Problem:
Development planning seeks active citizen engagement and public participation, which is a complex process. In terms of policy and statutory obligations of South Africa, citizens are expected to co-partner and co-create with local government as monitoring agents of development to provide practical wisdom to transform their localities (Dywili 2019: 261). Through public participation and citizen engagement, citizens gain insights, raise awareness and monitor developmental initiatives aimed at meeting their needs and aspirations for a better quality of life (Dywili 2019: 270). Malemane and Nel-Sanders (2021) warn that without community participation in local governance, public policies, programmes and projects are bound to fail due to lack of local support and ownership.