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A key dimension ofplanning is scenario planning whereby managers explore possibilities of
future opportunities and threats. The decision needs to be taken about what resources need to
be utilised, and who is going to do it and how the outcomes are going to be measured.
3.2.1 The International perspectives
There is growing consensus that democratic governance creates the c;:mditions for sustainable
development and poverty reduction. Local governments can play a major role in this effort by
ensuring more effective and accountable local infrastructure and service delivery for the poor
and by improving the dialogue between the state, citizens and their communities, and the
private sector.
United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF, 2000) possesses important comparative
advantages that help governments to fulfil this potential by building local capacity and
promoting institutional refonn and policy change. UNCDF's niche in local development is
based on nearly 40 years of experience in investing in difficult and poor areas, its small size
and flexibility, and its ability to match grant capital with technical assistance.
Part of the UNCDF local development strategy involves building partnerships with and
between national and local authorities, community organizations, civil society, and the private
sector. This strategy also involves promoting policy and institution refonns to enable the
transfer of power and financial resources to more effective and accountable sub-national
spheres ofgovernment.
This research advocates that the Ulundi Local Municipality should partner with NGOs, civil
societies and well-resourced individual as well as experienced international bodies like the
UNCDF so as to create development opportunities. This approach would ensure good
governance and appropriate institutional refonns in the Ulundi Local Municipality.
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