Supervisor: Professor Philani Moyo

1. Transforming Youth Participation in decision-making at local government level: Contestation and paradoxes at Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) by Stanley Maphosa Supervisor: Professor Philani Moyo

2. Youths and youth participation in decision making processes have gained increasing prominence on the international development agenda over the years (Baksh, 2014) Youth participation has strong resonance to South Africa’s apartheid history. Makiwane and Kwizera, 2015) Despite legislation , efforts and influences to enable youth participation, significant obstacles exist that inhibit, and often discourage youth participation in decision-making processes especially at local municipality level. Introduction

3. Known challenges for youth participation include; Lack of knowledge; inadequate feedback; mis and under communication; mistrust for local government; youth not taken seriously; adultism; lack of transport among others ((Camino, 2014; Fogel, 2014; Jarrett etal 2015) Given all these known obstacles to youth participation in local decision making, this study aims to explore means and way to encourage youth to participate in decision making processes in Mogale City by looking at the current and future status of this practice Introduction

4. Two theories used as the framework of this study. The Positive youth development theory looks at the capabilities, developmental potentials, and increasing thriving behaviors of youth rather than on their deficiencies (Damon, 2014; ; Peterson, 2014: Peteru, 2012) The Community youth development theory focuses on the importance of strengthening communities, so that they can be functional in nurturing and supporting young people, thus ensuring sustainable development (Benson and Pittman, 2014; Villaruel etal 2013: Wheeler, 2013) This framework covers the youth themselves in the context of the community actions to support participation. Theoretical framework

5. 25 years after independence, South African youth are still confronted with challenges in relation to participating in decision-making processes (Chamisa & Shava 2016). In most instances, the local municipality is still not providing a conducive atmosphere for active citizenship (Baksh, 2014). Inclusion of the youth in decision making processes after the elections is still limited. Public participation should have a youth lenses- and be youth sensitive at all times. Problem Statement

6. Previous studies have dealt with youth participation, its need and the challenges for not participating. They have concentrated on youth development or empowerment. This study takes the discussion further by moving into transformation of these challenges into tangible engagement opportunities. The study targeted youth in Mogale City Local Municipality which is an urban local municipality with some rural and informal settlements communities. The research focuses on how Mogale City Local Municipality and youths are actively addressing these know challenges to youth participation in decision making processes. Problem Statement

7. What strategies have been implemented in Mogale City Local Municipality to motivate the youth to actively participate in local government decision-making processes given their historical apathy? To what extent have the municipality’s decision-making processes been transformed to promote active and effective youth participation? What are the persistent challenges of youth participation despite the adaptation of decision-making processes in Mogale City Local Municipality? Research Questions

8. Mixed Methods Approach was use with elements of both the quantitative and qualitative methodology within one study (Bergman, 2013:53; Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007:6, 32, 255 A qualitative survey was conducted among 135 young people in four wards of Mogale City Local Municipality.. Data was also collected through five key informant interviews and two focus group discussions. Quantitative data was supported and complemented by the use of the IBM SPSS Statistics 19 (Singh, 2013:83). Qualitative data was conceptualised, sortedand classified into different categories Research METHODS

9. Involvement of youth in responsible, challenging action that meets genuine needs, with opportunities for planning and/or decision-making affecting others in an activity whose impact or consequence is extended to others outside or beyond the youth participants themselves. (Cornwall 2012) Youth participation helps young people to develop skills, build competencies, form aspirations, gain confidence and attain valuable resources. (Rajani 2016) Youth participation is therefore a product and strategy of sustainable human development. Israel etal (2013 Defining youth participation

10. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 (Act 108 of 1998) The White Paper on Local Government 1998, Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998 [Act 117 of 1998], Local government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 [Act 32 of 2000], Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003, National Youth Development Act of (2008) and the National Youth Policy 2015-2020. LEGISLATIVE MANDATE FOR YOUTH PARTICIPATION

11. Youth participation in Mogale City Local Municipality is defined in line with public participation for the Integrated Development Plan. Youth are one of the critical stakeholders of Mogale City Local Municipality alongside other local communities, labour and religious communities. Youth are one of the critical stakeholders of Mogale City Local Municipality alongside other local communities, labour and religious community (2018/2019 Integrated Development Plan) These help the municipality “to review progress and to strengthen achievements of government” in this locality Youth participation in the context of MCLM

12. The preliminary findings from the study are presented in three sections: The encouragement levels, grassroots and knowledge of Integrated Development Plan as a key participation space Communication Strategy in Youth Participation Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework in youth participation. The findings are such that if the three areas are resolved, youth participation would be greatly transformed in MCLM PRELIMINARY FINDINGS

13. During the survey,41.8 per cent of the youth indicate that youth participation is moderately encouraged by Mogale City Local Municipality. 75,9 per cent of the youths said that they participate at information level, Youth participate at ward level the highest but at information level. Participation levels decrease when it comes to youth development projects. Youths of up to 63.7 per cent indicated that they did not know what the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) was. encouragement, levels, grassroots and knowledge of Integrated Development Plan

14. Public newspaper placements (51.9 per cent) and online platforms (45.2 per cent) are the highest sources for information used to spread word so that youth can participate in decision making processes. 72.6 per cent of the youth indicate that they have the possibility to access the information on opportunities and forums to participate in decision making processes. Youth of up to 27.4 per cent indicated that they do not have the possibility to access information that enables them to participate in decision making processes. Communication Strategy in Youth Participation

15. Using the five sources of information in figure 6 above, 72.6 per cent of the youth indicate that they have the possibility to access the information on opportunities and forums to participate in decision making processes. Youth of up to 27.4 per cent indicated that they do not have the possibility to access information that enables them to participate in decision making processes Communication Strategy in Youth Participation

16. Meetings which are 35.1 per cent of those known by young people were held at the municipality offices in Krugersdorp town where the same percentage of youths were able to reach. Meetings which are 33.3 per cent were held in community halls within communities where the same percentage of young people stay. 31.6 per cent were held in other wards far from where the youth stay. Communication Strategy in Youth Participation

17. Despite the sources of information, the possibilities to access it and the venues where the meetings are held, 30.4 per cent of the youth have participated in an IDP Meeting in MCLM. Youth of 69.9 per cent indicated that they had never participated in any IDP meetings. The absence of a communication strategy, use of appropriate channels and appropriate communication tools for youth has limiting implications to young people participating in decision making processes. Communication Strategy in Youth Participation

18. Ideally, municipalities must allow the community to participate in the setting of appropriate Key Performance Indicators and Performance targets. In practice, the situation is not so. The municipality has limited resources to engage at all these levels and the community needs are more than what is affordable. Key Performance Indicators and Performance Targets remain the prerogative of the administrative staff Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework in youth participation.

19. From the Key Performance Indicators and Performance Targets as well as the Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP), there are no explicit youth indicators and targets that will be baselined, funded and measured. The absence of a youth friendly monitoring and evaluation strategy leaves the youth at the goodwill of individuals which is not sustainable at all. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework in youth participation.

20. Youth participation is still to be embraced in decision making in Mogale City Local Municipality. MCLM does not have a Communication Strategy to engage the youth adequately so that they participate in decision making processes. Youth have not been actively involved in the design of the plan, the development of target and indicators as well as the collection of data. Youth are not aware of and not involved in the Integrated Development Plan which disempowers them decision making is concerned since they lack a voice on what programs, projects and activities Conclusion

21. Youth participation is still to be embraced in decision making in Mogale City Local Municipality. MCLM does not have a Communication Strategy to engage the youth adequately so that they participate in decision making processes. Youth have not been actively involved in the design of the plan, the development of target and indicators as well as the collection of data. Youth are not aware of and not involved in the Integrated Development Plan which disempowers them decision making is concerned since they lack a voice on what programs, projects and activities Conclusion

22. Youth are not participating in the annual reviews that set annual plans for the municipality. Youth are not actively represented where policies are being made in various committees of MCLM. Inadequate information dissemination on the side of the MCLM is another hindrance since the participants revealed that they have no access to valid or useful information such where to attend decision making meetings, where and when to make their voices heard, get funding, whom to talk to and when and where to present their grievances. The lack of private sector intervention in the affairs of the youth is another obstacle to achieving effective youth participation in decision making process. Conclusion

23. MCLM is required to develop a context specific youth strategy that will target increased youth participation in decision making processes. The strategy should consist of a comprehensive implementation plan, a communication framework or strategy as well as the Monitoring and Evaluation framework designed with and for the young people. The municipality should not only mainstream youth participation but also conducts all its business with lenses of the young people and adequately measure that on a quarterly as well as annual basis. Recommendations

24. Youth participation should form the Key Performance Area of all the Political and Administrative leaders of the municipality. MCLM to deliberately involve youth in decision decisions making at all levels from ward level up to Council level through various committees and forums. Capacity building for the youths, youth organisations, politicians and officials dealing with youth should be a critical priority area for MCLM. Municipalities to improve also on the feedback from IDP participation and ensure youth participate not on political partisan or interest group lines but also as individuals. Recommendations

25. Professor Philani Moyo University of Fort Hare Academy of Science of South Africa SALGA Acknowledgements