Wits School of Governance (ETDs)

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End date: 2024Subject: search.filters.subject.SDG-11: Sustainable cities and communities

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 41
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    Exploring the experiences of organisational justice in government department in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Maluleke, Floyd Dimatso; Hobden, Christine
    The study explored organisational justice experiences in the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) by determining how employees access organisational justice, what motivates employees to take justice-related actions, and employees' overall perception of organisational justice. Semi-structured interviews comprising 15 participants were conducted, while thematic analysis was used to analyse and present the interview data. The study found that organisational justice is accessed through the employee's immediate line manager, the employment relations unit, and organised labour. The study revealed that employees preferred their immediate managers and organised labour due to their support, trust, and interaction quality. Motivation to pursue organisational justice revealed knowledge as a primary motivator for taking justice-related actions, including personality traits requiring access to information. The perception of employees' experiences revealed the presence of bias in procedures, interactions, information, and outcomes and inefficiencies in how the department communicates processes and outcomes, influencing how employees feel about fairness in the department. The perception of employees' overall justice judgment in the department revealed perceived inequality, influenced by a lack of explanations and the inability of the department to consider employee's needs. The findings revealed that fairness is required in all components of organisational justice, with custodians playing a pivotal role in shaping how employees experience and perceive the management of organisational justice in the public sector. Fundamentally, the study revealed that employees can distinguish between what component and justice rules within each component are violated, supporting the need for fairness in each component. The study concluded by providing recommendations and avenues for future research, with the hope that the study's findings can be helpful in internal governance policies and the management of organisational justice.
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    Impact of mega astronomy infrastructure projects on development in the rural Northern Cape, South Africa
    (2024) Mokhohlane, Daniel Manama; Qobo, Mzukisi
    This study investigates the impact of mega astronomy infrastructure projects on development in rural Northern Cape, South Africa. The Northern Cape province especially Kareeberg Local and Karoo Hoogland Local Municipalities has become a hub for astronomy research due to its clear skies and low light pollution, attracting significant investments in mega astronomy infrastructure projects such as the MeerKAT and the Southern African Large Telescope among others. There is also an expectation from local communities that these projects should assist in improving development in those communities. This is the paradox the study investigates. That is so because those communities earmarked for mega astronomy infrastructure projects are preserved and protected by legislation against polluting activities i.e., too much lighting, a lot of radio frequency, too much dust, and smoke, which could be detrimental to radio and optical astronomy. Therefore, this research assesses the development impact of these projects with respect to infrastructure development, job creation, education, tourism and perceptions of people living around those projects. The study discusses the paradox of using mega astronomy infrastructure projects for rural and socioeconomic development. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including surveys, interviews, observations and data analysis, to gather, analyse and synthesise data from residents, project stakeholders, and government officials. A new framework for the Impact of Mega Astronomy Infrastructure projects for the Development of Rural Areas was developed. This framework could be useful in dealing with the persisting dissonance and paradox in assessing mega astronomy infrastructure projects' impact on rural development. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the role of mega astronomy infrastructure projects in assessing and promoting sustainable development in rural areas and informing future policy decisions and investment strategies in the rural Northern Cape in South Africa.
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    Emergency housing provision in the city of Johannesburg
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Twala, Baone Samukele
    This research presents a qualitative case study into the City of Johannesburg’s implementation of emergency housing within the context of South Africa’s decentralised development goals. The study explores the challenges faced by local governments, particularly the City of Johannesburg, in their service delivery responsibilities. It examines the adoption of decentralised development in the political and administrative spheres of local government and the role of institutions like SALGA and COGTA in supporting local governments. The research also investigates the struggles of municipalities in applying developmental themes of inclusivity, accountability, and political and social change. The backdrop of the study is the persisting housing backlog and the impact of the failures of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). The research highlights the complexities of providing emergency housing and temporary accommodation in the face of rapid urbanisation, poverty, and the legacy of apartheid spatial planning and housing policies. The study utilises a case study research methodology to scrutinise the political and administrative implementation of developmental local government, their adoption of developmental theories, the opportunities of intergovernmental relations, and the impact on service delivery. The goal is to contribute to a better understanding of the complexities of decentralisation in South Africa and provide insights that could enhance the quality of service delivery, particularly in the provision of emergency housing and temporary accommodation. There is a need to strengthen political and social change; and inclusivity in the City through improving engagement with communities and using resources to find more sustainable ways, in line with the capability and the human rights-based approach, to provide the temporary housing services. Implementing planned community engagement in areas where people are most vulnerable to eviction and emergencies that would require their relocation to temporary emergency accommodation or emergency housing
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    Institutional factors enhancing and affecting service delivery in Lekwa Local Municipality
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Tsotetsi, Boitumelo; Phophiwa, Nedson
    The discourse surrounding South African local governments often highlights deficiencies in the efficient and effective delivery of basic social services. This study was motivated by the absence of viable solutions to the persistent challenges facing service delivery in local municipalities, and the Lekwa Local Municipality was no exception. Situated in the Mpumalanga Province, the Lekwa Local Municipality serves as a compelling case study to explore the institutional challenges that both enhance and hinder service delivery. The municipality has grappled with significant administrative instability and a lack of political oversight. Consequently, its capacity to deliver services has been severely compromised. These institutional challenges have manifested in various forms, including bureaucratic inefficiencies, inadequate resource allocation, and a lack of strategic planning and implementation. As a result, the municipality has struggled to meet the needs of its residents and address pressing socio-economic issues within its jurisdiction. By examining the institutional factors contributing to these challenges, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the complexities of service delivery in local government settings. By understanding the root causes of these issues, policymakers, stakeholders, and community members can work towards implementing targeted interventions to improve governance processes, enhance accountability mechanisms, and ultimately, strengthen the capacity of local municipalities to deliver essential services to their constituents. The Lekwa Local Municipality has witnessed unrest and protest, due to poor service delivery. The research employed a qualitative approach, utilizing a non-probability purposive sampling technique to select fourteen participants. This method was chosen deliberately to ensure that participants possessed relevant insights and experiences related to the research topic. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face semi-structured interviews, allowing for in- depth exploration of participants' perspectives, experiences, and opinions. The study's findings shed light on persistent challenges within the Lekwa Local Municipality despite the introduction of new leadership initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery. A critical issue identified is the dire lack of leadership at both the political and administrative levels, resulting in a vacuum of oversight and accountability. This lack of effective leadership v has allowed self-interest and expediency to prevail, undermining the municipality's ability to fulfil its mandate. The study concludes by stating findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms within the Lekwa Local Municipality to address the root causes of poor service delivery. This includes strengthening leadership and accountability mechanisms, implementing transparent and accountable governance practices, and mobilizing resources effectively to ensure the delivery of quality services to residents. Only through concerted efforts to address these challenges can the municipality begin to regain the trust and confidence of its constituents and achieve meaningful improvements in service delivery outcomes.
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    Evidence-based management use in implementing indigent programme exit strategy in the city of Tshwane municipality
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Setwaba, Diniko Piet; Kithatu-Kiwekete, Angelita
    It is often said that South Africa has many good policies but often suffers from implementation, the City of Tshwane Metro Municipality (CTMM) indigent programme seems to be one such intervention. The purpose of this research was to explore the use of evaluation evidence compared to other sources of evidence in managing the implementation of the indigent exit strategy of the CTMM. Interviews were conducted with twenty (20) participants and document analysis was also conducted to assess trends in the management of the indigent programme exit strategy. The study revealed that despite the legislative mandate for the CTMM Indigent programme, it is not aligned with the National Indigent Framework, leading to improper implementation of its exit strategy. Beneficiaries perceived the programme as primarily targeting pensioners and had a limited understanding of other services offered through partnerships. The study established that there are no proper guidelines for exiting households, indicating inadequate implementation procedures. Household empowerment through skills development was not prioritised and the mismanagement of partnerships exacerbates the problem. It was also discovered that CTMM relies heavily on performance reporting information, and no evaluations are done, leading to superficial analysis and reliance on administrative data for decision-making and accountability efforts.
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    Investigating the role of the host community with regards to public participation when establishing a new mine in Lehurutshe, South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Nyarela, Mpho Nyiko; Cairns, Murray
    This qualitative study delves into the critical role of the host community in the public participation process concerning the establishment of a new mine. The research examines the dynamics between the mining company and the community within the context of engagement protocols and regulatory requirements for public involvement. Using semi-structured interviews and document analysis, this study explores the perceptions, experiences, and expectations of the host community in relation to the mining company's public participation initiatives. A total number of ten participants were interviewed. Results from the study highlight significant gaps and shortcomings in the mining company's efforts to involve the host community. Responses per question were collated according to stakeholders who took part in the process to assess legitimacy, trust, and decision-making processes. The findings indicate a lack of transparency and legitimacy due to ineffective communication, and minimal efforts to incorporate community concerns and inputs into the decision-making procedures. Consequently, the absence of meaningful engagement has led to heightened tensions, mistrust, and a sense of disenfranchisement among community members. This study underscores the importance of legitimacy, trust, and inclusive public participation in the early stages of project development, emphasizing the need for mining companies to adhere to regulatory requirements and ethical practices in engaging with the host community. The findings suggest a re-evaluation of the approach to community engagement in the mining sector, advocating for proactive measures that prioritize mutual dialogue, respect for community perspectives, and the integration of local knowledge in decision-making processes. In conclusion, the research underscores the pivotal role of the host community in the establishment of a new mine and calls for a fundamental shift towards more robust, legitimate, and inclusive practices that genuinely incorporate community voices in shaping the trajectory of mining projects.
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    Socio-Spatial Disparities in Environmental Health in the City of Johannesburg
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Nyangule, Zizipho; Abrahams, Caryn
    This research explored socio-spatial disparities in environmental health within the urban context of Johannesburg, specifically focusing on access to environmental health services in both low- income and high-income neighborhoods. The study aimed to comprehend how disparities in access to essential services impact residents' environmental health experiences. Employing a qualitative research methodology, data was collected from two focus groups as part of the Sustainable, Healthy, Learning Cities and Neighborhoods (SHLC) project. A hybrid thematic analysis approach was utilized to examine secondary data from focus groups conducted in both low-income and high- income neighborhoods, illuminating the unique challenges faced by residents in each socio- economic context. The findings reveal shared challenges in both low and high-income areas, encompassing access to sanitation, clean air, healthcare, and civic engagement. However, the manifestations of these challenges differ; low-income neighborhoods experience more acute impacts on basic health and well-being, while high-income neighborhoods may grapple with issues related to the preservation of quality of life and efficient governance. This study contributes to the understanding of environmental health disparities and highlights areas for improvement in enhancing the overall well-being of residents in diverse urban settings. The research findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions tailored to the specific socio-economic context of neighborhoods in the City of Johannesburg. Additionally, the study emphasizes the relevance of Environmental Justice and Social Justice perspectives in addressing these disparities, thereby offering a comprehensive framework for future interventions.
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    Cadre deployment and implications for ethical public administration in Madibeng Local Municipality
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mothibi, Yvonne; Ndlovu, Hlengiwe
    The thesis rests on the argument that the implementation of cadre deployment in South Africa’s public sector, intended to promote representativeness and transformation, has inadvertently led to ethical dilemmas and governance challenges, undermining the principles of transparency, accountability, and meritocracy. The study investigates the ethical and governance implications of cadre deployment within South Africa’s public sector, focusing on the case study of Madibeng Local Municipality in the North West province of South Africa. The main aim is to understand how the practice of cadre deployment, intended to ensure representativeness and transform the post-apartheid landscape, has paradoxically fostered ethical dilemmas and governance challenges, undermining the constitutional principles of transparency, accountability, and meritocracy. The study is underpinned by an interpretivist methodology, employing semi-structured interviews and document analysis to capture the nuanced experiences and perceptions of municipal officials, political leaders, and community members. This approach facilitates a deep, contextual understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding cadre deployment and its intersection with ethical public administration. The theoretical and conceptual framework underpinning the study triangulates postcolonial theory, critical governance studies, and decolonial ethics to analyse the persistence of colonial legacies in contemporary governance practices and the ethical considerations therein. This framework provides a comprehensive lens to examine the multifaceted effects of cadre deployment on ethical governance within a post-apartheid context, particularly in the unique socio-political environment of the Madibeng Municipality. The findings suggest that cadre deployment, while aimed at redressing historical injustices, has led to an erosion of ethical standards and governance quality, manifested in nepotism, favouritism, and compromised service delivery. These outcomes challenge the transformative goals of the policy, indicating a significant misalignment between its intended objectives and actual impacts on public administration. The study contributes to the discourse on public sector ethics and governance in post-apartheid South Africa by providing empirical evidence of the unintended consequences of cadre deployment in local governance.
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    Effective Public Participation in Municipal Service Delivery: A Case of Merafong Municipality
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Kobo, Kgotso; Setlhalogile, Matlala
    In the Republic of South Africa (SA), issues such as unemployment, poverty and inequality have plagued a nation since the dawn of democracy. Local government key mandate is to play a strategic development role especially within the context of serving people on the ground. This has to be achieved by promoting public participation, community involvement and practicing good governance. SA comprises of 257 metropolitan, district and local municipalities. This number comprises eight metropolitans, 44 district and 205 local municipalities. Public participation is viewed as a key methodology that is effective in addressing service delivery at a local level within municipalities. Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand the role of public participation in addressing service delivery by examining multiple relevant scholar reviews. The study focused on the role ward committee members play in their role in public participation. The author’s study advanced the notion that public participation affects service delivery and that ward committee members do have a role to play in promoting public participation within their communities. Findings Merafong Municipality has been plagued by many service delivery challenges and protest. Service delivery issues have been a constant challenge in the municipality, ranging from lack of refuge collection, sewage blockages, non-functionality of street lights and sinkholes etc as indicated by residents. Ward committee members are viewed to be doing their utmost albeit with limited resources to try and assist communities. The ward committee members lack capacitation in skills, training, educational framework, and financial support to be able to further carry out their mandate Conclusion Public participation is a relative concept that is understood by municipalities as being important in addressing the various issues they face, but it is in the implementation of this process that proves to be a serious challenge across various municipalities. Residents understand the importance of ward committee members being an important catalyst to address their problem through to the municipality, therefore, the municipality should adequately capacitate the ward committee members.
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    Capacity-building of Ward Committee members for community engagement in Johannesburg’s Ward 68
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Hlungwana, Jabulani; Cairns, Murray
    The dawn of democracy in South Africa brought a glimmer of hope to the people by assuring them that they would be part of the decision-making process of development that affected them. The cornerstone for this is public participation, which remains the driving principle of engaging communities when making development decisions. In the centre of this, municipalities use Ward Committees to facilitate and organise people to take part in the different platforms made available for community engagement and participation. Ward Committees represent the needs and aspirations of the residents and for them to function well, there is a need for effective community engagement. This study investigated the capacity-building initiatives amongst ward committees in Ward 68, which is situated within the City of Johannesburg. The focus of the investigation was to establish ways of enhancing the skills and knowledge that Ward Committee members needed to build positive relationships with the communities. The literature depicted capacity-building as a crucial component of empowering employees to discharge their duties. It presented the different types of capacity- building levels that shape frameworks that can be adopted and tailored to the Ward Committees of Ward 68. The study described the challenges confronted by ward committees while attempting to fulfil their roles and responsibilities of galvanising residents to participate and engage in issues that pertain to the development of their community. The study also detailed the context of ward committees as catalysts for community engagement. A qualitative method was used to answer the research questions. The researcher collected data through semi-structured interviews. The researcher collected primary data by interviewing ten members of the Ward Committee, who gave in-depth views about their experiences. Secondary data were collected through analysing published journals, government reports, and the City of Johannesburg reports. The study recorded key findings about the themes and patterns that were identified during the process of thematic analysis in a quest to answer the research questions. The themes that came out of the process stemmed from the roles and responsibilities of ward committees and the challenges that they faced. The other three themes that emerged related to the kinds of capacity-building offered by the City of Johannesburg, the effectiveness of the training in creating trust with communities and municipal officials, and the low levels of education within the community, which negatively impacted the residents’ understanding of how governance operated. The key findings of the study were as follows: the CoJ only conducted induction training for the Ward Committees, some Ward Committees could not attend the induction training due to different reasons; others attended, but they could not recall the content of the training; and several other challenges hindered the effectiveness of Ward Committees.