District Development Model and Service Delivery in South Africa

Abstract

The chapter aimed to provide a critical overview of the district development model (DDM) and service delivery challenges in South Africa. South African planning has been characterised by fragmented planning, impacting service delivery. To resolve this, the cabinet adopted the DDM as an innovation to improve integrated planning and service delivery across all spheres of government. The main objective of the model was to solve the silo problem. The study employed the desktop method. Critical theory was adopted to review DDM and service delivery challenges. The findings revealed that DDM is expected to develop, support, and promote entrepreneurs by prioritising service procurement. Government should ensure stakeholders' involvement in the planning and implementation process. Spheres of government should stop working in silos and fight the triple challenges for DDM to become a reality rather than a misnomer. Government must develop mechanisms for accountability across municipalities for the implementation of DDM.