The Role of Community Participation in Fostering Good Governance in Collins Chabane Local Municipality

Abstract

This study investigates the importance of community participation in fostering good governance in the local government, with reference to Collins Chabane Local Municipality. Community public participation is regarded as a cornerstone of democracy. In this manner, community participation enables community members and citizens to participate in decision-making processes, thereby making the local government accountable, legitimate, transparent, and responsive to community needs. Section 152 of the Constitution of the Republic of 1996 mandates that local government is development-oriented. The Municipal System Act, 32 of 2000, positions community participation at the center of local government governance. The challenge is that, in most municipalities, community participation has become lip service, depriving communities of meaningful participation in matters that affect them. A literature review suggests heightened perceptions of passive community participation due to poor consultation, inadequate communication by municipal leadership, and a lack of response to community needs. This study is based on a desktop study which focuses on secondary data. This study employed the theories of Participatory Democracy and Good Governance. The adopted research paradigm is interpretive, with a descriptive research design. The data collection was based on secondary data analysis from the literature review, and the data analysis was categorised into themes. The findings of this study provided an insight into the role of community participation in enhancing participatory governance. This study concluded by recommending strategies to enhance community participation in fostering good governance at the Collins Chabane Local Municipality.