Shared Services for enhancing municipal planning efficiency in KwaZulu-Natal

The past five years have seen a growing trend towards the notion of a Shared Services approach to enhancing municipal efficiency in the local government sector in South Africa. In KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), this approach is receiving more focused attention. In this regard, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) is playing a pivotal role in supporting municipalities in KZN with regards to capacity-building and financial resources. The thrust of municipal service delivery is premised on its Integrated Development Plan (IDP), and the concept of Shared Services is being used as a conduit for municipalities to work towards ensuring that their organizational and developmental objectives are achieved in the short-, medium- and long-term. The article therefore examines the efficacy of municipal planning within the context of Shared Services.