A stakeholder engagement framework for improving the delivery of public housing projects in South Africa

Abstract

Inadequate stakeholder engagement by municipalities has hindered the delivery of quality RDP (Reconstruction and Development Programme) housing, with criticism highlighting poor building standards, limited size, and a lack of essential services and amenities. The study aims to explore the factors contributing to an inadequate stakeholder engagement framework during the delivery of public housing projects at the local government in South Africa. Given the philosophical stance of the study, which is interpretivism, the qualitative method and exploratory research design were adopted. The study reviewed contemporary literature on housing and municipal policies and collected primary data through focus group discussions with members of a beneficiary committee, as well as semi-structured interviews with traditional leaders, project team members, human settlement staff, ward councillors, and contractors (n = 26). ATLAS.ti software was used to analyse and triangulate the collected data, to guarantee the credibility and depth of the study’s findings. Shifting the Burden System Archetype was used as a conceptual framework, and Systems Thinking Theory was used as the underpinning theory. The literature review reveals that public housing delivery in South Africa faces significant challenges, particularly due to inadequate early-stage community involvement. While stakeholder engagement frameworks exist in other sectors, they lack specificity for public housing in Sub-Saharan Africa. Key issues include poor communication, exclusion of vulnerable groups, and lack of structured engagement processes. Data revealed that community marginalisation, nimbyism (Not In My Back Yard), and political interference deter project success. Municipal frameworks treat participation as a formality, lacking meaningful inclusion. Based on these findings, this study proposes a stakeholder engagement framework emphasising early community involvement and feedback collection to ensure project alignment with community needs. The study highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement in successful public housing project delivery. The study provides both theoretical knowledge and practical insights on public housing delivery in South Africa. This study aims to inform policy and practice for more effective and inclusive public housing projects. Furthermore, developing a stakeholder engagement framework tailored to the local government context will provide a valuable tool for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.