Stakeholder collaboration and inclusive sustainable economic growth in rural areas: the case of Msinga Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal.
Date
2021
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Abstract
Background: The new democratic South Africa inherited vast socio-economic backlogs from
the previous government. To address these, the government enacted a large number of iterms of
legislation and policies and had to transform and reform community-based institutions and
structures, to redress the existing socio-economic inequalities including the high rate of
unemployment, and poverty. Moreover, the government is now required to render goods and
services that promote and empower all stakeholders, permitting them to participate in and to
contribute to the economy. In order to improve inclusive and sustainable economic growth in
rural areas, the collaboration of all stakeholders including the private sector, NGOs, NPOs,
Traditional Leaders and the wider community remains critical.
Objective: The study aimed to ascertain the extent to which stakeholder collaboration
contributes towards advancing inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the rural areas of
Msinga Local Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Methodology: The study adopted a case study strategy which employed a qualitative research
method to analyse specific issues that affect the sustainable economic growth within the
boundaries of the specific environment. A case study was appropriate for this study because it
can provide an understanding of the strategies used to advance inclusive and sustainable
economic growth in the rural areas of Msinga Local Municipality. This study used nonprobability,
purposive sampling to select study participants based on the knowledge of the
research phenomenon being investigated.
Results: The findings of the study confirm the need for stakeholder collaboration in order to
advance inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Msinga Local Municipality. The study
also identified inadequacies in stakeholder collaboration, which have negatively impacted on
inclusive and sustainable economic growth and which have resulted in poor service delivery and
the rapid increase in violent and destructive service delivery protests.
Conclusion and recommendations: From a policy perspective, the study concludes with
recommendations that Msinga Local Municipality should coordinate and manage stakeholder
collaboration more effectively in order to advance inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Theoretically, it is anticipated that this study should provide valued practical and theoretical
insights for future studies involving stakeholder collaboration.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.