Wits School of Governance (ETDs)
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Item Utilizing performance audit reports to promote efficiency and value for money: A case study of SAI Uganda(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Asiimwe , Joshua; Ngcetane-Vika, ThelelaPerformance auditing, an evaluation of public entities’ efficiency and effectiveness, is crucial for improving public sector accountability. Despite its importance, performance audits often lack the necessary attention in developing countries. This study investigates factors influencing the impact of performance audits on public sector accountability using the Ugandan Supreme Audit Institution as a case study. Data for this study was derived from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was collected through interviews and questionnaires administered to SAI staff. Secondary data was compiled from a variety of published and unpublished materials, including INTOSAI records, the SAI library, SAI website, AFROSAI-E ICBF self- assessments, textbooks, academic journals, and online resources. A conceptual framework was developed to examine the relationship between audit rate, audit outcomes, and follow-up efforts on audit impact. Quantitative data was collected from performance auditors and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. Findings indicate a positive correlation between audit rate, audit outcomes, and follow-up efforts with audit impact. The study recommends that Supreme Audit Institutions prioritize performance audits, enhance follow-up efforts, and promote the value of performance audit reports to improve public sector accountability. While the study provides valuable insights, its cross-sectional design limits its ability to establish causal relationships. Future research should employ longitudinal studies and explore the impact of emerging technologies like blockchain on performance auditing.Item Decoding the District Development Model to understand decentralised governance in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Kgosinyane, Pogisho Godfrey; Abrahams, CarynThis thesis contributes to the literature on decentralisation and the intergovernmental relations framework. This contribution is relevant based on current scholarly debates on the contested idealised notions of decentralisation reforms, especially in developing countries such as those on the African continent. The thesis was concerned with exploring the institutional, political, and contextual factors of decentralised governance in South Africa. While much scholarly work on decentralisation in South Africa and on the African continent has been undertaken, new perspectives are needed. Firstly, decentralisation is often associated with normative views, for instance, the good governance perspective espoused by the Bretton Woods Institutions based on structural adjustments policies. Secondly, scholarly work tends to focus on an instrumentalist approach to decentralisation, which concerns itself with administration, delivery of services, and governance challenges at the local level. Thirdly, the political science approach focuses on the structural and social dimensions of decentralisation. This structural dimension considers the actions of political actors and society, which contends that decentralisation limits central states from subsuming all state power. However, this study outlines fundamental deficiencies in this argument by positing that constitutional imperatives on decentralisation do not necessarily constitute compliance. The study argues that political actors can exercise power outside formal, coded institutional structures such as the Constitution. Indeed, power often rests outside of formal intentions and plans if the diffuse realities of power are accepted. The approach of this thesis, however, is theory-driven. Through empirical evidence, this thesis provides insights into the complex power dynamics, the shifting governance, and volatile and contrasting outcomes inherent in decentralisation systems. The study found that while decentralisation in South Africa created new institutions and disperses power to the sub-national levels, it also, paradoxically, solidified power at the local level. These autonomous centres of power have led to an uncooperative, incoherent, multi-layered governance system that constrains rather than Pogisho Godfrey Kgosinyane Page ii 1535858 facilitates service delivery. Thus, decentralisation creates a window of opportunity for different actors to exercise their political power. The study adopted the District Development Model (DDM) as a case study to illuminate the governance interplay among the three spheres of government. The DDM is a multi-sphere development programme designed to improve service delivery and eliminate the pattern of operating in silos by the different levels of government. The study concludes that through the DDM, a new pattern of governance is emerging, altering central-local relations. The strong presence of the central government apparatus within the DDM suggests a process of recentralisation and reconfigured power relations. This thesis theorises that major changes in political and governance systems are not always violent or dramatic. Rather, these changes can be slow and subtle, masked as decentralisation while concealing centralisation tendencies, as revealed by this study. Further, this thesis argues that decentralisation is often fashioned on the premise that the political cultures of developing countries, such as South Africa, are mature enough to deal with the conflicting interests of political actors and institutional variations. The central argument of this thesis is that the conflict- avoiding negotiations during the Convention for a Democratic South Africa have accommodated starkly incongruous and incompatible political cultures, resulting in multiple power centres, thus effacing the claimed benefits of decentralisation. These insights were informed through a detailed case study approach employing face-to-face semi-structured interviews with participants from the three spheres of government.Item Alternative resident-led governance in the housing sector: The case of Ruo Emoh, Cape Town(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Jacobs, Jevon; Abraha, CarynmsDemocratic South Africa’s inheritance of apartheid-imposed socio-spatial injustices created a deficiency in accessible housing for the poorer citizen. Despite attempts by the post-apartheid state’s enabling approach to address this issue, and its neoliberal ideology to transfer power to the citizen, housing shortages continue to grow. Housing delivery is ideally where individual aspirations and broader policy frameworks meet, and the integration of resident-centred initiatives and empowerment into the housing framework offers possible assistance. This possibility, therefore, questions whether a neoliberal government can truly enable resident- led housing action. Taking this further leads to questioning how citizens’ radical insurgent practices in the pursuit of socially just, adequate housing fare against state-led delivery. This thesis analyses housing policies, literature on neoliberalism, and resident-led self-help theory to evaluate the local case study of Ruo Emoh (‘our home’ backwards) in Mitchells Plain. Ruo Emoh is a medium density housing development spanning less than one hectare, accommodating 49 households. Behind it is a resident-led savings scheme initiated in 1995, with a 22-year trialling journey to ‘achieve’ (dis)satisfactory and (un)affordable freehold ownership. An important principle in this research approach is a focus on ‘ground-up’ processes, centred on the collective capabilities of residents. By arguing and discussing the neoliberal hegemonies over alternative citizenship practices, this research shifts the top- down delivery paradigm in the way housing is strategised in South Africa and identifies challenges that prohibit residents from assuming active – and recognised – roles in housing delivery. This thesis makes four central arguments, that: (i) the unfounded language-policy nexus systemically limits opportunity for the democratic mobilisation of citizens against the power-central state’s delivery; (ii) a detachist, silent corruptor state does not fulfil democratic participatory aspirations and debases citizen insurgency; (iii) citizen collectives attaining temporally goaled housing does not guarantee continued community nor sustained social capital wealth, and (iv) retrogressive state-provided housing does not meet the evolving infrastructural and place-making needs of residents. While self-help approaches are a start-to- an-end, resident-led processes can contribute positively to – but cannot lead – housing delivery, with an opportunity for residents to play an increased role in constructing houses, and subsequently meeting their contextualised needs. From these arguments, realising the concept of ‘mobilised residentship’ becomes important in formulating and upholding alternative resident-led governance. The investment of skills into residentship can perpetuate a process of self-help-driven, yet state-assisted delivery. In other words, addressing these pressures can form foundations for an alternative resident-led housing governance model and ensure a higher rate of success for mobilised residentship.Item Understanding Indigenous Philanthropy in Ghana from an Akan Perspective(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Afadzinu, Nana Asantewa; Everatt , David; Moyo, BhekinkosiThis thesis aims to gain in-depth understanding of indigenous philanthropy in Ghana, with a particular focus on the Akan and contributes to filling the existing knowledge gap of a dearth of information on indigenous philanthropy in Ghana. It examines the conceptualisation of Akan philanthropy, explores the meaning, nature and practice of Akan philanthropy and identifies potential changes that may have occurred over time as well as the underlying reasons behind such shifts. Indigenous methodologies and methods such as ethnophilosophy and sagacity, as well as a decolonial approach informs the research design. The findings suggest that Akan philanthropy is ‘adɔyɛ’ - the reciprocal and morally obligatory demonstration of love by every member of a community (individually and collectively) to other members of the community. Community here includes the members' relations (physical and spiritual) . This demonstration of love is through that members' way of life, be-ing and consequent actions and is for the ultimate benefit of the community. Akan philanthropy is anchored in Akan humanism values. It is a life- long cyclical practice that includes all irrespective of wealth and is midwifed by traditional institutions like family, the community and traditional leadership. Although, affected by colonialism, Akan philanthropy has adapted to the existing era and is still a key source of community sustenance and wellbeing. The hegemony of Western philanthropy has relegated it to the background hence the need to decolonise philanthropy. This is done through conceptualising philanthropy through indigenous knowledge systems like that of the Akan and foregrounding indigenous philanthropy in Africa.Item A Critical Review of Youth Employment Programmes in South Africa: Challenges and Solutions(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Tshefuta, Thulani; Pillay, PundyStructural Youth unemployment is generally recognised as a formidable policy challenge of our time with dire political socio-economic implications for South Africa. In response to this mammoth challenge, the government of South Africa has been implementing a package of public employment programmes towards ameliorating youth unemployment. These have been supported by some private sector measures and civil society initiatives. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine the different interventions implemented by government and other partners focusing on the successes, challenges and the potential solutions to the problem of youth unemployment. The purpose of this research is to undertake a critical assessment and analysis of the existing package of youth targeted employment programmes in South Africa with the view to unpacking their successes and challenges, whilst recommending some possible solutions on youth employment. This is a matter that South Africa cannot afford to ignore as it is facing the danger of missing the opportunity of reaping the “demographic dividend” from the current youth bulge. The theoretical framework of this study is anchored on the Positive Youth Development (PYD) theory as well as the Theory of Change (ToC). In this qualitative study, exploratory research design was used. This study utilised a semi-structured interview schedule data collection instrument. This research utilised thematic analysis to analyse the qualitative data that was collected. The study found that despite a package of existing youth intervention programmes, we still have stubborn persistence of youth unemployment. The research further conducted a critical analysis of existing youth employment programmes focusing on their successes and challenges. Specific lessons were drawn from the implementation of these youth employment programmes. The study concludes by providing recommended solutions on strategies to promote and improve effective youth employment interventions.Item The socio-economic effect ofcovid-19 on households in Epworth, Harare(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mashatise, Memory Tinotenda; Pillay, PundyThis research report explores how COVID-19 impacted households on a socioeconomic level. Epworth, a peri-urban suburb of Harare, was the study's research location. This study focuses on the Southern African context, where social distancing and lockdowns implemented by governments in order to curb the spread ofthe COVID-19 pandemic in the year(s) 2020, 2021, as well as 2022. Most specifically,the government of Zimbabwe, being the government, this study focuses on implemented measures that had persistent negative socioeconomic effect on households by disrupting livelihoods, businesses, and other sources of income. Sucheffects were not only experienced during COVID-19, but also in the after of the pandemic. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs was utilized as a theoretical foundation to frame the research in examining how the COVID-19 epidemic affected Epworth households. The premise of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory emphasizes the value of human needs and how implemented regulations led to scenarios where citizens lost opportunities for economic survival and stability for their individual and households' material well-being. Consequently, such a crucial point is well placed within Maslow's identified need for safety, and security. Literature reviewed specified that the weakened economy and social problems in Zimbabwe, such as unemployment, poverty, inadequate healthcare, and a lack of supplies for COVID-19 treatment, predominantly exacerbated the pandemic's adverse effects. Semi- structured interviews with 15 breadwinners in Epworth aged 18 to 64 were used for qualitative research. After interview transcription, the data was examined through thematic analysis. The findings of the research demonstrated the need for better access to essential services in the sense that the majority of individuals experienced restricted access to such services as a result of implemented lockdowns. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic's detrimental effects on people's freedom of association, mobility, people began adopting strategies including returning to live with relatives and lowering expenses. Furthermore, self-employed and employed people were found to have been severely affected by the outbreak of the pandemic. To support youth, notably breadwinners for children whose parents lost their lives and jobs due to COVID-19 effects, It is recommended that that the business sector and government authorities ought to create economic opportunities. Lastly, it is ii recommended that breadwinners diversify their sources of income.Item Exploring the Impact of covid COVID-19 Lockdown on Human Resource Management in the Gauteng Office of the Premier(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Masango, Bheki; Chikane, RekgotsofetseThe literature regarding the global pandemic of Covid-19 and its disruption to life in 2020 continues to grow and develop. This study investigated the impact of Covid-19 has had on Human Resource Practitioners, the human resource practices and the impacts of the decision making process for various the public sector. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of how the global pandemic has changed the roles of human resource practitioners and what future implications may result from the global pandemic. This investigation required a thorough analysis of their lived experiences regarding their roles as practitioners in the human resources field prior to the global pandemic and during the pandemic. This qualitative study employed a narrative research method, with a theoretical framework focusing institutional theories and theoretical approaches to HRM and Crisis research to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature. The purposeful sample consisted of 15 human resources practitioners who were presently employed in human resource departments in the Gauteng Office of the Premier. The participants all resided in Gauteng province. The researcher conducted a questionnaire with 5 of the participants, followed by followed by a 45- to 60-minute semi-structured one-on-one interview with the remaining 10 participants. Data analysis employed ATLAS ti. software analysis which led to a thematic analysis. After coding, five themes were identified describing the participants’ five key influencers from the effects of Covid-19 on human resources systems and practitioners. Four conclusions emerged from this study. Human Resource Practitioners will have a more active role in if not lead in crisis management, Organisational Leadership will rely heavily on Human Resource Practitioners in the decision making process for all future crisis, disaster, and pandemic responses, Human Resource practitioners will develop new policies in regard to changes made due to Covid-19 disruptions.Item The significance of clean audits on the provision of electricity in South African local municipalities(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Manyathi, Sakhile; Lynge-Mangueira, HalfdanThe South African Constitution specifies the various responsibilities of local governments. Responsibilities include providing their respective jurisdictions with reliable basic municipal services (Constitution, 1996: 74). Municipalities must abide by specific municipal and procurement legislation while providing basic municipal services. Local and metropolitan municipalities were chosen to be part of this study as they are mandated to ensure quality electrical grid connection, which is the main focus of this study. Electricity connection for citizens was chosen as a measure of service delivery because all local and metropolitan municipalities have this competency. The main aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between clean audits and improved service delivery, specifically new electricity connections, in local municipalities, and service delivery was measured in new connections to the national electricity grid. According to the analysis of the previous studies, none of them found a connection between clean audit opinions and improved service delivery, confirming the gap and research niche for the current study. The study applied a quantitative approach using secondary data sourced from Stats SA and AGSA. This is mainly because the quantitative approach enables the study to consider statistical data to quantify service delivery performance measurements: residents' electricity connections to the grid together with clean audits. The results suggest that electricity provisions in these municipalities are most likely to be explained by other variables that were not part of the current study. Overall, according to the analysis conducted in the current study, the researcher cannot rule out the possibility that clean audits have no effect on electricity provision. Therefore, the Null Hypothesis (H0), which states that there is no relationship between the achievement of clean audits and an improvement in the provision of municipal electricity, cannot be rejected.Item Exploring the experiences of organisational justice in government department in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Maluleke, Floyd Dimatso; Hobden, ChristineThe 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.Item The impact of Gift Policy on elite formation and consequences of greater distancing between union leadership and members in NUM(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Makau, Ramatsinele Prudence; Van Niekerk, RobertThis research was conducted to investigate whether the Gift Policy incentivizes elite formation within the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and with what consequences for union leadership and the union’s rank and file members. One method to assessing the essence of the policy is to analyse the logic for its adoption. Was the Gift Policy in its policy construction an intended or unintended consequence of the leadership of the union’s approach to incentivizing members through differential benefits or something else? The research project aligns with Anyebe (2018) that some policies undermine the solidarity for which unions were formed because the formulation and implementation of internal policies, such as gift policies in the case of the NUM, tend to only reflect the values and preferences of leadership members as the policy in question benefits only a select few and not everyone. Employing a semi- structured interview with leaders and members of the National Union of Mineworkers, this inquiry intended to address concerns relating to the essence and significance of the Gift Policy, and the process by which the Gift Policy was developed, the Gift Policy’s influence on working relationships, the Gift Policy’s impact on the creation of positions of authority and whether it influences privilege between the union’s leadership and ordinary union members. The researcher noted a wide diversity of viewpoints on the Gift Policy. Interpretations range from functional incentivization, which entails improving the transport mobility of the union executive members to perform their tasks with reliable transport to issues of elitism and differential power between leadership and rank and file. This study has significant limitations. Firstly, qualitative research is mostly subjective because it relies on researchers to comprehend respondents' own perceptions (Field, 2013). Secondly, this study focuses solely on the Gift Policy within NUM. Consequently, the findings of the study cannot be generalised to other policies within the union or other political organisations. Thirdly, the study’s sampling consisted of 15 participants of whom only four were females and 11 were males. Moreover, only male participants were in leadership positions. To address these limitations, future studies may employ random sampling techniques on a broader sample to address generalizability issues. When using telephone interviews in their study design, researchers should keep these privacy concerns in mind. Therefore, future researchers will be in a better position to perform a comprehensive qualitative study employing theme analysis, ensuring ii trustworthiness, and delivering significant findings if these limitations are considered and these recommendations are followed. Findings from this study serve as a useful guide for the formation and implementation of incentive policies that will make employees at all levels feel valued, included, and equipped with resources to undertake their tasks as well.