An analysis of Community Participation Towards The Implementation of Intergrated Development Plan (IDP) in King Cetshwayo District Municipality
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Date
2021
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University of Zululand
Abstract
Prior to 1994, laws that favoured a certain race of people governed South Africa. This meant that the race enjoyed more rights and privileges than the other races did. The participation of the other races, viz. non-white races, in the government, was limited. This had an adverse effect on community participation as the system favoured one group of people – whites – over the others. Blacks, coloureds and Indians had restricted rights in participating in government matters. The apartheid government eventually weakened, and that resulted in the democratic government’s taking over in 1994. In an attempt to address the imbalances of the past, the democratic government initiated processes that would ensure that everyone had equal rights such as the right to participate in all processes of the government. To that end, this study reveals the importance of community participation in King Cetshwayo District Municipality and the local government as a whole. However, there are challenges that need special and urgent attention. Additionally, the study shows that thorough community participation is achievable if attention is set on the community’s needs.
The study aims to investigate whether King Cetshwayo District Municipality (formally known as the uThungulu District Municipality) has developed processes that comply with section 17 of the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 (MSA) in order promote and ensure thorough community participation when an Integrated Development Plan is implemented. It further aims to assess and analyse whether the community and relevant stakeholders are engaged sufficiently during every decision taking - this also includes assessing the public’s knowledge of its participation rights. Describing and analysing the challenges of the IDP, if there are any, on the failure to comply with the statutory requirements associated with community participation also forms part of the study’s objectives. The researcher hopes to develop strategies to be followed by the municipality in order to ensure compliance.
The study looks at challenges peculiar to community participation with reference to King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM). According to the 2016 statistics, KCDM has the third largest population in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The district also has a high concentration of big industries and retail sectors within its jurisdiction which contribute to the financial growth of the district. However, the district had challenges
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such as the decline of investment injections to its economy during the period of worldwide economic recession.
The population of the KCDM is mostly rural (80% of its population), and 53% of that rural population is aged between 0-19. Unemployment rate stands at 50% in KCDM, and poverty is the primary matter of concern in the region.
Research methodology is an intricate part of every study since every research study must have a methodology. The method for this study is a qualitative study. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources included the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the MSA, and other relevant legislation such as the recent constitutional court rulings, municipal strategic planning documents, municipal public participation documents and reports, and municipal council minutes on meetings about community participation. Secondary Sources included the works of other authors, newspapers and academic texts.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Law in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Local Goverenment Law in the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law at the University of Zululand, 2021.
Keywords
Integrated Development Plan (IDP), Local Government Law, community participation, King Cetshwayo District Municipality