THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: AN OVERVIEW OF MADIBENG LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v23.7989Keywords:
Strategic Planning, Madibeng Local Municipality, Integrated Development Plans (IDP), Local Economic Development, Community ParticipationAbstract
The need for this study arises from the goal of identifying the gaps and opportunities in the strategic planning framework of Madibeng Local Municipality's IDP and providing suggestions for improvement. The study draws on relevant scholarly and policy literature to map out emerging trends, structural challenges, and institutional responses related to strategic planning. A case study design was adopted to analyse Madibeng Local Municipality official documents which include the Madibeng IDP (2022-2027), Madibeng Local Municipality 2024–2025 review, and relevant policy frameworks. The analysis reveals that the Madibeng IDP represents a vital commitment to eradicating inequalities and fostering inclusive growth in historically marginalised communities. However, the Madibeng Local Municipality’s IDP reveals that aligning local frameworks with national policies presents challenges due to implementation shortfalls, limited resources, and ineffective community participation mechanisms. This study recommends the incorporation of feedback mechanisms into the annual IDP reviews to avoid repetitive processes; continuous training in systems thinking for municipal employees to enhance adaptive capacity and collaborative problem-solving skills. This study concludes that strategic planning is crucial for addressing historical spatial inequalities and promoting inclusive development. The policy implications suggest that government entities and local organisations should prioritise integrating strategic planning into their frameworks.
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