Thesis (DTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007 / This thesis explores, inter alia, initiatives, proposals, directives, programmes and projects aimed at increasing quality of life for all population groups via rural and urban developments in the Western Cape province. The study traces the roots of philosophy in the social sciences, provides a philosophical basis for public management and development, before proceeding to a discussion of relevant legislative- and structural frameworks for development in the Western Cape province. These are followed by an exposition of rural and urban development programmes in the province, within the nodal areas selected for this study. In addition to the above aspects, the research report identifies and explains elements of model theory, discusses a number of applicable models, as well as presenting an adapted normative, input-output transformational systems model for change, with a feedback mechanism, in terms of which given dysfunctionalities can be transformed to higher degrees of functionality in order to achieve, maintain and enhance the general welfare of society with specific reference to current problematic rural and urban developmental issues. As part of the recommendations, a number of methods are suggested in the study whereby rural and urban development in the Western Cape province can be improved and which could be universally applicable, particularly in the rest of South Africa. The results of the research show the need for practising constitutionally-based political, legislative, executive and administrative accountability with a developmental approach by all relevant role players and participants in the policymaking and implementation processes. The raison de etre of the developmental approach is explained, supported by a number of recommendations aimed at bringing about a higher degree of development in the nodal areas selected for this study.

M.Com. (Business Management) / Southern Africa, when viewed in the context of a developing region, is an area of extremes. Sophisticated urban development, financial markets, agricultural development and technically-advanced production processes form a direct contrast to the squatting, subsistence agriculture, malnutrition and unemployment found in a single complex Southern Africa socio-economic environment. The most important goal of economic development in Southern Africa is the raising of the standard of living of the entire population. The interests and needs of the individual play a prominent role in this pre-determined goal. The results that are obtained in this process are largely determined by the element of planning. In the planning stage, vision and insight need to be displayed to determine the anticipated end results. The availability of current information is the basis on which any real action, in the attempt to achieve the aforementioned objective, will depend. The purpose of this study was to compile a macro-economic information framework for development planning and to illustrate this framework with an example.

NGOs continue to play a central role in the delivery of services in South Africa. Many of the gaps left by government in small and vulnerable communities are filled by community and nation-based organisations aimed at providing specific needs for communities. Education-based NGOs, more specifically, play the role of satisfying education and skills-related needs. This treatise is founded on the theoretical assumption that society functions just like a human body with all its different parts, or elements, interdependent: the one cannot function without the other. Central to this study is the understanding that when analysing and evaluating one area or element of society, it is vital to consider the impact of that area or element on other areas or elements of society. Such is the case with IKamva Youth, an NGO situated in Khayelitsha, a township on the outskirts of Cape Town. Although the organisation is independent and exists on its own terms, it is affected and influenced by the community and context within which it exists. Khayelitsha is considered a previously disadvantaged area, characterised by socio-economic challenges such as high levels of crime, poor quality of education, lack of sanitation, illness and disease and unemployment. IKamva Youth, situated in such a community, was founded with the purpose of addressing such issues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which the organisation has been effective in doing so. Paying specific attention to the community of Khayelitsha and the challenges it faces, the effectiveness of the organisation was evaluated according the overall purpose of NGOs and this organisation’s own vision, mission, purpose and objectives. This evaluation was done using the organisation’s different programs which are tasked with the responsibility of carrying out the purpose of the organisation. These programs were outlined and explained and used as the units of measuring the extent to which the organisation has been effective. In order to obtain an in-depth knowledge of these programs, the organisation was first located within its broader context after which these various programs were evaluated for effectiveness using responses from sampled participants. A questionnaire and in-depth interviews were compiled as measuring instruments for this evaluation. Data collected by means of the instruments formed the central point of reference that crafted the conclusion that in the midst of a number of socio-economic challenges, IKamva Youth has been effective in carrying out its purpose as an NGO and fulfilling its own vision and mission.

M.A. (Social Work) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Masters in Development Theory and Policy, / The present study contributes to the subjective well-being literature by looking at how the provisioning of government service affects subjective well-being in South Africa, how this differs by various groups, and whether the relationships have changed over time, specifically between 2009 and 2016. The study aims to provide an updated analysis of how subjective well-being and government service provision are linked within the current political climate for differing groups within the South African context. This paper utilises the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) data for both the 2009 and 2016. The SASAS survey is a nationally representative survey. The dependent variable (Y), life satisfaction, is derived from the question in the SASAS data set that is phrased as “Taking all things into consideration, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?”. Ordered probit regression modelling is used in the empirical analysis to explore the indicated research outcomes. The results suggest a decline in the effect that access to government services have on individuals’ life satisfaction in South Africa. In 2009, access to electricity and access to a flushed toilet were both positively and significantly related to SWB. However, in 2016, only access to piped drinking water was statistically significant with a positive effect. This effect was particularly large in 2016 for those living in formal areas and for women, suggesting that service delivery affects different groups’ SWB in different ways. The various control variables (unemployment, education, health, etc.) had the expected effects on SWB given evidence in the existing international and South African literature on this topic, providing some confidence in the specification and data reliability. / PH2020

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management specialising in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation Johannesburg, 2018 / Public Enterprise Development has been applied by government to stimulate the growth of SMMEs, which are identified as a key to job creation and local economic development. This report examines the impact of public enterprise development through provision of funding by Gauteng Enterprise Development (GEP) to SMMEs in Gauteng. The research examines data on SMMEs that received Enterprise Development funding between the period of 1st April 2006 and 31st of March 2016 from GEP in the Gauteng province. The data was analysed from June 2016 with the focus on the growth in turnover and employment figures prior to and after the SMMEs participated in the GEP support program. This paper uses a quantitative research approach and positive paradigm is assumed. Also, a quasi-experimental research study is used similar to a prior study by Leeuw (2010), with a t-test to measure the growth. This implies that funding, as an aspect of public enterprise development, has a positive influence on the sales and employment growth of SMMEs which in turn has implied positive effect on local economic development (LED) in Gauteng. The results from this study showed that the number of employees increased by an average of 13 employees per company after the GEP intervention from the original average of 8 employees before the awarding of the loan. However, the data analysis of the t-test summary statistics provide sufficient evidence that Hypothesis 1: A positive direct correlation exists between finance provision and growth in employment of SMMEs, is not supported. The difference in the number of employees is not statistically significant since the p-value of the t-test (p-value = 0.095) is greater than 0.05. Thus, the null hypothesis is not rejected and it is concluded that there is no correlation between provision of finance and growth in employment of SMMEs. Hypothesis 2: A positive direct correlation exists between finance provision and growth in turnover of SMMEs, the cross tabulation showed that there was an increase in the turnover earned. It is thus, concluded that there is a positive direct correlation between the provision of finance and the growth in turnover of SMMEs. / MT 2018

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of Master's Degree in Technology: Tourism and Hospitality, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / Tourism is playing an increasingly important role in the local national economy. The outstanding beauty of the northern Drakensberg is a prime tourist attraction in KwaZulu-Natal, attracting a regular flow of tourists throughout the year (Drakensberg Tourism, 2007). The primary objective of this research is to investigate whether the benefits of tourism that are supposed to be reaped by the local community of Bergville, exist. If so, what are these benefits? There might be people from the local community, who are working within the tourism sector, but what are the types of jobs that they do, their level of job-satisfaction, and the extent to which they are able to earn a living from employment within the tourism sector? Do they have the necessary skills and training to allow them to make a successful career within sector? The White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism (DEAT, 1996), states that with any tourism development in the local communities, local people should be involved in the decision making. They should be trained if they lack the necessary skills required to participate in that development. All these issues are relevant to Bergville as the region has a lot of tourism development, and it is a place that integrates tourism and conservation. The results and conclusions of this study are based on a sample of 307 members of the Bergville local community and 15 local tourism establishments including hotels, Bed and Breakfasts and community tourism organisations. The results suggest that tourism has a greater potential for job creation in the area, that the local community lack the requisite skills and understanding to fully reap the benefits that tourism can bring to their community and that the local tourism authority is not carrying out its mandate to support tourism in Bergville. Policy recommendations include greater collaboration amongst the community, the local tourism authorities and the private sector to promote Bergville as a prime tourism destination in the Drakensberg. / M

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africans are familiar with apartheid principles and practices. Apartheid principles were not only used as a mechanism that robbed people of their human rights, but it also gave rise to limited or no community participation in government decision-making. South Africa's democratic regime (after 1994) is striving to increase community participation in government decision-making. In this regard, the South African national government is initiating community development policies and programmes such as the Reconstruction and Development Programme (1994), Masakhane programme (1998) and Integrated Development Planning (1997). This research focuses on Integrated Development Planning (lOP) and local government's role in stimulating community participation. Various participation models are highlighted, and the Wellington case is used to illustrate that communities will participate optimally in development activities if their participation will bring about their own empowerment. The research methodology includes interviews, television news programmes, newspaper articles and focus group sessions. Responses from the focus group interviews indicated that the community is easy-going and they expect activities to be undertaken for them. It was also noted that meaningful mechanisms for enhancinq community participation are limited. The community-empowerment model and recommendations are presented to optimise community participation. The following recommendations are made, namely accessibility of development initiatives, mobilising the community, relevant administrative skills of public officials, democratic constitution and legislation, concrete policy relating to community participation, meaningful empowerment of the community, explaining the content of concepts, programmes and projects, training for public officials, awareness of policy implications with regards to community participation and municipal planning in co-operative government. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrikaners is vertroud met apartheidsbeginsels en praktyke. Apartheidsbeginsels is nie net as 'n meganisme gebruik om groepe van hul menseregte te ontneem nie, maar dit het ook aanleiding gegee tot gebrekkige of geen gemeenskapsdeelname in owerheidsbesluitneming. Suid-Afrika se demokratiese regeringstelsel (na 1994) streef daarna om gemeenskapsdeelname in owerheidsbesluitneming te verhoog. Binne hierdie hoedanigheid het die nasionale regering gemeenskapsontwikkelingsbeleide en programme soos die Heropbou-en Ontwikkelingsprogram (1994), Masakhane-program (1988) en GeTntegreerde Ontwikkelingsbeplanning (1997) daargestel. Die navorsing fokus op Ge"integreerde Ontwikkelingsbeplanning (GOB), en plaaslike owerhede se rol ten opsigte van die stimulering van gemeenskapsdeelname. Verskeie deelname-modelle word uitgelig en aan die hand van die Wellington-geval, word aangetoon dat gemeenskappe optimaal sal deelneem aan ontwikkelingsaktiwiteite indien hul deelname sal bydra tot hul eie bemagtiging. Die navorsingsmetodologie sluit in onderhoude, televisie-nuusprogramme, koerantartikels en fokusgroep-sessies. Terugvoering van die fokusgroeponderhoude dui aan dat die gemeenskap gemaksugtig is en verwag dat aktiwiteite vir hulle onderneem word. Daar is waargeneem dat betekenisvolle meganismes om gemeenskapsdeelname te optimaliseer gebrekkig was. Die kommunikasie-bemagtigingsmodel en aanbevelings word aangebied ten einde gemeenskapsdeelname te optimaliseer. Die volgende aanbevelings word gemaak naarnlik, toeganklikheid van ontwikkelingsinisiatiewe; mobilisering van die gemeenskap; relevante administratiewe vaardighede van openbare amptenare; demokratiese grondwet en beleide; konkrete beleide rakende gemeenskapsdeelname; betekenisvolle bemagtiging van die gemeenskap; verduideliking van die inhoud van konsepte, programme en projekte, opleiding van amptenare; bewuswording van beleidsimplikasies rakende gemeenskapsdeelname en munisipale beplanning in 'n samewerkende regering.

The ushering in of the new democratic government came with high expectations from all South Africans in terms of how development processes were to unfold. The previous system had made it virtually impossible for people on the ground to be informed of all developments within areas where they lived. This resulted in great suspicions on the part of communities as they only saw things just happening, in many instances such activities had no direct impact on their lives. The new government, as elected by the people, had to address this matter in order to ensure that all development processes had a meaning to the daily lives of ordinary South Africans. This assumes that for development to be meaningful, such development should be based on a realistic understanding of the needs of the people. Such needs can only be determined through a process of consultation, and in that process communication between government, other development agencies and communities is vital. Institutions of local government have been seen as critical pillars in the process of uplifting the standards of living of people in South Africa, and therefore this sphere of government is critical for government to be seen as making a positive contribution to people's daily livelihoods. The ability of this sphere of government to address the needs of local people is therefore dependent upon the extent to which communication with residents would be prioritised, and the level at which communities would be accorded an opportunity to make contributions to local development initiatives. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Local Economic Development (LED) is an applied economic development strategy which seeks to address site-specific needs through locally appropriate solutions. In this thesis, the faith being accorded to the potential of LED in South Africa is critically examined. The study is based on a detailed examination of the experience of regional development and several emerging cases of LED in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. High levels of poverty and unemployment necessitate and justify innovative approaches to address such problems. The thesis examines the potential of LED strategies and identifies applied policy guidelines which can help address the Province's development needs. The theoretical framework of this research is based on a critical examination of international and South African literature dealing with development issues, LED and localities theory. A detailed documentary examination of early LED endeavours and the experience of regional development in the present century was undertaken. Results suggest that LED is not a new concept and that regional development, through its political bias, achieved only limited success. Contemporary examples of LED were identified and examined through detailed site-specific investigations. This was carried out through the use of semistructured interviews supplemented by participatory rural appraisal and questionnaire surveys which served as a means to triangulate the results. The research findings indicate that regional development, as applied in the study area, did not lead to the establishment of a permanent industrial base. In terms of the concept of LED, it is apparent that it has allowed for socio-political empowerment but has only improved economic conditions in the more well-endowed case-studies. In these areas, positive antecedent conditions and the key role played by community supportive nongovernmental organizations is apparent. Despite the limited degree of success which many initiatives attain, the thesis regards LED as a development alternative for areas which are unlikely to draw in external investment. Some of the key contributions of the thesis include the advancement of a refined typology of LED, the development of a research schedule to investigate and assess LED initiatives and the postulation of appropriate development guidelines and theoretical constructs.