Between Promises and Delivery: Political Party Platforms and Service Delivery in Hammanskraal, Tshwane

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between service delivery and party-political platforms in the City of Tshwane, with a specific focus on the township of Hammanskraal. Political parties frequently make promises to enhance public services; however, townships and rural areas continue to experience infrastructure challenges, governance inefficiencies, and corruption, all of which hinder service delivery progress. This research investigates Hammanskraal residents' perspectives on service delivery in relation to the declarations and commitments made by major political parties during election campaigns. The study employs inductive thematic analysis within the theoretical framework of accountability and political trust in service delivery, drawing on Principal-Agent Theory, Political Trust Theory, and Social Contract Theory. The analysis explores residents’ perceptions of political party commitments and their outcomes, with a particular emphasis on the 2016 and 2021 local government elections. Four key themes emerged from the study, identified through interviews with residents and political representatives, as well as an analysis of political party platforms, including manifestos and policy documents. The findings indicate a significant gap between residents' lived experiences and the promises made by political parties during election campaigns. Political instability, corruption, and persistent water scarcity were identified as major contributors to deteriorating service delivery conditions. Moreover, residents expressed widespread distrust in political parties and representatives, perceiving election campaigns as instruments for political gain rather than genuine efforts to implement sustainable governance improvements. The study concludes that service delivery failures will persist unless governance reforms are undertaken, which are essential to enhancing democratic participation and restoring public trust in political leadership. The research recommends strengthening infrastructure development and implementing targeted service delivery reforms to improve governance effectiveness.