Network Governance Approach for Improved Participatory Budgeting and Socio-economic Development in the City of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province, Republic of South Africa

The shortage of adequate housing has become a contentious issue in South Africa in recent years. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that government constantly changes its policy direction and does not provide clarity as to how it intends to deal with this problem. Housing delivery, water and electricity backlogs and the lack of participation by communities in budgeting processes fuel communities' impatience with government. The study aimed to examine these socio-economic challenges in the City of Ekurhuleni (COE), in South Africa (SA), and the article showed that involving communities in the planning and execution of municipal processes results in greater success to the benefit of the city and its people. The selection of community members to provide their inputs for this study afforded them an opportunity to express their lived experiences and frustration they have with service delivery by the city. The study used network governance theory as its theoretical framework while Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) served as its methodology. The research revealed that the shortage of housing affects socio-economic development (SED) and this again affects other aspects of community life, making communities vulnerable in terms of crime, violence, health and them not having a positive outlook on life. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the delivery of housing and basic services results in greater social cohesion and improved living standards, allowing especially women to play a greater role in their own socio-economic emancipation.