6.5. COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE ON ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS
6.5.5. Theme 5: Stakeholder involvement
This theme was aimed at determining the level of community involvement in decisions that affected them. Communities should be involved during the planning process for new housing developments. The theme involved the attendance of meetings by the community from the time the informal settlement is identified for relocations up until occupation is taken. Once a settlement has been identified for relocation to new housing development, municipal officials should get into contact with the beneficiaries as they have to complete the necessary documents.
181 6.5.5.1. Loss of interest in community meetings
Communities as part of stakeholders indicated that they were no longer keen on attending community meetings – the reason being the failure by the municipality to meet its obligations in respect of some of the services promised in the new area of abode. Participants indicated that the level of attendance had changed since communities were relocated to the new area.
We used to attend meetings when we first resided in this area but we no longer bother. (60) The findings indicated that housing beneficiaries only showed interest in the activities of the municipality before houses were handed over to them. Once the houses had been handed over communities tended to focus on the provision of other basic services. This was an indication that communities expected that the houses provided should also include other basic services, which would complete the asset. Housing policies should clearly define property rights, which also deal with issues of community involvement (see UN Habitat, 1999). The findings of the theme also revealed that community involvement was not clearly defined in housing policies in terms of how far communities should be involved in issues affecting them. The impression created by communities was that they should only be involved once a project was in its last stages. This is a clear indication that community involvement has not been prioritised in housing development.
6.5.5.2. Capacitating communities
Encouraging community participation is another strategy that municipalities can use to capacitate communities on issues affecting them. Communities are always at ease when involved in all activities of the municipality. Officials were concerned about the level of attendance in community meetings on issues affecting them. The result has been that communities have lost interest in the activities of the municipality. Respondents did acknowledge that resorting to taking a back seat is not good for them, and for the progress of municipal activities.
There is nothing interesting in the meetings called by our leaders. (41)
The findings further indicated that discussions in community meetings were not aimed at capacitating communities, but that there were certain agendas which were brought forward by the leaders. Even relocating communities to new areas of abode requires continuous engagement with stakeholders. This promotes a sense of community and nation building – and
182
communities are encouraged to participate in issues which affect them (see Khan, et al., 2013).
Relocating communities to areas such as Cornubia was aimed at improving the quality of life of beneficiaries – including issues such as skills enhancement and community development (see IDP, 2016/17; Reddy & Nzimakwe, 2008).
6.5.5.3. Role of community leaders
Community leaders in housing development can play a very important role if these roles are clearly defined to them. Respondents were not happy about the role played by community leaders in ensuring that their interests were being taken into account. Lizarralde and Massyn (2008), emphasise the importance of participatory democracy as a strategy for empowering the historically-marginalised communities and long-term developments. Community leaders can also foster trust, while encouraging transparency and increasing engagements with communities.
We do not even know who our councillor is in this area. (62).
…. because we come from different areas I don’t even know some of the people here. (74) The findings also indicated that community leaders were not aware of the role they could play in uniting communities that they were leading. Community leaders should have the interest of their followers at heart. Juta, Moeti and Matsiliza (2014) contend that there should be efforts to encourage community development through implementing poverty alleviation programmes and foresting partnerships between stakeholders.
The findings of the theme indicated the important role, which community leaders could play, firstly in empowering communities on issues affecting them for personal growth – and secondly, in building the trust, while at the same time building capacity and increasing engagements. Housing delivery has always contended with issues affecting communities directly. Officials acknowledged that involving community is an opportunity for community leaders to address issues and provide support where it is needed. They should see the involvement of the public as a collective that can produce individual initiative, which promotes interest in decision-making and oversight (see RSA, 2013). Sabatier (as cited in Irvin &
Stansbury, 2004) regurgitates the benefits of citizen participation as a forum that can be used to explain certain policies, which are pursued by government, even though they are not popular with the public. This can only be achieved if there is trust between the public and its leaders.
183
In housing development stakeholders should partners in the design and implementation of the solutions and outcomes (see RSA, 2013).