Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management

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    GOVERNMENT FUNDING OF CIVIL SOCIETY FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN EKURHULENI
    (2014-01-20) Dube, Tholoana A.
    The Department of Social Development developed the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit in 2007 to improve the way government and organisations implement the Public Finance Management Act and Policy on Financial Awards established in 2005 by the National Office of Social Development. The Social Workers in the Department of Social Development were previously conducting the monitoring and evaluation services, including finances of the organisations. The aim of this report is, therefore, to determine whether monitoring and evaluation of government funding of non-governmental organisations with regard to policy on the financial awards is effective or not. Secondly, it analyses the tool utilized by the Unit in the implementation of the policies to ensure that there is no mismanagement of funds, and to regulate financial management in the provincial and regional government. Furthermore, it aims to ensure that all revenue, expenditure, assets and liabilities of government are managed effectively and efficiently. Finally, it aims to establish whether service providers are implementing effective, efficient and transparent financial management and internal control systems after the Unit’s establishment by the Department of Social Development. The researcher developed questions that will assist in determining whether the monitoring and evaluation methods and tools used have made any impact since their introduction to the Department. A discussion on Monitoring and Evaluation drawing on both international and local experience is used to demonstrate development of civil societies at different levels, and how government funding is a resource in the empowerment of civil societies for development and to become self-reliant. Improving accountability in the use of government resources is one aspect of this empowerment process that the report aims to examine.
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    THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN POST-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA
    (2011-11-10) Mongale, Itumeleng Victor
    The role of civil society in the fight against corruption is explored in this study using Hajerian discourse theory. The aim of this study was to examine the discursive practices of civil society in the fight against corruption. The examination was done at two levels. The first level identified and reviewed the key programmes and initiatives that are implemented by civil society organisations. The second level focused on the constructive effects of anti-corruption storylines and the manner in which these storylines translate into discourses and associated argumentation that shape anti-corruption policy in South Africa. The study focused on eight civil society organisations that are involved in the fight against corruption. Several documents were studied and a number of interviews were conducted with representatives of these organisations as well as anti-corruption experts who work closely with civil society. The study reveals uneven participation of civil society organisations in the fight against corruption. Half of the organisations have solid programmes sustained through substantial funding and a good measure of corporate governance practices. The other organisations struggle to run coherent advocacy programmes. Therefore, the collective strength of civil society to significantly influence anti-corruption discourse through a well coordinated campaign is substantially weakened. The key storylines that emanate from the work of civil society do not substantially contribute to the type of a discourse that manages to solidify into policy and institutional practices. This study highlights a general weakness in anti-corruption policy discourse in South Africa. The weakness is defined by the absence of discourse coalition. A shift to a collaborative policy dialogue which is defined by authentic dialogue, diversity and interdependence is recommended to promote the role of civil society in the fight against corruption in South Africa
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    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.
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    CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN THE
    (2011-06-10) Saili, Gregory Chitambo
    Beginning in the late 1990’s, the Sector Wide Approach or SWAp has become an important part of development cooperation in the social sectors, particularly in health, education, and agriculture. Over the years, although the approach largely focused on government-donor collaboration there are indications that the approach could support the participation of civil society organisations. However, there is limited research regarding the extent to which the SWAp can support the participation of civil society organisations. Therefore, the primary purpose of this exploratory study is to gain a better understanding of the health sector government-donor platform (SWAp) as a mechanism for facilitating effective civil society participation in policy processes. Although no universally accepted definition of SWAp exists, the term refers to an approach in development cooperation largely representing a shift from a project-based approach to a programmatic focus in policy implementation. The study finds that the level of participation in the SWAp is limited to service-delivery issues whereas the advocacy and policy influence roles are marginal. Another important finding is that the SWAp structure and processes provide opportunities for civil society participation. However, these are underutilised by civil society organisations. Further, the report argues that the SWAp typifies a policy network. There appears to be limited recognition in literature and practice that the SWAp is a political structure with inherent challenges akin to policy networks. Given this scenario, it appears that this will remain the trend given the lack of coherence and intracoordination among civil society organisations in the policy network – the SWAp.
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    CREATING A CONTINENTAL AGENDA FOR
    (2011-05-31) Narrandes, Roshnee
    One of the key objectives of the African Union (AU) is to promote and ensure continental integration. For the AU to be an engine of continental integration it needs a popular constituency at a national level. Currently such a national constituency does not exist as the AU policy and decision-making is a project of the Office of the President and/or sections of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs. The purpose of this research is to explore and document the challenges, constraints and opportunities that civil society in Africa experiences in actively engaging the African Union, so as to assume the space of a popular constituency. A qualitative methodology of research was used where five key Africans who work with, or on, the African Union were interviewed. The main finding of the research is that the African Union is still a long way from being a people-driven process. While efforts are being made by both civil society and the African Union to ensure the inclusivity of the voices of ordinary Africans in continental processes, the failure at state level to provide structures and mechanisms to do so makes the process of collective continental integration most unlikely. Before an appropriate national model for integration can be established, adopted and utilised, the African Union needs to ensure the inclusion of the voices of the people of Africa into continental process by putting in place structures and mechanisms at state level that will create a truly people-driven process
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    THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN POST-APARTHEID DEFENCE
    (2011-05-13) Magano, Agnes Sherly
    The mid-1970s South Africa saw the emergence of movements opposing apartheid policies. The composition of these movements have varied from individuals coming together in pursuit of basic social rights to the more complex formations seeking a complete overhaul of all apartheid machinery which would translate into democracy. These movements or formations together with a host of others became known as civil society in the post-apartheid South Africa. The purpose of this research was to investigate the role of South African civil society in post-apartheid defence policy-making. It sought to achieve this by analysing previous and current trends followed by government in the defence policy-making processes. In particular, it focused on government’s engagement of civil society in defence policy-making processes, periodised as (i) the development and adoption of the White Paper on Defence (1996), (ii) Defence Review (1998) and briefly touches on the current policy review known as (iii) the Defence Update (2004). Case study materials were gathered by means of primary and secondary data collection methods where the former utilised semi-structured interviews with key individuals involved in defence policy-making processes. Much has been published about the first two cases and secondary data was collected from available literature on the subject. The examination of civil society participation in defence policy shows that South African civil society has made significant progress in penetrating and engaging the government in processes previously perceived as the reserve of the elite. The 1990 to 1998 period experienced unprecedented political fluidity, where civil society made an impact in influencing policy outcomes. However, the findings identified a trend in a review currently being carried out by the Department of Defence (DOD) where there has been a notable reduction of civil society participation, and very little being revealed about it. ix The study concludes that civil society is an important player in the democratisation project and the Ministry of Defence needs to ensure that civil society remains a player in policy making by strengthening its involvement in this process. One of the key recommendations is that both the Ministry and civil society establish parameters for the latter’s participation in policy processes, with a view to establishing of a forum comprised of all key actors in the sector i.e. policy makers, academics, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), research institutions etc. to facilitate dialogue on policy issues
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    CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
    (2011-04-19) Osameyan, Bolutife Bolorunduro
    This study examines the challenges among organs of civil society in Tsakane Township, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. One way of promoting development in townships is through building the capacities and skills of members of the community. The organs of civil society have a critical role to play in such capacity building and development. However, they experience challenges that make them ineffective. Although both the government and the organs of civil society have put a lot of effort and finances into capacity building and skill development of previously disadvantaged people in Tsakane, with the aim of alleviating poverty, not many of the beneficiaries have been able to become self-employed. The purpose of this study is to identify and document the challenges of the organs of civil society involved in training the beneficiaries of entrepreneurial skill development in alleviating poverty and reducing unemployment in the Ekurhuleni region. This study focused on AFMOLED, a non-profit organization based in Ekurhuleni and involved in entrepreneurial skills development, and is exploratory, descriptive and qualitative in nature. Results indicated that the most common challenges of organs of civil society include risk propensity; opportunity identification; and role models. The study recommends that government should improve the effectiveness of its support mechanisms and the model of training by the organs of civil society should be contextualized. These recommendations, if applied properly, will reduce the challenges faced by sectors of civil society and make capacity building interventions more effective.