An Integrated Development Plan (IDP) is a comprehensive and inclusive plan that outlines a municipalitys priorities and strategies for economic and social development. It is a government-initiated process that municipalities follow in preparation of five-year strategic plans for development. The IDP is a critical component of the Municipal Systems Act, which requires that all municipalities in South Africa develop and regularly review their IDPs. The IDP is meant to serve as a blueprint for a municipality’s development, and it must be aligned with both national and provincial development plans. It should also be based on a thorough assessment of the municipality’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. The IDP guides the development plans of the local municipality and gives councillors an opportunity to make decisions based on the most important needs of local communities taking into account the resources available at the local level. The IDP is a legislative requirement and has a legal status, and it supersedes all other plans that guide development at the local government level. The IDP has to be drawn up in consultation with forums and stakeholders, and the final IDP document has to be approved by the council. The IDP process is overseen by mayors, executive committees, and municipal managers, and it incorporates public participation, which gives residents an opportunity to highlight and prioritize their development needs.