A quiet transformation may soon take root in Eersterust, Ward 43, Tshwane. On 26 March 2025, a landmark exploratory session brought together the Eersterust Community Development Forum (ECDF), the University of Pretoria’s Public Policy Hub (PPH), and the City of Tshwane (CoT) to consider a bold new idea: piloting South Africa’s first Internal Municipal Service District (IMSD) in a residential community.

At stake is more than the implementation of a by-law – it’s about reclaiming dignity, voice, and agency in public life. The partners are exploring a new way of working together – one built on shared values, mutual trust, and the belief that meaningful change is possible when knowledge and lived experience meet.

Shared challenges, shared purpose

The Eersterust community, like many urban neighbourhoods across South Africa, grapples with complex challenges, ranging from high crime rates and decaying infrastructure to youth unemployment and inconsistent municipal service delivery. These are not just statistics – they are lived realities.

Mr Arnold Adams of the ECDF emphasised that while communities often bear the brunt of urban neglect, they also hold the knowledge, relationships, and resilience needed to spark change. But for that change to be meaningful, it must be driven from within, and supported by institutions that are ready to listen, learn, and act.

LEFT: Prof Nara Monkam, Head of the PPH and Chair in Municipal Finance in Africa   RIGHT: Arnold Adams, Coordinator of the ECDF.

The vision: A residential IMSD

Traditionally, the IMSD model has been applied in commercial areas, such as the Hatfield City Improvement District (CID), which has seen notable success since its establishment under the Gauteng CID Act. The City of Tshwane’s IMSD by-law (gazetted in 2021) provides an opportunity to adapt this model for residential communities.

What makes this moment historic is that Eersterust could become the first residential community in the country to develop such a district. If successful, this could be a powerful blueprint for participatory governance, community ownership, and improved service delivery in underserved neighbourhoods.

A partnership in the making

While the collaboration between the ECDF, UP, and CoT is still being explored, the potential is clear – and the timing is right. This is a moment to mobilise.

For researchers, this initiative offers a unique opportunity to align academic work with community-identified priorities. The ECDF has outlined 14 thematic portfolios – from youth development and health, to safety, energy, and waste management – that require both critical inquiry and creative problem-solving. These portfolios are invitations for research that is embedded in context, driven by evidence, and grounded in the aspirations of local residents.

For the community, this is a chance to shape the very framework through which change could happen. From needs assessments to policy development, from pilot projects to long-term strategies – community voices are not just welcome, they are essential.

Prof Nara Monkam, Head of the PPH, noted during the session: “This initiative is about bridging the gap between academic research and everyday reality. We are exploring how we can walk alongside the community – not ahead of it – and co-create solutions that last.”

Moving forward together

As part of this early phase, the PPH will issue a university-wide Expression of Interest (EoI) to identify researchers and postgraduate students either interested in supporting the IMSD readiness process, or working collaboratively on one of the 14 thematic portfolios identified by the community.

At the same time, the ECDF will take the lead in mobilising local participation, coordinating a community-wide needs assessment to better align identified priorities with relevant academic research and city-level planning.

Crucially, the City of Tshwane remains a central enabler in this partnership. The CoT’s role will involve technical support, helping the ECDF to meet the IMSD by-law requirements, and aligning proposed community-driven initiatives with the city’s broader urban governance and service delivery frameworks.

This is a collective journey – and all three partners have key roles to play:

• To researchers: This is your opportunity to contribute meaningfully to real-world challenges by aligning your academic inquiry with local priorities. Your expertise can help build a scalable model for community-led development. Engage in the upcoming workshops and bring your voice and knowledge to this unique initiative.
• To community members: Your lived experience, insights, and vision for Eersterust are the heart of this initiative. Your active participation in the needs assessment, future consultations, and collaborative planning will shape the path forward.
• To the City of Tshwane: Your continued support and institutional guidance are essential for bridging municipal governance with grassroots innovation. The city’s willingness to explore a residential IMSD model signals a transformative shift in participatory governance.

Together, these actions form the early foundation of a new kind of collaboration – one rooted in trust, shared purpose, and a mutual commitment to creating lasting impact in Eersterust and beyond.

The workshop encouraged city officials, academics, and community representatives to collaborate towards innovative solutions for urban and municipal challenges in Eersterust.

Why it matters

South Africa’s urban future cannot be shaped by policy alone. It must be shaped by people. By communities like Eersterust working with researchers, local government, and institutions of higher learning to craft shared solutions.

This potential IMSD is not the end goal – it is the vehicle. The journey is about building a more inclusive, transparent, and just way of doing development. And it begins with you.

Let us explore, together, what becomes possible when we stop asking who should lead and start asking how we can lead – side by side.