This report responds to the growing need for voluntary local reviews (VLRs) of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) progress at the municipal level. It presents the findings of a community-based assessment conducted in the informal townships of Klapmuts and Kayamandi, both located within the Stellenbosch Municipality of the Western Cape Province, South Africa.
In line with South Africa’s Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000), municipalities are required to outline their development priorities and strategies through an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and to ensure extensive consultation with local communities and stakeholders. The Stellenbosch Municipality has chosen to align its local SDG priorities with its IDP and related reporting instruments—such as annual reports, departmental reviews, and oversight documents.
The focus of the review was on the municipality’s five priority SDGs—Goals 5, 6, 7, 11, and 17—as identified in its development plans. The findings indicate
that Stellenbosch Municipality has made notable progress in the two communities in certain SDG areas, particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal
17 (Partnerships for the Goals), through initiatives to curb gender-based violence and strengthen collaborations with external partners. However, significant
structural challenges persist, including rapid population growth, inadequate housing, and limited access to water and sanitation services, especially within
informal settlements. A key insight from the discussions is the need for the municipality to shift from consultative engagement toward genuine co-creation
of knowledge and decision-making. While residents are engaged through community forums, online meetings, social media platforms, and ward councillors,
these channels largely facilitate one-way communication rather than collaborative problem-solving.
Building a shared understanding of the SDGs among community members can strengthen co-decision-making, foster trust, and enhance collective
ownership of local sustainability initiatives. Most importantly, the municipality needs to shift its engagement strategy from public consultations to
knowledge co-creation by deepening the involvement of residents in informal townships. Community members are involved in local development processes via
community forums, zoom meetings, social media and direct contact with ward councilors. However, these modes of engagement do not provide opportunities
for citizens to share their local knowledge. The result is that most participants of the study remain unaware of the meaning of the SDGs and the municipality’s
SDG priorities. Stakeholder dialogue could be an important entry point in the process for meaningful inclusion, co-decision-making, and shared ownership
in local processes.
The authors extend their sincerest gratitude to the Stellenbosch Municipality, the Kayamandi and Klapmuts Townships and the respective Councillors for their administrative and research support throughout the VLR exercise, with special thanks to partners at the Informal Settlements Department of the Stellenbosch Municipality.