MBA & MM Theses

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INVESTIGATING THE IDP AS A STRATEGIC TOOL IN MEETING THE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN MBOMBELA MUNICIPALITY
(2013-10-10) Ngubane, Samukelo
While there has been progress in promoting integrated development planning at local government level since 2000, it appears that little has been achieved in using the IDP as a strategic tool to enhance performance and outcomes in some municipalities. Drawing on this assumption, the study sought to establish whether the Mbombela municipality utilizes the IDP to ensure effective decision-making in prioritization of development objectives; allocation of resources, enhancement of performance, and outcomes. Based on the qualitative approach, data was collected using interviews and document analysis. Overall, the findings of the study confirmed the use of the IDP as a strategic planning tool in the municipality; although gaps remained in areas such as prioritization mechanisms, community participation and performance management. The study recommended that prioritization mechanisms be reviewed to ensure compatibility with community needs and that performance management systems be strengthened to ensure accountability and better service delivery in Mbombela Municipality.
Political Leadership and Racial Harmony in Local Government
(2012-10-02) Maimane, Mmusi Aloysias
This is a study on political leadership and the manner with which it seeks to create a society that is racial harmonized. Racial harmony is about development. A number of variables will examine how development takes place. This is about examining economic growth, participation of citizens in development and ultimately about sustainable growth. This study will argue that the satisfaction of human needs as a means is a quintessential part of racial harmony. This is not a study on racism although racism can be a leading symptom of a society that is without harmony. Two terms will be used interchangeably, these being ‘integration’ and ‘harmony’. Integration is seen as being the ability for races to live in common spaces; harmony is the pursuit of peace amongst different races. A further imperative in the discourse on racial harmony is about creating a legislative framework whereby redress policies can be implemented. In the research key comparisons are made between developing countries that have introduced positive discrimination policies and those who have not. The outcome is that nations who have historically experienced racism will need to have policies of this nature in place to address a legacy of inequity and discrimination. The City of Johannesburg is a microcosm of the South African society. This research interviews leaders from the City and the community. The conclusions reached are, inter alia, that corruption and service delivery were key areas of improvement in order for the City to attain a sense of racial harmony. The study is not confined to the City but undertakes to ii make comparisons with developing nations, globally and in Africa, who are dealing with the challenge of racial disharmony. Four factors emerge as central to harmony. These are economic growth, land ownership, leadership, and policy frameworks. Urban land needs to be distributed in Johannesburg to create equity and identity for residents. Economic growth is a key aspect to reduce tensions where resources are limited and competition for these increases. The current policy framework of Affirmative Action must be abandoned and an efficient process of Black Economic Empowerment models must be implemented to broaden the delivery base. Poor leadership hinders racial harmony, whilst leaders who design strategic visions and national plans become essential when nations and societies are striving to become harmonized.
THE ROLE OF KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE ON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
(2012-09-10) Chirwa, Kingwell Sikhosiphi
The 21st century in the South African local government is characterized by widespread service delivery protests. Various intellectuals have associated the issue of service delivery protests with corrupt municipal administrators, lack of human capital in municipal administration and lack of awareness about the local governance principles. Currently the South African academic community lacks the research literature examining the link between the knowledge of local governance and public participation. Despite various legal legislations regarding the public participation in local sphere of government the large percentage of public members is increasingly becoming distant in terms of participating on municipal affairs. This study examines the link between the knowledge of local governance and level of public participation of the ward 62 of EThekwini municipality. The aim of the study is to determine whether the knowledge of local governance has influence on public participation. Investigating the link between these two variables assisted in terms of identifying the possibly causes of slow rate of public participation on municipal affairs.
CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN THE MBOMBELA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
(2011-11-10) NKWINIKA, THEMBA
Public participation and the free existence of civil society organisations capable of interfacing with governance practices are accepted as some of the essential elements of a democratic system of governance. Thus, democratic states should have systems of governance that entrench mechanisms for public and civil society participation in the legislative processes at all spheres or levels of government. The epoch making 1994 general elections and the adoption of the new Constitution in 1996 turned South Africa into a democratic republic. The Constitution marked a significant shift from an authoritarian apartheid state to a democratic one where civil liberties are assured. The 1996 Constitution introduced many changes on governance in South Africa two which are worth mentioning in this study. Firstly, local government is considered as a sphere of government as opposed to a tier of government. Secondly, public and civil society participation is provided for in the three spheres of government. The constitution expresses this more clearly for the local government sphere by defining public and civil society participation as one of the objects. Consistent with this, municipalities are expected to develop a governance culture that promotes the involvement of individuals and organised groups in their decision making. To this end, structures such as ward committees and other issue specific representative forums have been put in place to promote public participation in municipal processes. However, the participation of civil society organisations in municipal processes remains blurred. This study investigates the current levels of civil society engagement in local governance by looking at the involvement of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community-Based-Organisations (CBOs) in the Mbombela municipality in the Mpumalanga Province. To achieve this, the study investigates the participation of civil society organisations in the following municipal processes: local economic development planning (LED), integrated development planning (IDP), municipal budgeting, and service delivery in Mbombela municipality. Qualitative research methodology was used in conducting the study. The study employed a combination of interviews and documental review to solicit data on civil society participation the Mbombela municipality. VI The study observed that there were low levels of civil society participation in municipal processes in the Mbombela municipality. During the study, it was discovered that it was in the only in the Local AIDS Council that civil society organisations in Mbombela had a representation. The other participatory forums such and the IDP representative forums had no civil society representation. The study further observed that the Mbombela municipality did not have a tailor-made process that would facilitate the involvement of civil society in its governance processes. Civil society organisations in Mbombela on the other hand appear not to be making efforts to participate in municipal decision making processes. Based on the findings the study makes recommendations to the civil society, local, provincial, and national governments as well as the research community on how each stakeholder can contribute towards the enhancement of civil society organisations. For the three spheres of government, recommendations are made on each sphere‟s contribution towards the development of mechanisms and systems that need to be in place to promote civil society participation in local government. For civil society, recommendations are made on the need for civil society to claim its stake on municipal governance. For the research community, areas for research as a way to contribute on the ongoing scholarly discourse on civil society participation in local government are recommended.
WARD COMMITTEES AND DECISION-MAKING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
(2011-11-03) MKHIZE, TEBOHO GODFREY DANIEL
The ward participatory system in the South African local sphere of government as stipulated in the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, (No 32 of 2000) can be viewed as a legislative initiative to introduce a paradigm shift in the civil society‟s both the practice and conceptualisation of participatory democracy. Essentially, this piece of legislation is a key proponent for a shift away from a passive to active citizenship in the governance discourse in the case. Hence, this study seeks to explore the role and means by which ward committees influence municipal decisions in order to capture an indication whether their involvement in this regard amounts to some degree of active or passive participation. And to further take stock of the gains that have been made since their involvement in the decision-making of local municipalities. Firstly, the study tests the perceptions of ward and non-ward committee members, from three ward committees from the Ekurhuleni Municipality Council on the impact made by ward committees on municipal decision- making through observation, documentation and interviews. Second, the study analyses the responses using existing literature on participatory democracy. One finding of the study is a generally strong sense of satisfaction about the use of the ward participatory system in municipal decision-making. Another is a generally satisfactory level of proof about the impact of ward committees in their wards. The study, however, shows an inconsistent administrative support being given to ward committees. Finally, the study makes recommendations on how to improve on the quality of contribution of ward committees in municipal decision-making
ASSESSING PARTICIPATORY STRUCTURES OF THE EKURHULENI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
(2011-06-02) NDIMA, ZENZO M.
Local Government transformation, which commenced with the promulgation of the White Paper on Local Government in 1998, is far from over. This is due to the negative effects of decades of the apartheid system that is still deeply imbedded in the local government system. The new developmental local government model, as mandated by the country‟s constitution, aims to deepen democracy and promote participation of local communities in all matters that pertain to service delivery and development. The purpose of this research was to assess the effectiveness of the participatory structures and mechanisms that were introduced by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) through its Public Participation Policy (PPP) to promote public participation. Qualitative research methodology was employed during this study. Data was gathered through the use of primary and secondary sources, as well as through direct observations. The study was conducted in Ward 64, EMM. The research revealed, amongst other things, that participative structures that were introduced by the EMM were not as effective as they should. That is partly due to the practice of participation process, which did not provide sufficient opportunities and power to the community to be able to influence decisions and policies which affected their lives. Furthermore, the participative mechanisms of the EMM were found to have been ineffective, lacked depth and understanding of the different processes of community engagement. 5 The communication channels between the EMM and the residents of Ward 64 were also a cause for concern as far as the participative mechanisms and structures are concerned. The research also discovered that the notion of public participation meant different things for different participants in the research. The research was limited in scope as it was confined to a single ward, Ward 64, out of 88 wards in EMM. The intention was to allow better manageability and utilise limited time effectively in research
The Path to Legitimacy and the
(2011-04-12) Gallagher, Christina
For almost a century, informal traders and the local government in Johannesburg have debated policies regulating the informal sector. Initial policies severely restricted the sector by imposing strict criteria for operating businesses, but after 1994 special development programmes were created by a new, democratic local government. However, the informal sector claims these programmes do not create economically viable opportunities. A major finding of this research is that the informal sector has the potential to operate efficient businesses, but is constrained by overly restrictive by-laws; lack of business skills; and access to financial assistance. It is recommended that the city develops a comprehensive management plan that provides skills training; access to capital; and restructuring of the by-laws. In addition, an independent monitoring body should be appointed to oversee the plan
STRENTHENING LOCAL GOVERNMENT
(2011-04-05) Fani, Sethunya
This study investigates the challenges that local government faces in Botswana because of its over-reliance on central government for the bulk of its revenue, and gives recommendations as to how this could be minimised. Most African countries like Botswana have embarked on decentralization of services and expenditure as a means of taking development to the people; however, this has happened with very little being done regarding fiscal decentralization. By examining existing literature on decentralization and fiscal decentralization, and conducting in-depth interviews with key informants in two case studies, one urban and another a rural council, the challenges faced by local government were examined. The findings from this study demonstrated that there are indeed challenges with respect to the reliance of local government on the central government for the bulk of its revenue. Indications are that in the present situation, the councils’ collection of revenue is limited. Consequently, in order for local government to improve and reduce its reliance on the central government, it is recommended that there be capacity-building in local government; and that community participation is enhanced, particularly with regard to cost sharing. The research is informed by the fact that local government does need central government support but it is also important that it generates enough own revenue to have some degree of authority over what it does

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