Let’s embrace the new
The decision by the national cabinet in August to introduce a District Development Model is an honest acknowledgment that the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) system has not been effective in co-ordinating the government’s work. It also acknowledges a serious gap between the government and the people. President Cyril Ramaphosa has endorsed the model and it is being piloted in the OR Tambo district municipality before being taken across all 44 districts and eight metros in the country.
In all spheres of government, we will have to embrace this model if we are to make the government effective in servicing its people. We need to have the same understanding of what DDM means so we avoid sending different messages that will result in different actions. The president was clear that the DDM puts the district at the centre when it comes to coordinating development in the district space.
The conviction of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) units that development planning is their monopoly should never be replicated in the DDM. But signs are already flashing that the IDP units are again thinking that the DDM is their own space, and they are isolating anyone who dares change their planning model. This compromises the ability of the state to deliver on commitments made to communities.
Political leaders will do well to invest more attention in the success of the DDM because failure to look at the detail will be their downfall. The government, through IGR units, must be co-ordinated to ensure all stakeholders are mobilised to ensure the reflection of our communities in government programs. The DDM is indeed the tool that embraces the unitary character of government. President, premiers and mayors must take a keen interest in co-ordinating our government to ensure meaningful development in communities.
As an IGR practitioner, I am passionate about making the government work in harmony, hence am passionate about seeing the DDM succeed in developing communities and uniting government action to give a better product.
— Phendule Mbewu, via e-mail