ASSESSING PARTICIPATORY STRUCTURES OF THE EKURHULENI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

Local Government transformation, which commenced with the promulgation of the White Paper on Local Government in 1998, is far from over. This is due to the negative effects of decades of the apartheid system that is still deeply imbedded in the local government system. The new developmental local government model, as mandated by the country‟s constitution, aims to deepen democracy and promote participation of local communities in all matters that pertain to service delivery and development. The purpose of this research was to assess the effectiveness of the participatory structures and mechanisms that were introduced by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) through its Public Participation Policy (PPP) to promote public participation. Qualitative research methodology was employed during this study. Data was gathered through the use of primary and secondary sources, as well as through direct observations. The study was conducted in Ward 64, EMM. The research revealed, amongst other things, that participative structures that were introduced by the EMM were not as effective as they should. That is partly due to the practice of participation process, which did not provide sufficient opportunities and power to the community to be able to influence decisions and policies which affected their lives. Furthermore, the participative mechanisms of the EMM were found to have been ineffective, lacked depth and understanding of the different processes of community engagement. 5 The communication channels between the EMM and the residents of Ward 64 were also a cause for concern as far as the participative mechanisms and structures are concerned. The research also discovered that the notion of public participation meant different things for different participants in the research. The research was limited in scope as it was confined to a single ward, Ward 64, out of 88 wards in EMM. The intention was to allow better manageability and utilise limited time effectively in research