Fetakgomo Tubatse’s Path to Integrated Development: A Collaborative Approach (2022 – 2023)
Published by MCP-Programme in Strategic Development Planning · Friday 06 Jun 2025 · 3:45
Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM), formed through the amalgamation of Fetakgomo and Tubatse, faces significant challenges in planning and development. At the start of the MCPP, the municipality lacked organisational cohesion, a developmental vision, strategic direction, and integration between departments. With a growing population, spread across 39 wards, a multiplicity of villages, and settlement investment by various community property associations, more than 12 traditional authorities and numerous mines, decision-making and planning for services and economic development has been fragmented and ineffective. The Integrated Development Plan (IDP), a key strategic document, was previously used merely for compliance rather than as a tool for institutional and multi-stakeholder prioritisation, budgeting and resource alignment
The Impact:
Without strategic municipal or intergovernmental planning, nor a cohesive long-term development strategy, FTLM struggles to attract investment, coordinate service delivery, and address the needs of its growing and vulnerable population. The lack of integration between departments and access to resources have hindered the municipality’s ability to transition from a rural area with fast growing settlements and towns, to a sustainable region. The Value of MCPP’s Intervention:
Since March 2022, the MCPP team has worked closely with FTLM to address these challenges. Through regular interaction, the team has helped the municipality refocus its IDP as a strategic tool for development. Key interventions include: - Improving the credibility of the IDP through an updated evidence base including growth trends and projections of settlements, socio-economic dynamics and projected climate change implications.
- Workshops with the IDP Unit and Senior Managers: Over 10 working sessions were held to emphasize the strategic importance of the IDP, improve collaboration between departments, and prioritize key projects.
- Building Relationships and Improving Communication: The workshops helped repair fractures caused by the amalgamation, fostering better communication and cooperation within the municipality and between administration and political leadership.
- Establishment of the Mining Forum: In October 2023, the municipality set up a Mining Forum to engage with mines and align their Social and Labour Plans (SLPs) with municipal development goals.
- Identification of investment co-ordination challenges between mines (especially with regards to social facilities in the region) and technical support with the Development of the City Development Strategy (CDS) 2043: The CDS, completed in 2024, will serve as the municipality’s long-term blueprint for growth and development.
- Institutionalisation of Regional IDPs (RIDPs): To facilitate development and investment prioritisation in the various regions and strategic engagements between stakeholders, the municipality was divided into six ward clusters, each with unique socioeconomic characteristics, to ensure targeted and impactful investments.
- Community Engagement Roadshows: In August 2023, the MCPP team and the municipality’s Strategic Planning Unit conducted roadshows to explain the RIDPs to communities.
- Councillor Training Workshop: A workshop was held to familiarize councillors with the RIDPs and CDS, promoting integrated and regional thinking.
Outcomes:
- Strengthened IDP Process: The IDP is now a strategic tool for interdepartmental and political alignment, based on credible data and evidence.
- Improved Collaboration: Departments are now actively involved in the IDP process, with better understanding of their roles and contributions.
- Mine-Municipal Collaboration: The establishment of the SLP Forum and improved practices have enhanced collaboration between the municipality and mines, ensuring that projects benefit the broader region.
- Regional IDPs: The RIDPs will guide investments toward regional growth, avoiding duplication and maximizing impact.
- Draft CDS: The CDS has already been used to engage provincial structures on FTLM’s growth and future plans.
Conclusion:
FTLM is on a transformative journey, moving from fragmented planning to a unified, strategic approach. With the support of the MCPP, the municipality is building a sustainable, liveable city for all its inhabitants, ensuring that every investment contributes to long-term growth and development. This collaborative effort is not just about planning—it’s about creating a brighter future for Fetakgomo Tubatse. Acknowledgements: Anglo Platinum, Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality IDP team, MCPP Implementation team
For more information, please see 2023 MCPP Annual Report.
