Abstract:
This study provides an in-depth analysis of public procurement planning within the Housing Department of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality (COJMM), with a specific focus on the Orange Farm Extension 10, Tjovitjo Informal Settlement. This research is contextualised within the broader challenges of housing delivery, particularly in addressing significant housing backlogs while aspiring to develop quality, sustainable communities.
The study adopted a comprehensive literature review and systematic data collection methodologies to assess the current procurement processes and planning frameworks that guide housing development within the COJMM. Utilising a qualitative research approach, this study scrutinises the dynamics of public procurement planning, specifically within the context of the Orange Farm Extension 10 Tjovitjo.
The study employed purposive and snowball sampling to identify key respondents, including officials from the COJMM Housing Department and representatives of local NGOs and NPOs. The literature examined in this study comprises relevant government policies, housing and procurement legislation, and additional insights from both national and international perspectives, presenting a well-rounded view of the complexities associated with procurement planning in housing development.
Key issues addressed in this research encompass the interaction between local municipalities and provincial authorities in housing projects, the critical role of community involvement, and the benefits derived from effective procurement planning for both project implementation and construction management. The study further identifies several challenges confronting the Housing Department in its procurement processes, including knowledge deficits among procurement practitioners, inadequate planning procedures, instances of regulatory non-compliance, and a pressing need for capacity building.
The findings underscored the importance of enhanced planning, management, and design practices, highlighting strategic interventions aimed at overcoming identified procurement challenges.
These recommendations aim not only to improve housing delivery but also to strengthen sustainable socio-economic development. The research emphasises the urgent need to integrate socio-economic policies to promote a more coordinated approach to procurement planning. The findings are particularly relevant for the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality’s (COJMM) Housing Department, providing direction on refining procurement processes to secure more effective housing delivery outcomes.
A digital solution is proposed, which is a mobile platform inspired by research findings. This platform would connect residents with local service providers in real-time, empowering local tradespeople who are often excluded from formal tender processes, while enabling the municipality to implement a transparent, community-driven micro-procurement system. By directly addressing the procurement planning issues identified, this innovation enhances efficiency and encourages inclusive local economic development. The study recommends scaling up the proposed platform to a macro level, allowing the government to utilise it as a strategic tool for procurement planning across wider service delivery contexts.
