An investigation of public participation in municipal planning and performance evaluation: a case study of Mnquma Local Municipality

Mkentane, Benjamin Zolile

Title: An investigation of public participation in municipal planning and performance evaluation: a case study of Mnquma Local Municipality
Creator: Mkentane, Benjamin Zolile
Subject: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Subject: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Subject: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Subject: Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Subject: Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Subject: Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Subject: Performance -- Evaluation
Subject: Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Subject: Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Date: 2013
Type: Thesis
Type: Masters
Type: MPA
Identifier: vital:11671
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007119
Identifier: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Identifier: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Identifier: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Identifier: Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Identifier: Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Identifier: Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Identifier: Performance -- Evaluation
Identifier: Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Identifier: Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Description: The participation of communities and community organizations in Municipal governance is set in terms of the law as a mechanism to deepen democracy. Municipalities are required to develop a culture of governance that complements representative democracy with community participation. However the participation of communities in local governance has not translated to the strengthening of governance and the deepening of democracy as municipalities have not done enough to involve communities in municipal affaires. Lack of human resources, and financial capacity have been cited as some of the reasons that beset municipalities and undermine citizen participation. Municipalities have taken steps to encourage community participation and these include establishment of structures to enable participation, however without the guidance and financial support of the municipalities these structures are not able to perform their functions. In spite of all the efforts made by municipalities to encourage participation, a culture of community participation has not yet taken root in local government. While the legislative framework provides for communities to participate, practice shows that the implementation of legislation is complex and requires dedicated capacities within the councils to be effective. This can be achieved when municipalities develop their own community participation policies which address their special circumstances, which must be reviewed on a regular basis. Unless communities are empowered with knowledge on the available participation mechanisms, the dream of a culture of participation will remain just that, a dream. Thus civic education coupled with capacity building of officials will assist in ensuring the development of a culture of participation. Council must also develop mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of community participation processes and procedures, to avoid a one size fits all approach. It is imperative that councils as the legislative arm of municipalities must lead the process and not leave everything to the executive arm.
Format: 97 leaves; 30 cm
Format: pdf
Publisher: University of Fort Hare
Publisher: Faculty of Management & Commerce
Language: English
Rights: University of Fort Hare

Hits: 8814
Visitors: 9027
Downloads: 514

Collections

UFH Department of Public Administration

		Thumbnail	File	Description	Size	Format
View Details			SOURCEPDF	PDF	897 KB	Adobe Acrobat PDF	View Details