Community development and engagement with local governance in South Africa

Imraan Buccus is Political Researcher at the Centre for Public Participation and a Ph.D. candidate in Development Studies in the Netherlands.

Search for other works by this author on: David Hemson , David Hemson

David Hemson is Research Director with the Centre for Service Delivery in the Human Sciences Research Council.

Search for other works by this author on: Janine Hicks , Janine Hicks

Address for correspondence: Janine Hicks is the former Executive Director of the Centre for Public Participation and currently a commissioner with the Commission on Gender Equality; Email: janine@cge.org.za

Search for other works by this author on: Laurence Piper Laurence Piper

Laurence Piper is Associate Professor, School of Politics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus.

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Community Development Journal, Volume 43, Issue 3, July 2008, Pages 297–311, https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsn011

22 May 2008

Cite

Imraan Buccus, David Hemson, Janine Hicks, Laurence Piper, Community development and engagement with local governance in South Africa, Community Development Journal, Volume 43, Issue 3, July 2008, Pages 297–311, https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsn011

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Abstract

The issue of public participation is receiving increasing attention in South Africa, from both government and civil society sectors. We are witnessing acknowledgement from a wide range of public institutions that insufficient consideration has been paid to public participation, and that existing policy frameworks, institutional mechanisms and programme interventions are failing to comply with government's constitutional and statutory obligations in this regard. This article examines actual practice in one key ‘invited space’: the policy and legislative framework for public participation in municipal processes. The article also highlights community experiences of attempting to engage with municipalities in development planning and policy processes, and their aspirations and expectations in this regard. We conclude with a set of recommendations on how participatory development at the local level can be transformed to ensure that municipal planning and programme implementation processes are truly accessible, participatory and empowering for local communities.