Application of Evaluative Thinking to Social and Labour Plan Community Development Projects in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality

Abstract

Mining communities in Mpumalanga are generally heavily reliant on the mining economy and may face unprecedented economic upheaval and decline in the event of a mine closure. Prudent and meticulous planning by municipal authorities and mining companies to develop alternative economies for affected communities can reduce the negative effects of mine closure to tolerable levels. The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM) is a coal-rich area. However, it faces the challenge of developing alternative economies in the aftermath of coal mine closures and depletion in affected communities. However, the weak application of evaluative thinking strategies in the municipality has led to persistent gaps in evaluation utilisation and limited institutional learning. These shortcomings have contributed to missed opportunities for more sustainable and inclusive development planning, undermining the effectiveness of municipal interventions meant to address the complex socio-economic challenges associated with mine closures. This research study will investigate the extent to which STLM applies evaluative thinking strategies in planning and developing sustainable alternative economic projects to mitigate the adverse effects of mine closure. The study will also generate recommendations and suggestions for integrating evaluative thinking approaches into STLM development planning. A qualitative approach was used to gather data through semi-structured interviews. The sample of participants was drawn from key stakeholders, including municipal and business decision-makers, members of civil society, and community leaders. The data was analysed using a thematic approach, and the findings were integrated and summarised from the large volume of data obtained. The findings indicate that, although there is some limited use of evidence-based planning processes within the municipality, there is a significant opportunity to integrate evaluative thinking practices across the board. There is a need for systematic, deliberate steps to inform, train, and develop a culture of evaluative thinking that will improve decision-making processes and the effective deployment of resources to create alternative economies to mining. The research study reveals how the lack of evidence-based planning in the creation and implementation of development projects can result in ineffective and poor use of scarce resources in mining areas. The importance of implementing evaluative thinking techniques in project planning and management is highlighted, especially in local authorities' attempts to mitigate socio-economic decline in mining communities.