Exploring an integrated development plan for service delivery in a local municipality

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the perceptions of the community leaders and officials of Thabazimbi Municipality regarding an Integrated Development Plan there. Various methods were used to elicit the views of these participants concerning the challenges and opportunities facing this plan. South Africa has been experiencing difficult situations in previously disadvantaged areas owing to the lack of service delivery. In addition, many communities have resorted to violence, which causes political instability. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the Integrated Development Plan interventions could rectify the current situation. Literature on integrated development policies and legislation was investigated. A qualitative research method was adopted to gather information; data were collected by means of interviews, and audiotaped. Data were analysed and arranged in terms of the same factors investigated during the interviews. The literature review was important to elucidate and explore different intervention strategies that could result in establishing why the Integrated Development Plan did not provide solutions after its implementation. The findings from the literature review concluded that the intervention framework for the Integrated Development Plan should allow room for flexibility to adequately accommodate other local municipalities with regard to contexts, needs, strengths, opportunities and weakness. Other role players in middle managerial positions could have been involved to enhance improvements in local municipalities. The findings indicated that much effort has to be made by officials to develop a partnership with the community, which could cause its members to own the Integrated Development Plan. The National Government should ensure that the municipality is capacitated to understand why an Integrated Development Plan could be a tool that could provide equitable service delivery to all. The above factors exert a strong influence on the Integrated Development Plan and need to be implemented correctly to achieve the mandate for service delivery in the Municipality. Finally, the primary outcome of this research project is to contribute new knowledge in the field, which expands new opportunities for practitioners, and maximizes the implementation of developmental policies in local municipalities. Copyright