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 (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)

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.

MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute for Government and Policy Studies

MAdmin / Department of Public and Development Administration / i This study focused on the challenges faced by Developmental Local Government in South Africa with specific reference to the Capricorn District Municipality. Local government in South Africa has undergone significant and far-reaching changes. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 stipulates that local government is no longer expected to render basic services only, but also to serve as an agent of development. Mixed research method was used to obtain a picture on the challenges facing developmental local government. Mixed research method made use of qualitative and quantitative research methodology. Quantitative research methodology in this study was used because it enabled the researcher to test relationships, describe and examine cause and effect relations. Qualitative research methodology was used because it covers issues in great depth and detail and allows for the ability to interact with research subjects. For this study, the researcher used a non-probability sampling and its subtype purposive or judgmental sampling method to select the respondents of the study. The reason for using purposive sampling method was to produce a sample that can logically be assumed as representatives of the population.Two data analysis methods where used, that is thematic analysis and statistical analysis. Data collected through questionnaire will be analyzed using a computer program called Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22.0. The findings of the study are:  With regards to the importance of developmental local government the findings revealed that developmental local government was important in that it had ensured effective service delivery.  With regards to the challenges facing developmental local government the study findings revealed that there were indeed challenges with regards to developmental local government. These challenges ranged from lack of understanding of the way local government operates, political differences amongst political parties and failure to implement local economic development policies.  The study findings revealed that the municipality has no stable financial resources to be able to sustain service delivery without national government support. It was further revealed that the municipality has a shortage of relevant critical skills and quality human resources with the required technical and managerial competence to ensure quality service delivery at the local government sphere.  The findings on the strategies that can be used to overcome the challenges of developmental local government revealed that communities need to be educated on the meaning and importance of developmental local government. v The recommendations of the study are:  The researcher recommends that for the communities to be fully aware of the new mandate of developmental local government there is need for Capricorn District municipality to embark on community awareness program to inform people on the importance of developmental local government.  Alternative service delivery methods should be pursued by the Capricorn District Municipality to reduce pressure on the available resources. Services should not be provided through traditional methods only.  It is recommended that the municipality need to improve on local participatory governance. Capricorn District Municipality must secure greater participation by residents in matters of governance. Participation will assist in communities to have an understanding of the way local government operates.  The researcher also recommends that municipal capacity building should be prioritized by the municipality. As a way of mitigating the challenges of critical skills shortages the researcher recommended that relevant municipal officials should attend service excellence training courses.  The researcher recommends that education on the meaning of developmental local government can enhance the performance of Capricorn district municipality

PhD (Public and Development Administration) / Department of Public and Development Administration / The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of unethical behaviour in the South African municipalities. Municipalities are responsible for providing services such as maintenance of local roads, refuse removals, water supply and sanitation, amongst others. However municipalities’ unethical behaviour have produced many disadvantages for themselves and the society at large. Effective and efficient service delivery is negatively affected by unethical behaviour resulting in the waste of government millions of rands each year, money that could have been spent on delivering services. The fact that there is unethical behaviour in municipalities can be interpreted as a total absence of ethical culture in the behaviour of municipal officials. Municipal officials are encouraged to uphold moral principles such as impartiality, accountability and trustworthy while performing their official duties. Given this background, the research project attempted to provide explanations for the patterns of unethical conduct and also pointed out strategies that could be employed to curb unethical behaviour in municipalities. For the purpose of this study, the researcher employed both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The researcher used purposive sampling to select respondents of the study. Two (2) instruments were used to collect data, namely, questionnaires and interviews. To analyse data, two types of data analysis were used. For data collected through questionnaires, the researcher used the Statistical Package for Social Sciences to analyse data. Data collected through interviews were analysed through the use of thematic analysis in the form of narrative. The study revealed specific unethical behaviour that were prevalent at Vhembe District Municipality. The study indicated that senior municipal officials must ensure that ethics initiatives systems and programmes should be put in place so that conducive ethical environment is created. The results indicated that despite challenges, employed strategies provided desired results. Specific solutions such improving employment practices and procurement activities were recommended that could improve ethical standards in the municipalities. / NRF

Thesis (MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The purpose of this study was to investigate municipal-citizen communication channels of the Thulamela Local Municipality, and their implications on service delivery. The study adopted a mixed method, qualitative-quantitative sequential approach. Qualitative data was sourced from key-informants comprised of community leaders, Ward Committee members, and a Community Development Workers. Quantitative data was sourced from ordinary community members of Dumasi village. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were used as data collection tools for both the qualitative and quantitative phases. Thematic Content Analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. Data analysis for the quantitative data was conducted using Cronbach’s Alpha, t-test and ANOVA test. The findings from both studies revealed that respondents perceived Thulamela Municipality’s communication channels to be ineffective. Community members’ reluctance to attend community meetings and lack of proper feedback were identified as the main causes. The findings further revealed that ineffectiveness of the communication channels leads to an increase in the number of community service delivery protests. Several suggestions are made resulting from the findings of this study. These include the designing and implementation of context-specific, municipal-citizen communication channels, in consultation with local communities.

Thesis (MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The purpose of the study was to investigate citizens’ level of trust in service delivery in Makhado Municipality by assessing the relationship between the performance of local government and the level of trust of citizens in the Municipality. In addition, the study sought to establish whether citizens’ involvement in decision-making in local government has an effect on their level of trust; and to establish the approaches which are important to improve citizens’ trust in local government. Data was collected through a questionnaire which was administered to 100 residents of Makhado Municipality. The findings of the study revealed that the citizens of Makhado Municipality do not trust in the service delivery in the Municipality. Residents are dissatisfied with most of the services they are receiving from the Municipality. It was determined that water shortage is the biggest problem in the Municipality, and residents spend days without water which poses serious risks to their health. Housing provision is another area that residents are displeased with. There is no transparency in the allocation of RDP houses, nepotism and corruption are rife and the quality of these houses is also poor. The area of roads and storm water supply is also of concern. Roads and streets in the municipality are in a bad state with potholes everywhere. Some roads and streets that were tarred have been turned into gravel roads, gravel roads in villages are also in a bad state of disrepair because they are not consistently maintained. The findings further revealed that service delivery challenges in the Municipality are caused by a lack of consultation and leadership, as well as corruption and if these three factors are addressed, service delivery will improve and trust would be fostered amongst citizens. This study recommends that the Municipality should develop its own anti-corruption strategies; invest in research and form partnerships with tertiary institutions; improve public participation and consultation; and collaborate with other government departments. Unfortunately, the research findings cannot be generalised to other municipalities since they differ in terms of categories and responsibilities. Nonetheless, some ideologies of the recommendations can be applied to other municipalities.