Bridging the coordination dilemma: the role of the district development model in South Africa’s intergovernmental relations system

Abstract

This research examines the District Development Model as an approach within South Africa’s intergovernmental relations system, focusing on its capacity to bridge the coordination dilemma. Anchored in the Institutional Collective Action Theory, the study analyses the coordination mechanisms (formal and informal), providing a structured lens through which to interrogate the District Development Model’s influence as an approach to ensuring delivery of municipal services across different spheres of government. Employing a qualitative research methodology, the study draws on in-depth interviews with the selected municipalities which served as pilots in the implementation of district development model, key stakeholders and document analysis to build a comprehensive understanding of the District Development Model’s operational realities. The findings highlight that, while the District Development Model offers strong potential to enhance integrated planning, its success is dependent upon the effective navigation of existing institutional complexities and the cultivation of collaborative intergovernmental relationships. The research expands academic literature by showing that while institutional mechanisms are essential, their effectiveness is dependent on dynamic, context and specific factors such as the willingness of stakeholders to collaborate and adapt. This supports and refines the Institutional Collective Action Theory, emphasising the role of adaptive relationship-based coordination in achieving policy outcomes.