Elias  Munapo, Thabo  Ramodula, Cecile N. Gerwel  Proches, 
    Assessing the Extent of the Application of Strategic Thinking in a
Local Sphere of Government,
    Research Journal of Applied Sciences,
    Volume 12,Issue 5,
    2017,
    Pages 330-339,
    ISSN 1815-932x,
    rjasci.2017.330.339,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjasci.2017.330.339)
    Abstract: This study assessed the extent of the application of strategic thinking in a Metropolitan Municipality
in South Africa. It was aimed at initiating an inquiry into the relevance of strategic thinking to local governance:
its concept and theoretical orientation in the systems approach paradigm and/or science of complexity. The
study adopted a qualitative methodology and gave primacy to the key role-players in the Integrated
Development Plan (IDP) process which was treated as equivalent to a strategy-making process. The participants
interviewed included senior staff members, ward councillors and ward committee members because of their
strategic positions to influence the current and future strategic decision-making as well in determining how to
improve it.
    Keywords: Strategic thinking;integrated development plan;systems perspective;vision-orientated strategy;staff members;determining