Evaluating the District Development Model: a review, with case studies: summary report

Abstract

This study was conducted with the primary objective of assessing the implementation of the DDM in South Africa in three chosen municipalities ��� the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, the Waterberg District Municipality in Limpopo and the OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape. These three pilot sites were identified based on their socio-economic profiles and rural-urban mix. The methodology employed in the study involved (1) Drawing on regional and international experiences as case studies to inform the implementation of the DDM; (2) Conducting desktop and empirical studies on the practical workings of the DDM to determine how it responds to service delivery and development challenges within the three piloted municipalities under investigation; and (3) Proposing policy options and recommendations to inform the implementation of the DDM in response to the developmental local government mandate.