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Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Municipalities in South Africa, especially rural ones, have been struggling to deliver services to communities to the extent that government placed those worse-off under Project Consolidate. The implementation of Project Consolidate indicate that the capability of municipalities to deliver services to their communities faced several challenges. Most challenges are attributed to skills, processes, procedures and resources. During the dawn of democracy municipalities were merged into manageable demarcated areas for efficiency, effectiveness and inclusive governance to improve service delivery. The study primarily looks into whether DSS are implemented in Letsemeng Local Municipality and what the benefits are for service delivery to the community. The study was conducted in Letsemeng Local Municipality because it is representative of rural municipalities facing similar changes. It focuses on the administrative and political capability to transform Letsemeng Local Municipality into an effective service delivery vehicle. Administrative capability primarily concentrates on the ability of procedure, systems and management skills to manage a transformed municipal institution within the new democratic dispensation, while political capability concentrates on the role of politicians (councillors) on support and facilitation to meet the needs of the community. Taking these factors into consideration the role of DSS and IKM in successful service delivery was investigated through interviewing key managers (municipal, financial, technical and corporate managers) and analysing support documentation used by the municipality. It was discovered that the performance of Letsemeng Local Municipality is affected by the lack of DSS to support management and politicians, absence of appropriate IKM application for continuous service improvement, high turnover of staff leaving mostly unskilled and less experienced and to a lesser extent political interference. It was also concluded that the implementation of DSS and IKM cannot on its own improve service delivery, but improvement might be achieved if accompanied by Letsemeng Local Municipality BPR (Business Process Re-engineering). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Munisipaliteite in Suid-Afrika, veral dié in landelike gebiede, sukkel dermate om dienste aan gemeenskappe te lewer dat die regering dié wat die slegste gevaar het, moes plaas onder Projek Konsolideer. Die implementering van Projek Konsolideer is ‘n aanduiding dat munisipaliteite se vermoë om dienste te lewer voor verskillende uitdagings te staan kom. Die meeste van die uitdagings word toegeskryf aan vaardighede, prosesse en hulpbronne. Met die aanbreek van demokrasie is munisipaliteite saamgesmelt in beheerbare afgebakende gebiede met die oog op doeltreffendheid, doelmatigheid en inklusiewe bestuur wat gemik is op verbeterde dienslewering. Hierdie studie ondersoek primêr of beslissingsteunstelsels (DSS) geïmplementeer word by die Letsemeng Plaaslike Munisipaliteit en watter voordele dit vir die gemeenskap inhou insoverre dit dienslewering betref. Die studie is in Letsemeng onderneem aangesien hierdie munisipaliteit verteenwoordigend is van munisipaliteite met soortgelyke uitdagings. Dit fokus op die administratiewe en politieke vermoë om die Letsemeng Plaaslike Munisipaliteit te omvorm in ‘n effektiewe instrument vir dienslewering. Administratiewe vermoë konsentreer primêr op die vermoë van prosedures, stelsels en bestuursvaardighede om ‘n getransformeerde munisipale instelling binne die nuwe demokratiese bestel te bestuur, terwyl politieke vermoë gerig is op die rol van politici (raadslede), ondersteuning en fasilitering om in die behoeftes van die gemeenskap te voldoen. Met inagneming van hierdie faktore is die rol van DSS en IKM (Inligting- en Kennisbestuur) in suksesvolle dienslewering ondersoek deur onderhoude te voer met sleutelbestuurders (munisipale-, finansiële-, tegniese- en bedryfsbestuurders) en deur ondersteunende dokumentasie wat deur die munisipaliteit gebruik word, na te gaan. Daar is bevind dat Letsemeng Plaaslike Munisipaliteit se werksverrigting geraak word deur ‘n gebrek aan DSS ter ondersteuning van bestuurslui en politici, die afwesigheid van toepaslike IKMaanwending vir voortgesette verbetering in dienslewering, hoë personeelomset as gevolg van werknemers wat bedank en minder geskoolde en minder ervare werknemers agterlaat en, in ‘n mindere mate, inmenging deur politici. Daar is ook vasgestel dat die implementering van DSS en IKM nie op sigself dienslewering sal verbeter nie, maar dit kan verbetering meebring indien dit saamval met die Letsemeng Plaaslike Munisipaliteit se BPR (Herbouing van die Bedryfsproses).

Magister Legum - LLM / South Africa

Over the last two decades the impact of power in communicative planning has gained prominence in discussions about meaningful planning, i.e. planning that achieves the goals as set out in the plan and also has wider socially desirable environmental, social and economic outcomes. This study aims to examine the influence of power on communication in the compilation of municipal Integrated Development Planning in South Africa, specifically as it affects intra- and intergovernmental relations in the IDP preparation process in local municipalities. This dissertation is the result of a historical study into the 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 Integrated Development Plan process in the local governments of Kungwini Local Municipality, and Klerksdorp Local Municipality as study areas. The time lapse between the events that took place in these municipalities and the completion of this study assists in providing a more objective view of the power relations at play. Throughout the study emphasis is placed on certain concepts that influence the outcome of planning processes and the planning processes itself, as summarised in the final chapter. They are: <ul> <li> The quality of inter- and intra-governmental relationships;</li> <li> The awareness and use of power in planning;</li> <li> The concept and nature of “meaningful communication”; and</li> <li> The role and impact of power on such communication.</li> </ul> As an exploratory historical study into the power interface in IDP, it provides an interesting perspective on the dynamics of compiling an IDP and opens up the opportunity for more such studies in other local governments in South Africa with the influence of power on communication in intergovernmental planning processes (specifically IDP in local municipalities) and general studies regarding the effect of power in communicative planning as focus. This study also provides an indication of the pressures planners face in the pursuit of meaningful/useful planning results. / Dissertation (MT&RP)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Town and Regional Planning / unrestricted

Thesis (M. Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The new democratic government has introduced integrated development planning as a strategy to enhance service delivery at the municipal level. This study intends to investigate the efficacy of IDP in enhancing service delivery in Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality. This study adopted a normative and evaluative research design. Data was collected using households survey, interviews, observation and literature review. A total of 80 households and 6 key informants participated in the study. The finding revealed that Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality has been implementing the IDP. The integrated development planning has several importance’s for the municipality in particular to addressing service delivery backlogs, promoting community participation towards determining the needs and priorities as well as improving integration and coordination. However, the implementation of the IDP encountered certain challenges including amongst other poor shortage of resources, incomplete projects poor community participation and political meddling. another finding shows that the municipality has increased the level of services to beneficiary households more especially the delivery of electricity while the provision of water, sanitation and refuse removal are still inadequate. However, due to water and electricity cut-off the households developed some coping strategies. Most households reported their dissatisfaction with the provision of water, sanitation and refuse removal. Regarding involvement of communities in service provision respondents highlighted that municipalities held consultation sessions, IDP forums and ward councillor meetings. However, communities are still dissatisfied about their level of involvement. Despite the overall achievements by the municipality in rendering basic services, there is still a service delivery backlog caused by corrupt practices, shortage of resources, lack of capacity and improper targeting. The finding further shows that the implementation of the IDP has contributed significantly to enhance service delivery in the municipality. It is evident that all the development planning and programmes of the municipality start with the IDP hence the municipality is able to plan and deliver in accordance with the intended needs of the people. The services viii and infrastructural projects implemented through has assisted the municipality to provide basic service such as water, electricity and sanitation. In addition, the municipality has also implemented infrastructure including roads to benefit the community. However, the municipality has not fully achieved the provision of basic services due to poor implementation of the IDP which was caused by lack of capacity, poor community participation and shortage of resources. As a remedy, the study recommend that the municipality should give priority to improve the provision of water, electricity particularly for new settlements, sanitation and refuse removal. It is further recommended that the municipality should pay attention to improve community participation, efficient use of MIG and building its capacity to strengthen the planning and implementation of the IDP. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / This study focuses on a critical analysis of sustainability of Local Economic Development (LED) projects in Mutale Municipality in Limpopo Province of South Africa. It furthermore investigates the extent to which the projects sustain project members. Based on an extensive review of the literature, the study explains an understanding of the emerging trends and challenges in sustainability of LED projects nationally and internationally. A mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods is used. The data were collected by means of unstructured interviews and questionnaires from purposively sampled project members and local economic development officers who came from randomly selected projects. The study demonstrates that while there are some benefits derived by LED project members, to a large extent, the projects are not sustainable. LED is not prioritized in terms of resource allocation by the Municipality. In addition, inadequacies of members‘ capacity in leadership and management also retard sustainability. It is therefore recommended that the Municipality has to prioritise LED in terms of resource allocation and building capacity of beneficiaries in management and other business-related competencies.

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / The local sphere of government is the crucible of services delivery in South Africa, however since the first local government election, various local government authorities have been plagued by service delivery. In order to improve such delivery at local level, various legal and policy instruments has been designed, including the enactment of Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act 13 of 2005 (IGRFA). Despite the promulgation the IGRFA to formalise cooperation and collaboration between State departments and the local government authorities, municipalities are still grappling with inefficient and ineffective implementation of service delivery programmes. These failures have resulted in incidents of violent protest by members of local communities against local municipalities across all provinces. The study examines the implementation of intergovernmental relations (IGR) and Intergovernmental Relation Frame Work Act, and the effect thereof on the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery through the prism of Greater Giyani Municipality. The study has adopted the qualitative research methods to determine the extent of IGR and IGRFA implementation amongst and between state institutions. The study also made application of quantitative study to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery undertaken by state institutions within Greater Giyani Municipality. The study found that there are various challenges which impede the implementation of IGR and IGRFA amongst the state institutions, and that such impediments result in ineffective and inefficient rendering of services within the Greater Giyani Municipality. The study further highlights the actions which need to be taken in order circumvent factors which impacts on the implementation of IGRA and IGRFA amongst State institutions. The study makes recommendations which may be adopted by officials of both national and provincial departments and municipalities in order to improve the implementation of IGR and IGRFA to enhance the efficiency of the execution of service delivery programmes. The study has also developed a framework which can be used to enforce the implementation of IGR and IGRFA for the augmentation of service delivery within local municipalities.

The study focuses on the regulation of informal trading, specifically street traders, within Polokwane Local Municipality. Municipalities required to manage street trading, and to deal with the challenge of increasing numbers of informal traders, which is affecting the formal trading economy. A small income and the limited ability of the government and the formal business sector to provide sufficient employment opportunities to people in the economically active age categories are two of the main reasons for informal trading in South African cities. As a result, the informal street trading sector plays an important role in providing a security net for millions of unemployed in the South African economy. However, informal street trading is not without its problems (Willemse, 2011:7). Often people blame government for not creating employment. When government is unable to provide sustainable employment to all the people, informal jobs emerge. Thus informal trading has become the only option for survival. Informal trading is a major source of income for the majority of the urban poor and therefore requires a properly regulated environment to address issues of income and unemployment for the poor. This study undertook to investigate how Polokwane Local Municipality regulates informal trading in the city of Polokwane. The research method employed in this study is qualitative. The main finding of the study is that because informal trading plays a significant role in creating employment, it must be well regulated and supported by the municipality in order to be organised. The main recommendation on the basis of this finding is that there should be a new approach, especially in terms of enforcement of by-laws. Most informal traders have applied for permits and have been waiting for a response from the Polokwane Local Municipality for years. In this regard, most of the informal traders are dissatisfied with municipal treatment of informal trading in the city. This dissatisfaction is also caused by lack of consultation.

Thesis (MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of Local Economic Development (LED) in South African municipalities. LED is meant to address socio-economic injustices inherited from the apartheid regime and provide economic emancipation for all in South Africa. It has been two decades since the inception of LED in South Africa; however, the objectives of LED are seemingly declining. The country is currently experiencing weak economic growth with high unemployment and poverty rates in its communities. The study investigated the nature and role of LED unit as well as strategies in place for implementing LED in local economies. It also investigated the challenges that LED official encounters in the implementation process of LED. The opportunities of the local economy have been identified in order to provide a platform for local economic policy reforms that can be used to recover economic bottlenecks. The study is empirical and used Polokwane Local Municipality as its study area. Both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were employed in the study in which interviews and questionnaires were used to collect primary data. The target population of the study included LED officials in Polokwane Local Municipality and individuals who benefit from LED strategies. The population was sampled randomly and purposefully based on the participants' contextual experience on the objectives of the study. The study found that LED unit in Polokwane Local Municipality is not effective in its implementation of LED. There are LED initiatives in place; however, such initiatives are not entirely effective. The study argues that the role and strategies of LED unit are sound on the paper; however, it lacks maximum impact. The study therefore, provided a number of recommendation that could enhance the effectiveness of LED. The following are some of the recommendation: the LED unit should establish LED awareness that will educate and inform community members of LED; the LED unit needs to have adequate measures to regulate informal trading that is inclusive of foreign traders; LED unit formulates LED policies and strategies in line with opportunities of LED in the municipality; sufficient skills development programmes in the LED unit; the LED unit must provide adequate infrastructure that is suitable for economic growth and should undertake available economic opportunities in each community.

Thesis (M. Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The provision of basic water services delivery to all South African citizens is one of the huge challenges for the local government and it is at the coalface of service delivery. The objective of the study was to determine the factors that influence water service delivery challenges in the local municipality of Makhuduthamaga, in Sekhukhune District Municipality. The statement of the problem, therefore, provided the foundation within which the aims of the study are explained. The significance of this research cannot be over-emphasised, especially against the backdrop that local government is the third sphere of government and is in the front line of service delivery. This study aimed at investigating the water service delivery challenges in the municipality of Makhuduthamaga in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo province. This research was necessitated by the lack of water in Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality. It is evident that there are several challenges in the delivery of water services in the local sphere, however, for the sake of this research only one municipality was selected as a case study. The study employed a qualitative case study research design to collect data from participants who were selected through a purposive sampling technique. The study participants included the local community representatives and the municipal officials responsible for water services in the municipality and the water resources available in the locality such as the Vergelegen, Nkadimeng and De Hoop dams. The finding shows that the available water sources are not adequate to cater for all the residents of the municipality; hence this affects the water delivery efforts of the municipality significantly. As a result, local residents have expressed their dissatisfaction through violent service delivery protests in different wards of the municipality. The study further reveals that the municipality has been facing serious water services challenges over several years. The issue emanates from the water sources which are dried up, illegal connections, incomplete projects by contractors, financial constraints, and poor maintenance planning. The main challenge here is the lack of water sources, poor maintenance, lack of skills and expertise from the employees in the water department, insufficient budget to relieve the water crisis in the municipality and the district at large. The municipality has implemented all the interventions, such as public participation to vi encourage communities to use water sparingly, to pay for services of the municipality for the sake of revenue enhancement and have drilled more boreholes to augment the water services to the communities. This study recommends that the municipality should prioritise their budgeting and align this to the community needs, hiring the correct personnel with relevant skills and expertise in the water related function. Also, the municipality needs to work on the turnaround time for the maintenance of pump stations and fixing of leaking water pipes. They should penalise all the illegally connected households so that they can curb all the recurring illegal connections. The other issue is to improve communications with the communities with relevant stakeholders to ensure that everyone is informed in case of water cuts due to maintenance or cleaning of water reservoirs.