IC4LED_Vhembe Northgate Workshop Report

Towards people-owned and driven Local Economic Development | Page 1
Preparing Multi-stakeholder and Multi-disciplinary Teams for Nodal Engagements Workshop | IC4LED_VhembePreparing Multi-stakeholder and Multi-disciplinary Teams for Nodal Engagements Workshop | IC4LED_Vhembe
IC4LED) in Vhembe District Project | Makhado Northgate Workshop | 7-9 October 2020
IC4LED
IC4LEDIC4LED
Preparing Multi-stakeholder and Multi-
disciplinary Teams for Nodal Engagements
Workshop

Preparing Multi-stakeholder and Multi-disciplinary Teams for Nodal Engagements Workshop | IC4LED_Vhembe
Table of Content
Contents Page
Background to the workshop ..................................................................2
Purpose of the workshop and identities of stakeholders .................3
How did the workshop unfold? ...............................................................4
Laying the foundation for a successful workshop .............................5
What did the particpants expect from the workshop? ......................6
Overview of the IC4LED Project ............................................................7
Day 2 Session ...............................................................................................9
What/who are the key stakeholders of LED in the nodal areas of
Vhembe .........................................................................................................11
Selecting the top five outcomes to use to determine the key LED
drivers per nodal area .............................................................................13
Picture spread ............................................................................................14-17
Day 3 Activities ..........................................................................................18
How will communication tools be marshalled for effective
Local Economic Development ................................................................20
Evidence of social impact for engaged LED practice: Prof V.O
Netshandama .............................................................................................21
Business community commits to play its part in successful
engagements ..............................................................................................22
Vhembe District Municipality position on the on-going IC4LED
work: Executive Mayor of VDM Hon Cllr D.A Nenguda ..................24
Vote of thanks ............................................................................................27

Background to the workshop
In November 2018, a New Framework for
Local Economic Development (LED): Creating
Innovation-driven Local Economies, 2018-
2028 was adopted in South Africa. Central
to the operationalisation of LED are the
following key tenets:
(a) systematic intervention focusing on local
rather than national economic activity; (b)
recognition of the importance of upward
economic linkages within the national
and global contexts; and (c) high level of
cooperation among public, business and local
communities.
Six pillars underpin the new framework for
LED. Of particular interest is the importance
of integrating innovation into LED practice
as reflected in Pillars 1 (Building diverse
and innovation-driven local economies) and
6 (Strengthening Local Innovation Systems).
In an attempt to distil some lessons from
operationalization of the new framework for
LED, late September 2019, the Department
of Science and Innovation (working closely
with the Department of Cooperative
Governance and Traditional Affairs: CoGTA)
released funding to the University of Venda’s
Institute for Rural Development (IRD) to
facilitate and coordinate implementation
of a pilot project in Vhembe District. The
Technology Innovation Agency manages
the grant. This project is coined “Innovation
Champions for Local Economic Development
(IC4LED) in Vhembe District”. It is designed
to be implemented in the 21 development
nodes in the District. The IRD and Vhembe
District Municipality LED office co-lead
implementation of the project. All LED
Managers of Collins Chabane, Makhado,
Musina and Thulamela Local Municipalities
are key drivers of implementation in their
respective areas.
Since February 2020, engagements focusing
on the IC4LED project were held involving
various stakeholders. These included project
inception and launch (11-12 February), the
CDW orientation workshop (24 February),
Project Steering (4) and Implementation
Committee (>5) meetings and engagements
with Local Municipalities. In order to prepare
for successful local engagements in the 21
nodal areas, it was imperative to hold a
workshop involving multiple stakeholders.
The workshop was regarded as an
opportunity to build a strong understanding
of the New Framework for LED, especially its
pillars and expected outcomes. Moreover, the
guiding principles and approaches adopted
in the project would be explained, paving
the way towards clarification of the roles
and responsibilities of project role-players as
implementation unfolds. By so doing, a sense
of belonging and co-ownership of the LED
agenda would be developed.

Purpose of the workshop and identities of stakeholders
From 7-9 October 2020, a workshop was held at
Northgate Lodge in Makhado Local Municipality. It
was coined, Preparing Multi-disciplinary Teams for
Nodal Engagements. The purpose of the workshop
was to plan how to facilitate engagements that would
amplify the voices of youth, adults, community
leaders, technocrats and business people in the 21
established nodal areas of Vhembe District with
respect to the LED agenda. Various stakeholders
were invited to participate in the workshop and be
included in teams that would eventually facilitate
node-level engagements. The workshop was also
meant to share information relating to the New
Framework of Local Economic Development (LED),
the innovative approaches which would guide the
planned activities and co-develop an action plan.
A total of 97 people participated in the workshop.
There were 58 male and 38 female participants. The
respective numbers of participants per stakeholder
were as shown below.
a) Councillors, Municipal officials, Local
Economic Development (LED) Managers (5)
and Community Development Workers (CDWs)
from Vhembe District Municipality including
one of their Provincial Deputy Directors, Collins
Chabane, Makhado, Musina and Thulamela Local
Municipalities;
b) Government Departments: Limpopo Department
of Economic Development Environment and
Tourism:LEDET(2), Limpopo Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development (4), Cooperative
Governance Human Settlements and Traditional
Affairs: CoGHSTA(9);
c) State Agencies: Limpopo Economic Development
Agency: LEDA(1), National Youth Development
Agency: NYDA(1) and Small Enterprise
Development Agency: SEDA;
d) Tertiary Institutions: University of Venda
(UNIVEN) staff (39), postgraduate and
undergraduate: ENACTUS students; Madzivhandila
College of Agriculture (1), Vhembe TVET College
(1) and Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid
Incubation: CFERI (2);
e) Business/Private Sector: Collins Chabane
Chamber of Business (1), Vhembe Agriculture
Forum (1); and Vhembe Tourism Forum (1) and
Vhembe Chamber of Commerce and Industry (1).
Participants in the multi-stakeholder preparatory workshop

How did the workshop unfold?
Towards people-owned and driven Local Economic Development 1
Participants’ Expectations
Theworkshopwasheldoverthreesuccessive
days. Day 1 was meant specifically to lay
the foundation for engagements that took
place on day 2. On day 3, the activities were
meant to pave the way towards the 21 nodal
community engagements. We now share
what happened on each specific day.
Day 1: 7 October 2020
Councillor Faith Chauke, a Member
of the Mayoral Committee and acting
Portfolio Head for Development Planning
in Vhembe District Municipality (VDM)
facilitated the day’s proceedings. She
started by conveying an apology from
the Executive Mayor who was pencilled
in to officially open the workshop. She
proceeded to acknowledge the challenges
that the COVID-19 pandemic posed to
humanity. In the process, she encouraged
the participants not to lose hope. Councillor
Chauke encouraged everyone to feel
welcome and participate freely. After the
welcome remarks, Mr C.T. Marivate who
is the Tourism Officer for VDM facilitated
the introductory session. Each participant
introduced himself or herself, including the
institution he/she represented.
Councillor F. Chauke, facilitating the day’s
programme
Standing is Mr C.T. Marivate, the Tourism Oﬃcer
for Vhembe District Municipality facilitating the
participant introduction session

Dr P. Nyamukondiwa, a
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Institute
for Rural Development (IRD) at
UNIVEN, made announcements
and also clarified the housekeeping
issues. She emphasized the need to
maintain social distance, wearing
masks at all times during the
workshop,andconstantlysanitizing
hands as per Covid 19 pandemic
regulations. Dr Nyamukondiwa
also shared the Wi-Fi password
and proceeded to remind all the
participants to mute cellphones
and laptops throughout the
workshop. This, she argued, would
create an enabling environment for
a successful workshop.
Mr Mukundi Mushaphi, the LED
Manager for VDM, explained
the purpose of the workshop. He
acknowledged the presence of
Councillor F. Chauke who was
standing in for the Executive
Mayor. After that he revealed that
the IC4LED Project is designed
to roll out implementation of the
new Framework for LED. In his
own words, he said, “….Vhembe
District is a guinea pig for testing
the operationalisation of the new
LED Framework in South Africa...
as a district we cannot afford to
fail because we would have failed
the whole nation”. Through the
workshop, efforts would be made
to ensure that all participants fully
understood the New Framework
for LED in South Africa. The 21
nodal areas would be the focal
point when operationalizing the
key elements of the framework.
Mr Mushaphi went on to highlight
that workshop participants would
be trained to ensure that they are
well-prepared to facilitate node-
level engagements to advance
the ideals of the IC4LED project,
in particular information that
would help to frame the LED
strategy. Such information would
also help propose an integrated
nodal plan that is also useful for
local municipal and District-wide
planning. He went on to draw the
attention of the participants to the
importance of this work to shaping
the Vhembe District Development
model. Mr Mushaphi added that
this utility of the results meant
that there was need to ensure that
workshop participants capacitated
on how to engage or facilitate
successful multi-stakeholder
engagements in all the nodal
areas. Lastly, participants would be
appraised on the progress made in
the IC4LED Project to date.
“….Vhembe District
is a guinea pig
for testing the
operationalisation
of the new LED
Framework in South
Africa... as a district
we cannot afford
to fail because we
would have failed the
whole nation”.
Mr Mukundi Mushaphi, LED Manager of Vhembe District Municipality, explaining the purpose of the
workshop
Laying the foundation for a successful workshop

Dr P. Nyamukondiwa facilitated the session,
“Participants’ expectations & creation of an enabling
environment for a successful workshop”. As shown
below, their expectations were many and varied.
1. be able to develop my community better;
2. a concrete LED framework for the District would
be developed;
3. a clear roadmap on how to engage grassroots
communities in their nodal areas would be
produced;
4. a plan of action with clear timelines would be
developed;
5. the project’s Foot Soldiers would be identified;
6. a clear implementation strategy would be crafted
7. the workshop would not be a mere platform for
university researchers to collect data;
8. I will meet node-based team members;
9. the youth would participate as social
entrepreneurship change agents;
10. participants would learn to come up with
strategies for LED that are sustainable;
11. an enabling environment for implementing
the PPP would be created. The approval process
for such is usually too long, which lengthens the
planning process, unnecessarily;
12. participants would learn how to manage change
especially the Office of the Executive Mayor or any
other elected political leadership;
13. there would be maximum participation
throughout the workshop; and
14.the roles of different stakeholders in the project
would be clearly articulated. The distinction
between ILED and LED would be clarified.
After deliberations on expectations, the participants
proposed actions that ensure that the workshop
would succeed. Their responses were as follows:
i. Appreciating and maximizing the diversity of
stakeholders in the workshop;
ii. Alignment of the programme with the raised
expectations;
iii. Participants availing themselves to play their
expected roles;
iv. Having facilitators who understand the New
Framework for LED, 2018-2028;
v. Breaking into commissions and participating
actively;
vi. Allocating responsibilities to people after
decisions and resolutions have been made; and
vii. Ensuring that everyone stays in the workshop
until the last day.
Dr P. Nyamukondiwa, a Post-doctoral
Fellow recording participants’
expectations
Participants making contributions towards a successful
workshop
What did the participants expect from the workshop?

Prof J. Francis, the Director of the IRD and IC4LED
project leader delivered a detailed presentation of the
overview of it. He began by appreciating the diversity
of stakeholders in the workshop especially at a time
when Covid 19 was still a scourge throughout the
world. He revealed that the IC4LED was a project
that the Department of Science and Innovation was
funding.HepointedoutthattheIC4LEDwastheonly
pilot project in the country, highlighting that the new
LED framework emphasizes inclusion of innovation
into LED. Prof Francis said, “….Department of
Science and Innovation, Department of Cooperative
Governance and Traditional Affairs, Limpopo
Department of Cooperative Governance, Human
Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Vhembe
District and University of Venda are putting their
efforts to ensure the success of operationalizing the
New Framework for LED”. He mentioned that all
workshop participants were members of some of the
21 established nodal areas. As such, he encouraged
them to share information about the project with
membersofthoseareas.Thepurposeoftheworkshop
was to give each stakeholder the opportunity to plan
how they will engage communities within their
respective nodal areas. “We came here to succeed
and not to fail. Indeed, failure is not on our agenda at
all”, he added.
Some of the key messages from Prof J. Francis’s
presentation were that different stakeholders perceive
local economic development in various ways. Using a
number of cartoons, he painted the ‘face of LED’ that
must to be addressed. Notable in his presentation
was his emphasis on the need to focus more on the
positives embedded in the current work. For him, the
problem-solving approach drained people’s energies.
Thus, it’s important to adopt a change management
approach, in this case Appreciative Inquiry, to
facilitate and coordinate LED practice.
Prof Francis then summarised LED as “.. a process
that involves the public, business and government
to work collaboratively to improve the quality of
life people through self-driven processes.” The work
would strengthen the economic capacity of local
areas (21 nodal areas) and translate into improved
livelihoods of the local communities. In a bid to
simplify LED further, he outlined the outcomes of
the LED as follows:
a) Sustainable employment and jobs creation;
b) Generation of income;
c) Reduction of poverty;
d) Sustainable businesses;
e) Attracting investment;
f) Retaining investment;
g) Inclusive approach that leaves no one behind;
h) Inclusion of the informal sector;
i) Local infrastructural development that promotes
economic development; and
j) Acquisition of relevant employable skills.
Overview of the Innovation Champions for Local
Economic Development (IC4LED) Project
Prof J. Francis, Director of the Institute for Rural
Development at the University of Venda presenting
the overview of the IC4LED project

Prof. J. Francis then explained that the key features
of the vision of the new framework for LED is to
achieve an innovative, competitive, sustainable,
and inclusive local economy. In this respect,
local government’s role is to create an enabling
environment for job creation, poverty eradication
and inequality reduction. This will be attained by
maximizing economic opportunities to address
these local needs. “In our approach”, he encouraged
all the participants, we want “to rely on local assets”.
This will help to contribute to national development.
After this explanation, Prof J. Francis revealed the six
pillars of the new framework for LED, namely:
a) Innovation-driven economy;
b) Building inclusive local economies;
c) Enterprise development;
d) Developing learning and skilful economies;
e) Economic governance and infrastructure; and
f) Strengthening local innovations systems.
He informed the participants that at the end of the
workshop, he expected that an enabling environment
for engagements in the nodal areas would have
been created. In addition, he pointed out that the
capacities of the stakeholders would have been
developed such that this increased readiness to
facilitate LED work in the 21 nodal areas. He added
that before the end of the year, six Innovation
Champions to be placed in the Municipalities and
the university will have been recruited. Going
forward, science and innovation will be integrated
into LED. Finally, the university will be capacitated
to facilitate LED in the District. Therefore, there is
need to ensure that all monitoring and evaluation
mechanisms are associated with effective information
dissemination to and from all the stakeholders.
In this respect, appreciative inquiry will be used
to achieve this. As Prof Francis concluded his
presentation, he summarized the highlights of
the status quo reflected in the draft Vhembe LED
Strategy as follows:
a) The population of Vhembe District is young (66-
70 %);
b) Youth unemployment ranges from 48-62 %)
c) Continuous rural-urban flight, which drains the
District of its highly skilled human capital;
d) High inequality rates, gini coefficient extending
from 0.56-0.58;
e) Black Africans estimated to be at least 98 % of the
total population;
f) Economic performance is lower than the
provincial average, which is worsening since 2016;
g) More than 75 % of the District is under traditional
leadership;
h) Senior Management in Municipalities is perceived
to be not taking LED seriously; and
i) No evidence of embedded innovation in current
LED strategies.
After a brief discussion on Prof Francis’s
presentation, Councillor Simon Mthombeni of
Makhado Local Municipality delivered the closing
remarks. He thanked all the participants for
participating actively in the day’s deliberations.
After appreciating the success scored already on
the first day of the workshop, he declared the day’s
proceedings officially closed.

Mr. K.S Mudau, the Deputy Principal of
Madzivhandila College of Agriculture,
facilitating the workshop programme for Day 2
Mr K.S. Mudau, the Deputy Principal of
MadzivhandilaCollegeofAgriculture,facilitated
the programme for the second day of the
workshop. After opening the proceedings with
a prayer Mr T.M. Lusunzi, Director for LED at
LEDET facilitated a session in which participants
recapped and reflected on the activities of day 1.
He started by reminding the participants about
their expectations from the workshop. He then
distilled the key elements of the overview of the
IC4LED project which Prof. J. Francis presented.
Mr Lusunzi explained that the
previous day revealed how the
Districtwastryingtooperationalize
theNewFrameworkforLED,2018-
2028. This called for mobilization
of all major LED stakeholders and
organizing them to work together.
He noted that he had learned from
the presentations that infusion
of science and innovation into
the on-going LED initiatives was
crucial and must be promoted. A
good starting point was to identify
the uniqueness of selected nodes
and use that knowledge as a basis
for reimagining the future before
mounting activities that seek to
achieve that dream. He added
that it was a privilege that the
DSI and CoGTA had identified
Vhembe District as viable for
piloting this project. From time
to time, Mr Lusunzi called upon
the participants to contribute
what they still remembered from
the day 1 deliberations. He then
spent some time unpacking the
six pillars of the New Framework
for LED, highlighting why it
was crucial to develop a deeper
understanding of them and how
best to embed them in the project
work. Most appreciable was his
ability to reinforce what had
been included in the presentation
of the overview with pieces of
legislation that were relevant for
the project. “One thing that stood
out for me was that we also need
to consider the uniqueness of an
area when implementing LED-
related projects and programmes,
and not employ a one-size-fits-all
strategy. This necessitates engaging
stakeholders in the identified 21
nodal areas. “We need to be able to
identify the potential of local areas
and come up with programmes
that will involve the communities
that are in those localities”, he said.
If successful, the project would
be implemented in other districts
across the country.
The expected outcome was that
mini LED plans would be devel-
oped and integrated into munic-
ipalities’ LED Strategies which
would be consolidated into the
District LED Strategy.
continued on the next page

He added that the aim of the
workshop was to develop the
roadmap which would be followed
when engaging communities.
Mr Lusunzi explained that the
IC4LED project scope goes
beyond the development of the
District LED strategy because it
will include a programme of action
for implementation of the District
LED strategy going forward. “The
New Framework is supposed to act
as a tool for strategic coordination
and planning, and to guide and
promote a common understanding
of the approach to be used when
engaging communities. We were
requested to acquaint ourselves
with the six pillars of the New
Framework so that we align our
focus and approach of engagement
with the framework. The New
Framework is not the only guiding
tool shaping the manner in which
stakeholders would be engaged, but
aligns itself with several legislative
prescripts such as the Constitution
of the Republic of South Africa
(Sections 152, 153, 154), the White
Paper on Local Government,
the Traditional Leadership and
Governance Framework Act of
2003, the White Paper on Science,
Technology and Innovation, the
Intergovernmental Act and the
Municipal Systems Act, among
others. The definition of LED as
outlined in the New Framework
will serve as a critical guide for
the engagement, or a theme
towards the attainment of the
envisioned collaborative, inclusive,
competitive, territorial, social,
economic and environmental
development. Hence the need for
us to engage people in the 21 nodal
areas,” he explained.
Mr Lusunzi alluded to the
acknowledgement by the South
African President that the
three spheres of government
are planning, coordinating and
implementing LED and other
government initiatives in silos. “As
technocrats, when we are seated
in our offices, we think that we
know what communities want. We
develop strategies, conceptualize
projects and programmes,
finalise budgets, establish steering
committees, and then go to the
communities at the 11th hour, and
expect that communities will take
everything we are giving them.
He pointed out that the one size
fits all approach was fraught with
challenges, necessitating a new
approach as outlined in the new
Framework for LED. Another
reason for the need for a more
inclusive approach to LED was that
there was no commonly shared
understanding of LED. Thus, it
was hoped that the project would
help converge the thinking of LED
towards one strategic direction.
Absence of leadership in LED
(especially senior management
in municipalities) and ineffective
pro-poor approaches to LED
also highlighted the need for a
New Framework for LED and
its implementation through
the IC4LED project. After the
reflection on day 1 of the workshop,
it was time to establish groups for
stakeholder mapping and analysis.

Dr J. Zuwarimwe facilitated breakout grouping of
stakeholders represented in the workshop. Nine
distinct stakeholder groups that are listed below
were established.
1. University of Venda academic staff;
2. Postgraduate students;
3. ENACTUS UNIVEN students;
4. Agriculture Advisors (Extension officers);
5. Municipal officials, mainly drawn from LED,
Communications and Information Technology;
6. Community Development Workers;
7. Officers and Managers of Limpopo Provincial
government and state agencies;
8. Councillors from all Municipalities; and
9. Vhembe District Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (including the Agriculture and Tourism
Forums).
Each group carried out stakeholder analysis using a
common tool that enabled revealing perception of
influence, attitude and appropriate interventions for
improved LED practice.
What/who are the key stakeholders of local economic
development in the nodal areas of Vhembe District?
Dr J. Zuwarimwe facilitating the breakaway session
for group work
Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development Advisors sharing views on stakeholder
analysis
University of Venda Masters and Doctoral students
during breakaway session focusing on stakeholder
analysis
Prof J. Francis presented the list of
the 21 nodal areas in the District.
There were four nodes each
in Collins Chabane (Bungeni,
Malamulele, Saselemani
and Vuwani), Makhado
(Dzanani, Luvuvhu, Makhado
and Waterval) and Musina
(Madimbo, Masisi, Musina and
Shakadza) Local Municipalities.
The remaining nine nodal
areas were in Thulamela Local
Municipality (Lwamondo,
Makonde, Makuya, Mutale,
Sibasa, Thohoyandou, Tshaulu,
Tshikombami and Tshixwadza).
He indicated that teams of
stakeholders would be deployed
to the nodal areas to engage
local interest groups and collect
data on perceived key economic
drivers. After that, the value
chain analysis and appreciative
inquiry approach would be used
to frame and guide stakeholder
deliberations. Thus, the nine
groups just formed would each
identify the various interest
groups or stakeholders worth
engaging in the nodal areas. The
results of the group discussions
were then presented during a
plenary session.

Here is a group representing Community
Development Workers sharing perspectives on
stakeholder analysis
Local and District municipal officials carrying out
stakeholder analysis
Even Enactus UNIVEN students shared their views
on key stakeholders for LED
Local and District Municipal Councillors
undertaking stakeholder analysis
Project stakeholders analysis by UNIVEN and
Vhembe Distrcit Municipality.
Representatives of provincial government and state
agencies during stakeholder analysis session

Mapping and defining the agenda for LED in every
nodal area is one of the major expectations from the
IC4LEDproject.Inaddition,itwasimportanttoagree
on a set of activities that would serve as a roadmap
towards successful node-based engagements. This
was the major focus of the after lunch session on
day 2 of the workshop. Mr T. Gondo, a Lecturer in
the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at
the University of Venda co-facilitated with Ms N.
Masaka (Coordinator of the CDW programme in
Vhembe District) this group work-based session.
First, they introduced the pairwise ranking and
matrix scoring techniques. Nine groups in which
each stakeholder was represented were formed.
Using the pairwise ranking technique, they selected
the top 5 outcomes of LED. Added to this, they
proposed the logical steps to follow to ensure that
nodal stakeholder engagement sessions would be
successful. Day 2 of the workshop drew to a close
after a plenary session focusing on the results of the
group deliberations.
Selecting the top five outcomes to use to determine the key
local economic development drivers per nodal area
Mr T. Gondo (standing) and Ms N. Masaka (sitting) explaining the pairwise ranking technique and work
plan group exercise

Day 3 of the workshop began with Pastor Shandukani
delivering an opening prayer. On this last day, Mr
Albert Jeleni, President of the Vhembe District
Chamber of Commerce and Industry facilitated the
programme. Mr Hulisani Mukwevho, Director of
Development Planning in Collins Chabane Local
Municipality, reflected on what transpired on day 2.
Apart from outlining the specific activities carried
out, he indicated that testing the tools that would
be used during nodal engagements was significant
because it exposed the participants to how to apply
them. Furthermore, according the nine groups the
opportunity to prepare a road map leading to nodal
engagements was another stand out milestone on
day 2 of the workshop. He ended his reflection by
reminding the participants that a group was given the
challenge of delivering a mock presentation of a nodal
community engagement (role playing). Mr Jeleni then
invited participants to add any other aspects that Mr
Mukwevho might not have covered. Next was time for
the mock nodal engagement.
Role playing a nodal stakeholder engagement session
The mock presentation/role play started with a
demonstration of how community entry (into the
Local Municipality and nodal area) should be done.
The importance of enlisting the support of traditional
leadersandrespectinglocalprotocolswasemphasised.
Thiswasespeciallysoinviewofthefactthatmostparts
of Vhembe District fall under traditional authority.
Steps to follow, leading to the days of engagements
in nodal areas, once permission is granted were
revealed. The role play triggered robust discussion
and emotions. Ultimately, the following resolutions
were adopted regarding the nodal engagements:
Mr Wiseman Ndlovu(standing), a member of
group 1 explaining the mock/demonstration
proceedings
Mr Jeleni holds the microphone as Dr E. Ingwani
from UNIVEN shares her views on the roleplay

An elaborate set of activities was adopted. This was
mainly designed to create an enabling environment
for active participation of stakeholders and gathering
quality data on the status quo in the nodal areas. We
present the activities here.
1. Vhembe District Municipality will send a letter to
all Local Municipalities through the LED Managers
requesting smooth facilitation of nodal engagements
(securing permission for nodal engagements,
complying with locally recognized and respected
protocols);
2. Consolidate the stakeholder analysis results;
3. Compile the toolbox to use to facilitate nodal
engagements;
4. Hold a half day workshop to train teams that will
facilitate nodal engagements (specifically focus on
data collection instruments, protocols, effective team
work and logistics);
5. Contextualize the generic roll-out plan taking into
account the realities of each node’s environment;
6. Roll-out implementation of the communication
strategy to prepare the ground for nodal
engagements;
7. Complete workshop report writing;
8. Email workshop report to all participants within 7
days;
9. Prepare a newsletter (Rural Development Trumpet)
out of the workshop proceedings;
10. Distribute the Rural Development Trumpet widely
via various channels, including social media;
11. Hold workshops with business community at
District and Local Municipality levels;
12. Identify at least 4 persons representing the
business sector to work with the nodal engagement
teams;
13. Present the project to the Vhembe District
Communicators Forum meeting scheduled for 30
October at Makhado Show Ground; and
14. Finalize assignment of stakeholders to
implementation teams.
What will be the focus of nodal community
engagement?
Even though the key stakeholders to engage were
identified, the voices of youth, women, persons with
disabilities and entrepreneurs should be amplified.
The engagements will provide answer to the
following questions:
1. What are the major economic activities in the
nodal area? (Use the 5 outcomes of LED agreed upon
in the workshop);
2. Who are the major players involved in each
economic activity?
3. What are the good things that are seen or
experienced that can be attributed to the economic
activities taking place in the nodal area?
4. What can make the economic activities in the
nodal area perform better?
Requirements for successful nodal engagements
The need for the teams and stakeholders to acquaint
themselves with, and adhere to local cultural
practices was said to be key to the success of the
planned engagements. Among these was ensuring
that dress code was appropriate. Some of the
values and principles that teams must embrace will
be covered during the workshop to be held just
before deployment to nodal areas to engage local
communities. However, the following check list of
requirements for engagements was agreed upon:
1) Attendance register;
2) Data collection tools: Pairwise ranking, matrix;
scoring, inventory of stakeholders and interventions
for improved performance per economic activity;
3) Uniform message explaining the background to
the project and engagement, taking note that this is
not a University project per se; noting
4) Organized and inclusive team:
a. Allocate roles and responsibilities;
b. Hold a briefing meeting with local organisers and
leaders on the day of engagement;
c. Bring back complete data e.g. all sections of the
attendance register filled;
d. Be flexible on suitable dates;
e. Prepare for harsh attitudes or treatment by some
community members. What strategies will you
adopt to maintain sustainable peace and harmony
throughout the engagements?
f. Always have documents which serve as proof that
the engagement work is authorised;
After this discussion had been concluded, Mr T.
Gondo presented the consolidated results of the
pairwise ranking exercise on LED outcomes. He
went on to explain the implications of the results in
practice.
What should be done leading to engagements in the 21 nodes?

It was now the turn of the
communication and social
marketing team to spell out how
it would contribute to the success
of the IC4LED work. Mr Moses
Shivambu, a Media Liaison Officer
for Vhembe District Municipality,
presented the communication
strategyfortheprojectwithaspecial
focus on its operationalization. He
indicated that communication and
information technology staff from
UNIVEN and all Municipalities
would meet to agree on how
best to provide support going
forward. He emphasized the
fact that communicators in
the District would anchor the
project. For this reason, an action
plan for the communication
cluster to use would be prepared.
Mr Shivambu added that all
awareness and promotion plans
of the project would be integrated
into municipal communication
activities. Presentations on the
project and media briefings
would be rolled out. The print
media would be invited to cover
activities on an on-going basis.
Community awareness campaigns
would be launched as within
the framework of the Vhembe
District communication cluster
programming. Press conferences
would be organised to amplify
our distinct footprints. Various
media houses would be invited to
cover such strategic conferences.
All these activities will be carried
out as planned if a decent budget
is availed. As he concluded, Mr
Shivambu highlighted the need to
create a dedicated Vhembe LED
website to ensure that stakeholders
access project information and
updates without much difficulty.
How will communication tools be marshalled
for effective local economic development?
Moses Shivambu (Media Liaison Officer -Vhembe District
Municipality)

Prof V.O. Netshandama, Director
of Community Engagement
at the University of Venda
professed that she was impressed
by the engagement because
of the multiple stakeholders
present. She added that it was
clear that the participants were
concerned about having impact
in society. In her own words, she
said “I am impressed that the
participants are co-designing, re-
imagining and formulating new
methodologies for community
engagement”. Below is a
transcript of prof Netshandama’s
address.
“This multi-stakeholder
workshop has disrupted the
notion of wanting short cuts,
wanting to go and harvest where
you hardly know when the work
was done. But here you can show
and tell how you started, how
you negotiated the processes,
the terms, the tools. I am so
privileged that you also have
created an opportunity for the
young ones, the students of the
University of Venda, to learn how
things are done in the right way.
For my little talk, the emphasis
that I want to make is how the
initiative that is driven by the
Municipality and political leaders
is also teaching the university to
be earnest and to be authentic.
I talked to my boss/our boss
yesterday and I said I am with
Prof Francis … and I must say we
are also privileged as a university
to have Prof Francis because he
runs projects and programmes,
educative development
programmes in a way that is
self-less. No Professor wants to
come out here during Covid 19
circumstances and situation and
coordinate programmes that tell
us that Covid 19 or not we still
have to take responsibility for
our part of the land, the rural
communities and involve them
and learn how to involve them
in an effective way. Therefore,
this project I should tell you that
it sits - it resides exactly in our
new strategic plan 2021-2025 of
the University of Venda, which
is driven by engagement. I must
say a lot of it is going to be talk,
talk but here we are going to
show off. I have witnessed it. I am
going to be reporting back at the
university - I know there is still a
long way to go but this is really
for me to say, thank you. I wish
we could have officials, municipal
leaders and politicians who are
respectful of the potential that
we have and the strength that we
can have if we work together, if
we collaborate. Having a multi-
stakeholder process is not an
easy task but you are here. You
are facilitating, you are sharing
responsibility and so forth.
Keep it up, I am going to report
back to the university about this
excellent project, do not give up.
There are going to be challenges,
you are going to be slow. Usually
these kinds of programmes are
not quick fixes. But hang in there,
be patient, depend on each other,
respect one another’s capabilities.
We come with different agendas,
yes. But nobody said it cannot
be negotiated and propelled
forward, which is what our
government is also realising was
our flaw, our shortcoming as a
government that we could not
figure out a way of collaborating
effectively for development, for
economic emancipation. How
best can it be? So, Thank you!
Thank you!”
Evidence of social compact for engaged LED practice: My observations -
Prof V.O. Netshandama, Director Community Engagement, University of Venda
Prof V.O. Netshandama, Director
of Community Engagement at
UNIVEN

Mr A. Jeleni committing the business sector to
participate actively in the IC4LED project
After Prof Netshandama had shared her thoughts,
Mr Albert Jeleni spoke about the Vhembe Chamber
of Commerce and Industry and its possible
contribution to the IC4LED project. He said the
Chamber was committed to participating in the
process. He revealed that the Chamber was looking
for opportunities that would enable it to create
jobs and grow the local economy. In his speech,
he pointed out that the Chamber had deliberated
on the following: (a) Focusing on establishing and
sustaining local chambers in each local municipality;
(b) Having a District Chamber in the Provincial
formation with office bearers attached to the
grassroots structures; and (c) Ensuring that there is
a strong District Chamber that participates actively
in the District Development Model. He added that
there were 21 sector forums in the country that
would be involved in ensuring that at District level to
bring the economy to the global market. Below is Mr
Jeleni’s full address.
Business community commits to play its part in nodal engagements -
Mr Albert Jeleni, President of the Limpopo and Vhembe Chambers of
Commerce and Industry
“We are committing to be part and
parcelofthisprocess.IfIweretoput
it in my own way, I would say the
process of writing an LED strategy
is to try and read the minds of
business people in terms of where
they see themselves in the space.
Remember as business people we
are in business for ourselves in
terms of making money and also
in terms of creating a legacy. So, as
we are busy doing the LED work,
I have what I have in my mind
to say I want to create 1, 2, 3 and
I think this process is to try and
capture that somehow, whether
prophetically using the tools that
we came up with or just to make
sure that we can synchronize
somehow and be able to develop
our economy. So, in all honesty, we
want to say that we appreciate and
we want to participate so that we
are actually able to read that mind
from a business point of view. But
as business people we have got
customers or clients, which in this
case is the community at large. On
our own, we usually try to read and
speculate what it is that they want
to get from us and at times we can
get it wrong and we believe that out
of this work we are embarking on
when we are done we will then be
able to say that we think there is
an opportunity in that community.
We think there is an opportunity
in the other community. So, for us
we are looking forward to getting
hold of that document and then
out of it we say then what are the
opportunities for us to be able to
create jobs and to be able to grow
the economy in a way?”
“On our own, we
usually try to read and
speculate what it is that
they want to get from us
and at times we can get
it wrong and we believe
that out of this work
we are embarking on
when we are done we
will then be able to say
that we think there is
an opportunity in that
community.”
Continued on next page

I must also appreciate - I’m not so
sure if I saw Mr Lusunzi today. We
highlighted with Mr Lusunzi some
of the challenges in terms of coming
up with LED strategies some time
last year. Actually, we had a lockdown
meeting, a very tense meeting. I
remember that the MEC was there.
He was supposed to go and speak in
an event and it was like, “you’re not
going to speak until we understand
each other, mainly because we are
frustrated”. But I like his approach and
his team. They said to us - tell us what
you want so that we agree on what we
need to do. …. in that discussion we
said, LED is critical and we need to
make it a reality and as the business
community we need to play an active
role and they just said to us submit a
proposal in two weeks’ time telling us
how we can support you … but let us
agree on the principles that we need to
adhere to. One of the principles that
we needed to agree on was that our
focus must establish and sustain local
Chambers of Commerce and Industry
in every Local Municipality. That was
the one commitment to say that there
should be genuine Chambers not
stokvels in every Local Municipality.
Also, not ‘tenderpreneurs’ but
industrialists in a way. Number two,
we needed to be able to go up, meaning
that we must have a District Chamber
and ultimately, Provincial Chamber.
But the people who sit in the District
and Provincial Chambers must be
attached to the grassroots.
The third thing we agreed on was that
sincethereistheDistrictDevelopment
Model, we should make sure that we
participate in that space, meaning
that we must have strong District
Chambers. We recognise that there
are sector forums and I think usually
when we talk about this, often we talk
about the agriculture forum and the
tourism forum. Another thing is that -
I think in South Africa we have about
21 SETAs and each one of them can
be divided into eight subsectors. The
agreement was that at District level we
must be able to have all these sectors
being alive because we cannot push
one sector of the economy only and
neglect the other. We need all of them
because our competition is global,
that is international.
“Out of those District
Forums we are going
to tell each group
of representatives
from the four Local
Municipalities to go
and mobilize forums
at Local Municipality
level and in that
space, they will give
feedback to members.
Out of those
engagements we will
be able to give you
clearer feedback.
However, note that
we are going to give
you five people per
nodal area who will
be working with you”
So far, we have managed to work
with Mr Lusunzi and LEDET to
establish District Chambers in the
whole province, which were officially
launched by LEDET. We have officially
launched the Limpopo Chamber of
Commerce and Industry. Now, we
are in a process of doing something
that has never been done before,
that is to sign a Memorandum of
Understanding between a Chamber
and the government. This will make
sure that we regulate the relationship
that we have amongst ourselves and
we went further Prof. I know that
this IC4LED project is a pilot for
the whole country and in the same
manner as province we are the pilot of
how Chambers should operate in the
whole country. Now as we speak we
have what we call the National Union
of Municipal Chambers of Commerce
and Industry. …. and they are copying
how we have done things. Thus, with
these words it’s just to appreciate our
government in terms of what it is
doing and also to commit to say that
we are going to work together.
Coming to our group discussion
yesterday Prof, we agreed that we
are going to actively work with your
team. After this workshop, the first
thing that we are going to do is to call
all the District forums in the business
space. We are going to sit down and
give them feedback regarding what
has been happening and what we
need to do. Out of those District
Forums we are going to tell each
group of representatives from the
four Local Municipalities to go and
mobilize forums at Local Municipality
level and in that space, they will give
feedback to members. Out of those
engagements we will be able to give
you clearer feedback. However, note
that we are going to give you five
people per nodal area who will be
working with you. With this Chamber
that I am talking about, we value
collaboration with government - not
fighting with government….. and just
to give you an example, next week
we are hosting an SEZ colloquium,
which is collaboration between us and
government. This year we agreed that
we are going to have three colloquia.
One will focus on public-private
partnership (triple P) and we are
going to organize another one dealing
with governance within government.
Thank you very much Prof. … “I
think with this speech I am close to an
Honorary Doctorate”, as I conclude on
a lighter note.
...Continued from previous page

Hon Cllr D.A Nenguda, Executive Mayor
of Vhembe District arrived during the
workshop evaluation
session. Soon after this
session, he addressed
the participants. He
began by appreciating
everyone for maximum
participation as
reflected during the
evaluation session. This
made him comprehend
the activities that
transpired during the
workshop. His full
speech is presented
here.
To the Programme
Director, members of
the Mayoral Committee
present here, delegates
from the University
of Venda, delegates
from Vhembe TVET
College, delegates
from the Tourism
Association, delegates from our various
Local Municipalities present here, members
of the media, our municipal officials present
here, honourable guests, the Coordinators
of this very important coming together,
distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Ndi masiari!!
Joining you at this time is a privilege for me
because I was able to
catch up here and there,
more especially when
you were dissecting
the issues that you
arrived at, when you
were doing the post-
mortem. I happened to
pick up quite a number
of resolutions when
you were recapping. I
thank you very much
for your participation.
I heard that you
were participating
maximally during all
the sessions, which
means indeed you were
taking the sessions
seriously. Colleagues,
this LED workshop
here at Northgate
Lodge to us marks a
milestone in our historic
mission to push back
the frontiers of poverty and unemployment in
our District as a matter of apex priority. It
is the continuation of a long journey to work
proactively with our people since 1994 in
realising our long held mission of better life
for all.
Vhembe District Municipality Position on the on-going
innovation champions for LED work – His Worship Hon Cllr
D. Nenguda, Executive Mayor
“Colleagues, this LED
strategy workshop here at
Northgate Lodge to us marks
a milestone in our historic
mission to push back the
frontiers of poverty and
unemployment in our District
as a matter of apex priority.
It is the continuation of
a long journey to work
proactively with our people
since 1994 in realising our
long held mission of better
life for all.”

Our apologies for not being part of
the workshop from the onset due to
other pressing work commitments.
I believe the political components
of the Municipalities that have
been here since Wednesday with
all the delegates contributing a lot
to the discussion and they draw
inspiration from this process.
We are looking forward to the
resolutions and implementation
plan out of this workshop. I
was listening attentively when
delegates were trying to recap
the resolutions and I just want to
urge all the delegates, please let us
make sure that we implement them
because it is very important. We
can have meetings and meetings,
discuss for days and days but if we
do not implement it comes back to
nothing. I urge you to make follow-
ups to all the resolutions you
arrived at so that we implement
them. As a District Municipality,
we can assure you that we are
walking this journey together with
you and all our people. Programme
Director and all delegates, Covid19
has brought many challenges
and opportunities to our
country and District. Many of
our loved ones have lost their
employment and livelihoods,
and the economy of our
country has contracted to an
unprecedented level since the
dawn of democracy.
Our immediate task since
the lockdown was declared
has been to reduce the
infection rate and protect
our people from being sick
and ultimately, a death from
covi19 pandemic. On this
front, we have organized
under the banner of the
District Command Council to
reduce infection and mortality
rates in our District. I can safely
say we implemented successful
strategies in our relentless fight
against coronavirus. We need the
same energy now to implement
meaningful strategies and policies
to restore the livelihoods and
dignity of our people post-Covid
19 pandemic. The local economic
development strategy workshop
is part of our approach to find
meaningful ways of ensuring
that our people can participate in
meaningful activities within our
District. Since lockdown in March
2020, as a District we managed
to mobilise all stakeholders
including sector departments,
Municipalities, business fraternity,
traditional leaders, institutions
of higher learning including our
University of Venda and Vhembe
TVET College,
civil society
o r g a n i s a t i o n s ,
traditional healers,
pastors, agriculture
forums, tourism
sector, transport
o r g a n i s a t i o n s
including taxi
forums. This was
our fight back
strategy against
Covid 19. Although
we are not out of
the woods yet in
terms of defeating
Coronavirus, I
want us to continue
to invoke the
same spirit of
common purpose
and goals as we
restore economic
development in
our District. We must pursue and
mobilise all stakeholders under the
banner of our District through the
Hon Cllr D.A Nenguda, speech ... Continued
Colleagues, when we create job
opportunities we restore dignity
of our people. We must ensure
that economic inclusion becomes
the anchor programme and
cornerstone of Vhembe District
development model. Working
together indeed, we can do more.
Local economic development
is an inclusive participatory
process that seeks to use local
resources to enhance economic
development and empower all the
citizens in our District. In this
process, all stakeholders must
participate meaningfully in the
implementation and enjoy the
benefits
Honourable Councillor D.A Nenguda,
Executive Mayor of Vhembe District
delivering closing speech

Executive Mayor’s speech continues
District Development Model in
our resolve to find solutions to the
job bloodbath caused by Covid 19.
Colleagues, when we create job
opportunities we restore the
dignity of our people. We must
ensure that economic inclusion
becomes the anchor programme
and cornerstone of Vhembe
District development model.
Working together indeed, we can
do more. Programme Director,
local economic development
is an inclusive participatory
process that seeks to use local
resources to enhance economic
development and empower all
the citizens in our District. In
this process, all stakeholders must
participate meaningfully in the
implementation and enjoy the
benefits. This workshop is very
important to us because most of
our people have suffered after
the effects of Covid 19. We must
work together with our people in
resolving our economic challenges
and they too will benefit from the
fruits of freedom. We must work
with previously disadvantaged
groups,theyouth,women,children
and people with disability. We
must live to show we are a caring
nation. It is our deeply held belief
that this workshop has found ways
of ensuring that we participate as
a District and our stakeholders in
maximising economic activities
and existing opportunities in our
District. We have much to gain
from sectors such as tourism,
agriculture, mining, small-scale
farming, exporting of goods and
services we produce in our District,
transport industry and the Musina-
Makhado Special Economic Zone.
We must formalise and strengthen
the partnership we have with the
University of Venda, Vhembe
TVET College and Madzivhandila
College of Agriculture, particularly
in strategic areas such as scientific
research, skills development and
education and training. Our
people are thirsty for skills and we
are prepared to partner with all
institutions of higher
learning in the area
of training and skills
transfer.
Programme Director,
the purpose of
the workshop was
to consult you as
stakeholders with the
aim of implementing
a new local economic
d e v e l o p m e n t
framework that
infuses science and
innovation. It is
part of the process
meant to assist us in
developing a well-
founded integrated
development and
local economic
development plans.
We have heard
about the agrarian
revolution, transport
plans, economic
development programmes,
tourism corridors, provincial
investment strategies and of
course, the SEZ and now Covid 19
economic stimulus package. The
challenge has always been, how do
we ensure every qualifying citizen
in our District participates and
benefits out of these initiatives? We
have to find ways together with all
our stakeholders in ensuring that
our people participate and benefit
from each available economic
opportunity. Identification of
local economic potential and
the exploitation thereof emerge
as critical elements to creating a
competitive advantage in localities,
good local planning, budgeting
togetherwithinnovativeandstrong
partnerships between private
and public sectors is required in
implementation.
Programme Director, beloved
delegates one of
the concerning
areas in
implementation
of our IDPs and
local economic
d e v e l o p m e n t
plans it is true
that some of the
best plans ever
crafted never see
the light of the
day due to lack of
implementation.
Implementation
appears as a
daunting task
where many are
afraid to take
the first steps for
fear of making
mistakes. Hence
I emphasised
that we need
to implement
what we have
arrived at,
and all the resolutions we have
taken. One speaker once said in
implementation it is better to have
We must work
with previously
disadvantaged
groups, the
youth, women,
children and
people with
disability.
In many instances,
success in
development work is
based on mistakes
and failures as
long as we are
able to learn from
our mistakes
and not repeat
those mistakes.
Persistence is vital
to achieve our goals.
My message is that
once your plans
are made, take the
decision required to
implement them.

Executive Mayor’s speech continues
tried and failed than not to have
tried at all. In many instances,
success in development work is
based on mistakes and failures as
long as we are able to learn from
our mistakes and not repeat those
mistakes. Persistence is vital to
achieve our goals. My message is
that once your plans are made, take
the decision required to implement
them. We will provide the support
required for implementation and
most importantly assist you with
ensuring that there is proper
monitoring and evaluation. This
local economic development
workshop is a call to action. There
are many opportunities out there
waiting to be seized, for together
we can accelerate local economic
development.
In conclusion, Ladies and
Gentlemen, our District is
attractive especially in terms of it
being a tourist destination, very
rich in terms of its soil texture
and soil structure. Of course our
economic pillar is agriculture and
we must benefit out of agriculture
so that we are able to build a
stronger economy. I am happy
that even Madzivhandila College
of Agriculture is represented here
and as I indicated, we must make
use of all the higher education
institutions such as Madzivhandila
College of Agriculture, Vhembe
TVET, University of Venda and
other institutions to make sure that
we develop our District. Let us all
continue to wear our face masks
with pride, sanitize, keep social
distance and regularly wash our
hands. Indeed, I am chairing the
District Command Council and
when I came here, I was very much
observant, trying to check whether
colleagues are complying with
coronavirus regulations. I wrote
some of my findings down that I
would report when we meet as a
District Command Council so that
we do not repeat the mistakes that
we just committed. I can see social
distancing is lacking here but I
do understand you are exhausted.
Somebody talked here about
fatigue. So I understand due to that
people are losing energy bit by bit
early this morning till now. Maybe
this is the reason why Covid 19
regulations are not complied with.
Otherwise, thank you very much
Ladies and Gentlemen, colleagues
forbeingpartofthisveryimportant
assembly focusing on building
our economy, checking economic
recovery now that we are living
under this Covid 19 pandemic.
Thank you for your participation.
We are waiting for implementation
of the resolutions of this workshop.
Soon after the Executive Mayor had delivered his
speech, Mr Mushaphi gave the vote of thanks and
announcements. He called for unity of purpose and
firm commitment to achieving success in the LED
endeavours that constitute the IC4LED project.
Mr Mushaphi as he gave a vote of thanks

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