Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management

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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.
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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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    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
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    CHALLENGES FACING THE EHLANZENI DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
    (2011-11-03) MAHLALELA, NONTOBEKO PORTIA
    This research project employs case study methodology to explore the factors that impact on Ehlanzeni District Municipality‟s efforts to implement local economic development (LED) interventions to improve the livelihoods of poor communities. More specifically, the goal of this thesis is to explore some of the reasons why LED interventions often struggle to meet their main objective of improving the livelihoods of local poor people. It is hoped that the findings of this research will assist policymakers and local economic development planners in making more informed decisions. In conclusion, it is argued that while the potential LED is not disputed, the implementation of such strategies are often inconsistent with the overall objective of poverty alleviation and economic development. For this reason, local municipalities will not be able to do this without clear policy guidance; institutional capacity-building; inter-sectoral collaboration of political „champions‟ to drive the process; and real empowerment of the beneficiaries whom the projects are supposed to assist.
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    INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS OF PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT FOR GREATER SEKHUKHUNE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
    (2011-10-20) PHALA, DINKWANYANE RHYNE
    Performance management is highly regarded as an appropriate method to measure performance at work place in various sectors. This form of performance measurement has a history of effectiveness in the private sector and is now being practiced in the public sector organisations such as local municipalities. Through the Municipal Systems Act (2000) and the White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service (2005), the Department of Local Government (DPLG) advocates for performance management systems to be developed in all municipalities in the country, with the objective of realising meaningful service delivery with dedicated staff accountable to their work as prescribed in their performance contracts. Performance management helps organisations link their objectives to their strategic goal. It also helps employees to realise their potential to succeed in realising organisational objectives as well as helping to identify employee’s weaknesses on certain capabilities that might be lacking in an individual
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    POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMMES
    (2011-06-14) Sekoaila, Mohlatleho Lucy
    Poverty remains a social and economic challenge to most developing countries globally, including African countries such as South Africa. This means that the eradication of poverty must be viewed as a very serious challenge which threatens the social and economic progress of any developing country. The South African government has a stated commitment to alleviating poverty through job creation and skills development programmes in a manner that promotes empowerment and avoids dependency. This study emphasises the need for poverty-stricken people to be capacitated to become self-reliant by participating in development processes and making use of opportunities. This research was aimed at reviewing the food security programme as implemented within the City of Johannesburg, and thereby examining the programme’s potential to become developmental and sustainable. Findings suggest that the Food Security Programme of the City of Johannesburg does not fulfil developmental requirements to ensure sustainable livelihoods for beneficiaries; and unless reconfigured will only serve to promote a dependency syndrome.
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    PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION BY THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    (2011-06-02) Nkuna, Ouma Gillian
    Since the inception of the National Development Agency in 2000, many development programmes and projects have been implemented in the country. However, there have been various implementation challenges that the implementors experienced to effectively execute their work. The purpose of this descriptive and exploratory study was to investigate the challenges that underpin programmes implementation by the National Development Agency as well as understanding the reasons that informs the programme implementation process within the organisation. One of the main findings of the research was that community participation, human resource capacity and effective programme management are key elements for sustainable programme implementation. It was also established there was limited coordination within the provincial office and the national office of the NDA in regard to enhancing staff capacity
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    Multipurpose Community Centres As Focal Points For Integrated Good Governance
    (2011-06-02) NGUBENI, MANDLA W.
    This research report set out to develop understanding of the complex nature of the Multipurpose Community Centre (MPCC) concept. The background and initiative is grounded in the new excellence movement which seeks to have government departments and non-government agencies base their governance in the ways and methods of businesses and corporations. The study uses a qualitative purposive sample and interviews which seek to establish common understanding about the centrality of MPCCs in the development of communities. The problem statement proposes to critically investigate reasons behind the lack of commitment by various government departments to operate and provide information and service within MPCCs. The objective of this study is to identify gaps in the process of delivering government services in the MPCCs. This is aimed as an objective to help government policy makers to eliminate weaknesses in the policy governing MPCCs. Therefore in this way this study will not only sensitise the NISSC, PISSC and LISSC about the problems that government departments experience in the process of trying to establish offices and services within the MPCC but will also help the to find solutions and address problems beforehand. The chapters in the study are based on the themes as follows:, integration around delivery, integration around programmes and integration around partnerships. These chapters reveal different types activities which organizations within MPCCs can integrate. Therefore, the results show that although there is some level of integration around the themes mentioned and followed here, the integration is shallow, revealing many problems that need consideration when government establishes MPCCs. The lack of coordination of budgets, cultures and commitment have been highlighted in the conclusion as needing consideration
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    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
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    Perceived benefits and limitations of the SAP system implementation in local government in South Africa
    (2011-05-30) Mutapiri, Pedzisai
    In order to continuously remain competitive in today‟s information age and global economy, many organisations world-wide have implemented expensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. The difficulties, challenges and critical success factors of implementing ERP systems in organisations have been covered widely in past researches. One area that has not been researched fully yet is the evaluation of the perceived benefits and challenges of ERP systems by the users of the systems long after the implementation projects. This is more so for government organisations in developing countries like South Africa that have also implemented these expensive systems. This research explores and evaluates, by way of a case study, the perceived main benefits and limitations of the implemented SAP system in a local government in South Africa. The research found out that key benefits of ERP systems as perceived by local government SAP users at the Gauteng Provincial Government are: i) Integration of business processes; ii) Automation of business processes; iii) Standardisation of business process; iv) Speeding up of business processes; v) Provision of real-time information; vi) Improvement of customer service; vii) Improvement of corporate governance and transparency; viii)Reduction of IT costs; ix) Improvement of staff motivation; x) Improvement of communication & knowledge sharing; xi) Multi-functional, they cover all business processes; and xii) Improvement of process visibility. iv On the other hand, the research also concluded that the main perceived limitations of the SAP system facing the Gauteng Provincial Government in South Africa are: (i) Expensive to purchase and implement; (ii) Costly to maintain; (iii) High de-investment costs and therefore reduction of flexibility and strategic control; (iv) Shortage of skilled ERP consultants; (v) Interface issues when integrating to other systems; and (vi) Costly academy training fees