The rhetoric of participation: a study of the planning and development of low-income human settlements in the province of KwaZulu-Natal

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	The rhetoric of participation: a study of the planning and development of low-income human settlements in the province of KwaZulu-Natal
Authors:	Khan, Fazel Khan, Sultan Govender, Jayanathan
Year:	2013
Periodical:	Africanus (ISSN 0304-615X)
Volume:	43
Issue:	1
Pages:	126-143
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	popular participation housing policy local government
Abstract:	Participation in South Africa is encouraged and institutionalized in a variety of processes at different levels of government. The right of citizens and their representatives to exchange views and influence decisionmaking at the local government sphere, such as the right to be included in decisionmaking on the local budget, planning and development processes, and service delivery matters, is embodied in a wide range of national policies. In reality, however, participation appears to be theoretical, unclear, superficial and at times a tool to exercise political hegemony at the local level. This article examines the level of people's participation in the planning and development of low-income housing in three research localities in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Contrary to policy mandates to create real opportunities for participation by ordinary citizens, it reveals what may be termed 'rhetoric' participation that best serves the hegemony of political actors. Bibliogr., notes, sum. [Journal abstract]