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.