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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    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.
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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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    Bridging the digital divide in South Africa and the possible role of municipalities
    (2011-03-10) Andrews, Don
    The digital divide presents all under-developed communities with a challenge. Not to participate in the Internet revolution will leave whole communities behind. To be able to deal with this divide, it is necessary to understand it fully, and to understand the roles of the current players in the telecommunications market who are expected to deliver the tools to the whole population to enable them to keep pace with this new global revolution. This study examines a South African perspective of the problem, and particularly why incumbent operators do not successfully bridge the digital divide, and whether the municipalities which are entering the telecommunications arena might contribute positively to a solution. The study explores the connectivity, skills, confidence and beneficial usage aspects of the digital divide in depth, and then compares these parameters of the digital divide against the strategies and goals of the major telecommunications operators in South Africa for a match. It appears from such comparison, that the major operators are strongly focused on conventional business, and beyond the connectivity component, do not appear to address the digital divide in its totality. Many municipalities are investing in telecommunications networks, based on their existing electricity and water management backbones, and are entering the public telecommunications operator space. Municipalities have a mandate to deliver to provide services to residents and businesses, on perhaps different bases from conventional telecommunications operators. In this respect, their goals and strategies in this field appear to suggest that municipalities might go further in bridging the digital divide than the conventional operators.