Customer perceptions on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and its possible influence on Revenue Management (RM) at a selected water board in South Africa
- Authors: Manyonganise, Joshua Anesu
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Customer relations -- Management , Revenue management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Amatola Water (Utility) , South Africa. National Water Act, 1998
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177214 , vital:42800
- Description: The primary activity of water boards is to provide water services (bulk portable, and bulk wastewater) to other water services institutions within its respective service areas. They may perform other activities under conditions set out in the Water Services Act of 1997. Water boards’ revenues come from the municipalities they deliver services to. Not all municipalities have been paying for the services delivered to them, which led to the aim of this study being to gauge the perceptions of Water Board X and Water Board X’s customers of selected Customer Relationship Management (CRM) factors (service quality, customer involvement, customer value, information technology, and management commitment) that may possibly influence Revenue Management (RM). This could possibly assist Water Board X in the future to improve its revenue and debt collection. This thesis employed an interpretivist qualitative research methodology to explore its research aims and objectives. Open-ended semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen participants from Water Board X and four municipalities which Water Board X provides services. The data collected from the interviews were analysed manually through thematic analysis. The outcome of the interviews noted that an organisation that delivered high levels of service quality to its customers, could possibly improve its RM as the customers are of the opinion that their needs and requirements have been met and would be willing to pay for the services rendered. It was furthermore found that an organisation that involves its customers could possibly improve its RM as the organisation constantly communicates with its customers during, for example, the different stages of a project to ensure that the organisation does not deliver a project that does not meet the customers’ requirements at the end of the project life cycle. In addition the use of information technology played a pivotal in an organisation as the use of information technology assisted to develop effective methods in customer relationship management such as, data management, improving communication within the organisation, and with the customers, and the decision making. Furthermore, this study suggested the importance for an organisation to add value to the services that they deliver and for an organisation’s management to be committed to ensure that their customers’ expectations and requirements are met. The findings of the study suggest that CRM factors (service quality, customer involvement, customer value, information technology, and management commitment) could influence RM, and it is suggested that Water Board X adopts CRM strategies accordingly to improve its RM. Some of these strategies include adopting a coherent and sustainable revenue strategy through the use of appropriate tariff structures that are simple, equitable, affordable, financially sustainable, and transparent for all; showing commitment by prioritising water loss management and by properly auditing water supplies and water treatment revenue while increasing efficiency in supply and revenue recovery as this allowed Water Board X to better serve its customers, improve its financial standing, and allocate funding for water infrastructure upgrades and to adopt technologies that are on the market as these technologies can detect leakages, manage payments, control water flow and transmit data. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Department of Management, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Manyonganise, Joshua Anesu
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Customer relations -- Management , Revenue management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Amatola Water (Utility) , South Africa. National Water Act, 1998
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177214 , vital:42800
- Description: The primary activity of water boards is to provide water services (bulk portable, and bulk wastewater) to other water services institutions within its respective service areas. They may perform other activities under conditions set out in the Water Services Act of 1997. Water boards’ revenues come from the municipalities they deliver services to. Not all municipalities have been paying for the services delivered to them, which led to the aim of this study being to gauge the perceptions of Water Board X and Water Board X’s customers of selected Customer Relationship Management (CRM) factors (service quality, customer involvement, customer value, information technology, and management commitment) that may possibly influence Revenue Management (RM). This could possibly assist Water Board X in the future to improve its revenue and debt collection. This thesis employed an interpretivist qualitative research methodology to explore its research aims and objectives. Open-ended semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen participants from Water Board X and four municipalities which Water Board X provides services. The data collected from the interviews were analysed manually through thematic analysis. The outcome of the interviews noted that an organisation that delivered high levels of service quality to its customers, could possibly improve its RM as the customers are of the opinion that their needs and requirements have been met and would be willing to pay for the services rendered. It was furthermore found that an organisation that involves its customers could possibly improve its RM as the organisation constantly communicates with its customers during, for example, the different stages of a project to ensure that the organisation does not deliver a project that does not meet the customers’ requirements at the end of the project life cycle. In addition the use of information technology played a pivotal in an organisation as the use of information technology assisted to develop effective methods in customer relationship management such as, data management, improving communication within the organisation, and with the customers, and the decision making. Furthermore, this study suggested the importance for an organisation to add value to the services that they deliver and for an organisation’s management to be committed to ensure that their customers’ expectations and requirements are met. The findings of the study suggest that CRM factors (service quality, customer involvement, customer value, information technology, and management commitment) could influence RM, and it is suggested that Water Board X adopts CRM strategies accordingly to improve its RM. Some of these strategies include adopting a coherent and sustainable revenue strategy through the use of appropriate tariff structures that are simple, equitable, affordable, financially sustainable, and transparent for all; showing commitment by prioritising water loss management and by properly auditing water supplies and water treatment revenue while increasing efficiency in supply and revenue recovery as this allowed Water Board X to better serve its customers, improve its financial standing, and allocate funding for water infrastructure upgrades and to adopt technologies that are on the market as these technologies can detect leakages, manage payments, control water flow and transmit data. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Department of Management, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Assessing the local government turnaround strategy (2009) and implementation strategy (2010) focusing on municipal service delivery in rural municipalities. Case study: Ngqushwa Local Municipality
- Authors: Brown, Joelene
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37731 , vital:34232
- Description: Analysing the root causes of the challenges experienced by local municipalities in service delivery. A single case study research approach was utilised and the study was qualitative in nature. The research focussed on the challenges of rural local municipalities rendering municipal services to their communities and the root causes of these challenges. It furthermore assess whether the Local Government Turnaround Strategy can make a positive impact on service delivery, specifically within rural municipalities such as the Ngqushwa Local Municipality. The case study made use of an in depth literature review based on secondary sources as well as a semi structured interview with the Municipal Manager of the Ngqushwa Local Municipality. In the event that the root causes hampering service delivery can be solved, specifically in rural municipal areas, it will not only assist municipalities to comply with their constitutional duties, but will also assist with various socio-economic problems which exist within communities specifically in rural areas. The researcher experienced reluctance by the relevant employees of municipalities to part take in the research effort and to make themselves available for interviews. Large backlogs exist in relation to service delivery of municipalities specifically in rural areas. The research effort provided relevant information in relation to the root causes of the challenges which are experienced by local municipalities and what problems must be solved in order for municipalities to effectively and efficiently render service to communities in a sustainable manner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Brown, Joelene
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37731 , vital:34232
- Description: Analysing the root causes of the challenges experienced by local municipalities in service delivery. A single case study research approach was utilised and the study was qualitative in nature. The research focussed on the challenges of rural local municipalities rendering municipal services to their communities and the root causes of these challenges. It furthermore assess whether the Local Government Turnaround Strategy can make a positive impact on service delivery, specifically within rural municipalities such as the Ngqushwa Local Municipality. The case study made use of an in depth literature review based on secondary sources as well as a semi structured interview with the Municipal Manager of the Ngqushwa Local Municipality. In the event that the root causes hampering service delivery can be solved, specifically in rural municipal areas, it will not only assist municipalities to comply with their constitutional duties, but will also assist with various socio-economic problems which exist within communities specifically in rural areas. The researcher experienced reluctance by the relevant employees of municipalities to part take in the research effort and to make themselves available for interviews. Large backlogs exist in relation to service delivery of municipalities specifically in rural areas. The research effort provided relevant information in relation to the root causes of the challenges which are experienced by local municipalities and what problems must be solved in order for municipalities to effectively and efficiently render service to communities in a sustainable manner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An assessment of the service delivery challenges facing the Lukhanji local municipality, Queenstown
- Authors: Masiso, Nomthandazo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31830 , vital:31849
- Description: This study is about investigating the service delivery challenges facing local government, with specific reference to the Lukhanji Local Municipality (LLM). The research study consists of five chapters. The research topic was carefully selected by the researcher as it appears that numerous municipalities in South Africa are facing challenges in terms of adequate basic service delivery (LGTAS: 2009; 17). Key components of the local government system in South Africa are still showing signs of distress. A local government system is in distress when it is seen that: It is failing the poor; it is not working properly; it is unaccountable to the citizens; it is marred by excessive levels of corruption, fraud and maladministration; and municipalities are centres of factional conflicts, political infighting and patronage (LGTAS: 2009; 18). Self-administered questionnaires were used as a method of collecting data from the respondents. Based on the information gathered from the respondents the researcher made findings and formulated certain recommendations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Masiso, Nomthandazo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31830 , vital:31849
- Description: This study is about investigating the service delivery challenges facing local government, with specific reference to the Lukhanji Local Municipality (LLM). The research study consists of five chapters. The research topic was carefully selected by the researcher as it appears that numerous municipalities in South Africa are facing challenges in terms of adequate basic service delivery (LGTAS: 2009; 17). Key components of the local government system in South Africa are still showing signs of distress. A local government system is in distress when it is seen that: It is failing the poor; it is not working properly; it is unaccountable to the citizens; it is marred by excessive levels of corruption, fraud and maladministration; and municipalities are centres of factional conflicts, political infighting and patronage (LGTAS: 2009; 18). Self-administered questionnaires were used as a method of collecting data from the respondents. Based on the information gathered from the respondents the researcher made findings and formulated certain recommendations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Understanding the policy-planning-implementation disjuncture: a case study of the Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mhlahlo, Andile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Amathole District Municipality (South Africa) -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168521 , vital:41591
- Description: The aim of this study is to investigate why well planned policies are not getting implemented as intended. The study was conducted in the offices of Amathole District Municipality (ADM) in the Eastern Cape Province, including the cooperative project in Alice as one of the projects that was coordinated by the ADM. Concerning the research design and methodology, a qualitative research design was used. The data collection process involved conducting unstructured interviews with the officers from the Amathole District Municipality office (the ADM officers / the municipality officers) and the members of cooperative projects (cooperatives/projects). Mainly, an ethnographic approach was used; it involved embracing participant observation in the ADM offices for approximately 6 months. As the researcher, I participated as one of the ADM’s officers in different activities, namely: attending meetings and one workshop, and accompanying the development officer while conducting an observation of various projects in Butterworth. The findings in the study disclose that the disjuncture between policy planning and implementation may be attributed to 4 factors, which are associated with the ADM office as the development agency for the Amathole region. These are: the incapability to respond to policy implementation complexities, failure to exploit policy implementation complexities as learning opportunities, the insufficient understanding of ‘process monitoring’ as a tool that could be integrated in projects management, as well as the execution of policy implementation in the absence of policy documents as a guide in implementation processes. Moreover, these factors are examined as being related to each other, and they will be discussed in detail in the course of the thesis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mhlahlo, Andile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Amathole District Municipality (South Africa) -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168521 , vital:41591
- Description: The aim of this study is to investigate why well planned policies are not getting implemented as intended. The study was conducted in the offices of Amathole District Municipality (ADM) in the Eastern Cape Province, including the cooperative project in Alice as one of the projects that was coordinated by the ADM. Concerning the research design and methodology, a qualitative research design was used. The data collection process involved conducting unstructured interviews with the officers from the Amathole District Municipality office (the ADM officers / the municipality officers) and the members of cooperative projects (cooperatives/projects). Mainly, an ethnographic approach was used; it involved embracing participant observation in the ADM offices for approximately 6 months. As the researcher, I participated as one of the ADM’s officers in different activities, namely: attending meetings and one workshop, and accompanying the development officer while conducting an observation of various projects in Butterworth. The findings in the study disclose that the disjuncture between policy planning and implementation may be attributed to 4 factors, which are associated with the ADM office as the development agency for the Amathole region. These are: the incapability to respond to policy implementation complexities, failure to exploit policy implementation complexities as learning opportunities, the insufficient understanding of ‘process monitoring’ as a tool that could be integrated in projects management, as well as the execution of policy implementation in the absence of policy documents as a guide in implementation processes. Moreover, these factors are examined as being related to each other, and they will be discussed in detail in the course of the thesis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Understanding the policy-planning-implementation disjuncture: a case study of the Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mhlahlo, Andile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Amathole District Municipality (South Africa) -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4422 , vital:20668
- Description: The aim of this study is to investigate why well planned policies are not getting implemented as intended. The study was conducted in the offices of Amathole District Municipality (ADM) in the Eastern Cape Province, including the cooperative project in Alice as one of the projects that was coordinated by the ADM. Concerning the research design and methodology, a qualitative research design was used. The data collection process involved conducting unstructured interviews with the officers from the Amathole District Municipality office (the ADM officers / the municipality officers) and the members of cooperative projects (cooperatives/projects). Mainly, an ethnographic approach was used; it involved embracing participant observation in the ADM offices for approximately 6 months. As the researcher, I participated as one of the ADM’s officers in different activities, namely: attending meetings and one workshop, and accompanying the development officer while conducting an observation of various projects in Butterworth. The findings in the study disclose that the disjuncture between policy planning and implementation may be attributed to 4 factors, which are associated with the ADM office as the development agency for the Amathole region. These are: the incapability to respond to policy implementation complexities, failure to exploit policy implementation complexities as learning opportunities, the insufficient understanding of ‘process monitoring’ as a tool that could be integrated in projects management, as well as the execution of policy implementation in the absence of policy documents as a guide in implementation processes. Moreover, these factors are examined as being related to each other, and they will be discussed in detail in the course of the thesis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mhlahlo, Andile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Amathole District Municipality (South Africa) -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4422 , vital:20668
- Description: The aim of this study is to investigate why well planned policies are not getting implemented as intended. The study was conducted in the offices of Amathole District Municipality (ADM) in the Eastern Cape Province, including the cooperative project in Alice as one of the projects that was coordinated by the ADM. Concerning the research design and methodology, a qualitative research design was used. The data collection process involved conducting unstructured interviews with the officers from the Amathole District Municipality office (the ADM officers / the municipality officers) and the members of cooperative projects (cooperatives/projects). Mainly, an ethnographic approach was used; it involved embracing participant observation in the ADM offices for approximately 6 months. As the researcher, I participated as one of the ADM’s officers in different activities, namely: attending meetings and one workshop, and accompanying the development officer while conducting an observation of various projects in Butterworth. The findings in the study disclose that the disjuncture between policy planning and implementation may be attributed to 4 factors, which are associated with the ADM office as the development agency for the Amathole region. These are: the incapability to respond to policy implementation complexities, failure to exploit policy implementation complexities as learning opportunities, the insufficient understanding of ‘process monitoring’ as a tool that could be integrated in projects management, as well as the execution of policy implementation in the absence of policy documents as a guide in implementation processes. Moreover, these factors are examined as being related to each other, and they will be discussed in detail in the course of the thesis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A case study of public service delivery in Cookhouse, Eastern Cape
- Makrwalana, Nomlindo Lillian
- Authors: Makrwalana, Nomlindo Lillian
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6986 , vital:21188
- Description: In South Africa the economic gaps imposed by the previous apartheid government aggravated economic inequalities and caused considerable disparities, which has resulted in high unemployment rates. Inequalities were also manifest in the neglect of infrastructural and service provision as well in the effective absence of independent governance among some race groups. This led to a call for pro-active initiatives by the post-1994 democratic government to remedy the living condition of the previously disadvantage people. As part of this poverty relief drive the South African government has embarked on a series of developmental initiatives in bringing infrastructure related service to the poor and to reduce the enormous prevailing backlog, with the aim of increasing community participation, improving service delivery and promoting the upliftment of the lives of poor people through the medium of local governance. This study investigated the integrated Development Planning, which has been undertaken in Cookhouse in Blue Crane Route Municipality in the Eastern Cape to respond to the prevailing poverty and underdevelopment among the poor communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Makrwalana, Nomlindo Lillian
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6986 , vital:21188
- Description: In South Africa the economic gaps imposed by the previous apartheid government aggravated economic inequalities and caused considerable disparities, which has resulted in high unemployment rates. Inequalities were also manifest in the neglect of infrastructural and service provision as well in the effective absence of independent governance among some race groups. This led to a call for pro-active initiatives by the post-1994 democratic government to remedy the living condition of the previously disadvantage people. As part of this poverty relief drive the South African government has embarked on a series of developmental initiatives in bringing infrastructure related service to the poor and to reduce the enormous prevailing backlog, with the aim of increasing community participation, improving service delivery and promoting the upliftment of the lives of poor people through the medium of local governance. This study investigated the integrated Development Planning, which has been undertaken in Cookhouse in Blue Crane Route Municipality in the Eastern Cape to respond to the prevailing poverty and underdevelopment among the poor communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Fire and water : a transdisciplinary investigation of water governance in the lower Sundays River Valley, South Africa
- Authors: Clifford-Holmes, Jai Kumar
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Lower Sundays River Valley Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) , Water -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Water-supply -- Management , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fire extinction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Integrated water development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water quality management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:6047 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017870
- Description: The implementation of water policy and the integrated management of water face multiple challenges in South Africa (SA), despite the successes of post-apartheid government programmes in which some significant equity, sustainability and efficiency milestones have been met. This study uses a series of intervention processes into municipal water service delivery to explore the context, constraints, and real-world messiness in which local water authorities operate. The equitable provision of drinking water by local government and the collaborative management of untreated water by ‘water user associations’ are two sites of institutional conflict that have been subjected to broad ‘turnaround’ and ‘transformation’ attempts at the national level. This thesis seeks to explore and understand the use of transdisciplinary research in engaging local water authorities in a process of institutional change that increases the likelihood of equitable water supply in the Lower Sundays River Valley (LSRV). Fieldwork was conducted as part of a broader action research process involving the attempted ‘turnaround’ of the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM) between 2011 and 2014. A multi-method research approach was employed, which drew on institutional, ethnographic, and systems analyses within an evolving, transdisciplinary methodology. In the single case study research design, qualitative and quantitative data were collected via participant observation, interviews and documentary sources. Analytical methods included system dynamics modelling and an adapted form of the ethnographic tool of ‘thick description’, which were linked in a governance analysis. Government interventions into the SRVM failed to take account of the systemic complexity of the municipal operating environment, the interactions of which are described in this study as the ‘modes of failure’ of local government. These modes included the perpetual ‘firefighting’ responses of municipal officials to crises, and the simultaneous underinvestment in, and over-extension of, water supply infrastructure, which is a rational approach to addressing current water shortages when funds are unavailable for maintenance, refurbishment, or the construction of new infrastructure. The over-burdening of municipalities with technocratic requirements, the presence of gaps in the institutional arrangements governing water supply in the LSRV, and the lack of coordination in government interventions are analysed in this study, with policy recommendations resulting. The primary contribution of this study is in providing a substantively-contextualised case study that illustrates the value of systemic, engaged, extended, and embedded transdisciplinary research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Clifford-Holmes, Jai Kumar
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Lower Sundays River Valley Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) , Water -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Water-supply -- Management , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fire extinction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Integrated water development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water quality management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:6047 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017870
- Description: The implementation of water policy and the integrated management of water face multiple challenges in South Africa (SA), despite the successes of post-apartheid government programmes in which some significant equity, sustainability and efficiency milestones have been met. This study uses a series of intervention processes into municipal water service delivery to explore the context, constraints, and real-world messiness in which local water authorities operate. The equitable provision of drinking water by local government and the collaborative management of untreated water by ‘water user associations’ are two sites of institutional conflict that have been subjected to broad ‘turnaround’ and ‘transformation’ attempts at the national level. This thesis seeks to explore and understand the use of transdisciplinary research in engaging local water authorities in a process of institutional change that increases the likelihood of equitable water supply in the Lower Sundays River Valley (LSRV). Fieldwork was conducted as part of a broader action research process involving the attempted ‘turnaround’ of the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM) between 2011 and 2014. A multi-method research approach was employed, which drew on institutional, ethnographic, and systems analyses within an evolving, transdisciplinary methodology. In the single case study research design, qualitative and quantitative data were collected via participant observation, interviews and documentary sources. Analytical methods included system dynamics modelling and an adapted form of the ethnographic tool of ‘thick description’, which were linked in a governance analysis. Government interventions into the SRVM failed to take account of the systemic complexity of the municipal operating environment, the interactions of which are described in this study as the ‘modes of failure’ of local government. These modes included the perpetual ‘firefighting’ responses of municipal officials to crises, and the simultaneous underinvestment in, and over-extension of, water supply infrastructure, which is a rational approach to addressing current water shortages when funds are unavailable for maintenance, refurbishment, or the construction of new infrastructure. The over-burdening of municipalities with technocratic requirements, the presence of gaps in the institutional arrangements governing water supply in the LSRV, and the lack of coordination in government interventions are analysed in this study, with policy recommendations resulting. The primary contribution of this study is in providing a substantively-contextualised case study that illustrates the value of systemic, engaged, extended, and embedded transdisciplinary research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Assessing the local government turnaround strategy: the case of Ngqushwa Local Municipality
- Authors: Bokwe, Nosiphiwo Gloria
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal corporations -- South Africa , Regional planning -- Citizen participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8312 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020084
- Description: The thrust of the study is to investigate the Local Government Turnaround Strategy as introduced by Cabinet in the year 2009. In this treatise a critical evaluation of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy that was passed by cabinet as a panacea that seeks to address the challenges that are being faced by municipalities today will be embarked upon. A case study of the Ngqushwa Local Municipality in the Amathole District Municipal area will be undertaken with the view to understand whether the Local Government Turnaround Strategy will indeed assist ailing local municipalities like Ngqushwa. As can be seen in our country, apartheid has left many problems both in the social, economic and political realms of our society. When local government was first established it was for the perpetuation of separate development as enshrined in the policy of apartheid. Apartheid was not the beginning of geographic, institutional and social separation at the local level. Segregation was already a policy by the time apartheid was introduced in 1948. However, the Group Areas Act, the key piece of legislation, instituted strict residential segregation and compulsory removal of black people to own group areas. Through spatial separation, influx control, and a policy of own management for own areas, apartheid aimed to limit the extent to which affluent white municipalities would bear the financial burden of servicing disadvantaged black areas. These separate developments led to the collapse of the former Black Local Authorities. When the democratic government took over the same challenges reared their heads again. Many intervention programmes were introduced to assist ailing municipalities to be viable. The study thus has tried to indicate how the Turnaround has assisted municipalities like the Ngqushwa Local Municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Bokwe, Nosiphiwo Gloria
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal corporations -- South Africa , Regional planning -- Citizen participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8312 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020084
- Description: The thrust of the study is to investigate the Local Government Turnaround Strategy as introduced by Cabinet in the year 2009. In this treatise a critical evaluation of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy that was passed by cabinet as a panacea that seeks to address the challenges that are being faced by municipalities today will be embarked upon. A case study of the Ngqushwa Local Municipality in the Amathole District Municipal area will be undertaken with the view to understand whether the Local Government Turnaround Strategy will indeed assist ailing local municipalities like Ngqushwa. As can be seen in our country, apartheid has left many problems both in the social, economic and political realms of our society. When local government was first established it was for the perpetuation of separate development as enshrined in the policy of apartheid. Apartheid was not the beginning of geographic, institutional and social separation at the local level. Segregation was already a policy by the time apartheid was introduced in 1948. However, the Group Areas Act, the key piece of legislation, instituted strict residential segregation and compulsory removal of black people to own group areas. Through spatial separation, influx control, and a policy of own management for own areas, apartheid aimed to limit the extent to which affluent white municipalities would bear the financial burden of servicing disadvantaged black areas. These separate developments led to the collapse of the former Black Local Authorities. When the democratic government took over the same challenges reared their heads again. Many intervention programmes were introduced to assist ailing municipalities to be viable. The study thus has tried to indicate how the Turnaround has assisted municipalities like the Ngqushwa Local Municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
An analysis of the politics-administrative interface and its impact on delivery of municipal services: a case of the Mnquma Local Municipality
- Ndudula, Mziwoxolo Rutherford
- Authors: Ndudula, Mziwoxolo Rutherford
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , City council members -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Politicians -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Communication in community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11659 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007043 , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , City council members -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Politicians -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Communication in community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Politics and government
- Description: The study took a qualitative approach to the analysis of the effect of the politics-administrative interface on municipal service delivery. It was a case study of the Mnquma local municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher developed a keen interest in researching on the topic because the political infighting and clashes between politicians and administrators of the municipality have caused a public outcry for the root causes of the infighting to be effectively addressed and redressed. It is hoped that the findings and recommendations of the study will help, reshape public policy implementation, service delivery and fostering of mutual cooperative relations between politicians and administrators both at local government level and any other sphere of government in South Africa. The study, is categorized into five chronological chapters, with chapter one (introduction and background), chapter two (literature review), chapter three (research design and methodology), chapter four (data analysis, interpretation and presentation) and chapter five (conclusions and recommendations). The researcher used a sample size of 40 respondents who were selected using snowball sampling, a non-random sampling design spread accordingly over both politicians and administrators. Data collection was made possible through an open-ended questionnaire, interviews, observations and documentary analysis. Various reports and media statements were also used to augment this empirical study. The study also used an in-depth qualitative data analysis technique which was descriptive in nature and the study made numerous deductions and findings based on the collected and collated data. Findings of the study were, inter alia, too much politicization of the public sector, interference between politicians and administrators into each other’s affairs and vice versa and adverse effects of cadre deployment which are damaging service delivery. The study made numerous recommendations which included, inter alia, training and development of administrators and politicians on their respective roles and responsibilities, enforcement of the politics-administrative interface as a mutually beneficial approach to service delivery, need for proper interpretation of Acts and policy documents and the enforcing of section 139 interventions into municipalities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Ndudula, Mziwoxolo Rutherford
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , City council members -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Politicians -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Communication in community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11659 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007043 , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , City council members -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Politicians -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Communication in community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Politics and government
- Description: The study took a qualitative approach to the analysis of the effect of the politics-administrative interface on municipal service delivery. It was a case study of the Mnquma local municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher developed a keen interest in researching on the topic because the political infighting and clashes between politicians and administrators of the municipality have caused a public outcry for the root causes of the infighting to be effectively addressed and redressed. It is hoped that the findings and recommendations of the study will help, reshape public policy implementation, service delivery and fostering of mutual cooperative relations between politicians and administrators both at local government level and any other sphere of government in South Africa. The study, is categorized into five chronological chapters, with chapter one (introduction and background), chapter two (literature review), chapter three (research design and methodology), chapter four (data analysis, interpretation and presentation) and chapter five (conclusions and recommendations). The researcher used a sample size of 40 respondents who were selected using snowball sampling, a non-random sampling design spread accordingly over both politicians and administrators. Data collection was made possible through an open-ended questionnaire, interviews, observations and documentary analysis. Various reports and media statements were also used to augment this empirical study. The study also used an in-depth qualitative data analysis technique which was descriptive in nature and the study made numerous deductions and findings based on the collected and collated data. Findings of the study were, inter alia, too much politicization of the public sector, interference between politicians and administrators into each other’s affairs and vice versa and adverse effects of cadre deployment which are damaging service delivery. The study made numerous recommendations which included, inter alia, training and development of administrators and politicians on their respective roles and responsibilities, enforcement of the politics-administrative interface as a mutually beneficial approach to service delivery, need for proper interpretation of Acts and policy documents and the enforcing of section 139 interventions into municipalities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An investigation of public participation in municipal planning and performance evaluation: a case study of Mnquma Local Municipality
- Authors: Mkentane, Benjamin Zolile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Performance -- Evaluation , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11671 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007119 , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Performance -- Evaluation , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The participation of communities and community organizations in Municipal governance is set in terms of the law as a mechanism to deepen democracy. Municipalities are required to develop a culture of governance that complements representative democracy with community participation. However the participation of communities in local governance has not translated to the strengthening of governance and the deepening of democracy as municipalities have not done enough to involve communities in municipal affaires. Lack of human resources, and financial capacity have been cited as some of the reasons that beset municipalities and undermine citizen participation. Municipalities have taken steps to encourage community participation and these include establishment of structures to enable participation, however without the guidance and financial support of the municipalities these structures are not able to perform their functions. In spite of all the efforts made by municipalities to encourage participation, a culture of community participation has not yet taken root in local government. While the legislative framework provides for communities to participate, practice shows that the implementation of legislation is complex and requires dedicated capacities within the councils to be effective. This can be achieved when municipalities develop their own community participation policies which address their special circumstances, which must be reviewed on a regular basis. Unless communities are empowered with knowledge on the available participation mechanisms, the dream of a culture of participation will remain just that, a dream. Thus civic education coupled with capacity building of officials will assist in ensuring the development of a culture of participation. Council must also develop mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of community participation processes and procedures, to avoid a one size fits all approach. It is imperative that councils as the legislative arm of municipalities must lead the process and not leave everything to the executive arm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mkentane, Benjamin Zolile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Performance -- Evaluation , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11671 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007119 , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Performance -- Evaluation , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The participation of communities and community organizations in Municipal governance is set in terms of the law as a mechanism to deepen democracy. Municipalities are required to develop a culture of governance that complements representative democracy with community participation. However the participation of communities in local governance has not translated to the strengthening of governance and the deepening of democracy as municipalities have not done enough to involve communities in municipal affaires. Lack of human resources, and financial capacity have been cited as some of the reasons that beset municipalities and undermine citizen participation. Municipalities have taken steps to encourage community participation and these include establishment of structures to enable participation, however without the guidance and financial support of the municipalities these structures are not able to perform their functions. In spite of all the efforts made by municipalities to encourage participation, a culture of community participation has not yet taken root in local government. While the legislative framework provides for communities to participate, practice shows that the implementation of legislation is complex and requires dedicated capacities within the councils to be effective. This can be achieved when municipalities develop their own community participation policies which address their special circumstances, which must be reviewed on a regular basis. Unless communities are empowered with knowledge on the available participation mechanisms, the dream of a culture of participation will remain just that, a dream. Thus civic education coupled with capacity building of officials will assist in ensuring the development of a culture of participation. Council must also develop mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of community participation processes and procedures, to avoid a one size fits all approach. It is imperative that councils as the legislative arm of municipalities must lead the process and not leave everything to the executive arm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Assessing financial viability of selected urban and rural municipalities in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Maclean, Sindisile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Economic policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007093 , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Economic policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: The purpose of the research is to assess the financial viability of selected urban and rural municipalities in the Eastern Cape. Municipalities that are not financially viable and sustainable will always struggle to deliver basic services to communities. Without sound financial management systems, municipalities will be forced to discontinue their operations. Municipalities, particularly small and rural ones, are not self-sufficient and often rely on grants and transfers to satisfy their immediate short-term goal of providing basic services to satisfy the needs of their communities. Therefore, finance is regarded as an overriding and decisive factor for determining the viability of municipalities. The study seeks to investigate the financial viability of selected urban and rural municipalities in the Eastern Cape. Its key research questions are: Are municipalities able to provide sufficient funds to provide a range of services at an acceptable service level? To what extent do municipalities rely on external funding? Do municipalities have revenue collection capacity and revenue policies? The study asserts that most municipalities lack the required financial resources. They depend mainly on transfers from Provincial Government and equitable share and conditional grants from National Government. Section 152 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 8 of 1996, states, amongst other things, that Local Government should ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner. The constitution further states that a municipality must strive, within its financial and administrative capacity, to achieve its objectives. The Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003, creates a framework for municipalities to borrow money and determine the conditions for short- and long-term borrowing. The Act assigns clear roles and responsibilities to the various role players involved in local government financial management. According to the Act, an annual budget for a municipality may only be funded from realistically anticipated revenues to be collected. As revenue projections in the budget must be realistic, the Municipal Property Rates Act, Act 6 of 2004, facilitates the collection of revenue in municipalities and establishes a uniform property rating system across South Africa. Property tax is the biggest element of local government tax revenue and is central to municipal finance. The Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, amongst its objectives, provides for the manner in which municipal powers and functions are exercised as well as establishes a simple framework for the core processes of planning, performance management and resource mobilisation. The Act also provides a framework for public administration and human resource development. Finally, it also empowers the poor and ensures that municipalities put in place service tariffs and credit control policies that take their needs into account. The research contends that, whilst there is legislation and structures to assist and direct municipalities, it has been established that municipalities do not properly collect rates and taxes due to them to augment their revenue. The study has shown nevertheless that metropolitan municipalities have the capacity to collect revenue for municipal services. This is confirmed by their collection rate which ranges between 94 % and 97 %. There is also the culture of non-payment by communities for services rendered by the municipalities. Rural municipalities are exempted from property tax, while other rural municipalities who have an urban component, have to collect. There is also the question of unemployment and poverty. Consequently, municipalities are not self-sufficient and rely on grants and equitable share to survive. As a result of this lack of self-sufficiency, it is difficult to implement service delivery and also difficult to attract skilled personnel. The study has investigated why some municipalities fail to collect revenue and depend on national grants. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings of the quantitative paradigm have been presented in the form of graphs and charts. The major findings include: All municipalities have limited borrowing capacity; have not exceeded their budgets in terms of their spending; small municipalities have households as their main contributor of revenue collected; metropolitan municipalities get the big slice of their revenue from business; small and rural municipalities rely on grants and transfers and are therefore not financially viable; metropolitan municipalities are, to a great extent, financially viable but lack skills and capacity to utilize their resources for effective service delivery; and all municipalities under-spend their budgets. The study, after elaborating on the findings, makes recommendations on how municipalities should become financially viable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Maclean, Sindisile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Economic policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007093 , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Economic policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: The purpose of the research is to assess the financial viability of selected urban and rural municipalities in the Eastern Cape. Municipalities that are not financially viable and sustainable will always struggle to deliver basic services to communities. Without sound financial management systems, municipalities will be forced to discontinue their operations. Municipalities, particularly small and rural ones, are not self-sufficient and often rely on grants and transfers to satisfy their immediate short-term goal of providing basic services to satisfy the needs of their communities. Therefore, finance is regarded as an overriding and decisive factor for determining the viability of municipalities. The study seeks to investigate the financial viability of selected urban and rural municipalities in the Eastern Cape. Its key research questions are: Are municipalities able to provide sufficient funds to provide a range of services at an acceptable service level? To what extent do municipalities rely on external funding? Do municipalities have revenue collection capacity and revenue policies? The study asserts that most municipalities lack the required financial resources. They depend mainly on transfers from Provincial Government and equitable share and conditional grants from National Government. Section 152 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 8 of 1996, states, amongst other things, that Local Government should ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner. The constitution further states that a municipality must strive, within its financial and administrative capacity, to achieve its objectives. The Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003, creates a framework for municipalities to borrow money and determine the conditions for short- and long-term borrowing. The Act assigns clear roles and responsibilities to the various role players involved in local government financial management. According to the Act, an annual budget for a municipality may only be funded from realistically anticipated revenues to be collected. As revenue projections in the budget must be realistic, the Municipal Property Rates Act, Act 6 of 2004, facilitates the collection of revenue in municipalities and establishes a uniform property rating system across South Africa. Property tax is the biggest element of local government tax revenue and is central to municipal finance. The Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, amongst its objectives, provides for the manner in which municipal powers and functions are exercised as well as establishes a simple framework for the core processes of planning, performance management and resource mobilisation. The Act also provides a framework for public administration and human resource development. Finally, it also empowers the poor and ensures that municipalities put in place service tariffs and credit control policies that take their needs into account. The research contends that, whilst there is legislation and structures to assist and direct municipalities, it has been established that municipalities do not properly collect rates and taxes due to them to augment their revenue. The study has shown nevertheless that metropolitan municipalities have the capacity to collect revenue for municipal services. This is confirmed by their collection rate which ranges between 94 % and 97 %. There is also the culture of non-payment by communities for services rendered by the municipalities. Rural municipalities are exempted from property tax, while other rural municipalities who have an urban component, have to collect. There is also the question of unemployment and poverty. Consequently, municipalities are not self-sufficient and rely on grants and equitable share to survive. As a result of this lack of self-sufficiency, it is difficult to implement service delivery and also difficult to attract skilled personnel. The study has investigated why some municipalities fail to collect revenue and depend on national grants. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings of the quantitative paradigm have been presented in the form of graphs and charts. The major findings include: All municipalities have limited borrowing capacity; have not exceeded their budgets in terms of their spending; small municipalities have households as their main contributor of revenue collected; metropolitan municipalities get the big slice of their revenue from business; small and rural municipalities rely on grants and transfers and are therefore not financially viable; metropolitan municipalities are, to a great extent, financially viable but lack skills and capacity to utilize their resources for effective service delivery; and all municipalities under-spend their budgets. The study, after elaborating on the findings, makes recommendations on how municipalities should become financially viable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Assessing the effect of Public Participation and development communications on service delivery: the case of the department of Social Development in the Eastern Cape (2004-2010)
- Authors: Maswana, Gcobani
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006979 , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Public Participation is a critical facet of development communication. The Republic of South Africa (RSA) Constitution 1996 promotes a set of values of good governance setting a framework for the public participation, and democratization of the public sector through instruments such as developmental communication in order to impact better service delivery. Public participation is an effective communication platform of a new democratic South Africa, as such, public participation forms part of the Constitution of the RSA Act (108 of 1996). To necessitate good governance, it is very imperative that the citizenry, being voters to take an active role in the affairs of governance. The credibility, legitimacy, acceptability, support for governance structures and sustainability of any government is dependable mostly on how citizens are participating in the affairs of government.The research topic being-assessing the effect of Public Participation and Development Communications on service delivery:the case of the department of Social Development in the Eastern Cape focused on Ingquza Municipality in O.R.Tambo District of the Eastern Cape.The public administration has positioned financial management and human resources as critical elements for effective and efficient system. The study has identified that the omission of public participation and development communication as a gap that need to be optimally utilized to avoid communication gap that leads to unnecessary service delivery protests. The study position communication as strategic and management function of each and every manager. The importance of Public Participation is that it could help to ensure that the citizens take ownership of processes as an important democratic principle.The imbizo’s as public participation tool and effective communication platform has been proven to be effective. The strengthening of development communication in the department to empower communities through development communication cadres and information dissemination is paramount important. Furthermore this will make sure that there is a continuous feedback on quality assurance programme in implementing political pronouncements that are made during imbizo’s.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Maswana, Gcobani
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006979 , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Public Participation is a critical facet of development communication. The Republic of South Africa (RSA) Constitution 1996 promotes a set of values of good governance setting a framework for the public participation, and democratization of the public sector through instruments such as developmental communication in order to impact better service delivery. Public participation is an effective communication platform of a new democratic South Africa, as such, public participation forms part of the Constitution of the RSA Act (108 of 1996). To necessitate good governance, it is very imperative that the citizenry, being voters to take an active role in the affairs of governance. The credibility, legitimacy, acceptability, support for governance structures and sustainability of any government is dependable mostly on how citizens are participating in the affairs of government.The research topic being-assessing the effect of Public Participation and Development Communications on service delivery:the case of the department of Social Development in the Eastern Cape focused on Ingquza Municipality in O.R.Tambo District of the Eastern Cape.The public administration has positioned financial management and human resources as critical elements for effective and efficient system. The study has identified that the omission of public participation and development communication as a gap that need to be optimally utilized to avoid communication gap that leads to unnecessary service delivery protests. The study position communication as strategic and management function of each and every manager. The importance of Public Participation is that it could help to ensure that the citizens take ownership of processes as an important democratic principle.The imbizo’s as public participation tool and effective communication platform has been proven to be effective. The strengthening of development communication in the department to empower communities through development communication cadres and information dissemination is paramount important. Furthermore this will make sure that there is a continuous feedback on quality assurance programme in implementing political pronouncements that are made during imbizo’s.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The contribution of local economic development funded projects in job creation and poverty eradication in Alfred Nzo district municipality
- Authors: Walaza, Kanyiso
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job creation -- Government policy -- South Africa , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020146
- Description: Job creation and poverty eradication have been the top priority of the South African government over the past few years and continues to be on the agenda. The government is making numerous efforts to aggressively address poverty levels and create jobs. In 1994 the African National Congress (ANC) led government inherited an economy that had glaring disparities. Most of the important economic resources of the country are concentrated in urban areas, while very few economic activities and resources are found in the rural areas. While about 70% of the country’s poorest people live in rural areas, the abundance of economic resources in towns and cities has led to minimal growth taking place in rural areas. High poverty levels continue to manifest itself in various forms and shapes in communities. The negative effects of unemployment continue to threaten our societal well-being and stability. It is evident that in poverty stricken communities there are limited economic development opportunities and have thus become trapped in a poverty cycle, and economic growth is the only sustainable approach of addressing poverty and unemployment. Local economic development (LED) is but one intervention that could be used to create jobs and eradicate poverty at a given locality. LED has been regarded as an approach towards economic development and growth whereby local people are encouraged to work in collaboration in order to achieve sustainable economic growth, bringing economic benefits and improved quality of life for all community members in a municipal area. LED is an intervention solely based at a local level being driven by local people to realise economic benefits that would improve their quality of life. A qualitative study was conducted at Alfred Nzo District Municipality to assess the contribution of LED on job creation and poverty eradication. The target population included LED managers, Project Practitioners, LED Project Beneficiaries, LED Portfolio Councillors in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality and its Local Municipalities as well as relevant sector departments and Public Entities. The study examined the contribution of LED funded projects in job creation and poverty eradication. The project also assessed the problems, issues and challenges in LED and how they are being addressed. The study found that the implementation of LED in Alfred Nzo continues to be ineffective and confronted with numerous challenges. LED has been viewed as one of the tools for job creation targeted at unskilled and unemployed members of the community. Municipalities seem to be under utilising the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and Equitable Share for funding the LED programme. In most municipalities LED is still regarded as an unfunded mandate. Most municipalities rely heavily on grant funding from sector departments and state owned enterprises for LED. A point of concern is the lack of regular and structured discussions on LED issues within municipalities which continue to re-enforce uncoordinated planning, insufficient budgeting and poor implementation of programmes within the municipality. The study noted serious skills shortages within the project beneficiaries which hamper effective implementation of LED projects. These skills include financial management, project management, conflict resolution and business management. These are core skills for the sound and viability of management of LED projects. Access to markets has been raised as an on-going concern for LED practitioners. It is recommended that a change is made from project-based LED to a business-based approach in LED. This would require all LED projects to be registered business entities, be liable for tax and require them to produce sound business plans before receiving grant funding.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Walaza, Kanyiso
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job creation -- Government policy -- South Africa , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020146
- Description: Job creation and poverty eradication have been the top priority of the South African government over the past few years and continues to be on the agenda. The government is making numerous efforts to aggressively address poverty levels and create jobs. In 1994 the African National Congress (ANC) led government inherited an economy that had glaring disparities. Most of the important economic resources of the country are concentrated in urban areas, while very few economic activities and resources are found in the rural areas. While about 70% of the country’s poorest people live in rural areas, the abundance of economic resources in towns and cities has led to minimal growth taking place in rural areas. High poverty levels continue to manifest itself in various forms and shapes in communities. The negative effects of unemployment continue to threaten our societal well-being and stability. It is evident that in poverty stricken communities there are limited economic development opportunities and have thus become trapped in a poverty cycle, and economic growth is the only sustainable approach of addressing poverty and unemployment. Local economic development (LED) is but one intervention that could be used to create jobs and eradicate poverty at a given locality. LED has been regarded as an approach towards economic development and growth whereby local people are encouraged to work in collaboration in order to achieve sustainable economic growth, bringing economic benefits and improved quality of life for all community members in a municipal area. LED is an intervention solely based at a local level being driven by local people to realise economic benefits that would improve their quality of life. A qualitative study was conducted at Alfred Nzo District Municipality to assess the contribution of LED on job creation and poverty eradication. The target population included LED managers, Project Practitioners, LED Project Beneficiaries, LED Portfolio Councillors in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality and its Local Municipalities as well as relevant sector departments and Public Entities. The study examined the contribution of LED funded projects in job creation and poverty eradication. The project also assessed the problems, issues and challenges in LED and how they are being addressed. The study found that the implementation of LED in Alfred Nzo continues to be ineffective and confronted with numerous challenges. LED has been viewed as one of the tools for job creation targeted at unskilled and unemployed members of the community. Municipalities seem to be under utilising the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and Equitable Share for funding the LED programme. In most municipalities LED is still regarded as an unfunded mandate. Most municipalities rely heavily on grant funding from sector departments and state owned enterprises for LED. A point of concern is the lack of regular and structured discussions on LED issues within municipalities which continue to re-enforce uncoordinated planning, insufficient budgeting and poor implementation of programmes within the municipality. The study noted serious skills shortages within the project beneficiaries which hamper effective implementation of LED projects. These skills include financial management, project management, conflict resolution and business management. These are core skills for the sound and viability of management of LED projects. Access to markets has been raised as an on-going concern for LED practitioners. It is recommended that a change is made from project-based LED to a business-based approach in LED. This would require all LED projects to be registered business entities, be liable for tax and require them to produce sound business plans before receiving grant funding.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The role of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in the upkeep and management of open spaces in Zwide Township
- Authors: Zonke, Gcobani
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Refuse and refuse disposal -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Waste minimization -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018657
- Description: This paper is an investigation into the role of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM) in the up-keep and management of open spaces, in Zwide Township. The study examines the manner in which the legislative framework for waste management is being implemented as prescribed in legislative directives. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), envisions the transformation of the local government system. Subsequently, policy frameworks and principles have been developed to support the new vision of local government. The Batho Pele Principles and the white paper were passed in March 1998. Both documents spelt out the implementation of the principle and the framework in which the local government system should operate as set out in the developmental local government concept. The developmental local government system’s core ethos lies in working with local citizenry to find ways of meeting their needs, thereby improving their quality of life. It also makes provision for public participation. Ward councillors and ward committees are an indispensable backbone of community participation. It is assumed in this study that a number of environmental, social, economic and health challenges are associated with waste disposal in open spaces. Such hazards range from health risks to the abuse of open spaces by antisocial individuals and groups. The situation is exacerbated by poor implementation of constitutional and legislative directives regarding waste management and disposal to ensure a humane and environmentally friendly atmosphere. The research assumes that the problem cannot be overcome by the NMBMM alone. Well-orchestrated community awareness education programmes such as projects like “trash is cash “and innovative ways of managing waste, including waste recycling, need to be drawn upon. The strategic placement of waste stations and the timeous collection of waste could improve the situation. The observation is that the level of service delivery varies within residential areas and in socioeconomic strata. The previously disadvantaged areas seem to have borne the brunt in terms of poor waste management services until now. The municipality has been accustomed to a situation whereby it removes the waste on an ad hoc basis in selected areas in the townships. The situation is exacerbated by little foresight into the ever growing population, specifically amongst the lower socioeconomic sector of the population. As a result, the ecology and environment is impacted in a negative way. Amidst the challenges of dumping in open spaces, a sense of determination appears within the community to want to prevent the situation; to illustrate: There is an organized group of youths who have cleaned up open spaces at along Qeqe Street in Zwide. They developed a car wash bay as a venture to generate an income. The Green Township Movement is another scheme which is mobilising the community, street by street, to keep their neighbourhood environmentally clean and green. Potentially, the Waste Management Directorate could collaborate with these groupings to halt waste dumping in open spaces. In so doing they could contribute to establishing an environmentally friendly neighbourhood. The NMBMM needs therefore to take advantage of the situation and reengineer its waste management strategy, policies and directives and augment the initiatives that the community have taken upon themselves. The study will endeavour to ultimately advise on viable strategies in an attempt to unravel barriers that have been identified, while simultaneously addressing the challenges to improving the quality of life in the township. This will be done by analysing a legislative framework and thereafter replicating the best practice used locally, nationally and internationally.. It also seeks to associate with individuals within local government in addition to groups that are like minded in combating the concern. The existing environmental regulations and the present economic situation are sound starting points. Together they present an opportunity to change the prevailing attitudes towards recycling. Finally, a number of conclusions that were arrived at during the study will be followed by recommendations. These will be based on the literature review and observations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Zonke, Gcobani
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Refuse and refuse disposal -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Waste minimization -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9135 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018657
- Description: This paper is an investigation into the role of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM) in the up-keep and management of open spaces, in Zwide Township. The study examines the manner in which the legislative framework for waste management is being implemented as prescribed in legislative directives. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), envisions the transformation of the local government system. Subsequently, policy frameworks and principles have been developed to support the new vision of local government. The Batho Pele Principles and the white paper were passed in March 1998. Both documents spelt out the implementation of the principle and the framework in which the local government system should operate as set out in the developmental local government concept. The developmental local government system’s core ethos lies in working with local citizenry to find ways of meeting their needs, thereby improving their quality of life. It also makes provision for public participation. Ward councillors and ward committees are an indispensable backbone of community participation. It is assumed in this study that a number of environmental, social, economic and health challenges are associated with waste disposal in open spaces. Such hazards range from health risks to the abuse of open spaces by antisocial individuals and groups. The situation is exacerbated by poor implementation of constitutional and legislative directives regarding waste management and disposal to ensure a humane and environmentally friendly atmosphere. The research assumes that the problem cannot be overcome by the NMBMM alone. Well-orchestrated community awareness education programmes such as projects like “trash is cash “and innovative ways of managing waste, including waste recycling, need to be drawn upon. The strategic placement of waste stations and the timeous collection of waste could improve the situation. The observation is that the level of service delivery varies within residential areas and in socioeconomic strata. The previously disadvantaged areas seem to have borne the brunt in terms of poor waste management services until now. The municipality has been accustomed to a situation whereby it removes the waste on an ad hoc basis in selected areas in the townships. The situation is exacerbated by little foresight into the ever growing population, specifically amongst the lower socioeconomic sector of the population. As a result, the ecology and environment is impacted in a negative way. Amidst the challenges of dumping in open spaces, a sense of determination appears within the community to want to prevent the situation; to illustrate: There is an organized group of youths who have cleaned up open spaces at along Qeqe Street in Zwide. They developed a car wash bay as a venture to generate an income. The Green Township Movement is another scheme which is mobilising the community, street by street, to keep their neighbourhood environmentally clean and green. Potentially, the Waste Management Directorate could collaborate with these groupings to halt waste dumping in open spaces. In so doing they could contribute to establishing an environmentally friendly neighbourhood. The NMBMM needs therefore to take advantage of the situation and reengineer its waste management strategy, policies and directives and augment the initiatives that the community have taken upon themselves. The study will endeavour to ultimately advise on viable strategies in an attempt to unravel barriers that have been identified, while simultaneously addressing the challenges to improving the quality of life in the township. This will be done by analysing a legislative framework and thereafter replicating the best practice used locally, nationally and internationally.. It also seeks to associate with individuals within local government in addition to groups that are like minded in combating the concern. The existing environmental regulations and the present economic situation are sound starting points. Together they present an opportunity to change the prevailing attitudes towards recycling. Finally, a number of conclusions that were arrived at during the study will be followed by recommendations. These will be based on the literature review and observations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The role of traditional leaders in enhancing service delivery in Mbhashe Local Municipality
- Authors: Bokwe, Abel Zingisa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Tribal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chiefdoms -- Africa, Southern , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8262 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013104
- Description: This study investigates the role of traditional leaders in enhancing service delivery in Mbhashe Local Municipality. The aim is to examine the involvement of traditional leaders in the provision of services to traditional communities. To achieve this goal, it was necessary to review literature on traditional leadership to advance an argument that by utilising the existing channels of communication such as traditional councils, government programmes could be more efficiently advertised. A secondary objective was to examine the relationship between traditional leaders and democratically elected councillors in the delivery of services. The problem in Mbhashe Local Municipality is that traditional leaders and the democratically elected leaders do not work together for service delivery. In order to address this problem, face-to-face interviews were conducted with the identified sample and conclusions drawn from their responses. The research revealed that if properly utilised and capacitated traditional leaders can indeed play a pivotal role in the enhancement of service delivery in Mbhashe Local Municipal area and in South Africa as whole.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Bokwe, Abel Zingisa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Tribal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chiefdoms -- Africa, Southern , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8262 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013104
- Description: This study investigates the role of traditional leaders in enhancing service delivery in Mbhashe Local Municipality. The aim is to examine the involvement of traditional leaders in the provision of services to traditional communities. To achieve this goal, it was necessary to review literature on traditional leadership to advance an argument that by utilising the existing channels of communication such as traditional councils, government programmes could be more efficiently advertised. A secondary objective was to examine the relationship between traditional leaders and democratically elected councillors in the delivery of services. The problem in Mbhashe Local Municipality is that traditional leaders and the democratically elected leaders do not work together for service delivery. In order to address this problem, face-to-face interviews were conducted with the identified sample and conclusions drawn from their responses. The research revealed that if properly utilised and capacitated traditional leaders can indeed play a pivotal role in the enhancement of service delivery in Mbhashe Local Municipal area and in South Africa as whole.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The role of traditional leadership in service delivery in the Ngqushwa Municipality
- Authors: Noyila, Mxolisi Amos
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Tribal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020635
- Description: The study examines challenges that exist in local government in relation to cooperation or working together between traditional leaders and elected councillors. This challenge can be seen mainly in municipalities that include rural areas. The country constantly faces protests by people expressing dissatisfaction with service delivery. This is a cause of concern and raises several questions. Councillors and traditional leaders point fingers at each other. More often than not, councillors as elected leaders exclude traditional leaders in matters of governance. Traditional leaders on the other hand see councillors as people encroaching into their territory. South Africa is characterised by rural areas that operate under Kings and Chiefs who are natural leaders and enjoy authority over the people, their subjects. Historically, traditional leadership was exercised in rural areas. Tribal authorities used to play a role in defining the lives of the people. Their role was very clear. They presided over the majority of cases in their jurisdiction. With changing times, especially during the apartheid era, communities started to mistrust the traditional leaders. There was a stigma attached to traditional leaders; they were seen as puppets of the government. They were used to perpetuate the apartheid government laws and this created a wedge between them and the community at large. When the new dispensation was ushered in, in 1994, hatred and non-acceptance was at a high level. The election and introduction of councillors to some extent undermined the legitimacy of the rule of traditional leaders. They were not recognised, Councillors do not create space for traditional leaders; there is no consultation and therefore no cooperation between councillors and traditional leaders. Some members of traditional leadership became uncomfortable with this situation and started to forge relations with the African National Congress in exile. In 1987, they formed the Congress of Traditional Leaders (CONTRALESA).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Noyila, Mxolisi Amos
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Tribal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020635
- Description: The study examines challenges that exist in local government in relation to cooperation or working together between traditional leaders and elected councillors. This challenge can be seen mainly in municipalities that include rural areas. The country constantly faces protests by people expressing dissatisfaction with service delivery. This is a cause of concern and raises several questions. Councillors and traditional leaders point fingers at each other. More often than not, councillors as elected leaders exclude traditional leaders in matters of governance. Traditional leaders on the other hand see councillors as people encroaching into their territory. South Africa is characterised by rural areas that operate under Kings and Chiefs who are natural leaders and enjoy authority over the people, their subjects. Historically, traditional leadership was exercised in rural areas. Tribal authorities used to play a role in defining the lives of the people. Their role was very clear. They presided over the majority of cases in their jurisdiction. With changing times, especially during the apartheid era, communities started to mistrust the traditional leaders. There was a stigma attached to traditional leaders; they were seen as puppets of the government. They were used to perpetuate the apartheid government laws and this created a wedge between them and the community at large. When the new dispensation was ushered in, in 1994, hatred and non-acceptance was at a high level. The election and introduction of councillors to some extent undermined the legitimacy of the rule of traditional leaders. They were not recognised, Councillors do not create space for traditional leaders; there is no consultation and therefore no cooperation between councillors and traditional leaders. Some members of traditional leadership became uncomfortable with this situation and started to forge relations with the African National Congress in exile. In 1987, they formed the Congress of Traditional Leaders (CONTRALESA).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An assessment of service delivery challenges: Intsika Yethu Municipality
- Authors: Shasha, Zamuxolo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Government productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Evaluation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8272 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015965
- Description: This study assesses service delivery challenges in Intsika Yethu Municipality with reference to water and electricity. This report presents the findings of a study conducted to identify the service delivery challenges related to the provision of basic services such as water and electricity, together with the recommendations on how these challenges can be resolved. This study was prompted by the huge number of backlogs experienced regarding water and electricity as well as complaints of non-service delivery and little understanding of the programme and plans within Intsika Yethu Municipality. The results of this study show that the communities do not fully participate in their development planning processes and they do not understand the purpose and existence of IDP document. The researcher hopes that this study will sensitise the community to participate in the affairs of their development that will change the quality of their lives. Intsika Yethu Municipality should improve their strategies and consultation structures in the implementation of water and electricity projects as well as the IDP processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Shasha, Zamuxolo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Government productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Evaluation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8272 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015965
- Description: This study assesses service delivery challenges in Intsika Yethu Municipality with reference to water and electricity. This report presents the findings of a study conducted to identify the service delivery challenges related to the provision of basic services such as water and electricity, together with the recommendations on how these challenges can be resolved. This study was prompted by the huge number of backlogs experienced regarding water and electricity as well as complaints of non-service delivery and little understanding of the programme and plans within Intsika Yethu Municipality. The results of this study show that the communities do not fully participate in their development planning processes and they do not understand the purpose and existence of IDP document. The researcher hopes that this study will sensitise the community to participate in the affairs of their development that will change the quality of their lives. Intsika Yethu Municipality should improve their strategies and consultation structures in the implementation of water and electricity projects as well as the IDP processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An assessment of the relationship between traditional leaders and ward councillors and its impact on service delivery: the case study of Mnquma Local Municipality
- Authors: Mhlanga, Fezeka
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Traditional government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11676 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007132 , Traditional government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study was researched at Mnquma Local Municipality of Amathole District Municipality in Eastern Cape Province, in the Republic of South Africa. The study is about: The assessment of relationship between the traditional leaders and ward Councillors and its impact on service delivery: A case of Mnquma Local Municipality. This municipality consists of 61 wards and 41 ward Councillors. The purpose of this study was to investigate what causes tensions in the relationship between traditional leaders and ward Councillors and also how can it be managed and or be improved as it affects production in service delivery and development. Furthermore, the study seeks to find ways through which the relationship between traditional leaders and ward Councillors could be managed to harmonize the relationship between them in order to improve service delivery in Mnquma Local Municipality. Most municipalities which are based in rural areas in South Africa are faced with a lot of challenges which has left development staggering and thus in long run inefficiency in service delivery is caused. As a result of poor service delivery Mnquma Municipality is faced with the challenge of instability towards its management, whereby several Mayors have been chased away through protests, as result service delivery has been hampered and delayed. These challenges are the results of the poor relationship between traditional leaders and ward Councillors over land ownership, control and authority of resources for development. The legislations that govern traditional leaders are ambiguous or rather vague when it comes to their roles and functions in development and service delivery in the new democratic government of South Africa and thus cause the traditional leaders to feel that they are undermined by the ward Councillors whom according to traditional leaders feel they that ward Councillors are more recognized than them. It is in this context that this study seeks to investigate the causes of conflict between the traditional leaders and ward Councillors and how the conflict impacts on service delivery and development and also can it resolved to harmonize the situation. The researcher used a qualitative method to collect data, the questionnaires and interviews were conducted to Municipalities, Traditional Leaders, Municipal Managers, Ward Councillors, Ward Committees and the community. Data was collected and analysed using descriptive method. The researcher came out with the following summary of the findings: The management of relationship between traditional leaders and ward Councillors over ownership of projects, control, land distribution and authority is very poor. Traditional leaders felt that the present democratic government has given too much power to the ward Councillors for most development programs. There is no absolute proper consultation of traditional leaders by neither local government officials, municipalities and ward Councillors before any development is done in their areas. Poor recognition of traditional leaders by ward Councillors and other politicians. There is allegation by the community members and traditional leaders that ward Councillors are bias in delivering services, preference is given to the group that belongs to their party of interest. When there is development projects employment opportunity is not given to the local communities of that area. Traditional leaders are not allowed to actively participate in council meetings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mhlanga, Fezeka
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Traditional government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11676 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007132 , Traditional government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study was researched at Mnquma Local Municipality of Amathole District Municipality in Eastern Cape Province, in the Republic of South Africa. The study is about: The assessment of relationship between the traditional leaders and ward Councillors and its impact on service delivery: A case of Mnquma Local Municipality. This municipality consists of 61 wards and 41 ward Councillors. The purpose of this study was to investigate what causes tensions in the relationship between traditional leaders and ward Councillors and also how can it be managed and or be improved as it affects production in service delivery and development. Furthermore, the study seeks to find ways through which the relationship between traditional leaders and ward Councillors could be managed to harmonize the relationship between them in order to improve service delivery in Mnquma Local Municipality. Most municipalities which are based in rural areas in South Africa are faced with a lot of challenges which has left development staggering and thus in long run inefficiency in service delivery is caused. As a result of poor service delivery Mnquma Municipality is faced with the challenge of instability towards its management, whereby several Mayors have been chased away through protests, as result service delivery has been hampered and delayed. These challenges are the results of the poor relationship between traditional leaders and ward Councillors over land ownership, control and authority of resources for development. The legislations that govern traditional leaders are ambiguous or rather vague when it comes to their roles and functions in development and service delivery in the new democratic government of South Africa and thus cause the traditional leaders to feel that they are undermined by the ward Councillors whom according to traditional leaders feel they that ward Councillors are more recognized than them. It is in this context that this study seeks to investigate the causes of conflict between the traditional leaders and ward Councillors and how the conflict impacts on service delivery and development and also can it resolved to harmonize the situation. The researcher used a qualitative method to collect data, the questionnaires and interviews were conducted to Municipalities, Traditional Leaders, Municipal Managers, Ward Councillors, Ward Committees and the community. Data was collected and analysed using descriptive method. The researcher came out with the following summary of the findings: The management of relationship between traditional leaders and ward Councillors over ownership of projects, control, land distribution and authority is very poor. Traditional leaders felt that the present democratic government has given too much power to the ward Councillors for most development programs. There is no absolute proper consultation of traditional leaders by neither local government officials, municipalities and ward Councillors before any development is done in their areas. Poor recognition of traditional leaders by ward Councillors and other politicians. There is allegation by the community members and traditional leaders that ward Councillors are bias in delivering services, preference is given to the group that belongs to their party of interest. When there is development projects employment opportunity is not given to the local communities of that area. Traditional leaders are not allowed to actively participate in council meetings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An evaluation of the impact of the provincial housing policy in the Nxuba Municipality
- Authors: Dywili, Mhlobo Douglas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11636 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/510 , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The Eastern Cape Department of Housing has a constitutional and legislative mandate to provide houses to the poor and disadvantaged citizens living within the province. Parliament must also, according to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, as amended, take reasonable legislative and other measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of citizens to have access to adequate housing (section 26 (1) and (2)). The commitment to improve the existing housing situation, namely the serious lack of adequate housing and basic services in urban townships and rural settlements, is thus in the first instance a policy matter and secondly a financial matter. However, despite the existing policy measures, such as the Housing Act, 1997 (Act 107 of 1997), the rendering of housing services resulted in uncompleted and defective houses due to inexperienced contractors providing poor workmanship and also corruption in the housing programmes. The rendering of housing services as a functional area has constitutionally been given to the national and provincial legislatures in South Africa. The Constitution allocated this function to the local sphere of government. Municipal authorities are the facilitators of sustainable housing services to (xiv) citizens on behalf of the national and provincial spheres of government. The study was thus conducted within the Nxuba local municipality which is one of eight local municipalities in the Amathole district municipality. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the implementation of the provincial housing policy and to determine the impact of the existing policy on the housing needs of the citizens of the Nxuba local municipality. For this purpose the fundamental and overall study problem was found to be that the rendering of housing services at the Nxuba local municipality is hampered by the implementation of an inadequate provincial housing policy and by incompetent municipal personnel and that these actions do not satisfy the growing demand for sustainable and suitable housing. The hypothesis was furthermore based on the fact that the existing provincial housing policy is inadequate to satisfy human needs and impacts negatively if not harmfully on human well-being. The study revealed that besides the implementation of an inadequate housing policy by incompetent municipal personnel, there are economic, social, political, physical and environmental effects on the citizens. As far as the environmental is concerned, the staging of protest marches resulting in the burning of tyres, rubbish cardboards and road barricades had caused serious air pollution which might lead to the spread of diseases such as TB, cancer and bronchitis when people inhale the poisonous gas evolving from smoke such as carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur dioxide gases. Secondly, there is an economic impact on the citizens. Houses have been built away from town and people are compelled to commute between the town and their place of residence on a daily basis. With a continuous increase in the petrol price and its associated increase in transportation costs people pay large amounts to get to town. Furthermore the building of the RDP houses frequently comes to a standstill, builders, plumbers and carpenters lose their jobs. People’s income levels fall, impacting negatively on economic activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Dywili, Mhlobo Douglas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11636 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/510 , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The Eastern Cape Department of Housing has a constitutional and legislative mandate to provide houses to the poor and disadvantaged citizens living within the province. Parliament must also, according to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, as amended, take reasonable legislative and other measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of citizens to have access to adequate housing (section 26 (1) and (2)). The commitment to improve the existing housing situation, namely the serious lack of adequate housing and basic services in urban townships and rural settlements, is thus in the first instance a policy matter and secondly a financial matter. However, despite the existing policy measures, such as the Housing Act, 1997 (Act 107 of 1997), the rendering of housing services resulted in uncompleted and defective houses due to inexperienced contractors providing poor workmanship and also corruption in the housing programmes. The rendering of housing services as a functional area has constitutionally been given to the national and provincial legislatures in South Africa. The Constitution allocated this function to the local sphere of government. Municipal authorities are the facilitators of sustainable housing services to (xiv) citizens on behalf of the national and provincial spheres of government. The study was thus conducted within the Nxuba local municipality which is one of eight local municipalities in the Amathole district municipality. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the implementation of the provincial housing policy and to determine the impact of the existing policy on the housing needs of the citizens of the Nxuba local municipality. For this purpose the fundamental and overall study problem was found to be that the rendering of housing services at the Nxuba local municipality is hampered by the implementation of an inadequate provincial housing policy and by incompetent municipal personnel and that these actions do not satisfy the growing demand for sustainable and suitable housing. The hypothesis was furthermore based on the fact that the existing provincial housing policy is inadequate to satisfy human needs and impacts negatively if not harmfully on human well-being. The study revealed that besides the implementation of an inadequate housing policy by incompetent municipal personnel, there are economic, social, political, physical and environmental effects on the citizens. As far as the environmental is concerned, the staging of protest marches resulting in the burning of tyres, rubbish cardboards and road barricades had caused serious air pollution which might lead to the spread of diseases such as TB, cancer and bronchitis when people inhale the poisonous gas evolving from smoke such as carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur dioxide gases. Secondly, there is an economic impact on the citizens. Houses have been built away from town and people are compelled to commute between the town and their place of residence on a daily basis. With a continuous increase in the petrol price and its associated increase in transportation costs people pay large amounts to get to town. Furthermore the building of the RDP houses frequently comes to a standstill, builders, plumbers and carpenters lose their jobs. People’s income levels fall, impacting negatively on economic activity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Determinants of effective basic service delivery at Amathole District Municipality
- Memani, Ntombizonke Theodora
- Authors: Memani, Ntombizonke Theodora
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal water supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Amathole District Municipality (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8298 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019700
- Description: Service delivery is the provision of basic services to the community by Local Government (LG). The Water Services Act 108 of 1997 states that everyone should have rights to access water and sanitation. It further states that the level of service it provides its consumers, however, is dependent on a number of factors as per clause 11 (2) (a) which articulates that every water services authority has a duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure sufficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services. Craythorne (2006:170) argued that a municipality may, in accordance with a policy framework it has adopted, establish a part of the municipal area as an internal municipal service district to facilitate the provision of a municipal service in that area. Owing to the vastness of the district, many rural communities and the grant dependency of the municipality, the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) is challenged in providing safe potable water to all and is providing different levels of this service to different communities, based on available water resources, cost of supply and the ability to recover costs. In this regard the ADM provides a ―Basic level of service‖ to its rural communities in line with the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) National Guidelines of 25 litres per person per day. This study undertook to probe the determinants of effective basic service delivery at Amathole District Municipality. Water provision function is still a challenge to District Municipalities (DMs) due to various impediments confronted by the DMs when rendering basic services. From the literature study and information gathered from the respondents in this research it became evident that basic service delivery is a key to the development of local communities. In this regard it is pertinent that the District Municipality in question devises means that will mitigate the identified challenges in order to provide services to expectant communities. Self administered questionnaires were used as a method of collecting data from the respondents. In this study a qualitative method was used to analyse the data collected from the respondents. Based on the information gathered from the respondents the researcher made findings and formulated recommendations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Memani, Ntombizonke Theodora
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal water supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Amathole District Municipality (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8298 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019700
- Description: Service delivery is the provision of basic services to the community by Local Government (LG). The Water Services Act 108 of 1997 states that everyone should have rights to access water and sanitation. It further states that the level of service it provides its consumers, however, is dependent on a number of factors as per clause 11 (2) (a) which articulates that every water services authority has a duty to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction to progressively ensure sufficient, affordable, economical and sustainable access to water services. Craythorne (2006:170) argued that a municipality may, in accordance with a policy framework it has adopted, establish a part of the municipal area as an internal municipal service district to facilitate the provision of a municipal service in that area. Owing to the vastness of the district, many rural communities and the grant dependency of the municipality, the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) is challenged in providing safe potable water to all and is providing different levels of this service to different communities, based on available water resources, cost of supply and the ability to recover costs. In this regard the ADM provides a ―Basic level of service‖ to its rural communities in line with the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) National Guidelines of 25 litres per person per day. This study undertook to probe the determinants of effective basic service delivery at Amathole District Municipality. Water provision function is still a challenge to District Municipalities (DMs) due to various impediments confronted by the DMs when rendering basic services. From the literature study and information gathered from the respondents in this research it became evident that basic service delivery is a key to the development of local communities. In this regard it is pertinent that the District Municipality in question devises means that will mitigate the identified challenges in order to provide services to expectant communities. Self administered questionnaires were used as a method of collecting data from the respondents. In this study a qualitative method was used to analyse the data collected from the respondents. Based on the information gathered from the respondents the researcher made findings and formulated recommendations.
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- Date Issued: 2012