Public participation in local government: a case study of ward committees in uMhlathuze Municipality.
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Date
2020
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Abstract
Apartheid prevented the participation of the majority of the population in South Africa in
governance. In 1994, with the apartheid regime’s demise, South Africa entered into a
democratic era. Ward committees were one of the structures that were introduced to enhance
public participation at the local level of government. This study aimed to explore and
understand the effectiveness of public participation through ward committees in local
government in uMhlathuze Municipality. This study explored the challenges that ward
committees experienced in effectively fulfilling their public participation duties, especially in
policy-making and in the implementation of service delivery demands for their communities.
This study aimed to unveil the views and insights of ward committees, community leaders and
ward members on uMhlathuze municipality on the limitations that exist in the public
participation procedures within their community. Using qualitative methods, the researcher
gathered data through in-depth interviews with 22 participants drawn from ward committees,
community members and municipal officials. This study used content and thematic analysis to
analyse the data. The study in uMhlathuze Municipality indicated that ward committees are an
essential structure which can improve public participation in local government. However, the
study revealed that there are multiple disablements which contribute to the dysfunction of ward
committees and a communication breakdown between the municipality and the community.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.