Outcomes of Trans-border Spatial Development Cooperation: Insights from Musina and Beitbridge Twinning Agreement

Abstract

Current studies reveal that adjacent municipalities can achieve more if they plan and share resources collaboratively. The study assessed the impact of trans-border spatial development cooperation with respect to a twinning agreement signed between the Musina local municipality, South Africa, and the Beitbridge Rural District Council, Zimbabwe in October 2004. It unpacks to the extent to which the twinning agreement objectives were achieved in terms of spatial development. The assessment revolved around six specific objectives using a trans- border twinning performance evaluation survey approach. The assessment of the implementation of the agreement focused on desirable outcomes, inputs in terms of resources, the implementation process involved in terms of effectiveness and efficiency, outputs in terms of targets achieved, impact with respect to where they are now, who needs to do what and when and whether the planning and implementation process was effective. Research questions were investigated using 14 key informant interviews, 347 questionnaires and direct field observations with the aid of an impact evaluation survey approach. The study showed that the challenges faced in municipal twinning agreements range from institutional, structural to financial. It was evident that the Musina-Beitbridge twinning agreement did not have a concrete implementation plan from 2004 to 2016. The spatial planning goals indicated in the twinning document were not achieved. The Joint coordination meetings were no longer being conducted, benchmarking exercises were not conducted, the goals were not time-bound, there was no standalone budget, no central secretariat and lastly, the majority of the local residents were not aware of the twinning’s existence. The study recommended a strategic trans-border implementation framework which addresses initial planning provisions, resource allocation, stakeholder participation and ensuring that targets are achieved as well as mitigating risks.