Challenges facing the effective functioning of ward committees as mechanism to promote local democracy in the Tlokwe City Council's area of jurisdiction

Abstract

This study investigated challenges facing the effective functioning of ward committees as mechanism to promote local democracy in the Tlokwe City Council’s area of jurisdiction. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, requires local government to encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in how they are governed. Ward committees as a mechanism to enhance public participation and promote local democracy in local government were intended to contribute towards bringing about people-centred, participatory and democratic local government. These community structures were specifically introduced to play a critical role in linking and informing municipalities about the needs, aspirations, potential and problems/challenges of communities. With a view to realise the research objectives of this study, a qualitative research methodology was adopted. In addition, a literature survey of public participation, local democracy and the functioning of ward committees was undertaken, including an analysis of legislative and regulatory frameworks guiding the effective functioning of ward committees. The qualitative empirical study made use of semi-structured interviews as instrument to obtain valuable data from Tlokwe City Council Officials; these revealed significant insights and provided first-hand knowledge regarding the effective functioning of ward committees. Furthermore, focus group interviews were facilitated with four ward committees in the Tlokwe City Council’s area of jurisdiction to investigate the challenges faced by ward committees. Significant findings include that ward committees play an imperative role in the decision-making processes of the municipal council, thus enhancing local democracy. However, various challenges that affect the effective functioning of ward committees were identified, which include the lack of finances and infrastructure; the lack of knowledge among ward committee members of local government legislation and regulations; the absence of continued training and empowerment and, in some cases, political interference from members of the committee