M. Tech. Public Management / Community participation is intended to promote the values of good governance and human right. While the ultimate decisions in local government are made by elected local councillors, residents are consulted as much as possible in order to create democratic spaces. All the residents affected should participate in the decision-making with designated representatives who decide on their behalf. In South Africa pre 1994, government made decisions on behalf of communities and government legislation described the extent of community participation and how participation should be applied. The current South African government still lacks an effective mechanism or plan to apply and involve communities to participation in projects such as N2 Gateway housing development project The main focus of this study is to determine the extent to which the Langa (Joe Slovo) community participated in the planning and implementation of the N2 Gateway housing project.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Public Management in the Faculty of business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013 / The study, which deals with Assessing Contributions of Tourism Development to Poverty Alleviation Programmes in Langa, Western Cape Province, was conducted against the background that Langa Township has all that it takes to be considered as a well developed tourist destination. Despite the great potential of tourism economic clusters in Langa Township, which covers its rich historical contribution in the history making of new the South Africa, cultural tourism and township tourism, the township faces a challenge of unemployment whilst there are few community members that perceive tourism as an escape industry that would create job opportunities for them, and hence contribute to a better life. Conversely, this study locates the tourism industry as key in efforts to uplift the poor standard of living that the Langa township community faces. In South Africa, generally, the tourism industry is recognised as one of the key economic sectors that has great potential to contribute towards eradicating community-based poverty challenges. The central focus of the study involves the viability of tourism business segments in Langa Township, community participation, community understanding and awareness of the tourism industry in the area, as well as basic infrastructure to support tourism industry. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methodology. The quantitative survey was administered by using Likert Scale questionnaires, which were distributed to community members who have stayed in Langa for more than five years. The quantitative survey was distributed to the Langa Local Economic Development Forum, tour operators based in Langa, and those who make use of Langa as a visiting destination, and community leaders. The main findings of the study revealed that there are few tour operators who conduct business based in Langa township, whilst those tourism establishments that exist are not widely marketed and properly planned to both lead and benefit from the potential of tourism economic segments in order to keep these operators highly viable and sustainable. Community understanding and awareness of the tourism industry in the area is at a fair level of understanding and awareness, but with little in-depth knowledge on how these communities can use it for the improvement of their living conditions. However, basic infrastructure to support the tourism industry in Langa is not at a high standard to attract tourist use. For example, the indoor sport centres, playing fields, and cultural yards are of a poor quality. This situation makes it difficult to currently position the tourism industry in Langa township, and drive it as a leading economic sector for poverty alleviation. Nonetheless, the study presents recommendation on how best to improve the current exploration on the tourism industry in Langa township for a positive impact on programmes towards poverty alleviation.

The role of parents in their children’s education presents significant evidence in schools’ academic results, when parental roles in education are given priority. It is noted that parents play a significant role in improving a school’s academic results. The aim of this study was to investigate the techniques utilised by schoolteachers to involve parents in children’s education in selected secondary schools within the Metro-Central Education District, Western Cape. A qualitative research approach was utilised, employing research methods which included face-to-face interviews, reading school polices and going through parents’ meeting minutes. The investigation focused on two secondary schools that were purposefully selected to participate in the study. This investigation revealed that participants in the study overlooked the role of parents in their schools. Therefore, although they involve parents in some school activities, there is a need for training on how the school principals should optimally involve parents in school activities. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management)