Thesis (MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The study investigated the effectiveness of intergovernmental relations in improving service delivery in the Thabazimbi Local Municipality. Literature argue that despite the relationship between the three spheres of government, Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) does not always promote the constitutional objectives of cooperative governance which impacts on how socio-economic rights such as the provision of adequate housing are implemented. The study was conducted under the premise of quantitative methodology. A purposive sample of 42 respondents was used representing different department/sections/subsections of the Municipality, namely; Office of the Mayor, Office of the Municipal Manager, Chief Financial Officer, Town Planning and Economic Planning, and Cooperate Office. The outcome pointed out that the majority of participants agreed that the IGR framework and other legislation governing the IGR process to enhance service delivery were not fully known and understood to them. The results of the study revealed that there are no structures or forums in place to promote and facilitate intergovernmental relations and provide for appropriate mechanisms to ensure an improved service delivery. Some of the recommendations of the study include appointment of the IGR practitioner, that the TLM should embark on community programmes to inform people on the importance of IGR in developing the Municipality.

Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Local government is seriously affecting governance due to lack of leadership, management, technical skills and knowledge within government. Shortage of skills is a continuous challenge at district level and in skills development activities despite considerable expenditure on skills development. The district officials are compromised because human resource development directorates have poorly planned effective training. The Local Government Municipal Systems Act (South Africa, 2000) relating to municipalities state that staff development is important for effectiveness and efficiency in compliance with legislation and enabling the performance of functions. The above challenges have stimulated the researcher to embark on this research. The study was aimed to investigate the importance of managerial skills in the implementation of the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant in Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo Province.The study determined the managerial skills possessed by officials, attempted to understand how the officials in Mopani District Municipality manage the implementation of the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant. The study further explored training programmes that can equip municipal officials with managerial skills. Mopani District Municipality has a mandate as the local government to service communities. National Treasury funds the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant; usage of the grant must be accounted for, regulations and frameworks guide its implementation. An overview of Water Infrastructure development by the Deputy Director-General NWRI from the Department of Water Affairs, shows that there are 27 District including MDM that are allocated the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant for the new infrastructure development, refurbishment, for the ageing infrastructure to be upgraded and replaced and extensive areas across municipal boundaries to be serviced. The Department of Water Affairs report indicates that due to delays in the procurement of material, engineering new appointments and other services, projects for 2017/18 financial year in Limpopo province have been delayed to the 2018/19 financial year. The research approach that was used in this study is qualitative research because it enables the researcher to critically investigate the importance of managerial skills in the implementation of the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant in Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo Province. The study employed both interviews and questionnaires for data collection. The interview was done at Mopani District Municipality and Mopani Community (Beneficiary) were given semi-structured questionnaires. The findings reveal that officials in Mopani District Municipality do not possess business skills. The officials that are trained received either traditional or competencybased training and do not possess managerial skills for implementation of RBIG. The study further noted that Mopani District Municipality is no longer an implementing agent due to the challenges the district encountered. The project had challenges that made the project not being completed within a stipulated period which was 2018. The Department of Water Affairs appointed Lepelle Northern Water as RBIG implementing agents due to the above challenges. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made to Mopani District Municipality officials: • The district Human Resource Development office must afford officials training prior to being appointed. The HRD must conduct a skills audit to be able to know which officials need skills development. • Department of Water Affairs, Lepelle Northern Water and Mopani District Municipality must forge good intergovernmental relations ensuring that end service is delivered to residents. • Mopani District Municipality must partner with the University of Limpopo, University of Venda, Tshwane University of Technology, University of South Africa and so forth for providing effective traditional training.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Public Administration)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / This study was undertaken in four villages which are Makgemeng, Maroga Phalatseng, Mooihoek, and Legabeng, in the Limpopo Province. The aim of the study was to examine whether local communities were benefitting from the local mine, whether the mine promoted an acceptable number of LED projects; whether the mine complied with the Mineral Petroleum and Resources Development Act 2002 (MPRDA), initiatives such as Black Economic Empowerment and Social Labour Policies, and whether the mine helped the development of the local economy, and whether the mine promoted job creation through down-streaming beneficiation which is the core beneficiation form where a mineral is extracted, processed and sold as a finished product and side streaming beneficiation which is an extended form of beneficiation through infrastructures, roads, harbours, airports, railways, institutions The study was anchored on the modernisation theory with a focus on the Sachs economic stages. Four hundred participants took part in the study. The mixed methods research design which integrates both quantitative and qualitative was applied since the study was aimed at exploring and giving in-depth analysis of the relationship between mineral resource wealth gained by the mining industry, and the ongoing poverty and marginalisation in the four rural mining communities. Literature reviewed for the study establishes that despite mining legislation, local economic development growth in rural mining communities remains problematic due to lack of compliance of the Mining Charter which is a legislative instrument of the MPRDA. South Africa has not managed to advance its state of manufacturing through mineral beneficiation as it continues to export minerals partially processed thereby missing out on the full economic value of job creation and industrialisation. Moreover, minimal transformation amongst the Blacks in the rural mining communities has transpired as envisioned under the MPRDA. Instead, an elite core of Blacks have broken into the mining industry while a majority remain marginalised. It is argued that for South Africa to succeed in promoting mineral industrialization through LED in rural communities, it will have to address the challenges that rural typologies mining communities face which include challenges at municipal capacity level, lack of policy alignment between local and national government, historical mistrust between the mining industry and the community, spatial economics and minimal business attraction. Globalisation it is argued can also be addressed better through the modernization framework which promotes strong state intervention of legislative oversight. Most industrialised states it is asserted reached the final economic stage of services through iii interventionist procedures unlike neoliberalism which promotes minimal state participation in the business sector. Neoliberalism has been the bedrock of South Africa’s economic policies since 1994. Due to neoliberalism, South Africa has been forced to take into consideration global trends focused on increasing economic interdependence, and also constrained the ability of South Africa’s ability to diversify its mining sector and communities. The findings confirm that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) should create a program that will serve as a one stop shop to provide mining information for the local government on mining programs facilitated, and ensure that they are managed properly with the communities involved. This program should also capacitate the local government officials in addressing legislative oversight issues such as Social labour policies with the mines so that they don’t go unchecked. Most of the community members perceived that the mine was not genuinely interested in promoting the development of their communities, particularly in regards to LED projects. The government also need to address the low literacy rate at the mining rural communities which has become a roadblock for transformation. Industrialisation requires a qualified human stock that would be able to professionally deliver on BEE related services and development. For MPRDA to succeed as a beneficiation tool, it can only be accomplished through human resource development beginning at basic education. Value-addition to minerals is only achievable by a well-trained and fully equipped labour force The study also confirmed that the mines were unwilling to engage with the communities, did not understand the communities, were not transparent with them on tenders or procurements, and made minimal effort to assist develop the communities. A majority of the mines did not participate in the integrated development plan, and most of the community members indicated that the mine did not view them as stakeholders. Lack of corporate social responsibility efforts to alleviate poverty in the communities will only further tension and conflict within the community. Moreover, this continued practice by the mines perpetuates lack of transformation as required by the MPRDA leading the mining industry to remains predominately under the control of white owned companies and rural communities to remain marginalized and undeveloped. In summary, the DMR should stop relying on the mines to transform and comply to all the MPRDA requirements without any form of effective oversight. / Human Science Research Council (HSRC)

The study focused primarily on the socio-economic benefit(s) of land reform beneficiaries with regard to food security. The study further investigated the socio-economic impact of selected land reform projects in the Limpopo Province which is also very critical for many parts of South Africa. Apart from the traditional output based evaluation of land reform projects, the study managed to identify key significant variables that could be the focus in reforming land reform projects in the future. The study also highlights variables that could contribute positively or negatively to the attainment of socio-economic deliverables of the objectives of land reform. The conclusive data for the study was obtained from 170 beneficiaries of the land reform programme. Beneficiaries have benefited from Land Redistribution and Agricultural Development (LRAD) and Settlement Land Acquisition Grant (SLAG) sub-programmes of land reform in the area of Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality within the Greater Sekhukhune District Local Municipality. The Multinomial Logic Model (MLM) was regarded as the best model for data analysis and was used to analyse the degree of contribution of socio-economic factors to food security among beneficiaries of LRAD and SLAG. Three categories were selected to determine the level of beneficiaries satisfaction with food security, namely; 1) None; 2) Moderate and 3) High. Dependent variables selected were 1) Number of beneficiaries, 2) Gender, 3) Farm size/ha, 4) Enterprise, 5) Land reform sub programme, 6) Proximity to the project, 7) Decision, 8) Knowledge, 9) Skills, 10) Training, 11) participation in Development organisation, 12) Sustaining production, and 13) Sustaining financial obligation. The study indicated that the participation of beneficiaries in decision making could contribute positively to the attainment of food security. A positive relationship with food security was determined and confirmed the study hypothesis. Knowledge was also found to have a significant relationship with the attainment of household food security. Knowledge was again found linked to training of beneficiaries which in general was inadequate. The study further revealed that almost all beneficiaries were failing to maintain production and financial obligations. Contrary to the hypothesis, enterprise was not found to be significant to the attainment of beneficiaries’ household food security. v The study concluded that land reform is still relevant to food security in the area. It was also concluded that there is a need to develop a comprehensive agricultural development plan to advance the objective of the land reform programme. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M.Sc. (Agriculture)

The study focused primarily on the socio-economic benefit(s) of land reform beneficiaries with regard to food security. The study further investigated the socio-economic impact of selected land reform projects in the Limpopo Province which is also very critical for many parts of South Africa. Apart from the traditional output based evaluation of land reform projects, the study managed to identify key significant variables that could be the focus in reforming land reform projects in the future. The study also highlights variables that could contribute positively or negatively to the attainment of socio-economic deliverables of the objectives of land reform. The conclusive data for the study was obtained from 170 beneficiaries of the land reform programme. Beneficiaries have benefited from Land Redistribution and Agricultural Development (LRAD) and Settlement Land Acquisition Grant (SLAG) sub-programmes of land reform in the area of Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality within the Greater Sekhukhune District Local Municipality. The Multinomial Logic Model (MLM) was regarded as the best model for data analysis and was used to analyse the degree of contribution of socio-economic factors to food security among beneficiaries of LRAD and SLAG. Three categories were selected to determine the level of beneficiaries satisfaction with food security, namely; 1) None; 2) Moderate and 3) High. Dependent variables selected were 1) Number of beneficiaries, 2) Gender, 3) Farm size/ha, 4) Enterprise, 5) Land reform sub programme, 6) Proximity to the project, 7) Decision, 8) Knowledge, 9) Skills, 10) Training, 11) participation in Development organisation, 12) Sustaining production, and 13) Sustaining financial obligation. The study indicated that the participation of beneficiaries in decision making could contribute positively to the attainment of food security. A positive relationship with food security was determined and confirmed the study hypothesis. Knowledge was also found to have a significant relationship with the attainment of household food security. Knowledge was again found linked to training of beneficiaries which in general was inadequate. The study further revealed that almost all beneficiaries were failing to maintain production and financial obligations. Contrary to the hypothesis, enterprise was not found to be significant to the attainment of beneficiaries’ household food security. v The study concluded that land reform is still relevant to food security in the area. It was also concluded that there is a need to develop a comprehensive agricultural development plan to advance the objective of the land reform programme. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M.Sc. (Agriculture)

MPM / Oliver Reginald Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies

MPM / Olive Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies

PhDRDV / Institute for Rural Development

Institute for Rural Development / PHDRDV

PhD (Administration) / Department of Public and Development Administration / The focus of this study is on the role of the integrated development plan in community development. This study focuses on Limpopo province, but for the purpose of this study the research was conducted in Capricorn district municipality which is comprised of the following five (5) local municipalities: Blouberg, Aganang, Molemole, Polokwane and Lepelle-Nkumpi. The District Municipality is expected by the government and communities to play an active role towards community development as a central feature on local government development. The district municipality must be involved in the development of its communities in partnership with local municipalities, communities and other structures which can play an active role in community development. The integrated development plan is a process through which a municipality can establish a developmental plan for the short, medium and long term. In terms of the Local Government Municipal Structures Act No 117 of 1998 all municipalities have a responsibility and accountability to develop their communities which will have an impact on the daily lives of South Africans. In view of this mandate, Capricorn District Municipality must develop its vision, mission and objectives to meet community needs and improve the quality of life of all people. Developmental local government is local government committed to work with citizens and groups within the community in order to find sustainable ways to meet people’s social, economic and material needs. South Africa and in particular Capricorn District Municipality has a back-log of services that have not been provided to the previously disadvantaged communities. The integrated development plan is intended to redress all the past economic imbalances. Municipalities must focus their efforts and resources on community development especially on communities and groups which have been previously marginalised or excluded from economic and community development, such as women, disabled people, and very poor people by the apartheid government. Challenges of the integrated development plan which are experienced by the community are poor service delivery, poor implementation of the integrated development plan, corruption in district municipal projects and poor financial management. ii The researcher intends to follow a mixed method approach in which both qualitative and to a lesser degree quantitative approaches will be used. The reason for using a mixed method is because the study can be integrated in such a way that qualitative and quantitative methods will retain their originality. In this study, a qualitative approach is applicable because it allows openness to ideas, opinions, feelings, experiences and perceptions which may be expressed by research participants to the researcher. The researcher will for the purpose of this study be more interested on the qualitative study as it will be able to give results from the respondents. The researcher will use a Likert scale questionnaire in order to source out information regarding the role of the integrated development plan in community development. The researcher will use non-probability sampling and its subtype purposive sampling method in order to obtain results from participants. Although there are different types of sampling, the researcher intends to use non probability sampling which is by and large more successful than quota sampling. In this process, purposive sampling will