Abstract: The South African Constitution and Local Government Legislation provide ample opportunities for communities to actively participate in and even provide municipal services under a formal agreement. Community engagement in small towns creates an opportunity for local municipalities in South Africa to connect with communities and strengthen relationships in order to better understand their needs and implement programs that address those needs, as well as to develop programs that have a sustainable impact with the help of community members who know their town better than anyone else.
INTRODUCTION
Community Engagement Matters
The significance of community engagement in local municipalities is multi-fold, it is an opportunity to obtain and validate data, to inform and help the community understand the implications of planned interventions, to assist communities in contributing to the process, and to adapt and cope with likely changes. It is a means of enhancing the design of the project, resolving conflict, and winning the support of the community (Vanclay et al., 2015:20). Maphazi et al. (2013:60) point out that the rationale for engagement is to (i) ensure that people can influence activities that will affect them; (ii) build capacity; and (iii) contribute to empowerment.
However, even in a democratic society, the question arises, to what extent are people included in the decision-making process, and are their voices heard? Furthermore, it can be challenging to persuade people to engage, as there is not a culture of participation and engagement.
WHAT DOES LEGISLATION SAY?
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa
In the South African context, the importance of public participation and engagement is acknowledged and articulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Chapter 7, section 151(3), 151(4), and (152(1)). The goal is to ensure that citizens have a direct voice in public decisions, are included in the decision-making process, in implementation programmes, and in efforts to evaluate such programmes.
The Municipal Systems Act
It is not only the Constitution that emphasise the importance of public participation and engagement. For example, the Municipal Systems Act 32, 2000 in Chapter 6 (42) section states that a municipality “must involve the local community in the development, implementation, and review of the municipality’s performance management system, and in particular, allow the community to participate in the setting of appropriate key performance indicators and performance targets for the municipality.” The Municipal Systems Act 32, 2000 makes provision for co-design and collaboration. Chapter 8 (section 76) states that a municipality may provide a municipal service in its area or a part of its area through- an external mechanism by entering into a service delivery agreement with a community-based organisation or other non-governmental organisation legally competent to enter into such an agreement.
DIRECTIVES FROM POLICY
The Integrated Urban Development Framework
The directives from legislation are also evident in our various policy documents, for example, the Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF). The IUDF provides a framework for reorganising the system so that cities and towns can become more inclusive, safe, productive, and resource-efficient, thus becoming good places to work and live (IUDF, 2016). The objective of Policy Lever 7 of the IUDF is “Empowered Active Communities”. Policy Lever 7 seeks to empower active communities by recognising cities and towns that are home to socially and culturally diverse citizens, who are actively involved in city life and committed to making South Africa work. In line with this policy lever, South Africa’s new local governance system mandates municipal councils to foster a culture that moves away from representative government and toward participatory governance. In essence, this means that local municipalities must take steps to build a more active local democracy in which choices are made with rather than for communities.
Small Town Regeneration Strategy
In support of and in alignment with the IUDF, the Small Town Regeneration Strategy, 2021 (STR) aims to create “transformed, safe, socially and regionally integrated and economically viable and inclusive towns, with well-maintained infrastructure (social and civil) that allow people and place to realise their full potential through active citizenry for present and future generations” (STR, 2021:66). One of the key objectives of the STR is a broad-based approach to local social development and the focus is on participation and collective decision-making that will, in turn, result in project ownership. The STR takes a practical approach, attempting to provide step-by-step instructions on how to begin the process. It also emphasises the importance of a whole-of-society approach, which places success not only in the hands of the local government but also in the hands of the community and all other relevant stakeholders.
CONCLUSION
It is evident that the role and importance of public participation and engagement are undeniable, especially for good governance. However, challenges will remain as public participation is a complex, multi-layered mechanism that extends beyond legislative compliance.
Note: The Small Town Regeneration Strategy, 2021 will be formally launched on 28 February 2022 at the 4th Shukuma Mzansi! SA-EU Dialogue: Democracy in the Context of Culture brought to you by DCOG, SIBIKWA, DSAC, SALGA, SACN and DIALOGUE FACILITY.
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REFERENCES
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). 2016. Integrated Urban Development Framework. A new deal for South African Cities and Towns. [online] Available at: https://iudf.co.za/knowledge-hub/documents/. [Accessed: 26 November 2020].
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). 2016. Small Town Regeneration Strategy, 2021. [online] Available at: https://www.cogta.gov.za/index.php/2022/02/21/small-town-regeneration-strategy/ [Accessed: 15 February 2022].
Gov.za. 2022. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. South African Government. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution-republic-south-africa-1996 [Accessed 15 February 2022].
Gov.za. 2022. Municipal Systems Act of 2000, South African Government. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.za/documents/local-government-municipal-systems-act [Accessed 15 February 2022].
Maphazi, N., Mayekiso, T., Raga, K. and Taylor, J.D. 2013. Public participation: a South African local government perspective. African Journal of Public Affairs, 6(2): 56-67.
Vanclay, F., Esteves, A.M., Aucamp, I. and Frans, D.M. 2015. Social Impact Assessment: Guidance for assessing and managing social impact projects. International Association for Impact Assessment.
