Towards Sustainable Service Delivery by South African Local Authorities: A Community Participation Strategy

Despite community participation mechanisms in local government, there has been an increase in violent protests related to a deficit in the provision of services. Such protests cause damage to property, increasing the infrastructure deficit. Therefore, this paper seeks to comprehend the most effective approach to sustainable service provision in order to limit violent service delivery protests. The paper identifies active community participation as a strategy to improve service delivery in municipalities. The paper used desktop research as an approach to secondary sources. Despite its its importance in service delivery to the local population, the paper contends that community participation is a necessary tool for achieving transparency and accountability. It concludes by arguing that for sustainable service delivery to be progressively realised, local people need to reach a stage where they participate in local affairs, with the same energy, intensity, and willingness they show when they participate in violent service delivery protests.