Title: Participatory budgeting in a South African local municipality

Authors: Tyanai Masiya; Adrino Mazenda; Thandokazi N.S. Gwabeni

Addresses: School of Public Management and Administration, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Pretoria, Cnr Lynnwood Road and Roper Street, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa ' School of Public Management and Administration, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Pretoria, Cnr Lynnwood Road and Roper Street, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa ' School of Public Management and Administration, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Pretoria, Cnr Lynnwood Road and Roper Street, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa

Abstract: Data for the research was drawn from documentary evidence and primary interviews with municipal officials, elected officials and local citizens. The study concluded that though the municipality is conscious of the need for public participation in budgeting, the involvement of the public in the process needs to be improved. Capacity building is also needed to increase the participation of city officials, elected officials and citizens. This study contributes to citizen-focused service delivery in municipalities. It also contributes to the scholarly understanding of effective public participation in local government.

Keywords: local municipality; participatory budgeting; public participation; accountability; budget; democratic government; local government; municipal authorities; municipality; South Africa.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMP.2021.115098

International Journal of Management Practice, 2021 Vol.14 No.3, pp.325 - 342

Accepted: 04 Sep 2020
Published online: 18 May 2021 *

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