Analysing Community Participation in the Municipal Integrated Development Planning Processes in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Despite stipulations in relevant local government legislations for effective local involvement in development planning, most studies indicate that there is limited participation among local communities in the municipal integrated development planning processes in South Africa. Hence, this study aims to explore the views of officers and community representatives regarding the level of community participation in Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) in Polokwane, Lepelle-Nkumpi and Aganang local municipalities in Limpopo. Techniques such as interviews, group discussions and questionnaire were used to collect data. The findings from interviews and group discussions indicated that community members mainly participate in providing information about their needs and aspirations during consultation meetings of integrated development planning processes organized by the local municipal officers. The attitudinal analysis shows that the majority of the respondents acknowledged that the local municipalities role is limited in promoting community participation. Likewise, the analysis on the degree of response revealed the key factors that affect the local participation, inter alia: low sense of ownership of development initiatives; limited capacity of the municipality; absence of voluntary community associations; non-functionality of ward committee; and exclusion of some groups. Therefore, it is recommended that local municipalities should focus on: encouraging the establishment of voluntary community associations; ensuring the proper functionality of ward committee in mobilising and exchanging information; ensuring the inclusion of disadvantaged and marginalised groups in development processes; building the institutional capacity; and developing sense of ownership within communities regarding municipal on-going and completed projects. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n25p257