Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated the possibilities of early childhood development (ECD) as pathway to sustainable community development by means of a literature survey and practical research. The main objectives were to determine the usefulness of integrated, ecological ECD as entry point to sustainable community development, to determine how this might be achieved and to reflect on the benefits and limitations of sustainable community development through ECD. A review of the literature emphasized the importance of ECD, as early childhood is foundational for the establishment of lifelong skills, knowledge, values and attitudes. The need to enhance capabilities for sustainable development from a young age is becoming increasingly urgent as the world braces itself for a future likely to be characterised by a ‘global polycrisis’ which includes climate change, resource depletion, poverty and food security. Integrated, ecological ECD exposes children to a worldview that acknowledges complexity and interdependence. This contributes to their ability to be agents of change that imagine and create alternative futures on community, national and global levels. Conceptualising ECD spaces as integrated ecological ‘hubs’ for sustainable community development is a way of enhancing community capabilities for sustainable development by facilitating synergies between various projects, promoting intergenerational learning and ensuring that children are central to all community development initiatives. The practical research focused on the Lynedoch Crèche as a working example of an integrated, ecological ECD ‘hub’ for sustainable community development. The purpose of this case study was to contribute to the attainment of the research objectives by balancing theory with the intricacies of praxis. The main findings of the case study pertain to the need to inform ECD by a deeply ecological and integrated worldview that places children at the centre of sustainable community development. The importance of deriving context-specific methodologies and solutions that stem from an intricate knowledge of the socio-ecological environment was emphasized. The research indicated that the core challenges to this approach relate to capacity, leadership, financial viability and institutional arrangements. The conclusions drawn from the literature survey and the practical research suggest a useful role for ECD as entry point for sustainable community development. I further conclude that there is no single conception of what an integrated, ecological hub for sustainable development might entail. Rather, these ‘hubs’ must be born from worldviews rooted in complexity and interdependence and an ecological educational paradigm that is inspired and informed by the local socio-ecological environment. The principle benefit to this approach relates to the fact that community capabilities for children-centred sustainable development are enhanced in concurrence with the high quality ecological education of its children. The greatest limitation of this approach is that its success hinges upon the capacity of teachers to fulfil multiple roles and provide leadership in largely unchartered territory. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het die moontlikheid ondersoek dat vroeë kinder ontwikkeling (VKO) as ingangspunt vir volhoubare gemeenskapsontwikkeling gebruik kan word. ‘n Literatuur-studie oor die onderwerp en praktiese navorsing by die Lynedoch kleuterskool is die kern van die studie. Die hoofdoel was om te bepaal of geïntegreerde en ekologies-georienteerde kleuterskoolonderrig sinvol kan bydra tot volhoubare gemeenskapsontwikkeling, om te bepaal hoe dit bereik kan word, en wat die voordele en nadele van so ‘n benadering is. Die literatuurstudie het die belangrikheid van VKO as die fondament vir die vaslê van lewenslange vaardighede, kennis, waardes en houdings bevestig. Dit word al hoe dringender om kinders van ‘n vroeë ouderdom af vir volhoubare ontwikkeling toe te rus sodat hulle leiding kan neem in ‘n toekoms wat waarskynlik gekenmerk gaan word deur meervuldige krisisse soos klimaatsverandering, oorbevolking, uitputting van natuurlike hulpbronne, armoede en voedselskaarste. ‘n Geïntegreerde en ekologiese benadering tot VKO stel kinders bloot aan ‘n wêreldsiening wat kompleksiteit en interafhanklikheid beklemtoon. Hierdie bewustheid help kinders om kreatief alternatiewe toekomsmoontlikhede raak te sien en te verwesenlik, tot voordeel van hul gemeenskap, land en wêreld. Kleuterskole kan geposisioneer word as een van die geïntegreerde spilpunte waarom gemeenskapsontwikkeling draai. Vaardighede vir volhoubare ontwikkeling word sodoende bevorder in beide kinders en gemeenskappe. Samewerking tussen verskeie projekte word aangemoedig, oud en jonk leer saam en kinders word ‘n sentrale fokus van alle gemeenskapsontwikkelingsinisiatiewe. Die praktiese navorsing is ‘n gevallestudie van die Lynedoch Kleuterskool. Hierdie kleuterskool is gekies as ‘n voorbeeld VKO wat poog om ‘n geïntegreerde, ekologiese benadering te volg en om ‘n rol te speel in volhoubare gemeenskapsontwikkeling. Die gevallestudie het die literatuurstudie aangevul deur moontlikhede en tekortkominge van ‘n praktiese toegepassing te demonstreer. Die bevindings bevestig die belangrikheid van ‘n ekologiese- en geïntegreerde benadering tot VKO, en hoe noodsaaklik dit is om te verseker dat kinders as die sleutel tot gemeenskapsontwikkelingsinisiatiewe gesien word. Kennis van die unieke sosio-ekologiese konteks behoort te lei tot die ontwerp van geskikte onderrig metodes. Die gevallestudie dui daarop dat ‘n tekort aan kapasiteit, onvoldoende leierskap, finansiële onselfstandigheid en swak organisasie dikwels van die grootste uitdagings is wat sukses belemmer. Die gevolgtrekkings van beide die literatuurstudie en navorsing is dat geïntegreerde en ekologiese VKO wel ‘n nuttige invalshoek kan wees vir volhoubare gemeenskapsontwikkeling. Dit blyk verder dat daar geen enkele universele model van geïntegreerde en ekologiese VKO is nie, en dat elke projek se leerinhoud en metodologie volgens eiesoortige konteks bepaal word. Wat wel belangrik is, is dat dié projekte gebou word op ekologiese wereldsieninge wat kompleksiteit en interafhanklikheid benadruk. Die hoof voordeel van hierdie benadering is dat gemeenskapskapasiteit vir volhoubare gemeenskapsontwikkeling bevorder word terwyl kinders hoë kwaliteit ekologiese opvoeding ontvang. Die belangrikste beperking hierin is dat sukses grootliks afhanklik is van goed toegeruste onderwysers wat verskeie rolle tegelyktydig kan vertolk, wat leierskap kan neem en wat alternatiewe maniere van doen kan demonstreer.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study gives an analysis of urban water services provision in Zimbabwe in general. The case study of Harare Municipality was used to get an in-depth analysis of urban water provision in an urban set-up and assess the possibility of private sector engagement for water provision. The engagement of the private sector through Public- Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the provision of public services has become a common practice in many countries. The overall benefits noted for the use of these partnerships include increased effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery. The private sector has been favoured for the provision of services, given the financial and expertise benefits that it brings into public service delivery. Water services delivery in many countries in Africa has been dogged by a plethora of problems that include, water losses, poor revenue collection, lack of cost recovery, inadequate financial investment to expand water infrastructure and overall inability to meet demand resulting from urban expansion. Given these challenges, PPPs provide an option for service delivery. These partnerships have been in the form of leases, management and service contracts, as well as concessions for the provision of public services. Private sector participation (PSP) in service delivery in different forms is rooted in various theoretical ideologies that include New Public Management (NPM), Public Value, New Governance and Network Governance. The reduction of the role of government in the provision of public services; the adoption of private sector management style; the use of networks in service provision and participation of the stakeholders are key principles in these theoretical ideologies. These principles have thus been adopted through public sector reforms for service delivery. Case studies from Senegal, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania are applied in this study, to take note of key lessons on the engagement of the private sector for provision of urban water services, as well as the key determinants of successful partnerships. The institutional and legal framework of reforms undertaken in these countries are analysed as part of the enabling environment for successful partnerships. Data collection for this study was done through key informant interviews, covering water administration issues, water provision challenges and private sector engagement in Harare. The obsolete water infrastructure and inadequate financial levels have affected water provision and coverage in Harare. Unaccounted for water was found to be above 30 percent for the City of Harare, whilst water production levels are much lower than demand. Attempts at engaging the private sector for improving water provision through a concession for the Kunzvi Dam Project have not gone beyond the signing of the contract. What is clear is that there is a lack of a regulatory framework; political willingness, lack of trust, economic uncertainty, lack of financial sustainability and a performance monitoring framework. These are key factors in ensuring a viable public- private arrangement. For private sector involvement to be successful, in the context of this study, the recommendations include the need for a regulatory framework for PPPs in Zimbabwe, establishment of a regulator through policy, political willingness and transparency. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie bied ’n algemene analise van stedelike watervoorsieningdienste in Zimbabwe. Die gevallestudie van die Harare-munisipaliteit word gebruik ten einde ’n in-diepte analise van stedelike watervoorsiening in ’n stedelike omgewing te bekom en om die moontlikheid van privaatsektor-betrokkenheid ten opsigte van watervoorsiening te assesseer. Die betrokkenheid van die privaatsektor deur middel van Openbare-Privaatvennootskappe met die oog op die verskaffing van openbare dienste het in vele lande wêreldwyd algemene gebruik geword. Die algehele voordele vir die gebruik van sulke vennootskappe sluit verhoogde doeltreffendheid en deeglikheid van diensverskaffing in. Die privaatsektor geniet voorkeur vir die voorsiening van dienste gegewe die finansiële en kundigheidsvoordele wat dit aan openbare dienslewering toevoeg. Die lewering van waterdienste in vele lande in Afrika word deur ’n oormaat probleme geteister wat waterverliese, onvoldoende betalings, gebrek aan kosteverhaling , onvoldoende geldelike beleggings om waterinfrastruktuur uit te brei, en die algehele onvermoë om aan die aanvraag weens stedelike uitbreiding te voldoen, insluit. In die lig van die vermelde uitdagings bied Openbare-Privaatvennootskappe ’n opsie vir dienslewering. Dié vennootskappe is in die vorm van huurkontrakte, bestuurs- en dienskontrakte, sowel as konsessies vir die verskaffing van openbare dienste, vergestalt. Deelname deur die privaatsektor aan dienslewering in verskillende vorme is gewortel in verskeie teoretiese ideologieë wat Nuwe Openbare Bestuur, Openbare Waarde, Nuwe Leiding en Netwerkleiding insluit. Die vermindering van die regering se rol in die voorsiening van openbare dienste; die aanvaarding van privaatsektor-bestuurstyl; die gebruik van netwerke ten opsigte van diensverskaffing en die deelname van belanghebbendes, is sleutelbeginsels in hierdie teoretiese ideologieë. Hierdie beginsels is dus deur openbare sektorhervormings met die oog op diensverskaffing aanvaar. Gevallestudies uit Senegal, Kenia, Suid-Afrika en Tanzanië is in hierdie studie toegepas met die oog daarop om sleutellesse rakende die betrokkenheid van die privaatsektor ten opsigte van die voorsiening van stedelike waterdienste ter harte te neem, sowel as die sleuteldeterminante van geslaagde vennootskappe. Die institusionele en wetlike raamwerk van hervormings wat in vermelde lande onderneem is, is geanaliseer as deel van die geskikte omgewing vir geslaagde vennootskappe. Data-insameling vir hierdie studie is gedoen deur sleutel ingeligte onderhoude wat wateradministrasie-aangeleenthede, watervoorsiening-uitdagings en privaatsektor-betrokkenheid in Harare dek. Die afgeleefde waterinfrastruktuur en onvoldoende finansiële stelsels het watervoorsiening en dekking in Harare geraak. Daar is bevind dat die onverantwoordbaarheid ten opsigte van water in die stad Harare bo 30 persent was onderwyl waterleweringsvlakke veel laer is as die aanvraag daarvoor. Pogings om die privaatsektor te betrek by die verbetering van watervoorsiening deur middel van ’n konsessie vir die Kunzvi Dam-projek, het nog nie verder gevorder as die kontrakondertekening nie. Wat duidelik is, is dat daar ’n gebrek aan ’n reguleringsraamwerk bestaan, daar is geen politieke wil nie, daar heers algemene gebrek aan vertroue, ekonomiese onsekerheid en ’n gebrek aan finansiële volhoubaarheid, en daar bestaan nie ’n prestasiemoniteringsraamwerk nie. Hierdie is sleutelfaktore ten einde ’n lewensvatbare openbare-private ooreenkoms te verseker. Om privaatsektor betrokkenheid – in die konteks van hierdie studie – geslaagd te maak, sluit die aanbevelings die volgende in: die behoefte aan ’n reguleringsraamwerk vir Openbare-Privaatvennootskappe in Zimbabwe, die totstandkoming van ’n reguleerder deur middel van beleid, ’n politieke wil en deursigtigheid.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is based on the personal four-year journey of the researcher in an attempt to develop an off-grid, sustainable self-sufficient livelihood and habitation on a 1 000-square metre piece of rural land in the heritage mission village of Suurbraak, Western Cape, South Africa. This single case study attempts to embody a comprehensive antithesis to the current rural settlement approach implemented in South Africa. The approach is philosophical, applying Hegel’s “determinate negation” conception of reality, as dialectic between a conception of “thesis” as global, scientific and regulated resulting in large-scale agriculture, poisoning of nature and inappropriate low-cost housing and its “antithesis” as grounded, philosophical, healthy subsistence habitation on the actual land. This study, shaped by a literature review, proposes a concept coined ‘niche settlement’, comprising four focus areas as regards sustainable self-sufficiency: an owner-built dwelling from local materials, farm produce for consumption and self-medication, rain and energy harvesting, and taking responsibility for waste. In order to validate the case study contextually, an action research methodological approach was adopted. This began with a field study to interview marginal small-scale farmers, enriched by a land-use survey in the Suurbraak agri-village, in order to clarify the determinants for successful subsistence. These were land availability, proximity of land to homestead, appropriate scale, access to water, enabling legislation, and access to inputs and labour. The critical nature of these determinants is then shown as regards the niche settlement case study. The interplay of Swellendam Municipality regulations reveals contradictions that entail that the above determinants are not facilitated. This threatens a vulnerable two-century old agrarian heritage. The ensuing dialectic between the researcher and municipal officials who - when confronted by the contradictions - undertook to revise certain zoning decisions that threatened the viability of niche settlement approaches. The determinants may prove fertile ground for further research as criteria to shape rural settlement policy with respect to land use, particularly given the need to factor in the looming global recession, the food crisis and peak oil. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is op die vier jaar lange persoonlike reis van die navorser self baseer. Dit behels 'n poging om 'n kwart akker stuk grond in die landelike erfenis sending-dorp van Suurbraak, in die Wes-Kaap Provinsie in Suid-Afrika te bewoon en daarop ‘n off-grid, volhoubare en selfversorgende bestaan te ontwikkel. Hierdie enkele gevallestudie poog om 'n omvattende antitese te beliggaam tot die benadering tot landelike nedersetting soos tans in Suid-Afrika geïmplementeer. Die benadering is filosofies, en pas toe Hegel se "beslissende weiering" konsepsie van die werklikheid, as dialektiek tussen 'n opvatting van die "tesis" as: globaal, wetenskaplik en gereguleerd wat grootskaalse landbou, die vergiftiging van die natuur en lae-koste behuising tot gevolg het en sy "antitese": gegrond, filosofies en gesonde bestaansboerdery op die grond. Die dialektiek kontrasteer die tesis op 'n makro-en kollektiewe vlak en die antitese op 'n mikro-en persoonlike vlak, wat aanleiding gee tot 'n "sintese", waaruit nuwe antwoorde ontstaan in die beslissende ingebed, eerder as in algemene teoretiese abstraksies. Kritiese oplossings lê vlak versteek in die mikrokosmos detail of in die konteks. Dit wil sê, is gedetermineerd vermom en vereis 'n metodiese en gefundeerde benadering wat nóg weke nóg maande, maar jare eerder van geduldige navorsing verg om te bemag. Die Hegeliaanse metode soos gebruik beklemtoon dat dit onwaarskynlik is dat "begrippe" met hul kontekstuele "standaard begrippe" sal ooreenstem, maar in die proses van aanpassing word eindelose antwoorde uit die fynere detail van bepaalbare werklikheid opgetel. Hierdie antwoorde, wanner van toepassing, het die potensiaal om antitetiese manifestasies van die werklikheid in werklikheid te verifieer; die mikro is in staat om die makro te verklaar deur middel van 'n proses van die verwesenlikte waarheid. Hierdie studie, deur 'n literatuuroorsig toegelig, stel 'n konsep geskep as "nis nedersetting” voor. Dit bestaan uit vier fokusareas wat betref volhoubare self-genoegsaamheid: 'n eienaargeboude woning van plaaslike materiale, eie plaasprodukte vir verbruik en selfmedikasie, die oes van reën en energie, en die neem van verantwoordelikheid vir afval. Ten einde die gevallestudie kontekstueel te waarmerk, is 'n aksie-navorsing metodologiese benadering ingeneem. Dit het begin met 'n gedokumenteerde veldstudie waarin onderhoude met marginale kleinskaal boere gevoer is en is verryk deur 'n grondgebruik-opname in die Suurbraak agri-dorp, ten einde die determinante vir 'n suksesvolle bestaansboerdery uit te lig. Dit het gelei tot 'n dieper begrip van wat die sukses van soortgelyke nis projekte bepaal: die beskikbaarheid van ’n (grond-)perseel, bewerkbare grond naby die woning geleë, toepaslike skaal, toegang tot water, bemagtigende wetgewing en toegang tot insette en arbeid. Die kritiese aard van hierdie determinante word met betrekking tot die gevallestudie getoon. Die wisselwerking van die Munisipaliteit Swellendam se regulasies openbaar teenstrydighede wat behels dat die bogenoemde determinante nie gefasiliteer is nie). Dit is teleurstellend deurdat dit 'n kwesbare twee-eeue oue agrariese erfenis bedreig. Die daaropvolgende dialektiek tussen die navorser en munisipale amptenare wat - gekonfronteer met die teenstrydighede geopenbaar in wetgewing en regulasies met betrekking tot die erfenis, grondgebruik en sonering - onderneem het om sekere besluite wat die lewensvatbaarheid van die nis nedersetting benaderings bedreig het om te keer, manifesteer sodoende as 'n sintese. 'n Verdere voorbeeld van sintese is die voorstel dat die belangrikste determinante effektief toegepas kan word as kriteria om vorm te gee aan die landelike nedersettingsbeleid met betrekking tot grondgebruik, veral gegewe die behoefte om die dreigende wêreldwye resessie, die voedsel-krisis en piek olie saam daarby onder sig te neem.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch Univeristy, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Decentralisation is a growing phenomenon worldwide. However, the detail of its implementation determines whether desired objectives are achieved or not. The thesis extensively interrogates this concept from economic, philosophical and political theoretical perspectives, with emphasis on the economic rationale. An international perspective has also been utilised for informing the investigation. Reference is made, in this regard, to both federal and unitary states of the developed and developing world. Botswana, a unitary and developing African country, has been found to be facing more or less the same challenges that undermine the desired benefits of fiscal decentralisation in all developing countries. However, political maturity (which is a prerequisite for decentralisation reforms) - a predictably stable commodity in Botswana -sets it apart from most other developing, if not all, African countries. With regards to decentralisation, a number of considerations framed the analysis. Firstly, the established consecutive approach to Botswana 's centralised economic planning and management has been found to be counter-productive to the financial decentralisation process. This has resulted in an over-regulated local public sector that is not conducive for taking stock of local initiative and being innovative in local affairs, mainly due to an ambiguous institutional framework. Secondly, an ad hoc financial transfer mechanism, that is neither stable nor predictable, clearly undermines integrated financial management and strategic fiscal planning at municipal level. Thirdly, a one-size-fits-all approach to the assignment of expenditure responsibilities to all municipalities, small and large, as well as urban and rural, serves as another constraint. Finally, a lack of stable and buoyant sources of own revenues, as well as inadequate capacity to utilise fully the already existing internal revenues, has created grant economies that survive on a principle of beggar-thyneighbour to actualise their mandates. This? in turn undermines their? significance for the electorates at local level who turn to the national government even for minor local issues that should be addressed within the areas of local jurisdiction.The thesis concludes with recommendations regarding a redesign of the institutional framework, intergovernmental financial transfers, expenditure assignments and generation of internal revenue. It is critically important that the Government of Botswana should develop a strong policy framework, build a strong consensus within the political and bureaucratic circles and coordinate and integrate these reforms through strong capacity-building mechanisms at local governments. Finally, the capacity of the national government to monitor the process cannot be overemphasised. That is, the decentralisation process should initially be centralised with gradual decentralisation processes to allow for flexibility well aware of the fact that decentralisation structures are always in transition. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Desentralisasie is wel 'n wereldwye verskynsel, maar suksesvolle implementering vereis aandag aan detail. Die desentralisasiekonsep word in hierdie tesis grondig ondersoek vanuit 'n ekonomiese, filosofiese, sowel as politieke perspektief. Die rol van ekonomiese beginsels in die desentralisasieproses geniet spesiale verwysing. Om die ondersoek so omvattend moontlik te maak is internasionale bronne geraadpleeg, afkomstig vanuit sowel federale as unitere state asook uit ontwikkelde en ontwikkelende lande. Botswana, 'n ontwikkelende Afrika land met 'n unitere staatsvorm, ondervind uitdagings wat, soos in enige ander ontwikkelende land, die voordele van fiskale desentralisasie ondermyn. Politieke volwassenheid en stabiliteit is van die voorvereistes waaraan 'n staatsbestel moet voldoen om desentralisasie suksesvol toe te pas. Gelukkig skiet Botswana in die opsig geensins tekort nie, inteendeel, dit is juis hierdie eienskap wat hom van die meeste - indien nie alle ander - Afrikalande onderskei. Heelwat oorweging is geskenk aan die bepalende faktore rondom desentralisasie. Botswana se gevestigde gesentraliseerde ekonomiese beplanning- en bestuurstelsel is gei'dentifiseer as die belangrikste teenproduktiewe struikelblok wat die finansiele desentralisasieproses ontspoor. Kenmerkend van 'n sentralistiese institusionele raamwerk is 'n oorgereguleerde plaaslike openbare sektor wat nie die skep van eie inisiatief en ondernemende bestuur bevorder of ag op die belangrikheid daarvan slaan nie. Tweede in belangrikheid is 'n onstabiele, ad hoc finansiele oordragmeganisme waarop daar nie peil getrek kan word nie en wat pogings om gei'ntegreerde finansiele bestuurspraktyke en strategiese fiskale beplanning op munisipale vlak te vestig, belemmer. Die derde hindernis is die owerhede se onwilligheid om te besef dat daar geen pasklare benadering bestaan wat by al die uiteenlopende tipes (in terme van grootte en ligging, plattelands tot stedelik) plaaslike besture verantwoordelik bestedingspraktyke sal vestig nie. Laastens is 'n wydlopende gebrek aan stabiele en lewenskragtige, eie inkomstebronne, sowel as onvoldoende kapasiteit om reeds beskikbare, interne belastinginkomste doeltreffend aan te wend, nadelig vir plaaslike regering. Pogings om te verseker dat 'n eie plaaslike raad so 'n groot as moontlike toekenning uit die staatskas ontvang, veroorsaak dat aanliggende rade dan nie hulle regmatige deel ontvang nie. Plaaslike rade se oormatige afhanklikheid van die sentrale regering vir finansiele oorlewing, ondermyn die legitimiteit van plaaslike politici. Laasgenoemde soek gewoon te maklik die oplossing vir 'n plaaslike probleem by die sentrale regering, eerder as om dit self aan te durf Die tesis sluit met aanbevelings oor 'n herontwerpte institusionele raamwerk wat kan lei tot sinvoller finansiele tussenregeringsoordragte, taakgedrewe uitgawes en die skepping van eie, interne belastingbron. Dit is van kritieke belang dat die regering van Botswana 'n stewige beleidsraamwerk ontwikkel en dan konsensus daaroor verkry tussen die politici en burokrasie. Die integrasie en ko-ordinasie van hierdie hervormings kan slegs geskied indien dit gepaard gaan met lewenskragtige kapasiteitsontwikkeling op plaaslike bestuursvlak. Die sentrale regering sal egter eweneens eie kundigheid moet ontwikkel om die proses te monitor, want die desentralisasieproses sal aanvanklik vanaf die middelpunt geskied en geleidelik uitkring. Dit sal buigsaamheid en begrip verg omdat desentralisasie in wese voortdurende oorgang impliseer.

Thesis (MPhil) Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis was to investigate if the Conservation Agriculture (CA) project being implemented by Zimbabwe Farmers Alliance Trust, a non-governmental organisation, has improved the livelihoods of participant farmers. The research was done in the Mazowe, Chiweshe area where the organisation has been working with farmers with the key objectives of improving food security, livelihoods and stabilising production for the rural households. The research also looked at production trends and adoption levels of CA in the area. Yields were viewed as an important element since food security of rural communities is constantly under threat because of droughts. A key element of the thesis was primary research done in Mazowe Chiweshe Ward 4, where farmers were interviewed to get information on their experiences with the CA project. The study was informed by both primary and secondary data. A literature review was conducted to give a background on sustainability and multifaceted problems facing the globe; dubbed as a polycrisis. In order to assess the impact of the project, a framework was developed to define sustainability at global level and also at small-scale farmer level. The Sustainable Livelihoods Approach framework was used as the assessment tool that looks at capital assets as given by Conway and Chambers. The framework goes beyond financial gains and looks at capabilities, assets and activities required for a means of living. The CA project was thus assessed according to this framework as a yardstick for improvement of livelihoods in the area. Primary data was gathered from a sample of 25 farmers randomly selected from a total of 250 farmers involved in the project under ZFAT. The data was gathered through questionnaires, key informant interviews and participant observation techniques. With regards to the adoption of CA and its principles, the research suggested that farmers are eager to practice sustainable agriculture, but the scale of the project is too small to expand the project to more than the 250 farmers already in this project. It was also found that non-governmental organisations have played a significant role in introducing sustainable farming and that the government now need to step up efforts in supporting the projects. The study concluded that the CA project has improved livelihoods and is helping to stabilise production through sustainable land use and advanced farm management practices. The project has not only benefited the direct project beneficiaries or key participant farmers but also the environment as soil fertility is improving and biodiversity is being protected and enhanced. The programme has managed to create a mind-set in the community that; what we have today is a result of the way past generations operated and that we should feel challenged to leave behind a better-managed and flourishing environment for the next generation. This was concluded as a significant number of farmers in the interviews showed that they have changed perceptions since joining the project. The study concluded with recommendations for up-scaling of the project as well as the need for collaboration between relevant stakeholders. This would promote projects of similar nature that promote sustainability and sustainable livelihoods. However, the case study was specific to the Mazowe Chiweshe area and the findings presented in this thesis cannot be viewed as representative of the larger smallholder farming sector though it may provide relevant and positive pointers for similarly beneficial projects to be implemented elsewhere. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis was om te bepaal of die bewaringslandbouprojek van die nie-regeringsorganisasie Zimbabwe Farmers Alliance Trust (ZFAT) die deelnemende boere se lewens verbeter het. Die navorsing is in die Mazowe Chiweshe-gebied onderneem, waar die organisasie boere bystaan om landelike huishoudings se voedselsekerheid en lewensgehalte te verbeter en landbouproduksie te stabiliseer. Die navorsing het ook aandag geskenk aan produksietendense en die vlakke van aanvaarding van bewaringslandbou in die streek. Opbrengste is as ’n belangrike element beskou, aangesien droogte voortdurend die landelike gemeenskappe se voedselsekerheid bedreig. ’n Kerndeel van die tesis was primêre navorsing wat in Wyk 4 van Mazowe Chiweshe onderneem is, in die vorm van onderhoude met boere om inligting in te samel oor hul ervarings van die bewaringslandbouprojek. Die studie is deur sowel primêre as sekondêre data gerig. ’n Literatuuroorsig is onderneem vir agtergrond oor volhoubaarheid, sowel as oor die veelsoortige probleme waarmee die wêreld te kampe het en wat as die ‘polikrisis’ bekend staan. Om die impak van die projek te beoordeel, is ’n raamwerk ontwikkel om volhoubaarheid op algemene sowel as kleinboervlak te omskryf. Conway en Chambers se ‘volhoubare bestaan’-benadering is as assesseringsinstrument gebruik om kapitaalbates te beoordeel. Die raamwerk strek egter verder as finansiële gewin en ondersoek ook die vermoëns, bates en aktiwiteite wat nodig is vir ’n volhoubare bestaan. Aan die hand van hierdie raamwerk is daar dus beoordeel tot watter mate die bewaringslandbouprojek plaaslike mense se lewens verbeter het. Primêre data is ingesamel uit ’n steekproef van 25 boere wat aan die ZFAT-projek deelneem. Die data is met behulp van vraelyste, onderhoude met sleutelinformante sowel as deelnemerwaarnemingstegnieke bekom. Wat die aanvaarding van bewaringslandbou en die beginsels daarvan betref, toon die navorsing dat boere gretig is om volhoubare landbou te bedryf, maar dat die skaal van die projek te klein is om meer as die bestaande 250 boere in die projek te help. Daar is ook bevind dat nie-regeringsorganisasies ’n beduidende rol gespeel het in die inwerkingstelling van volhoubare boerdery, maar dat die regering nou sy pogings ter ondersteuning van die projek moet versterk. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat die bewaringslandbouprojek, deur volhoubare grondgebruik en gevorderde bestuurspraktyke, lewensgehalte verbeter en produksie gestabiliseer het. Nie net die deelnemende boere het by die projek baat gevind nie, maar ook die omgewing, aangesien grondvrugbaarheid verbeter en biodiversiteit beskerm en versterk word. Die studie sluit af met aanbevelings oor die uitbreiding van die projek, sowel as die behoefte aan samewerking met tersaaklike belanghebbendes. Dit sal ander soortgelyke projekte vir volhoubaarheid en ’n volhoubare bestaan bevorder. Tog het die gevallestudie bepaald op die Mazowe Chiweshe-omgewing betrekking gehad en kan die bevindinge in hierdie tesis nie as verteenwoordigend van die groter kleinboersektor beskou word nie. Nietemin kan dit relevante en positiewe wenke bied vir soortgelyke voordelige projekte wat elders in werking gestel word.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis explores the importance of an appropriate understanding of ethics in sustainability transitions. Through a conceptual analysis, it finds that the dominant understanding of modernist ethics is unsuitable to the contexts of contingency in sustainability transitions, and that the participatory understanding of ethics as a complex system presents a far more adequate approach to the ethical complexity of socioecological systems. In particular, the strategy of 'practising provisionality' is suggested, which understands the process of ethical decision-making as a process of social learning. This argument is further supported by a critical reflection on the food system context. The present dangers and future uncertainties of sustainability transitions are issues of incredible complexity. Socioecological interactions can have unpredictable impacts on our ability to the needs of both current and future generations, like realising a sustainable food system. Moreover, there are difficult decisions that we also to make in such dilemmas, like the extent of natural resource exploitation, where normativity plays a large role. This means that these complex issues are also ethical issues. The importance of understanding ethics in sustainability transitions is, therefore, of great importance, since we will want to believe we are making the 'right' choices in these changing contexts. However, the understanding of ethics that dominates traditional scientific thinking and academic inquiries represents a paradigm of thought that is insensitive to complexity of socioecological systems, and is therefore, inadequate in addressing the ethical complexity of sustainability transitions. In the context of food systems, this is demonstrated in the linear emphasis on food production that dominates the ethics of realising sustainable food systems. This thesis argues that a more appropriate way of thinking about ethics in times of contingent contexts and socioecological change would have to account for complexity. In an acknowledgement of the complexity of ethics, it is argued that every decision has elements of moral consideration, and that there is also no way to know objectively whether the respective decision was morally 'right' or 'wrong'. Such an understanding of complex ethics would, therefore, emphasise the importance of recursively reasoning through every ethical decision to address any reductionisms of complexity; adopting an attitude of modesty and openness towards dialogue, and adopting a student mentality of social learning that would improve upon one's complex ethical reasoning. Subsequently, the paradigmatic shift of a complex approach to ethics is more adequate in understanding ethics in sustainability transitions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die belangrikheid van 'n toepaslike begrip van etiek in volhoubaarheidsoorgange. Die bevinding van hierdie konseptuele analise is dat die oorheersende begrip van modernistiese etiek ongeskik is in die volhoubaarheidsoorgang konteks van gebeurlikheid en dat die deelnemende begrip van etiek as 'n komplekse sisteem 'n baie meer toepaslike benadering is tot die etiese kompleksiteit van sosioekologiese sisteme. Die strategie van 'praktiese voorlopigheid' word in die besonder voorgestel. Dit sien die proses van etiese besluitneming as 'n proses van sosiale leerwyse. Die argument word verder ondersteun deur die kritiese refleksie op die voedselsisteem konteks. Die huidige gevare en toekomstige onsekerheid van volhoubaarheidsoorgange is geweldige ingewikkelde strydvrae. Sosioekologiese interaksies kan onvoorsiene impakte hê op ons vermoeëns om die behoeftes van beide huidige en toekomstige generasies aan te spreek, soos om volhoubare voedselsisteme te laat realiseer. Verder is daar moelike besluite wat geneem moet word tydens sulke dilemmas, soos die mate waartoe ons natuurlike bronne geeksploiteer word, waar normativiteit 'n groot rol speel. Dit beteken dat hierdie komplekse strydvrae ook etiese strydvrae is. Die belangrikheid van die begrip van etiek in volhoubare oorgange is derhalwe van groot belang, aangesien ons wil glo ons neem die regte besluite in hierdie veranderende kontekste. Die begrip van etiek wat die traditionele wetenskaplike denkwyse en akademiese navrae domineer, kom egter voor as 'n paradigmiese denkwyse wat onsensitief is ten opsigte van die kompleksitiet van die sosioekologiese sisteme, en dus tekortskiet in die hantering van die etiese kompleksitiet van volhoubare oorgange. In die voedselsisteem konteks word dit gedemonstreer in die liniêre klem wat op voedselproduksie geplaas word, wat die etiek van die realisasie van voedselsisteme domineer. Hierdie tesis redeneer dat 'n meer paslike denkwyse omtrent etiek in tye van gebeurlike kontekste en sosioekologiese veranderinge sal moet rekenskap gee van kompleksitieit. In die erkenning van die kompleksiteit van etiek, word dit geredeneer dat elke besluit 'n element van morele oorweging het, en dat daar ook geen manier is om objektief te weet of die respektiewe besluit moreel 'korrek' of verkeerd' is nie. So 'n begrip van komplekse etiek sal, dus die belangrikheid van konstante redenering in elke etiese besluitneming beklemtoon, om enige reduksionisme van kompleksiteit aan te spreek. Dit geskied deurmiddel van 'n houding van beskeidenheid en oopheid tot dialoog, en die aanneming van 'n studente mentaliteit van sosiale leerwyse wat 'n komplekse etiese redenering kan verbeter. Gevolglik, is die paradigmatiese verskuiwing van 'n komplekse benadering tot etiek meer paslik in die begrip van etiek in volhoubaarheidsoorgange.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The impact of the econom ic turndown in 2008, brought sustainability issues to the forefront of public debate as the realities of climate change, and society’s response to it, gain higher visibility. As a result, t he green economy is gaining global traction as it is evident i n South African policy frameworks and investment. In this new environment, human or social capital is fast becoming the foundation of sustainable businesses. The pursuit of green jobs is seen as a key economic driver in the 21st century, creating a green pathway out of poverty. Shifting the economy from business as usual to a low carbon, resource efficient, resilient and inclusive sustainable economy will involve large scale investment in new technologies, equipment, buildings, and infrastructure, research and development and skills training and could thus be a major stimulus for much-needed employment (UNEP, 2008:3). The focus of this to study is to investigate, career opportunities for graduates of the programme in Sustainable Development, offered by the School of Public Leadership (SPL) at Stellenbosch University. The question is asked if future careers in sustainability-related fields are secured for these graduates. The problem statement was formulated to determine possible challenges that graduates might face from advancing in their careers. I have aimed to address this problem by exploring the prospects for employment in various sustainability-related fields. The re search objectives are to: a) attain clarity regarding graduates` understanding and awareness of available careers in sustainability-related fields; b) to investigate attempts, tools and processes through which graduates could develop careers in the sustainability-related fields; and c) To confirm the graduates` employment status, pre-and post-graduation. My study will aim to demonstrate that more research needs to be conducted related to career guidance to prepare a new workforce, with skills and career knowledge to enter career opportunities in green economy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die impak van die wêreld ressessie in 2008 het volhoubare ontwikkelingskwessies skerper na vore gebring. Dit het die noodsaaklikheid van `n groen ekonomie verder beklemtoon. In hierdie omgewing word menslike kapitaal belangriker vir be sighede wat wil oorskakel na die groen ekonomie. Die soektog na groen werk word gesien as `n hoof ekonomiese aandrywer in the twintigste eeu, wat `n uitweg uit armoede kan bied. Die skuif van `n huidige besigheidsmodel na `n lae koolstof, effektiewe hulpbron gebruik, weerstandige en inklusiewe, volhoubare ekonomie vereis `n besondere gro ot investering in nuwe tegnologie, toerusing, geboue, infrastruktuur, navorsing en onwikkeling, en vaardigheidsopleiding. Hierdie beweging kan moontlik `n stimuli wees vir broodnodige werkskepping (UNEP, 2008:3). Hierdie studie ondersoek die onderlinge verband tussen die ontstaan en ontwikkeling van die groen ekonomie in Suid Afrika en werksgeleenthede wat moontlik daaruit mag voortvloei vir gegradueerdes van die program in volhoubare ontwikkeling by die Skool vir Publieke Leierskap by die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Die vraag wat ek gestel het is of toekomstige beroepe in volhoubare ontwikkelingsgebiede bestendig is vir hierdie gegradueerdes. Die probleemstelling was geformuleer om die volgende navorsings doelstellings te ondersoek: a) gegradueerdes se huidige en toekomstige beroeps verwagtinge, begrip en bewustheid van beskikbare beroepe in volhoubare onwikkelings verbandte velde b) pogings, gereedskap, en metodes waarmee gegradueerdes hulle beroepe in volhoubare ontwikkelings velde sou kon ontwikkel; en c) om gegradueerdes se werksnemings status vas te stel voor en nadat gegraduering plaasgevind het. My studie poog om te demonstreer dat meer navorsing gedoen moet word rakende beroeps opleiding om so`n nuwe werksmag voor te berei met vaardighede en kennis wat hulle in staat stel om werksgeleenthede in die groen ekonomie te kan betree.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to assess transparency in Supply Chain Management (SCM) at local government. The case study of eThekwini Municipality as an institution at the local sphere of government was used to explore the objectives of the study. Fundamentally, institutions such as municipalities and municipal entities, by virtue of being the closest to the people, play an important role of rendering basic services that are aimed at improving living standards of local communities. Therefore, purchasing of goods and/ or services through SCM should strictly comply with specific legislation, policies and regulations which are implemented to achieve standard norms and principles in execution of these duties. One of these requirements is achieved by adhering to transparency in procurement processes. Ultimately, adherence to the principle of transparency in SCM results to openness in decision-making and integrity of the entire process. In this study, these considerations were explored at eThekwini Municipality’s SCM and qualitative analysis of secondary data against SCM legislation, policies and regulations were extensively investigated to establish the extent to which the SCM processes had adhered to transparency. The findings of the analysis as primarily guided by the Auditor-General’s (AG’s) audit outcomes since the launch of “Operation Clean Audit” established that the municipality had not received a clean audit during the period of review from the 2009/2010 to 2011/2012 financial years. The findings pointed to a number of issues regarding SCM irregularities, exceptionally high irregular expenditure (with a net regression of 12% in the financial year 2010/2011), abuse of contract deviations, failure of the accounting officer to give reasons in writing for irregular expenditure and non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This state of affairs had led to the municipality making a prognosis of the internal issues which placed them at risk. These issues informed the development of a strategy to implement austerity systemic and financial management measures to mitigate the identified risks. The findings of the study concluded that the importance of adherence to transparency results in sound decision-making, promotes access to information to the public and other stakeholders, increases integrity of processes, and prevents opportunities of fraud and maladministration. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is uitgevoer om deursigtigheid te evalueer in Voorsieningskettingbestuur op plaaslike regering. Die gevallestudie van eThekwini Munisipaliteit as 'n instelling op die plaaslike vlak van regering is gebruik om die doelwitte van die studie te verken. Fundamenteel speel instansies soos munisipaliteite en munisipale entiteite ‘n belangrike rol in die lewering van basiese dienste wat gemik is op die verbetering van lewensstandaarde van plaaslike gemeenskappe, omdat hulle die naaste aan die mense is. Daarom moet die aankoop van goedere en / of dienste deur Voorsieningskettingbestuur streng voldoen aan spesifieke wetgewing, beleid en regulasies wat geïmplementeer is om standaard norme en beginsels in die uitvoering van hierdie pligte te bereik. Een van die vereistes kan aan voldoen word deur deursigtigheid in die verkryging prosesse. Uiteindelik sal die nakoming van die beginsel van deursigtigheid in Voorsieningskettingbestuurdie openheid in besluitneming en integriteit van die hele proses tot gevolg hê. In hierdie studie, was die oorwegings ondersoek by die eThekwini Munisipaliteit se Voorsieningskettingbestuur en ‘n kwalitatiewe analise van sekondêre data teen Voorsieningskettingbestuur wetgewing, beleid en regulasies was intens ondersoek om die mate waarin die Voorsieningskettingbestuur prosesse voldoen het aan deursigtigheid, te bepaal. Die bevindinge van die analise was hoofsaaklik gelei deur die Ouditeur-Generaal se oudituitkomste sedert die bekendstelling van "Operasie Skoon Oudit ", en dit het gewys dat die munisipaliteit nie 'n skoon oudit gehad het gedurende die tydperk van die hersiening van die 2009/2010 tot 2011/2012 finansiële jaar nie. Die bevindinge het gewys op 'n aantal kwessies rakende Voorsieningskettingbestuur ongerymdhede, buitengewoon hoë onreëlmatige uitgawes (met 'n netto agteruitgang van 12 % in die finansiële jaar 2010/2011), die misbruik van kontrak afwykings, nalating van die rekenpligtige beampte om redes te gee vir die afskryf van onreëlmatige uitgawes en nie- nakoming van die toepaslike wette en regulasies. Hierdie toedrag van sake het daartoe gelei dat die munisipaliteit 'n prognose gemaak het van die interne kwessies wat vir hulle ‘n risiko was. Hierdie kwessies het gelei tot die ontwikkeling van 'n strategie om sistemiese en finansiële bestuur maatreëls in te stel om die geïdentifiseerde risiko's te verminder. Die bevindings van die studie dui daarop dat die nakoming van deursigtigheid lei tot gesonde besluitneming, bevordering van toegang tot inligting aan die publiek en ander belanghebbendes, en dat dit die integriteit van prosesse verhoog, en geleenthede vir bedrog en wanadministrasie voorkom.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Corruption is a global cause for concern due to its negative impact on development. The complex issues surrounding corruption have motivated many researchers, strategists and planners to explore strategies to combat all activities relating to its causes and effects, both in the public and private sector. These efforts have produced a great deal of information, ideas and definitions related to this subject. However, there are still some gaps in understanding, and scope for further exploration. This thesis looks at the anti-corruption strategies of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Customs Division, at Beitbridge Border Post, with specific reference to the following issues: causes of corruption, consequences, and gaps in the ZIMRA’s anti-corruption initiatives. The thesis also makes some suggestions of remedies and recommendations for implementation. This study establishes that poor and skewed remuneration within the ZIMRA has contributed to the officers soliciting bribes from travellers and traders. Low salaries, not only in the ZIMRA Customs Department but the whole public sector, have forced revenue officers to seek rent from travellers and traders who are also keen to avoid paying onerous customs duties and long queues at border posts. These long queues at the Beitbridge Border Post coupled with poor sanitation facilities contribute to travellers and traders offering bribes to customs officers so as to get quick clearances. The study also observes that there are weak customs clearance systems and facilities within the Zimbabwe customs at Beitbridge Border. For instance, technology, which could play a fundamental role in combating corruption as it increases transparency and accountability, especially through e-governance facilities, is not fully utilised. Despite the introduction of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) software it was established that customs officers colluded with travellers and traders to manipulate the system, which is normally monitored from elsewhere. Although data is not readily accessible due to the sensitive nature of this research, and the politicisation and classification of such data, such cases of corruption led to high revenue leakages. The study also discovered that illegal and banned substances have been smuggled and found their way into the country due to the inefficiency of customs officials, which is mainly caused by corruption. Nevertheless, there are also indications that the ZIMRA considers corruption to be a problem that needs to be stopped. As the country has been experiencing serious internal economic problems, customs duties have proved to be a good source of revenue especially because of the huge Zimbabwean diaspora and the severe shortages of basic commodities within the country. However, this study observes that there is still a lack of synchronisation of anticorruption initiatives by the ZIMRA and other anti-corruption agencies such as the police. Anti-corruption strategies and remedies that may be implemented to curb increasing corruption cases at the border are also addressed in the study. Firstly, the existing ASYCUDA software, which is a significant goods clearance and corruption busting tool, should be properly leveraged to detect all the cases of false declaration of goods and the use of fake codes. This software should ideally be operated by highly motivated, correctly trained officials, who should also be monitored by other anti-corruption agencies. Additional monitoring could be done through surveillance cameras and increased lighting. In addition, these could be complemented by highway patrols of ZIMRA customs officials and police to detect and impound any smuggled or undeclared goods. Furthermore, more awareness campaigns should be conducted throughout the country to educate people about the evils of border-related corruption. The study also recommends that all these initiatives be accompanied by improved conditions of service and remuneration for customs officials. Anti-corruption agencies should be capacitated and optimally remunerated. Intermediate managers should be given performance frameworks based on best standards. However, having noted all these possible remedies, the study argues that, as long as the broader political environment remains weak, these initiatives will not generate their own internal logic and strength to work successfully, as is indeed the case currently. A key argument that this thesis makes is that the mere existence of institutions, mechanisms and instruments does not translate into an effective operation as long as the broader context is weak and not conducive. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Korrupsie is wêreldwyd ’n rede vir kommer vanweë die negatiewe impak wat dit op ontwikkeling het. Die komplekse kwessies daaromheen het vele navorsers, strategiste en beplanners gemotiveer om strategieë te ondersoek om alle aktiwiteite rakende die oorsake en gevolge daarvan in beide die openbare en die private sektor te beveg. Hierdie pogings het ’n groot hoeveelheid inligting, idees en definisies in verband met hierdie onderwerp na vore gebring. Daar bly egter gapings in die verstaan daarvan, dus is daar is ruimte vir verdere ondersoek. Hierdie tesis beskou die antikorrupsiestrategieë van die Zimbabwiese Inkomsteowerheid (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)) se Doeane-afdeling by die Beitbruggrenspos, met spesifieke verwysing na die volgende: oorsake van korrupsie, nagevolge, en gapings in die antikorrupsie inisatiewe van die ZIMRA. Die tesis bied ook voorstelle met betrekkig tot regstelling en doen aanbevelings vir implementering. Hierdie studie het vasgestel dat swak en oneweredige vergoeding in die ZIMRA daartoe bydra dat beamptes omkoopgeld van reisigers en handelaars vra. Lae salarisse, nie net in die ZIMRA doeane-afdeling nie, maar dwarsdeur die openbare sektor, het beamptes daartoe gedryf om huur te vra van reisigers en handelaars wat ook gretig is om die betaling van gewigtige doeaneregte en lang toue by grensposte te ontduik. Hierdie lang toue by die Beitbrug-grenspos, tesame met swak sanitasiegeriewe, dra ook daartoe by dat reisigers en handelaars omkoopgeld aan doeanebeamptes bied om daardeur vinniger klaring te verkry. Die studie noem ook die swak uitklaringstelsels en fasiliteite by die Zimbabwe doeane by die Beitbrug-grenspos. Tegnologie wat ’n grondliggende rol in die bestryding van korrupsie kan speel omdat dit deursigtigheid en aanspreeklikheid bevorder, veral deur middel van estaatsbestuur fasiliteite, en word byvoorbeeld nie ten volle benut nie. Ten spyte van die aanskaf van sagteware wat doeanedata outomatiseer (Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA)) is vasgestel dat doeanebeamptes met reisigers en handelaars saamspan om die stelsel, wat normaalweg van elders gemoniteer word, te manipuleer. Alhoewel data vanweë die sensitiewe aard van hierdie navorsing en die politisering en klassifikasie van sodanige data nie geredelik toeganklik is nie, het sulke gevalle van korrupsie tot grootinkomstelekkasies gelei. Die studie het ook ontdek dat onwettige en verbode middels gesmokkel word en die land binnedring as gevolg van die ondoeltreffendheid/ onbekwaamheid vn die doeanebeamptes, grootliks vanweë korrupsie. Desnieteenstaande is daar ook tekens dat die ZIMRA korrupsie as ’n probleem ervaar wat tot ‘n einde moet kom. Aangesien die land ernstige binnelandse ekonomiese probleme ervaar, word doeaneregte as ‘n goeie bron van inkomste gesien, veral vanweë die grootskaalse Zimbabwiese diaspora en die ernstige tekort aan basiese koopware in die land. Die studie ervaar egter dat daar steeds ‘n gebrek is aan gesinkroniseerde antikorrupsie inisiatiewe deur die ZIMRA en ander antikorrupsie instansies soos die polisie. Antikorrupsie strategieë en regstellings wat geïmplementeer kan word om toenemende gevalle van korrupsie op die grens te bekamp, word ook in die studie aaangespreek. Eerstens behoort die bestaande ASYCUDA-sagteware, wat ‘n beduidende instrument vir goedereklaring en die ontbloting van korrupsie is, behoorlik aangewend word om alle gevalle van valse verklaring van goedere en die gebruik van vals kodes op te spoor. Die ideaal is dat hierdie sagteware deur hoogs gemotiveerde an behoorlik opgeleide beamptes hanteer word en dat hulle ook deur ander antikorrupsie agentskappe gemoniteer word. Bykomende monitering kan met behulp van waarnemingskameras en verbeterde beligting gedoen word. Hierbenewens kan hierdie pogings aangevul word deur snelwegpatrolering deur ZIMRA doeanebeamptes en die polisie om enige gesmokkelde of onverklaarde ware op te spoor en te skut. Verder behoort meer bewusmakingsveldtogte dwarsoor die land aangebied word om mense oor die euwel van grensverwante korrupsie in te lig. Die studie beveel aan dat al hierdie inisiatiewe met verbeterde diensomstandighede en vergoeding vir doeane-amptenare gepaard moet gaan. Antikorrupsie instansies behoort bemagtig en optimaal vergoed te word. Prestasie-raamwerke wat op beste standaarde gebaseer is, behoort aan intermediêre bestuurders voorsien te word. Tesame met al die moontlike oplossings wat genoem is , word daar egter geargumenteer dat hierdie inisiatiewe nie hul eie interne logika en die krag om suksesvol te werk, sal kan genereer nie so lank as wat die breër politieke omgewing swak bly, soos dit tans die geval is. ’n Sleutel-argument wat in die tesis aangevoer word is dat die blote bestaan van instellings, meganismes en instrumente nie in doeltreffende werking omgeskakel kan word nie so lank as die breër konteks swak is en nie daartoe bevorderlik is nie.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this research was to investigate the challenges to effective strategy implementation at the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC). Strategic planning is argued to have overshadowed the area of actual strategic implementation. Organisations put a lot of effort into drafting good plans, but do not put equal effort into their realisation. It was assumed that there is a big gap between strategic planning and implementation. This is what drove the researcher to go into the field and explore the situation at the ZMDC in greater depth in a bid to bridge the gap through research on the subject matter. Literature on strategy and strategy implementation was analysed critically. The research was guided by the post-positivism research philosophy. This research paradigm enabled the use of qualitative methods, which facilitated the interaction with respondents. The case study research design was adopted, as the research sought to discover the impediments to strategy implementation and the best way forward in turning the strategies on paper into action. The major findings were that there indeed were loopholes in strategy implementation at the ZMDC. The challenges to the strategy implementation process at the ZMDC were noted to be poor delegation, lack of training and development, poor ethical values, limited resources, low motivation of employees, poor communication and coordination, lack of control and poor teamwork. The organisation was noted to have deficient communication processes, which contributed to the challenges facing strategy implementation. The findings brought to light the fact that strategic planning starts with the executive management, hence the need for their commitment to owning the entire process of strategic planning and execution. The study revealed limited involvement of staff in the initial stages of developing strategy. In order to enhance the implementation of strategies, it was recommended that motivational leadership at the ZMDC had to be ensured. Leadership, ownership and drive are required to compete effectively and to deliver growth. Management should adopt the „Strategy into Action‟ planning approach, charting a course through performance factors, linking strategic thrusts to projects, as well as departmental and individual activity, with the ultimate goal being to enable the ZMDC to effectively translate strategic goals into results in a clear and inclusive process. To turn strategic desires into action that drives results, the ZMDC leaders need to develop strategic thrusts and broad-based action plans, putting the vision to light, and picturing to everyone what would be viewed as strategic success and what it takes to achieve and measure the desired outcomes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om ondersoek in te stel na die uitdagings vir doeltreffende strategie-implementering by die Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC). Daar word aangevoer dat strategiese beplanning wesenlike strategiese implementering oorskadu. Organisasies werk hard aan die opstel van goeie planne, maar werk nie ewe hard aan die verwesenliking daarvan nie. Die aanname is gemaak dat daar ʼn groot gaping tussen strategiese beplanning en implementering is. Dit het die navorser aangemoedig om die situasie by ZMDC prakties en op diepgaande wyse te ondersoek ten einde hierdie gaping deur navorsing oor die onderwerp te oorbrug. Die literatuur oor strategie en strategie-implementering is krities ontleed. Die navorsing is gerig deur ʼn post-positivisme-navorsingsfilosofie. Hierdie navorsingsparadigma het die gebruik van kwalitatiewe metodes moontlik gemaak, wat interaksie met die respondente in die hand gewerk het. ʼn Gevallestudie-navorsingsontwerp is gebruik, aangesien die doel van die navorsing was om die struikelblokke tot strategie-implementering en die beste pad vorentoe om strategie op papier in aksie oor te skakel, te bepaal. Die vernaamste bevindings was dat daar wel skuiwergate in strategie-implementering by ZMDC is. Die uitdagings rakende die strategie-implementeringsproses by ZMDC is geïdentifiseer as swak delegering, gebrek aan opleiding en ontwikkeling, swak etiese waardes, beperkte hulpbronne, lae motivering van werknemers, swak kommunikasie en koördinering, gebrek aan beheer en swak spanwerk. Daar is gemerk dat die organisasie gebrekkige kommunikasieprosesse het, wat tot die uitdagings vir strategie-implementering bydra. Die bevindings het aan die lig gebring dat strategiese beplanning by die uitvoerende bestuur begin, en dus is hul toewyding tot eienaarskap van die algehele strategiese beplannings- en uitvoeringsproses noodsaaklik. Die studie het beperkte betrokkenheid van personeel by die aanvanklike fases van strategie-ontwikkeling getoon. Ten einde die implementering van strategieë te bevorder, is die aanbeveling om motiveringsleierskap by ZMDC te verseker. Leierskap, eienaarskap en dryfkrag is nodig om doeltreffend mee te ding en te groei. Die bestuur moet die beplanningsbenadering van „Strategie in Aksie‟ aanneem, wat die weg deur prestasiefaktore aantoon en strategiese dryfkragte aan projekte asook aan departementele en individuele aktiwiteit koppel. Die uiteindelike doelwit is om ZMDC in staat te stel om strategiese doelwitte doeltreffend in ʼn duidelike en insluitende proses in resultate om te skakel. Ten einde strategiese strewes in aksie wat resultate lewer om te skakel, moet ZMDC se leiers strategiese dryfkragte en breedgebaseerde aksieplanne ontwikkel, waardeur die visie duidelik gemaak word en almal duidelikheid het oor wat as strategiese sukses beskou word en wat dit verg om die gewenste uitkomste te bereik en te meet.