describes how empowered public institutions and officials deny power to citizens and how levels of citizen agency, control, and power can be increased" [11,12]. Also [12], in her study, further argues that community participation is a democratic process and to be classified as community involvement genuinely, it needs the redistribution of power.…”

“…It is substantial to footnote, that the successful formulation and application of IDP prior to or during the COVID-19 pandemic depends on extensive stakeholder involvement. [10], cited in [11], opined that community participation involves discussion and dialogue among different stakeholders to make mutual and constructive decisions. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, most municipalities physically engaged with community members on critical issues like service delivery.…”

Pragmatic implementation and promotion of good governance principles in realizing Sustainable Development Goal Six (6) in South Africa

“…One of the challenges is the lack of public participation in strategic planning and budgetary governance. Thus, the lack of public participation, as discovered by many studies, such as the study conducted by Fourie & van der Waldt (2021), Mamokhere & Meyer (2022), and Sibanda & Lues (2021), indicates that there is a continuous lack of community involvement in the municipal strategic planning known as an integrated development plan, and this affects the prioritization of the provision of services such as the supply of constant water service. Again, Rameli (2021:717), indicates that public participation in development planning is a failure.…”

“…Also, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2019) states that to address problems of common interest, institutions in all spheres of government and all sectors ought to work together and cooperatively with non-governmental actors towards the same goal, purpose, and effect. While Mamokhere & Meyer (2022) O'Donnell (2012) clearly states that strategic collaboration is a good governance principle which offers participating actors a way to achieve their goals (SDG 6) and objectives in cost-effective and innovative ways. Collaborative partnerships can improve service delivery (SDG 6) in South African local government (Tauté, 2021).…”