The Role of Local Government in Promoting a Sense of Belonging as an Aspect of Social Cohesion:

A Document Analysis

The role of local government in promoting social cohesion is not explicit but implied in various legislative provisions. Arguably, local government is expected to play an active role in the realisation of a united, democratic, non-racial and diverse South African society. In addition, the Constitution specifically bequeaths local government with powers to promote social and economic development this is contained in Section 152 (c) (RSA, 1996). Equally, Section 153 of the Constitution instructs municipalities to play a development role in communities (RSA, 1996). These constitutional provisions are interpreted by the White Paper on Local Government (RSA, 1998) as directing the political leadership of the municipality to create conditions that facilitate and realise principles and values of social justice, racial equality and nation building. Thus, obligations for local government to be involved in facilitating social cohesion are mandated by the Constitution. The notion of a developmental local government as contemplated by the White Paper on Local Government is relevant to pursue outcomes related to social cohesion.

For instance, developmental local government is described by the White Paper on Local Government (RSA, 1998), as local government committed to working with citizens and groups within the community to find sustainable ways to meet their social, economic and material needs and improve their quality of life. In this regard, municipalities are expected to mobilise citizens and their respective organisations to collectively participate in efforts to find solutions to challenges experienced in their communities. One of the vital approaches that may be used to mobilise people to participate meaningfully in the municipalitys efforts to address the developmental challenges faced by the local citizens, is the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

The IDP is mandatory and serves as a primary strategic planning process for the municipality (RSA, 2000). Thus, the IDP is a legal, democratic and administrative process to ensure a well thought out response to the challenges, needs and dynamics of communities. Its implementation accords significant value to both the process of developing the IDP as well as the outcome that facilitates the collective ownership of the plan (Cloete, 2014). The relevance of the IDP to facilitate social cohesion has found resonance in academic discourses. Harrison (2006:177) asserts that the IDP was introduced primarily to address the weaknesses of apartheid planning Municipal IDPs have the potential to institutionalise ways of mediating differences and conflict in the community. It emphasises the need for a political will to address actual and potential instances of social conflict in a community. Accordingly, the IDP has an immense possibility to create a democratic and meaningful municipal-driven process to enable local citizens to collectively shape their communities. The facilitative and participatory requirements for the IDP provide a democratic and meaningful process for the stakeholders and citizens in the community to engage with the challenges of the community, including the spatial transformation and restructuring aspects (Siphuma, 2009). The inclusive nature of the IDP process enables a community to reimagine the deracialised, united and cohesive communities. Ward-based planning and equitable fiscal distribution enable citizens to think beyond immediate neighbourhoods.

QUESTON 2 (25 Marks)

According to the extract, municipalities are expected to mobilise citizens and their respective organisations to collectively participate in efforts to find solutions to challenges experienced in their communities. With the use of examples, describe how e-government can improve service delivery and social challenges.