Building Bridges or Widening Gaps? Exploring Disengagement and Sense of Belonging in Municipal/Community Partnerships: A Case Study of the City of Cape Town

John Bester

doi:10.25159/2663-6689/18048

Authors

John Bester Management College of Southern Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0413-5565

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6689/18048

Keywords:

municipal-community partnerships, disengagement, sense of belonging, City of Cape Town, collaboration

Abstract

Despite efforts to promote collaborative governance, municipal-community partnerships often struggle to bridge the divide between institutional priorities and community needs, fostering a perception of disconnection, exclusion, and alienation among residents. Against this backdrop, this study explores the intricate dynamics of disengagement and sense of belonging within municipal-community partnerships in the City of Cape Town, where the pervasive “Us vs. Them” mentality perpetuates a profound divide between institutional stakeholders (“Us”) and marginalised community members (“Them”), promoting disconnection, mistrust, and social exclusion. Utilising purposive sampling, the study engaged 142 participants from three City of Cape Town townships, soliciting their lived experiences and perceptions. A mixed methods research design was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection methods: questionnaires (n-142)- to gather attitudinal data; semi-structured telephonic interviews (n-10) to explore in-depth perspectives; an in-person focus group discussion (n-6) to facilitate collective dialogue and insight sharing. The findings uncovered a pervasive sense of disconnection and lack of ownership. The findings also revealed that residents felt marginalised, excluded from decision-making processes, and were distrustful of the municipalities’ intentions. The “us versus them” dichotomy seemed to hinder effective collaboration, impede service delivery, and undermine community cohesion. The paper posits that the conditions of residents in Cape Town townships are linked to how they are positioned and constructed in Cape Town as visible “Others.” The study stresses the need for municipalities to reassess their community engagement strategies, focusing on inclusive participation and enhancing a sense of ownership and connection among residents in townships.

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