Salga Gauteng encourages citizen participation

The Integrated Development Planning (IDP) season for local governments is in full swing.

Municipal IDPs are medium-term plans that municipalities develop to guide their development and service delivery.

These plans outline the priorities, strategies and actions municipalities will take to improve the quality of life for their residents.

Public consultations are a crucial part of the IDP process because they allow community members to give feedback on proposed development plans and ensure the municipality meets the needs of its residents.

Salga in Gauteng calls on residents to participate in community consultations as responsible citizens.

“While it is the responsibility of municipalities to provide services, it is also the responsibility of residents to actively engage with municipalities when called upon to create synergies between municipalities and residents,” explained Marelda Boshielo, the spokesperson for Salga.

She said responsible citizens actively participate in the democratic process and take responsibility for the development of their community.

By participating in a community IDP consultation process, citizens can have their say on issues that matter to them. These could be the provision of basic services, infrastructure development or economic growth.

“The IDP consultation process is a crucial aspect of democratic governance and is an opportunity for municipalities to engage with their communities and ensure their plans align with the needs and aspirations of their residents. We, therefore, urge our citizens to engage deeply with their communities,” said Salga Gauteng chairperson Jongizizwe Dlabathi.

Citizen participation in the IDP process can take many forms, including attending public meetings, submitting written comments, or engaging in online discussions.

Residents are urged to visit their municipal websites and social media sites to learn how to be part of this crucial service delivery process.