This thesis attempts to understand the concepts of social capital and social networks within the South African government’s current policy on “human settlements”. It considers the association between social networks, social capital and social cohesion, community development and improved general quality of life. The thesis also explores the possibility and challenges of using social capital and social networks amongst low income urban communities as a viable strategy against poverty and for the development of sustainable human settlements. The thesis will examine the nature and form in which informal social networks function in a low income urban community in South Africa and the benefits that arise from these. The thesis particularly looked at informal social security networks in the form of savings clubs/stokvels and burial societies as well as other informal social networks such as religious associations and neighbourhood social support groups. The study discovered that in light of the high unemployment rate, high poverty levels and increasing urban economic pressures, most low income households cannot access or rely on social networks as a means of survival but on grants and wages. Social security networks are only accessible to those who can afford monthly membership contributions thereby excluding the poorest of the poor. For those who can afford to be members of social security networks, the benefits are limited and they do not adequately address household needs. The study also showed how those who cannot afford to be members of social security networks still have access to some sort of communal social support. Neighbours stand out as valuable in this regard. However, the casual neighbourhood support networks are not ‘resource rich’ mainly due to, the inability of people to donate and reciprocate. Religious networks are mainly identified with emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being, providing friendship, comfort and advice but these benefits are only provided to members only in their time of need. The theoretical understanding of social networks producing social capital which is seen as being beneficial to the poorest of the poor is questioned, as the results show the inequalities and divisions that exist within informal social networks themselves. On the other hand, all the social networks considered in this thesis have managed to contribute towards strengthening neighbourly relations, trust, building community identity and promoting values of ubuntu- sharing and caring for one another which in the long-run benefits the community, both members and non-members alike.

South Africa has a social housing delivery problem, where, despite all mechanisms, efforts and resources (including policies, enabling legislation and social housing production inputs such as planning regimes, guidelines and strategies, funding, land, buildings and human resources put in place by the government), the pace of social housing delivery is not at a point where it is measurably satisfactory across all spheres of government. There exists between the three spheres of government an intergovernmental relations framework for implementing social housing policy. The performance of government shows a lack of institutionalized arrangements, coordination, and alignment in the day to-day operations of the three spheres of government in implementing social housing policy. It is for this reason that this study assessed the current intergovernmental relations operational system in the delivery of social housing units in Gauteng Province. A mixed-methods research approach was implemented for this study based in methodological pragmatism, phenomenology, and positivism. The researcher conducted interviews with senior managers and administered research questionnaires with operational staff within the National, Provincial and Local spheres of government which included City of Tshwane, City of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan municipalities in Human Settlements Departments, state agencies involved in the delivery of social housing units such as the Social Housing Regulatory Authority and municipal entities such as the Housing Company Tshwane, the Johannesburg Social Housing Company and the Ekurhuleni Social Housing Company. Private and non-governmental social housing institutions, such as the Yeast City Housing and Mannapendlo Social Housing Organisation were also included. The data were complemented by documentary content analysis, including review of annual reports, strategic human settlements plans, policies and legislation pertaining to the provision of housing, human settlements, and social housing. This study assessed the functioning of the three spheres of government in relation to the implementation of social housing policy in Gauteng Province. The three spheres of government are regarded as equally important institutions for the development of sustainable human settlements, and a sound relation between the three spheres of government must be maintained in order to achieve successful development and management of social housing. The research found evidence of poor coordination and alignment, and no integration of social housing related activities and functions between the three spheres of government. There are major risks, such as financial risk, financial planning, and project implementation risks experienced at local government level. The study identified challenges faced by the three spheres of government and state agencies in the implementation of social housing policy in Gauteng Province. The challenges included slow release of land for social housing development, uncoordinated and unplanned social housing delivery in the province. In addition, the study identified other input factors that impact negatively on the supply of social housing units which cut across all spheres of government such as political mandates, legislation, policies, strategies, plans, targets, priorities, information technology and administrative and financial constraints. The study presented and recommended social housing delivery model for Gauteng Province. The proposed model has the probability of providing an understanding of the relations between government departments, state agencies, social housing institutions, intergovernmental relations structures at national, provincial and local government level, non-governmental organizations, and community based organizations, so as to ensure there is vertical and horizontal alignment to improve and fast track the delivery of social housing in Gauteng Province. / Public Administration and Management / D. Phil (Public Administration)

Thi s study aims to assess the implementation of the National Development P lan (NDP) and the impact it has had on the provision of human settlements in Gauteng. Th is dissertation has used qualitative research methodology. This nuanced approach has enabled an e laborate exploration and understanding of the NDP as a policy strategy and provided the tools to measure its impact on the provision of human settlements in Gauteng. For this research, the participants were selected purposively based on their expertise in the field of human settlements. The researcher conducted in depth interviews with 15 senior policymakers in the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and South Africa’s National Department of Human Settlements and collect ed data on human settlements, wh ich fed, into the findings and recommendations of the dissertation This study has argued that housing policies in South Africa have evolved since 1994, moving away from redress and distribution to an approach of creating sustainable integrated human settl ements. It has also assessed how the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements set out to generate inclusive and integrated settlements through the creation of “new towns”. The building of these “new towns” is in line with the provincial government’s mandate of delivering integrated human settlements in the province. South Africa’s Department of Human Settlements and the Gauteng provincial government introduced the Megaprojects in 2014 as a R100billion economic corridor investment, which aims to provide 800 0 00 housing opportunities across five corridors in Gauteng. Despite these initiatives, the provincial Department continues to face several constraints such as population growth, migration, unavailability of land, housing backlogs, a high rate of informal settlements, corruption, poor implementation of policies, and a lack of economic growth and budgetary constraints. The dissertation’s findings suggest that t hese challenges need to be tackled at the policy level the Department of Human Settlements must pr ioritise implementation, good governance and promote greater professionalism within the housing sector in order to achieve these targets . The study further found that p olicymakers must also view housing as a specialised field that requires extensive consul tation and implementation plans that are carefully tailored to address any challenge s that the Department of Human Settlements could potentially encounter during the implementation phase . Only with these changes, can these targets be met. / Public Administration and Management / M. Admin. (Public Administration)

Urbanisation in South African cities is a worrying phenomenon. Cities such as the City of Johannesburg are faced with a severe housing backlog. This situation could be attributed to many issues such as lack of suitable land for housing, and the existence of informal settlements. This study has been undertaken to investigate whether the interventions implemented by City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality to eradicate informal settlements are effective in addressing challenges faced by informal settlement dwellers. In South Africa, informal settlement upgrading process is acknowledged as an effective means of eradicating informal settlements. In this regard, interventions to eradicate informal settlements require extensive research in order to have proposals for future policy interventions. This study has been also undertaken to make some recommendations that might resolve the challenges of informal settlements in the City of Johannesburg. / Public Administration & Management / M.P.A.

Urbanisation in South African cities is a worrying phenomenon. Cities such as the City of Johannesburg are faced with a severe housing backlog. This situation could be attributed to many issues such as lack of suitable land for housing, and the existence of informal settlements. This study has been undertaken to investigate whether the interventions implemented by City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality to eradicate informal settlements are effective in addressing challenges faced by informal settlement dwellers. In South Africa, informal settlement upgrading process is acknowledged as an effective means of eradicating informal settlements. In this regard, interventions to eradicate informal settlements require extensive research in order to have proposals for future policy interventions. This study has been also undertaken to make some recommendations that might resolve the challenges of informal settlements in the City of Johannesburg. / Public Administration and Management / M.A. (Public Administration)

The persistence and enormity of the housing backlog facing the poorest of the poor is an indication of the gravity of the housing crisis in Gauteng. The challenge exists despite government efforts to provide low-cost housing and formalize informal settlements. Against the background of this persistent need, this study investigates the City of Tshwane Municipality’s response to informal settlements in Mamelodi Phase 3, Gauteng. Participants from Mamelodi Phase 3 and officials from the City of Tshwane Municipality were purposively sampled. Research findings indicated that informal settlements in Mamelodi are caused by various factors, which include movement from rural to urban areas, movement from other provinces to Gauteng and natural population growth. Furthermore, the persistence of the informal settlements is caused by poverty. Most people continue to live in informal settlements since they cannot access financial assistance from the banks as per the National Credit Regulation (NCR). Corruption is also a formidable problem as some informal settlement dwellers alleged that officials of the City of Tshwane Municipality allocated houses in contravention of set procedures. This research shows that the City of Tshwane’s informal upgrading policies have failed in terms of providing adequate housing. Further, the housing policy has not succeeded in creating long-term sustainability in the delivery of low-cost housing to deal with the problems of the informal settlements. Although the City of Tshwane has implemented the Re aga Tshwane, which involves a wide range of policies, programmes and strategies to address the developmental challenges facing dwellers in informal settlements, more is required. On this basis, it is recommended that proper consultation with the community should be held to improve the lives of people in informal settlements in line with Section 26 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996), regarding every person’s right to have access to adequate housing. / Public Administration and Management / M.B.A. (Public Administration)