Evaluating the Role of Municipalities in Promoting Local Economic Development: A Case of Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Description

Page: 1329-1331

Sebanki Pauline Moeketsi (Public Administration and Management, University of Limpopo, South Africa)

This article is a continuation from the research made, to find out if the recommendations made were employed. The study looked into how municipalities in Polokwane Local Municipality perceive the importance of Local Economic Development (LED). According to the World Bank (2024: online), LED is a process that gives local communities, the corporate and non-profit sectors, and local government the chance to collaborate in order to boost the local economy. Its main objectives are to boost sustainable growth, increase competitiveness, and guarantee inclusive growth. LED encompasses a variety of fields, such as marketing, economics, and physical planning. It also includes a wide range of private sector and municipal government operations, such as financing, real estate development, infrastructure provision, business growth, and environmental planning. The research employs a qualitative methodology in order to obtain a comprehensive grasp of the topic. Respondents include local economic development recipients and municipal leaders. Local economic development has been implemented globally to accomplish four key goals, according to the study: reducing poverty, generating long-term employment, disseminating crucial information about governmental policies and programs, and fostering an atmosphere that attracts investment. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the participants share a shared comprehension and awareness of poverty and unemployment. Overall, the results demonstrate that the Polokwane Local Municipality’s poverty and unemployment were addressed in part by local economic development initiatives. The study suggests that the municipality fund R&D, assist neighbourhood companies, hire qualified staff, and raise awareness of the local economic development initiatives.