Peter Martin, chairperson, Retreat Steenberg Civic Association
There are various forms and levels of public participation.
Public participation can be pseudo or authentic.
Pseudo participation is when the public is merely informed of decisions already taken by government. There is no consultation. Even if there was consultation, it was not proper.
The people were not properly informed about the issue and the process, neither were their views and opinions considered in decision-making. This is despite the fact that the Local Government Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000 in section 18 stipulates that the public should be properly informed and their opinions and views should be considered during decision-making (Section 17 (2) (a).
Observation at ward level, however, indicates that participation merely exists to create legitimacy for decisions already taken by government. This occurs at public meetings where the public are informed about what has already been decided for them.
The meeting is the form of a presentation by public officials or politicians, which takes up most of the time. Insufficient time is left for the public to cross examine and raise valid concerns.
An attendance register is circulated to create legitimacy for the process on paper.
Genuine public participation, on the other hand, requires that the public be properly informed and properly consulted. Real participation not only provides for the public to participate and have a say in decision-making, but also to influence the outcome of public decisions. This is not seen happening at grassroots level.
Therefore, next time when we attend a public meeting, ask the question: Are we participating, or only legitimising the decisions of public officials and politicians taken in boardrooms?