Wits School of Governance (ETDs)

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    The implication of a strained political-administrative interface on service delivery in Emfuleni Local Municipality
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Ntshangase, Bongo
    The debate on the political-administrative interface is an age-old debate that dates to the 16th century and is premised on whether politics should be separated from the administration. Using a qualitative research strategy, Emfuleni Local Municipality, as a case study and interviews (semi-structured) as the primary data collection method, this study examines how a strained political-administrative interface influences a municipality’s ability to deliver essential services. Most empirical research on the interface confines the debate to the political- administrative dichotomy, which provides a framework for the political- administrative interface. But little is said about the other elements that affect the interface which according to Svara (2006), include professionalism, political neutrality, distinctive means and shared roles and responsibilities, which this research seeks to address. Executive and administrative officials (former and current) who had first-hand experience of the interface in Emfuleni Local Municipality during the period under review were identified and interviewed. The interviews were recorded and later coded based on the themes. The patterns determined from interviews were used to explain the influence the strained political-administrative interface at Emfuleni Local Municipality had on its ability to deliver essential services. The results are discussed and interpreted using political-administrative models as analytical frameworks. The research study found that, although various factors can influence a municipality’s ability to deliver essential services, a strained political- administrative interface is a leading cause
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    Service Delivery Protests and Local Governance: The Case of Newcastle Local Municipality
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Ngidi, Mlungisi Patrick
    The purpose of this study was to explore dynamics that led to service delivery protests between 2018 and 2020 in the Newcastle Local Municipality and how local governments can effectively address the grievances of their constituents. Supposedly, the topical prevalent service delivery protests, in countless cases, have become violent, and such manifestations cannot be ignored. The study was conceptualised around the framework of escalating occurrence and scale of service delivery protests in South Africa in general, and in particular, local government. Notwithstanding, the first few years of democracy saw a decline in protests, some groups and movements protested. Nevertheless, since 2005, when service delivery protests took national prominence, South Africa has witnessed increased levels of dramatic protests. This study was based on the fact that no political democracy can continue and thrive if the number of its people continues experiencing conditions that they experienced under the apartheid government, such as poverty, inequality and unemployment, and with no forecasts of better living conditions. The occurrence of service delivery protests in local governance invited this research and raised this question, what are the dynamics that led to service delivery protests that occurred between 2018 and 2020 in the Newcastle Local Municipality and how local governments can address the grievances of their constituents effectively? This study had four specific research objectives: (i) To examine the root causes of service delivery protests in Newcastle local municipality; (ii) To explore the perceptions of local community members in Newcastle around provision of basic services by their municipality; (iii) To determine the gaps in capacity and expectations of local community on provision of services in Newcastle local municipality; And (iv) To explore the relationship between service providers in Newcastle and local community in relation to resolving disputes around service delivery. This study used three sub-theories of Social Movement Theory (SMT), namely Political Opportunity Structure Approach, Resource Mobilisation Theory, and Framing Process Theory, to assess the situations that stimulate service delivery protests, the protesters’ interpretation of their society, and their motives for protests This study used a qualitative research approach. Primary data were gathered using focus group interviews with the population from Osizweni and Charlestown townships; a total of 20 community members (organisers of service delivery protests) were recruited to participate in this study. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit participants in this study, and they ranged between 18 to 55 years old. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data sets which generated eight themes around the issue of the dynamics that contributed to the emergence of service delivery protests in local governance. Research findings expose that research participants’ displeasure with service delivery is shaped by numerous issues, such as unfulfilled political promises, unequal access to services, provision of substandard services, high rate of unemployment, nepotism, corruption and favouritism, political tensions, leadership derailment and incompetence, and high levels of poverty, including disparities which originate from the post-apartheid regime. The study is pertinent at this point since numerous African municipalities are facing comparable service delivery challenges
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    The significance of civic education on community participation to improve local government service delivery for Ratau and Mohlakeng community councils in Lesotho
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Lefatsa, Khotso Andreas
    Citizens are continuously experiencing poor provision of service delivery in their communities. This poor service delivery to communities is due to low budgets given to councils, late funds to the councils from central government, lack of induction and training of councilors and council secretaries, non-implementation of decentralization policy and other resources such as shortage of technical human resource, poor connection of internet, lack of transport, poor means of communication and technological infrastructure. Service delivery to the communities faces these multiple mentioned challenges and requires consolidated civic education to promptly address poor service delivery challenges. The purpose of my research was to investigate the extent in which civic education through community participation improves local government service delivery for rural people of Mohlakeng and Ratau community councils. The main research question sought to find answers on how civic education through community participation improve service delivery at community level. The research assumed qualitative design approach. Individual questionnaires were used to collect data from 25 respondents. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data, and thematic analysis was employed to analysis data. Research ethics principles were also maintained and adhered to during research execution. Conceptual and theoretical framework from literature were used to analysis the responds and understandings of respondents in relation to service delivery. The findings indicate that there are several challenges that might hinder provision of service delivery to communities as mentioned in first paragraph of this abstract. The findings further show that there is minimal/less influence of citizens/community members to demand services from the councils despite civic knowledge and skills gained from PISA. Findings further indicate that service delivery in both Ratau and Mohlakeng community councils were low or very poor.