Wits School of Governance (ETDs)

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Subject: search.filters.subject.SDG-17: Partnerships for the goals

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 13
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    A social-ecological perspective on the roles of YOLO facilitators
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) van Rooyen, Christofer; Cairns, Murray
    In South Africa, young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years face an elevated risk of contracting HIV due to various factors associated with high-risk practices such as engaging in unsafe sexual practices. The Department of Social Development implemented the “You Only Live Once” (YOLO) community-based HIV prevention programme. YOLO aims to reduce risky sexual behaviour among the youth. YOLO employs facilitators to render a structured programme with information on self-care, assertiveness, HIV treatment and adherence support, peer pressure and related content. The YOLO programme design subscribed to the social-ecological model focusing on children and youth. Several research studies used the social-ecological model to investigate YOLO participants (youth and children). However, the literature has limited exploration of how the interplay among individual, interpersonal and community levels influences the role of YOLO facilitators. The study aims to explore the roles of the YOLO facilitators from the lens of the social-ecological model. the research allows Further, the research allows YOLO facilitators to describe their individual, interpersonal and community roles. The study explores the interplay between the multiple levels of the social-ecological model and the influences on the role of the YOLO facilitators. The research site of the not-for-profit organisation (NPO) was in the City of Matlosana, previously known as Klerksdorp. According to the literature, the community in this area faces several challenges, including high levels of HIV, poor access to municipal health services, unprecedented high levels of youth unemployment and issues with violence and substance abuse. The YOLO facilitators who worked within the NPO reside in the area and have grown up in similar conditions, which gave them a unique perspective and understanding of the challenges faced by those whom they are trying to help. The research aimed to describe the YOLO facilitators from the perspective of the social-ecological model. The research recruited participants through the non-probability sampling methods. The method limits the researcher's biases in the selection process. Ten YOLO facilitators participated in the research. The YOLO facilitators represented various age groups, races, genders, skill sets and experiences in the field. The research used descriptive qualitative research methodology. The methodology employed a qualitative, semi-structured interview to collect data from 10 YOLO facilitators. The study employed the thematic data analysis method and identified several sub-themes and thesis themes from the data. The researcher used the social-ecological model to describe the micro, meso and micro-level themes. Further, the researcher followed a system approach and described the interactions between the micro, meso and macro systems. The University of Witwatersrand granted ethical clearance to the research. The researcher adhered to the ethical standard as part of the study. The National Department of Social Development and the NPO Board granted permission to conduct the research. The researcher explained their positionality and the influences on the research outcome. v The study found that YOLO facilitators function as “wounded healers”. The researcher discussed the risk of being a wounded healer in the context of the study. The researcher recommends that it is essential to ensure that YOLO facilitators are aware of potential risks and that NPOs provide a safe and supportive environment to mitigate them. YOLO facilitators’ personal experiences can undoubtedly assist them in developing empathy and sympathy, but it was essential to strike a balance between personal growth and personal harm
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    The exploration of accountability frameworks for sewage works management at the City of Mbombela LocalMunicipality
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Selepe, Mamaropeng Marcus; Muller, Mike
    This study used the City of Mbombela Local Municipality as a case study to investigate how accountability mechanisms are implemented for wastewater treatment works. Wastewater treatment works generally perform poorly and discharge poor quality effluent into our water resources causing pollution and possible health effects. The City of Mbombela Local Municipality own eight wastewater treatment works. The Green Drop progress report for 2023 showed that five of the wastewater treatment works which are managed by the municipality perform poorly compared to the three which are manged by the municipal water services provider, Silulumanzi. The purpose of the study was to determine what accountability challenges are experienced by those assigned the function of managing wastewater treatment works at the City of Mbombela Local Municipality. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and collected data through semi-structured interviews. The results of this study show that the City of Mbombela Local Municipality does not have formal accountability mechanisms in place to hold those assigned the responsibility of managing wastewater treatment works accountable for the performance thereof. This study has revealed the absence of accountability as a possible contributor to the resultant poor performance of wastewater treatment at the City of Mbombela Local Municipality. The findings of the study could inform practice and offer insights about practices in the wastewater management business. It is recommended that municipal managers include the performance of wastewater treatment works as a performance indicator in their annual performance plans as well as in performance agreements of officials responsible for the management of wastewater treatment works. This will enable municipal managers to have a handle on the performance and compliance of wastewater treatment works as these will be reported at the required frequency and subjected to appropriate scrutiny. It is further recommended that a follow up study be conducted to compare accountability mechanisms for wastewater treatment works managed by municipalities against those managed by independent water service providers.
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    Institutionalisation of Public Policy Evaluation in the South African National Legislature
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Lukhozi, Bruce; Blaser - Mapitsa, Caitlin
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    The governance of the value chain of rare earth elements (REEs) for sustainable development
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Choshane, Shane; Eyita-Okon, Ekeminiabasi
    This study addresses a research gap in the governance of the value chain of critical minerals governance of the chain that produces high-tech renewable energy equipment to achieve sustainable clean energy and a net-zero economy. This study aimed to explore the governance structure(s) of the value chain of rare earth elements as the key renewable energy mineral product to understand the role of different actors in exploration, mining, processing, fabrication and recycling. Using the documentary research method and key informants, we applied a political economy conceptual lens to the global value chain (GVC) framework to examine the governance of rare earth elements (REEs). This study concludes that the governance structure for South African REEs value chains is the Market type global value chain governance, which exposes the market to the dominance of lead buyers, consequently creating governance gaps in the value chain. In light of these results, we recommend that the government mediate by developing a policy to integrate renewable energy mineral exploration and extraction to provide a framework to regulate relationships of various actors in the value chain to mitigate the impact socioeconomic and environmental impact.
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    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, Robert
    This 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.
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    Investigating the adoption and usage of the social relief of distress (SRD) grant: a case study of the orange farm community
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mbiti, Mary; Chikane, Rekgotsofetse
    The aim of the study was to understand the adoption rate of the SRD grant received by members of Orange Farm. Several studies about the effectiveness of some of the pre-SRD social protection grants were published (Gutura & Tanga, 2017; Waidler & Devereux, 2019). Such studies are important as they provide an idea of the usefulness of pre-existing grants to beneficiaries, which can be compared to the SRD grant. The research gap on the users’ end of the new R 350 SRD grant particularly in targeted poor communities like Orange Farm, has huge negative impacts on the government's policies regarding vulnerable groups and the social protection programmes meant to ameliorate their sufferings. This study adopted the Human Rights Framework for social protection. This study used a qualitative exploratory case study approach. The study was conducted in the Orange Farm community. Furthermore, the study used a purposive sampling method to collect data from the primary source. The primary source of data was in the form of semi-structured interviews. This study found that the 350 grant beneficiaries in Orange Farm have faced challenges with this grant, but they favour the grant to be further extended and increased as it has helped them. The beneficiaries mostly use their grant on basic needs like food and toiletries. The participants expressed that they really needed food parcels, but they were deprived of getting them. Participants also revealed that they need jobs and are interested in starting businesses, but the main problem is access to funding
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    The role of the Kgetlengrivier Citizens Group on the administration of water services
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Eckard, Lourensa; Pillay, Pundy
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    Assessing monitoring and evaluation system implementation challenges: A case of a Botswana Government Ministry
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Metla, Neo Naledi; Wotela, Kambidima
    The Botswana Government instituted for monitoring and evaluation of government projects and programmes in order to redress issues of accountability, transparency and oversight (Lahey, 2015). The aim is to strengthen programme performance and ultimately lead to improved service delivery to the targeted beneficiaries and inform policy decision (NDP11 Performance Framework, 2017-2023). This study utilised a qualitative research strategy and case study research design to conduct the empirical part of the research. The research participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Eight (8) MYSC employees ranging from Executive Management, Senior Management and Management were sampled and interviewed. A semi-structured interview was used to collect information from the respondents. The data analysis was through thematic analysis after transcription of the audio recorded interviews. The findings reveal that there are challenges emanating with implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system in MYSC although it is perceived to be a critical system in guiding programming and improving the ministry’s performance. These challenges are fostered by the lack of accountability, transparency and an oversight not adequately providing guidance and playing its support role. Ultimately they limit inputs, result in unplanned or unmet activities, and fail to produce outputs and consequently prevailing unintended outcomes that cannot serve as concrete evidence for policy decisions. These perceptions confirms the implementation theory, which proclaims that execution of a programme requires appropriations, personnel, talent, time, energy, and equipment available to administrators, their unavailability will decrease the probability of achieving successful results (Vedung, 2017). The theory of change which implies that it is necessary to ensure all are planned for and provided adequately. This research concludes that implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system in MYSC needs to be improved and crucially supported, this requires for improved accountability, transparency and a functional oversight
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    The African union’s policy coherence approach for good governance
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Hamouda, Sara; McCandless, Erin
    During the past decade, concern for promoting good governance has emerged as an imperative engine for socio-economic and political transformation on the African continent, especially with the adoption of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. However, progress towards this aspiration re- mains sluggish despite many international and regional efforts to galvanize improvements in governance. This exploratory research examines how fit for purpose the institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms of the African Union Commission, African Peer Review Mechanism and AU Development Agency AUDA-NEPAD are, to ensure policy coherence for achieving this goal, notably through the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Agenda 2063, Aspiration 3 (good governance). One of the main findings of the research is that there is a lack of vertical and horizontal coherence between the three organs to ensure policy coherence and integration for advancing good governance programmes alongside monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for their performance, accountability, and delivery. Another finding speaks to the necessity of enhancing political ownership and commitment of AU member-states
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    Complexities of the professionalisation process and ethics of community development in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Ditlhake, Kefilwe Johanna; Pillay, Pundy
    This thesis examined the professionalisation process complexities and ethics of community development in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to examine the current move to professionalise the community development sector to explain professionalisation process complexities, the tensions, challenges, and the values of community development in South Africa. The quest for professionalisation calls for the standardisation of knowledge, certifications, the establishment of occupational membership associations, and a system of self-regulation for community development practitioners and community workers into a formalised profession and be committed to serving the public interest. The professionalisation process of the community development sector was explicitly acknowledged in the White Paper on Social Welfare in 1997. In October 2011, the national Department of Social Development (DSD) organised a three-day Inaugural Summit held at the Vulindlela Village in Coega, Eastern Cape, which paved the way for the professionalisation process, and consulted stakeholders within the community development sector to plan the professionalisation process in this field. This summit was the first step undertaken towards the professionalisation process. The national DSD was mandated to lead, oversee and coordinate the professionalisation of community development. The Steering Committee, the South African Council of Social Service Profession (SACSSP), and the Task Team to professionalise community development in the planning and implementation process. The study adopted multiple case study designs to explore and explain how the community development practitioners, social workers, and community development workers view the professionalisation process complexities and the values of community development. This case study research took place in Gauteng at the local, provincial, and national levels of government. The four cases underpinning the study include the practitioners from non-governmental organisations (NGO), community development workers (CDWs) from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the provincial and national Department of Social Development (DSD), and the higher education institutions (HEI). The case study analysis focused first on each case separately (within-case analysis), including the connection of each case to the phenomenon underpinning the study. Understanding each case (within-case analysis) was essential to understanding the case context. By adopting multiple case study research designs, contributions to existing research on community development and the professionalisation process are made. The research questions underpinning the phenomenon under study are answered by accumulating findings from all four cases (cross-case analysis findings). Interviews and secondary data analysis were used to collect data. The interviews are the primary data source, and documentary analysis was used to corroborate the findings of the interviews. Non-probability purposive sampling and theoretical sampling were employed in this study. The empirics consist of seventy-four interviews with community development workers, social workers, and community development practitioners. The data analysis process followed the constructivist grounded theory constant comparison iterative and coding process, including two cycles of initial and focused coding. The theoretical codes developed in the study represent the foundation of the theory developed. Given the plethora of research in this field of study, the constructivist grounded theory data analysis process was applicable in generating the nascent theory that suits the nature of this inquiry. This study found that the professionalisation process was motivated by the need for status recognition and that the process is evolving as state regulation. Professionalisation process complexities are connected to the complex context of the history of the multidisciplinary nature of community development practice, lack of engagement and broader consultative processes, the qualification versus the occupational wider set of professionalisation processes, a crisis of status recognition, professional identity issues, the unclear scope of practice, and a lack of regulatory framework. Against this backdrop, challenges, tensions, turf issues, and contestations are identified. Including the ethical issues of conflict of interest, professional misconduct, and malpractice are raised as the major challenge of the evolving profession of community development practice. A substantive theory developed in this study is inductively theorised from data and contributes to existing research on community development professional practice. Based on the study findings, recommendations for policy and practice and further research are suggested