A youth-led municipal oversight and accountability project was launched in the Sol Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley by the Auwal Socio-Economic Research Institute (Asri).
Asri, a non-profit organisation (NPO) established in 2015, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all South Africans. Its project focuses on enhancing transparency and accountability in local government. This is done through the use and effectiveness of Section 79 committees in municipal governance, which are tasked with overseeing service delivery at municipal level.
Led by youth leaders from Kimberley, aged under 35 years old, who represent a mix of students and young professionals, the Sol Plaatje Youth First project aims for youth development in the municipality through a research report that advocates for targeted, area-specific programmes.
The project team has identified a gap in youth development initiatives, particularly in the urban areas of Kimberley. It aims to address this by conducting in-depth research that identifies the unique needs of the youth in the community.
“The well-being and development of youth is vital for the prosperity of our community,” says Zona Mboniswa, municipality oversight and accountability programme manager at Asri.
“A programme of this nature provides a tool for citizens to be educated and empowered so they can hold local government accountable for meeting the needs of the immediate community.”
Following comprehensive training conducted by Asri, those leading the project are enabled to design a feasible and achievable project within a short period.
Creating a practicable project
Research is conducted by documenting public experiences through surveys and in-depth interviews, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the effectiveness of current youth development programmes in the municipality.
This will be followed by identifying challenges faced by the youth, fostering municipal collaborations, and publishing a research report that presents findings and recommendations.
“This project represents an opportunity to place young people at the heart of youth development initiatives in our municipality, ensuring their unique perspectives and needs are heard and taken seriously,” said Eric Sibiya, project lead.
Data will be collected in March and April, with the research finding presentation done in May.
This youth-led project focuses on advancing the accountability and transparency of governance at municipal government level across seven South African municipalities, including Sol Plaatje, Mbombela, Tshwane, Metsimaholo, Johannesburg, J.B. Marks and Polokwane.
Find the survey link at asri.org.za/kimberley-oa-project, or visit the website asri.org.za/oversight/ or the Facebook page Asri Pbo.
