COPC Step $1$: Defining and Characterising the Community

Content:

Describe how Mamelodi $($the community in the case study$)$ is defined geographically, socially, economically, and culturally.

Explain the process of community consultation and involvement.

Evaluate the involvement of the community in this step.

Mamelodi, an urban settlement in Tshwane, with a population of $334,577$ people and a diverse socio$-$economic structure.

The community is defined geographically $(45\mathrm{.}2$ km$^2),$ socially $($predominantly African with Sepedi as the main language$),$ and economically $(40\%$ living on less than R$20,000$ annually$).$

Cultural dimensions are considered, such as female$-$headed households $($one$-$third of homes$)$ and levels of formal education $(38\mathrm{.}4\%$ have completed secondary school$).$

The case study outlines how local stakeholders $($health professionals, community leaders, and members$)$ worked together to define the community.

A key element in the definition process was community self$-$identification, where people were consulted to express how they define themselves. This included focus on local languages, cultural practices, and community pride, ensuring the community$$s identity was central to COPC planning.

Participatory methods were used, such as surveys, focus groups, and participatory mapping, which allowed the community to voice their perceptions of health challenges and social concerns.

Community members were actively engaged in defining their health priorities and concerns, creating a sense of ownership and commitment to the process.

Mamelodi has $67$ wards, has $16$ WBOTs team leaders and $+/-300$ CHWs$.58600$ mapped houses and about $35000$ houses in squatter camps$/$informal settlements that have not been mapped and thus have not been allocated CHWs$.$

The City of Tshwane Case Study