Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / Rural communities in South Africa, including Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality, experience mobility problems in order to access facilities like hospitals, police stations, schools and shopping centres. This research study attempted to identify factors that affect effective implementation of community road infrastructure projects under the jurisdiction of Makhuduthamaga Local Municipal Council. The study was qualitative in nature wherein municipal officials directly involved in provision and maintenance of road infrastructure in the municipality, ward councillors and a consultant were interviewed. The study wanted to understand how councillors, officials and consultant observe service delivery in terms of road infrastructure in the area. The respondents indicated that the project management unit is trying very hard to ensure that service provision is spread adequately but the challenges experienced hamper effective service delivery. The identified challenges include: interference, including political interference of some stakeholders, service providers who are not experienced enough, inadequate finances and supply chain systems and policies which seem to be ill-defined and/or not implemented properly. There is a need for the government to invest more in infrastructure, specifically roads. It was proven from the findings of this study that the government still has to do more in providing quality roads in rural areas. The municipality should prioritise financial allocation or provision for road infrastructure in their budget to help in the stimulation of the burden experienced by everyone in this regard. The study recommends that the Project management unit needs to adhere to policy and contracts that bind service providers. There should be training of officials and service providers to improve the quality and effectiveness of the services rendered.

Thesis (M.Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The study focused on the Local Economic Development (LED) challenges facing the local government in Limpopo Province. The specific study area was Motumo Trading Post located in Molemole Local Municipality. Molemole Local Municipality is one of the five municipalities in the Capricorn District Municipality. The study was qualitative in nature and included some elements of quantitative research in the form of numbers, graphs and tables and concentrated on the functionality of the Motumo Trading Post project. The respondents in this study were the community members of Matoks (known as Botlokwa in Sepedi), the Councillors of Molemole Municipality, managers of both Molemole local Municipality and Capricorn District Municipality, the traditional leaders and mayors of Molemole Local Municipality and Capricorn District Municipality. The study indicates that the local government, through municipalities is faced with challenges of bringing about economic growth to the poor people, especially in rural areas, through local economic development projects. The findings in this study indicate that Motumo Trading Post, which is a government initiative to improve the standard of living of Matoks community, has had no impact since its completion. The community of Matoks did not benefit from the project and the plans by the municipalities were not realised. The study also shows that not enough was done to involve the stakeholders in the planning and development of the project.

Thesis (M.Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The study seek to analyze the role of the Local Government in distribution of equitable and basic needs to its community through efficient and effective service delivery through the utilization municipal infrastructure grant. Municipal service delivery is still a major concern in South Africa. In terms of the Constitution of South Africa (Act 106 of 1996), municipalities are the only spheres of government that are mandated for delivery of basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity, refuse removal, development and maintenance of community infrastructure, storm water, primary health and provision of better housing to the poorest of the poor. The new dispensation in 1994, necessitated the transformation of the municipalities towards service delivery. The apartheid system was characterized by inequities in terms of provision of sustainable needs to its communities. The service delivery was fragmented along racial lines. Blacks were largely excluded from better services, while the minority enjoyed the services of municipalities around the country. Various laws, policies were enacted to find ways of ensuring that municipalities are responsive to community’s demands and needs in an equitable manner. The White Paper on Local Government in 1998, outlined some strategies that needs to be followed for the Local Government to achieve its objective. The background of the study, problem statements highlighted the historical imbalances in the system and how it can be redressed to provide good governance at the local government. The research questions form the basis of the study. The questionnaire for data gathering were formulated in line with the research questionnaire. Municipalities are characterized by service backlog, lack of skills (administratively and technically), lack of transparency and accountability that contribute to major challenges faced by municipalities in service provision. The research methodology used in this study focused more on the qualitative to allow participants to express their feelings in a descriptive manner and less on the iv quantitative approach wherein figures were reflected in a form of tables and graphs . The provision of service, as a social phenomena focused on human beings as object of study. Ethical considerations were taken into account. Questionnaires were distributed to executive directors and officials in strategic positions of service delivery of City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and also to SALGA, CoGTA and National Treasury. The aim of the questionnaire was to find out and assess the challenges faced by municipal officials on their day to day activities regarding the management and utilization of MIG in a responsible and accountable manner. Extensive literature review covered a range of books, journals, African National Congress (ANC) Manifesto, Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), White Paper, Discussion Documents and City of Tshwane’s Annual Reports, Service Delivery Strategies Reports and other related documents that advocate for service delivery challenges and its impact. The findings revealed that municipalities faced common challenges that impede on the progress of service delivery. Some of the challenges are beyond their control like the non-availability of government owned land. Most of municipalities are characterized by lack of funding, under-spending or over-spending. Media news regularly covers negative aspects such as corruption that occurs in municipalities and not positive issues of delivery of service. In the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, housing is still a major challenge. The ever increasing demand from communities also impact on the budget of the municipality. Immigration in Tshwane area have negative effect on service delivery, particularly the housing backlog and proper sanitation.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2010 / Refer to document

Thesis (Ph.D. (Development Studies)) --University of Limpopo, 2014 / In South Africa, various studies have indicated that achieving developmental mandates by local authorities is one of the biggest challenges largely due to poor planning and implementation. For instance, many local municipalities had performed inadequately in relation to their functionalities in planning and implementation of various IDP initiatives in Limpopo. The purpose of this research was to assess how local municipalities can further enhance their effectiveness in planning and implementation of development initiatives at the local level in Capricorn District Municipality, Limpopo Province South Africa. The methodology of this study was largely a qualitative case study and the quantitative approach was also used to augment the qualitative findings. The study was undertaken in three local municipalities such as Polokwane, Lepelle-Nkumpi and Agnang by engaging various IDP stakeholders including local government officers and the community representatives. The findings indicated that the local municipalities in the study area have not successfully played their role in local development. The basic service delivery was largely inadequate, the role in poverty alleviation was insufficient and community participation remains a serious concern at the local level. The finding reveals, inter alia, that the decision making process is limited, delayed and inconsistent; the institutional capacity was largely inadequate; limited understanding of IDP; limited stakeholder’s commitment; limited responsiveness to the local needs and priorities; and challenges in inclusive and wider involvement at ward and village levels. Furthermore, it was discovered that the local municipalities has not effectively addressed the planning and implementation of IDPs. The finding shows, inter alia, that tendency of top-down and technocratic planning; a concern over IDP on whether iv it reflects people’s needs and aspirations; lack of mobilisation of local resources; difficulty in integration and coordination; IDP projects implementation is slow, lacks sustainability and limited impact; and poor monitoring and evaluation of IDPs due to limited participation, lack of capacity and deficiencies in processes and procedures. Based on the findings, this research proposed the necessary strategic interventions and a framework for improving the effectiveness of the existing approach to planning and implementation of IDPs in the local municipalities. Therefore, it is recommended that local municipalities should promote their development role through strengthening the decision making process, institutional capacity, commitment, responsiveness and inclusive approach to local development. It is also recommended that local municipalities should emphasize more on people’s needs and priorities and encourages ward based planning approach to improve the planning process of IDPs. Likewise, local municipalities should strengthen their IDP implementation through mobilisation of local resources, better integration and coordination, improved project implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Furthermore, the proposed framework for strengthening the planning and implementation of IDPs be implemented, evaluated and integrated into the current IDP process of the local municipalities. Key concepts: development, decentralised development, local government, development role of local government, integrated development planning, Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), development planning, and development implementation.

Thesis (DTech. in Public Management)

Approximately three-quarters of the population in South Africa live in rural areas and are under the governance of traditional leadership, whose practice has been the source of controversy in the post-apartheid era. The institution of traditional leadership has been historically regarded as the main ruling system closest to and accepted by the people at grassroots level. The aim of this research is to investigate the role of traditional leaders in local government in the Vulindlela and Impendle areas, Pietermaritzburg. The objective is to present a historical overview of the role of traditional leaders and to analyse the role traditional leaders have to play in development. The research examines whether the tension between traditional leaders and municipal councillors hinder development to the masses in Vulindlela and Impendle areas. The methodology adopted for this study was a qualitative research approach, which was used to analyse the roles played by traditional leaders in rural local government development. The main findings of the study reveal that traditional leaders and authorities are essential political, social and economic structures for maintaining the socio-political order that is a prerequisite for rural development. Any endeavor to create a full democratic society in South Africa must utilize the intrinsic strengths of traditional leaders. The institution of traditional leaders should be transformed to move with the times. Many traditional leaders accept the role they have to play as part of the new order as well as the resulting challenge associated with the process of transformation. In principle, traditional authorities should not be drawn into party politics and their role should remain one of neutral leadership. Traditional authorities are seen in their communities as the institutional form of government closest to the people and therefore need to be preserved. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietemaritzburg, 2004.

It is frequently claimed that the role of government, especially that at the local level, is to facilitate the creation and sustainability of a conducive environment in which business may flourish. Indeed, in the National Framework for Local Economic Development, municipalities are urged to promote the conditions in which business enterprises may flourish, economic equitability may be achieved and jobs will be created. (DPLG, 2006) When the exact nature of a conducive environment is considered, however, there is little clarity as to the elements that contribute towards such an environment. In various endeavours to define the desirable elements of a conducive or enabling business environment, agencies, among them the World Bank, have commissioned or produced reports on this subject. In most cases, however, it is a regulatory arena that has been given attention, and this often at the national rather than local level. The primary concern of this study is not a regulatory framework, which in South Africa is only mildly influenced by local government, but the ways in which municipalities create or inhibit hospitable conditions for business through policies and strategies which often appear to be devoid of understanding as to how business operates and what it requires to flourish. The researcher's experience as the manager of a chamber of commerce over fourteen years during which he has engaged with local businesses and their difficulties and successes, has provided a sense of what the factors are that, particularly, inhibit business growth. Respondents, which are companies of all sizes and types within chambers of commerce in various parts of the country, were asked to assess the extent to which these factors inhibit or promote business. They were also asked to add any others that had not been listed already. The suggested elements fall into various categories ranging from the delivery of municipal services in various spheres to assessments of the skills capacity of local communities. It was expected that the responses would enable the researcher to describe more accurately what constitutes a conducive environment in the experience of business enterprises. The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) was interested in, and sanctioned, this research which, it is believed could be expanded later into the development of a Hospitability Index by which municipalities may benchmark their establishment and maintenance of an environment conducive to business. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.

The ending of apartheid and the transformation process in South Africa, the transition to democracy brought with them fundamental changes to the form and function of the State. In particular, they bring a restructuring of co-operative governance and intergovernmental relations. The responsibilities, functions and powers of the three spheres of government (national, provincial and local) were changed and streamlined as stated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 108 of 1996. The system of intergovernmental relations delineated in the Constitution differs significantly from that of the previous dispensation, particularly in its ambitions to advance democracy and to improve service delivery to all South Africans. Of particular significance is the respect in the fact that instead of the inherently conflicting intergovernmental relations that characterises most modern states, the Constitution actively promotes co-operation between different levels of government. The Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, 13 of 2005 was promulgated on 15 August 2005. The Act provides for an institutional framework for the three spheres of government to facilitate coherent government, effective provision of services, monitoring the implementation of policy and legislation, and realisation of developmental goals of government as a whole. All spheres of government must provide effective, efficient, transparent, accountable and coherent government in order to ensure the progressive realisation of constitutional rights. One of the most pervasive challenges facing the country as a developmental state is the need for government to redress poverty, underdevelopment, marginalisation of people and communities and other legacies of apartheid and discrimination. This challenge can only be addressed through a concerted effort by government in all spheres to work together and integrate as far as possible their actions in the provision of service, alleviation of poverty and development of the communities. Co-operation and integration of actions in government depends on a stable and effective system of intergovernmental relations, one in which each of the spheres respect the relative autonomy of the other whilst appreciating the interrelatedness and interdependence of the three spheres. The study elaborated on the research as well as the research problem. In so doing, it further looked at the historical overview of the transition to a democratic South Africa which brought a significant change in the reconfiguration of the state. The studies further deals with a critique of co-operative governance and intergovernmental relations in the Eastern Cape and discuss the perspective on service delivery. In order to critically evaluate the notion of co-operative governance and intergovernmental relations in South Africa with specific reference to Eastern Cape, the study recommended that intergovernmental planning and budgeting, management of change, support and capacity building, communication and stakeholder engagement and institutional arrangement interventions be embarked upon. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

No abstract available.