*Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)
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Browsing *Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters) by School "Wits School of Governance"
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Item A formative evaluation of Johannesburg's Diepkloof Hostel housing intervention(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mchunu, Lindiwe; Wotela, KambidimaIt is evident that the apartheid system was created for the sole benefit of South Africa’s White population and that this political structure led to many imbalances in the provision of basic services, land allocation and participation in the economy. Apartheid’s spatial planning was at the forefront of the creation of these imbalances through establishments such as the migrant hostels. Therefore, this study seeks to conduct a formative evaluation of fundamental government interventions intended to address social problems, such as housing, by using the Diepkloof hostel as a case study. Several studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of the Community Residential Units programme. However, there is limited interrogation on the programme’s impact on the Diepkloof hostel. To this end, the study employs a qualitative approach and uses thematic content analysis to interrogate the contributing factors that lead to the mis-formulation of fundamental interventions. Findings show that mis-formulation and poor implementation is caused by mismanagement and corruption, the lack of regulatory controls, transparency, and clear communication. The study recommends an efficient monitoring and evaluation process for strengthen the housing interventions among other thingsItem A review of industrial policy in the Northern Cape Province(2022) Setlhabi, LetlhogonoloAlthough industrial policies have been in place in South Africa for over a decade, their implementation to support and prioritise the manufacturing sector has generally been slow and ineffective, particularly in the province of the Northern Cape (NC), which was the study area. Although the NC has a long history of industrialisation reaching back to the discovery of large diamond deposits in Kimberley in 1867, it has been slow in becoming fully industrialised owing to its weak performance in the manufacturing sector. Moreover, provinces such as Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are more advanced in terms of industrialisation. Thus, the researcher aimed to understand the phenomenon by researching the implementation and benefits of industrial policy in the context of the NC. An in-depth investigation revealed several weaknesses in the implementation of policy, which has minimised benefits such as support mechanisms for the manufacturing sector.Item Accelerating socio-economic justice through inclusive economic-and-employment growth(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Isaacs, Nandipha; Pillay, PundyThis paper posits that the labour market, through paying jobs, is an important lever for moving people out of poverty to address the social and economic consequences of apartheid in South Africa. The paper explores different parameters related to employment growth, namely the relationship between economic growth and employment growth, which types of business (small versus large) contribute most to employment growth, which sectors contribute most to employment growth, the barriers to employment growth experienced by entrepreneurs, and interventions required to ensure employment growth is inclusive. This research applied the ARDL model to understand the relationship between employment growth and economic growth on an aggregate level, at a sector level and a business size level, using StatsSA and SARB data for the period 2009 - 2019. This was supplemented by interviews with entrepreneurs and subject matter advisors who provided additional insights into the dynamics of employment growth. The findings of the report highlight that there is a positive relationship between economic growth and employment growth in South Africa, confirming that economic growth has contributed positively to the labour market, despite high and rising unemployment. Key sectors also show a positive relationship with economic growth. The findings revealed as well that small business employment has a negative relationship with economic growth. This paper also highlights that indicators that are affected by apartheid are still used in recruitment and promotion decisions, pointing to the need for company practices and policies to be re-looked to ensure Black Africans are not locked out of the economy.Item An analysis of the effectiveness of the training offered to the public schools’ finance committees in Ekurhuleni South District of Education(2022) Ndima, Mandlakayise MuntukhonaProper financial management is an essential part of the efficient supply of all other needed resources in an organisation. In the context of a school, poor management of funds can lead to the inefficient supply of crucial resources such as stationery and furniture, hence, the school’s funds are worth being handled by the care of a knowledgeable person. To ensure that the schools’ funds are in good hands and are well taken care of, the responsible structure (school finance committee) needs to undergo thorough training to execute financial management tasks. This study provides a literature discussion on the management of public school funds with a deep focus on the abilities of the schools' finance committees as structures that are entrusted with the responsibility to manage the schools' funds. Furthermore, it makes emphasis on the capacity-building programmes that are in place to equip the school’s funds trustees with the required financial skills to manage funds effectively. The fieldwork part of this study sought to evaluate the impact of these capacity-building programmes, to identify the gaps which may hinder the effectiveness of the programmes and also aimed at providing possible initiatives for an effective school financial management capacity-building programme. Principals and the School Governing Body (SGB) chairpersons make up the sample of this study since they are members of the schools’ finance committees who receive capacity building training from the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) through the education districts. Open-ended questionnaires were used to obtain the views of these participants concerning the impact of the training received from GDE. Furthermore, district officials also made up the sample of this study since they are training facilitators. Semi-structured interviews were used to obtain the perceptions of these training facilitators regarding the effectiveness of the training programmes that they facilitate. The key findings were that the schools' finance committees are not well equipped to execute financial management responsibilities despite the training received. It was also evident from the findings that the lack of financial management skills is a recurring problem from the district down to school level. This lack of financial skills in both parties compromises the effectiveness of the school financial management capacity building programmes.Item An analysis of the main barriers to effective corporate governance at the SABC(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Loliwe, WendySouth Africa is a highly structured country with numerous rules, practices and regulations. These laws are imperative in the successful running of companies including State-owned Companies (SOCs). The SOCs including the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) are governed by corporate governance framework which define the principles of fairness, accountability, responsibility and transparency – where role players are identified, those responsible for the corporate governance and to whom they are accountable. South Africa further considers its best corporate governance practises through implementation of various versions of the King Reports of Good Corporate Governance which have their foundations in effective and ethical leadership. In some instances, SOCs can be forced into complying with those laws which can lead to poor corporate governance and dysfunctionality of a company. In the case of the SABC, there were numerous allegations of maladministration, financial mismanagement, unethical conduct, abuse of power, political interference and governance challenges. The study is therefore concerned with the effective corporate governance at the SABC. It examines the main barriers to effective corporate governance rules and practices within the SABC or, put differently, why good corporate governance has eluded the SABC. The study applied the qualitative approach. The primary data was collected though semi-structured interviews - from former and current members of the boards of directors, government as a shareholder, former and current officials, representatives of the regulator and other experts in public broadcasting. The secondary data has been examined from various archival resources such as SABC Annual Financial Statements and Reports and policies which are useful for triangulation. It was found that the main barriers identified include political parties interference, lack of board commitment to fulfill its oversight role, abuse of shareholder’s power, no consequence management in transgression and performance monitoring systems, iii lack of adherence to the regulatory framework, appointments of unqualified and unskilled board member, lack of transparency and disclosure, and SABC funding. Based on the findings, it was concluded that The SABC has enough applicable legislation and internal policies to protect itself from abuse by the shareholder and ensure good corporate governance but effective enforcement of existing laws and regulations constitutes a major challenge for the development and implementation of corporate governance.Item An exploration of possibilities for information and communications technologies in pursuit of enhanced public participation in lawmaking post Covid-19(2022) Cilliers, InaThe purpose of this project was to explore the nature and impact of public participation practice in the legislative processes of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) during and after the Covid -19 pandemic. The disruption to social interaction brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic had an impact on the design, implementation, and evaluation of public participation (PP) in the province. The scope and extent of this disruption was uncertain, yet rapidly evolving and scaling globally. For the GPL to fulfil its constitutional mandate and its commitments citizens, new opportunities for PP had to be explored and threats to PP had to be ameliorated in the context of a “new normal”. The research question is: “How can the information and communications technology revolution be leveraged to enhance public participation in legislative processes.” The study examined historic practice of the institution as well as virtual public hearings and portfolio committee business conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.The sample population for this study was public participation specialists and participants in the legislative sphere in Gauteng Province, South Africa. A purposive sample was drawn from the GPL community, specifically PP Unit staff, researchers and committee support staff. Focus group discussions were conducted with 18 participants. The public participation events observed included 3 public hearings, 3 sector parliaments, 2 round table events and 1 legislative workshop. The document analysis focused on reports that was tabled for the legislation under scrutiny in the relevant portfolio committees. The study identified threats and opportunities for PP, spaces of disruption and contestation that would require new areas of practice and new skills to be learnt by PP practitioners. The institutions’ journey from traditional PP practice to fully virtual and the resultant pivot to digital innovation was explored. Recommendations were structured around the design, implementation and evaluation of PP in the post-pandemic future. The paradigms of digital marketing and traditional PP practice was assimilated to suggest new ways of conducting the PP mandate that advance deliberation, inclusivity, and quality of lawmakingItem An investigation of stakeholder influence on participants’ informed consent in the monitoring and evaluation process(2022) Kapay, SaraMonitoring and Evaluations (hereafter referred to as evaluations) aid in decision making, come in many forms and have various functions depending on their objectives. The nature of evaluations is such that they are reliant on participation from various individuals, communities, and organizations. Informed consent is the process by which participants are made aware of the potential risks, benefits, and objectives of a study and thereafter formally or informally indicate their consent to take part in the proposed research. Informed consent is required as it contributes to trust amongst stakeholders in evaluations. However, while issues regarding informed consent (both in theory and practice) have a well-documented history, especially in medical journals that centre on developed nations; further insights still need to be garnered. As such, there is a need to understand the informed consent process and its suitability within low-income nations in research and evaluations. Consequently, this research report aims to provide an understanding of stakeholder influence on informed consent on participants in evaluations and how power and pressure mechanisms from stakeholders affect informed consent. The interviews allowed us to better understand the role of stakeholders and their influence in informed consent through the perspectives and lived realities of evaluators, industry experts, researchers, and academics as well as those currently working in organisations that have been evaluated. It is evident from the interview findings that the power dominance, pressure, and influences that occur in Evaluation can be both implied and explicit. There is no consensus on what constitutes true informed consent or what exactly and to what extent should participants be informed within evaluations. Rather the focus is more on the protection and privacy of information and data of the evaluations than participants' consent. The observed and dominant ways stakeholders influence participant informed consent is through information. This study contributes to the existing literature on the relationship between evaluators, participants, and decision-makers as well as the power dynamics experienced practically within evaluations. The researcher proposes that a more deliberate approach needs to be taken during the conception phase of evaluations. Finally, further research looking at participation in Evaluation from the lenses of participants is required. In addition, a deeper look into ethics within evaluations as service providers to their stakeholders.Item An investigation of the determinants of childhood stunting in Zambia(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-02) Munalula, Kekelwa; Kithatu-Kiwekete, AngelitaBackground Stunting in Zambia is a prevalent public health concern that can be attributed to multiple factors. Understanding the risk factors for stunting in children under the age of five is critical for developing nutritional intervention programs and strategies. As a result, this study aimed to analyze the marginal effects of the underlying determinants of child nutrition on Child stunting levels in Zambia. Method This study employed secondary data sources from Zambian demography and health surveys from six surveys. Relevant data were extracted from Kids Record (KR) and the corresponding Household Record (PR) file for the final analysis; survey rounds between 1992 up to 2018 were included in the study. Binary logistic regression model was used to describe the determinants and their association with childhood stunting. Further Marginal analysis was used to establish the marginal effects associated with the determinants Result Children living in low social economic conditions, children who reside in urban areas, have healthcare access challenges, born in non-medical facility, and whose mothers had lower than secondary education were more likely to be stunted. Further, narrow birth intervals, and low birth weight were associated with an increased occurrence of stunting Conclusion Stunting is the outcome of an intricate interaction of determinants. Wealth index, maternal education, maternal nutrition, birth weight, place of birth, birth interval and source of drinking water were found to have the highest marginal effects on childhood stunting. Therefore, policy makers should consider these determinants in the design of nutrition intervention programs.Item Analysing state capture through public procurement weaknesses in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Aikins,Nana; Lynge, HalfdanThis research report reviews and analyses the procurement system in South Africa concerning the legislative and institutional frameworks that govern state owned enterprises (SOEs). This study aims to assess the system's flaws and inherent weaknesses and highlight how these pitfalls have ultimately aided the phenomenon of state capture. It is a constitutional requirement that when organs of the state contract for goods and services, they do so in a fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective manner. When a public organisation is captured by private interests, it loses its autonomy to act in the furtherance of public welfare, which manifests in its inability to contract competitively, achieving low prices and high quality. A postulation is made in this study that public procurement personnel lack the integrity and personal will to resist collusive behaviour and do not have the institutional strength to detect and withstand corrupt dealings that contribute towards state capture. Following the publication of the State Capture report by the Public Protector of South Africa in 2016, the concept has gained significant political momentum. However, despite this development, there has been a notable lack of academic research on the phenomena, particularly regarding its connection to public procurement. This research aims to fill this gap. This study draws most of its data from the transcripts of the hearings conducted by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. Through a qualitative explanatory case study approach, using thematic analysis, the study sought to understand the patterns of abuse that occur at each stage of the procurement cycle and what factors contributed to these transgressions. The findings of the study identified challenges associated with lack of capacity, non-compliance with legal policies, bid-rigging and collusive behaviour, and political interferenceItem Analysing the experiences of Zimbabwean migrants in acquiring the Zimbabwean special permit(2020) Skota, Siyamthanda‘This qualitative study uses a phenomenological methodology to analyse ten Zimbabwean migrants’ experiences in acquiring the Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZSP) since its inception in 2010,with the human rights of applicants as a guiding concern. The study utilises ten semi-structured in-depth interviews with Zimbabwean migrants who are on the work permit category of the ZSP, a representative of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), and an official representing the Zimbabwean community at African Diaspora Forum. After coding and analysing the data according to research questions, literature and theoretical framework used in the study, three broad themes emerged from migrants’ experiences: 1) employment and financial freedom; 2) freedom of movement; 3) documentation. Even though administrative challenges with the DHA were intense in 2009, they have improved over the years mainly because of the move from manual applications to online applications. After acquiring the ZSP migrants’ expressed gratitude because they are now able to look for legal work and manage their finances. Secondly, the ZSP holders can now exercise their most basic human right which is the right to freedom of movement. And finally, the Zimbabwean migrants are concerned about what the future holds for their documentation status in South Africa, with pleas for permanent residence’Item Anaysis of the public participation process in the gauteng etolls initiative(2021) De Freitas, Manuel Simão FrançaThis study analyses the public participation processes led by SANRAL (South African National Roads Agency Limited) within the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP). The public appeared to have been against this project from the beginning claiming that they were not properly consulted on this project. The term public is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary “as a group of people having common interests or characteristics”. The common interest in this study was the etolls initiative.Item Assessing the challenges faced by black built environment professionals as business owners(2022) Nkoana, KoketsoThere is a growing concern about the limited representation of black Built Environment Professionals (BEP) as business owners in the industry. This study then attempts to address the imbalance in the industry by highlighting the challenges faced by black BEPs. The greatest challenge that was pointed out by the investigation is the perceptions of economic transformation in the industry. The study further highlights the following challenges, economic structure, racial profiling, monopolisation of industry funding, red tape, corruption, experience, access to market, regulation, subcontracting and policy and industry planning. Thus, there is a limited representation of black BEPs as business owners. The researcher has observed some positive outputs from the transformative programmes implemented in the industry. As some efforts toward transformation have yielded positive results and managed to create opportunities in the industry for black BEPs. However, the study outlines the lingering concern of the disconnect that exists between the professional experience of these BEPs and the capacity of their businesses. there is also a concern around the efforts of the industry to develop Black BEPs as business owners as opposed to them simply being technical contributors and thus seen as employees. The study outlines the need for BEPs to be seen as businesses as they primarily trade in intellectual property.Item Assessing the challenges in attaining the predetermined organisational performance objectives in the Gauteng Office of the Premier(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Molapho, Makgaba SamuelThis research aims to assess the challenges in attaining the predetermined organisational performance objectives in the Gauteng Office of the Premier. In doing so, I have applied the strategy of qualitative research as well as the case study design. This enabled the research to use semi-structured interviews to collect primary data that informs challenges in attaining the predetermined organisational performance objectives in the Gauteng Office of the Premier. The population of this study is Gauteng Office of the Premier and from this population I have sampled 9 participants using a purposive sampling technique. I have located this research in the academic field of organisational performance studies. This field was suitable for my incumbent research due to its aspect connecting to the research problem. Furthermore, I have established attributes of organisational performance and linked them to interpretative frameworks of this research to answer empirical results. The interpretative frameworks of this study are bureaucracy theory, government management frameworks, Government Wide Monitoring and Evaluation (GWM&E) framework, and programme logical model. Using these frameworks as a lens of interpreting research findings, the study indicates that the organisational structure of Gauteng Office of the Premier is not fit for purpose, and it is not approved by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). As a result, the organisational structure hinders the office of the premier ability to employ human resources that will achieve predetermined objectives. The findings also point out the challenges of data collection, duplication, and alignment of budget to office priorities. Moreover, it was found that stakeholders are non-compliant and do not conform to the implementation of monitoring and evaluation system. As a result, the Gauteng office of the premier is unable to perform because is depended on stakeholders to achieve the office mandate. Lastly, the findings pointed that challenges of attaining predetermined objectives are linked to components of logical model.Item Assessing the dpsa’s, and partners’, perspectives on digitalisation for improving efficiencies in the south african public sector(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Lukhele, Nompumelelo; Chikane, RekgotsofetseThe purpose of this research was to explore the perspectives of public sector officials placed in the e-Government Services and Information Management unit of the DPSA, and partners, who are responsible for coordinating and drafting the Digital Government Policy Framework, on the implementation of digitalisation in the context of improving public sector efficiencies. This was justified as important because, the attitudes and perceptions of policy developers about digitalisation will influence the directionality of policies they develop on the implementation of digitalisation or the digital transformation agenda more broadly. The research primarily questioned what the perspectives of these officials are on the implementation of digitalisation in the context of improving public sector efficiencies in South Africa. The study adopted qualitative research methods. Semi-structured interviews and case studies were adopted to respond to the research questions. The main findings were that there is a need for government to strengthen the legitimacy of government digital transformation through releasing decisive political will; there is a need for elevation of the position of the Chief Information Officer in government departments; and lastly there is a need for the establishment of a central agency that will guide transformation of public service administration to perform important functions required to successfully transition to a digital government. The study concludes by emphasising the risks at local, regional, and international levels that the South African government faces if the urgency to act is underminedItem Assessing the impact of covid-19 on monitoring and evaluation functions of the gauteng department of health(2023) Dlamini, Nqobile Minenhle; Pophiwa, NedsonThe Covid-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges that required enforced adaptation in all aspects of human life globally. With such an outbreak the government sector was forced to develop mitigation factors and implement precautionary measures useful for curbing the pandemic. Hence, the research focuses on the Gauteng Department of Health as it is at the forefront of the healthcare sector. The main research objective is to understand ways in which the pandemic disrupts the Gauteng Department of Health’s Monitoring and Evaluation functions mechanisms adopted to ensure function continuity. Therefore, it was also important to understand the tools and mechanisms that were adopted and how the pandemic changed their implementation. A total of 10 key participants within the department were interviewed and a question guide was used as a data collection tool during the interview process. The participants interviewed were purposively sampled as a form of non-probability sampling. This study is a qualitative case study research design with an exploratory research approach. During the interview process, the majority of the participants indicated that lockdowns, restrictions on travel, isolations, quarantines, and the shutdown of non-essential activities were highly implemented. However, these restrictions impacted how raw data was collected in the field. Remote data collection had to be introduced and it became common because face-to-face data collection was limited due to contracting the virus. The findings of this study revealed that the Monitoring and Evaluation practices in the department were no longer treated as a priority due to the urgent response to the pandemic. The data that has been collected throughout the research indicates that there are ways in which Monitoring and Evaluation can be developed and innovated. The study also highlighted the best possible interventions or recommendations that can be taken into consideration should a pandemic of this nature arise in the future. This becomes a contribution to the knowledge gap concerning the disruption of an unexpected pandemicItem Assessing the impact of mobile technological innovation on maternal healthcare in South Africa(2020) Matee, Misha GovindBackground: Maternal mortality is a significant public health issue in developing countries due to its shocking magnitude and lower declining pattern. Identifying determinants and designing intervention will have an important role to overcome the problem. Ending preventable maternal mortality remains one of the world’s most critical challenges despite significant progress over the past decade. These deaths are primarily from preventable causes before, during and after the time of giving birth. (Boerma, et al., 2015) Creative use of new mobile and wearable health information and sensing technologies (mHealth) has the potential to reduce the cost of health care and improve well-being in numerous ways. (Kumar, et al., 2013) The rapid growth in access to mobile phones and networks in Africa has created an opportunity for mHealth programs to impact the health of Africans positively. mHealth programs have the potential to contribute to innovative solutions to address health system challenges including (1) disparities in access to health services; (2) inadequacies of health infrastructure; (3) limited human resources for health; (4) cost to the individual of accessing health services; and (5) challenges in health financing. (African Strategies for Health (ASH), 2016) Therefore this study aimed to identify the correlates of mobile technology and maternal mortality in developing countries. Method: This research report conducted used national and international databases of health metrics from 2011 to 2019. Using aggregates of health indicator data from Statistics South Africa (STATSSA), the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) databases. Momconnect and Mum & Baby data were collected from Vodacom South Africa, the National Department of Health (NDoH) and Praekelt. The dependent variable was the maternal mortality ratio (MMR). In contrast, the independent variable was the numbers of subscribers for Momconnect and Mum & Baby, two national maternal mobile healthcare applications in South Africa. Data was compiled in excel and analysed using correlation tests and regression analysis. Results: The maternal mortality ratio in South Africa is high. A significant relationship between the maternal mortality ratio and the adoption of mobile healthcare applications was observed. There were an inverse and significant correlation between the maternal mortality ratio and the diffusion of mobile technology. Conclusion: The maternal mortality ratio is correlated with mobile technology.Item Assessing the impact of the ‘checklist’ to address overcrowding in Gauteng prisons(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Kanyane, Mpapa JeremiaLiterature shows that overcrowding in prison is a crisis that is exacerbated by challenges associated with court processes and inadequate criminal justice systems. Practical measures have been implemented by the South African government to combat these challenges through the use of an integrated criminal justice system. The National Task Team developed a strategy known as the ‘checklist’ that is development from internal benchmarks to address addressing overcrowding in South African Prisons. The study focuses on the assessment of the impact of the ‘7C checklist’ a process that is has been adopted to reduce overcrowding in Gauteng prisons as well as the role of the various government role players within the National Task Team. Using a qualitative approach that included document analysis and in-depth interviews, the study examined the impact of the 7C checklist in addressing the issue of overcrowding. This study concludes that there remains the persistence of practical constraints that are associated with the implementation processes required for complying with the ‘checklist’, as seen through the eyes of those in charge of implementing the strategy. Generally, the ‘checklist’ is partially implemented, and not following through with the processes negatively impacts on the overall goal of reducing overcrowding in Gauteng PrisonsItem Assessing the South African National Health Insurance policy process from 2007-2019(2021) Mangwiro, Neville TazivaOver a decade has gone by since the National Health Insurance (NHI) policy was put on the policy agenda when the African National Congress (ANC) passed a resolution to implement it. However, much of the discussion has focused on the design/content of the NHI and little attention has been put on the policy process and how it may have influenced the policy outcomes from 2007 to 2019. The purpose of this research is to assess the NHI policy process to examine the relationship between the nature of the process and the resulting policy outcomes. Elements of a systematic rapid review were adopted to conduct this study. The study took the form of a qualitative exploratory case study. Data collection involved document review using search words and various rapid review inclusion and exclusion methods to select documents. A Multiple Streams Framework (MSF) was adopted for the study. The study found that the elitist (top-down) approach taken by the government has been the main reason for the design/content of the NHI policy. Furthermore, the policy proposals themselves are very complex, which naturally slows completion of the process as the technical barriers to implementation become apparent. In large part these technical barriers are reflected through wide-ranging contestation from a significant spectrum of stakeholders. Also, the consultation process failed to meet its objectives, a feature that pervades the entire policy process to date. It was concluded that the NHI has a long way to go and that a more participative approach should be takenItem Assessment of Municipal Borrowing Policy Framework for Improved Infrastructure Financing(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-01) Matsie, Moramahoele James; Khumalo, JohnSince the advent of democracy, there has been pressure to increase investments in public infrastructure. Municipalities are at the centre of socio-economic development and are best placed to redress historical infrastructure inequalities. This requires adequate budgets; however, the fiscal landscape has deteriorated significantly since the 2008 financial crisis. As a result, municipal budget allocations have been reduced. This has triggered a discourse on alternative municipal financing mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to determine the determinants of municipal borrowing and if the Municipal Borrowing Policy Framework has improved borrowing for infrastructure investment. The study elevates 15 determinants of municipal borrowing in the financial, socio-economic, political and governance, and institutional categories. The financial variables dominate the findings with a 60 percent prevalence rate. The top four determinants are poor municipal credit worthiness, poor municipal fiscal capacity and effort, overreliance on developmental funding and failure to crowd-in international funding, and non-payment of servicesItem Barriers to the effective implementation of the performance management system in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Bham-Azam, Najma; Chikane, RekgotsofetseThe goal of this research paper was to pinpoint the barriers preventing the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality from successfully implementing the performance management system. The data acquired from the semi-structured interviews with 5 important performance management stakeholders from the City of Johannesburg underwent a themed content analysis. A deeper understanding of the challenges resulted from the themes and shared characteristics found among all responders. This led to the creation of a list of prioritised barriers that the performance management stakeholders considered were to blame for the City of Johannesburg's performance management system's ineffective implementation. The research findings indicate that “inaccurate measures” is the barrier preventing the City from effectively implementing its performance management system. The second and third most significant barriers are "lack of executive and leadership support" and "lack of rewards. The findings on the Balanced-Scorecard tied to the problems that were uncovered under the “inaccurate measures” barriers. The main takeaway from this research study is that line managers must actively participate in the implementation of the performance management system at the City of Johannesburg and increase their efforts to reduce the obstacles that prevent the successful implementation of the performance management system at the City of Johannesburg