Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / The purpose of this qualitative research was to investigate the effects of migration on municipal planning using the case of the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality in the Limpopo Province. The research derives its origin from the notion that municipal planning, which does not consider population dynamics, is incomplete. Municipalities in South Africa are mandated to provide services to community members within their jurisdiction with limited available resources. To achieve this municipalities are expected to develop plans, referred to as Integrated Development Plans (IDPs). The IDPs are informed by various aspects for their completeness, namely: alignment with the national development perspective and consideration of population dynamics. The research was designed to explore the experience and understanding of municipal officials who are responsible for planning activities in the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality and the manner in which migration affects such municipal planning. This qualitative research employed a phenomenological method as the most appropriate to capture the perspective, understanding and experiences of individuals who were differently involved in migration and municipal planning processes. The research revealed how migration affects planning within municipal invironment in South Africa by using the experiences of municipal officials who are involved in planning activities in the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality. Among others,the research revealed the following findings, namely; (1) Migration in the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality is caused by several factors such job opportunities in the mines, better services in towns and townships among others,(2) the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality does not consider migration during community consultation processes, needs prioritisation and resource allocation, (3) the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality does not have effectivemigration data management system, (4) there is a lack of co-operation between the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality with otherspheres of government which are responsible for migration management, (5) Powers and functions delegated to the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality inhibit migration management and municipal planning and (6)there is sufficient legislative framework regulating migration management and inter-governmental relations in South Africa, however there is no implementation of such legislative framework by government officials. iii The overall experience of participants with regard to migration and municipal planning generally confirms findings of previous researches (Blase & Landau, 2014; Hofisi, 2014; Netswera & Phago, 2011) who for example, argue that migration is not taken into consideration during municipal decision making processes, need prioritisation and resource allocation. However, unlike the findings in previous researches (Friedementle & Misago, 2014; Mpehle, 2014) which highlight that municipal officials have negative attitudes towards migration this research revealed that municipal officials in the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality appreciate migrants. Municipal officials interviewed in this research appreciate migration and the challenges it poses to the municipality. Furthermore, contrary to what some reports highlight, participants in this research did not experience xenophobic attacks in the area despite the high prevalence of migration. Participants recommended that more powers and functions such as provision of water, electricity, migration management and others should be devolved to local municipalities as the sphere closest to the people. Participants further recommended that a dedicated research unit be institutionalised within municipalities to collect data which will supplement those of Statistics South Africa, and that other spheres of government should co-operate and capacitate local municipalities. This qualitative research is significant because the data gathered were analysed to develop themes which provide insight into how migration affects municipal planning, which planners in municipal environment can learn from and apply. It also contributes to a growing body of scholarly work and provides a conduit for future studies concerning the central phenomena - migration and municipal planning. This is vital, given the increasing pressure exerted by migration on municipalities and their limited resources.

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2001 / Refer to document

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.

The South African government is obliged to render basic services for the people through local government municipalities. These basic services include among others the development of adequate roads, clean water and electricity. The responsibility of the delivery of these services was given to the municipality after the 1994 general elections, with the belief that it is the government that is closer to the people on the ground than the national and provincial governments. The issue of the provision of quality roads in rural areas of South African still remains a critical challenge. The issue addressed in this study is the provision of quality roads provided in Polokwane Municipality. The study focused on the implementation of roads infrastructure development project in rural areas of South Africa and the provision of roads in the rural areas of Polokwane Municipality in Capricorn District, with a special focus on the provision of roads in the rural villages of Thabakgone, Komaneng, Segopje and Ga-Molepo. The study used data collection instruments such as interviews, questionnaires and supporting documents, such as Polokwane Integrated Development Plan and relevant scientific articles to collect data in the four selected villages. The findings of the study revealed that the provision of roads infrastructure in the municipality is of substandard quality, and that the provision of quality roads in the areas is required.

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.

During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the City of Ottawa implemented a program to disseminate vaccination clinic information using the microblogging tool Twitter. The purpose of this thesis is to examine and evaluate whether this program constitutes a communicative model. The challenge for crisis communicators has been to convince a confused and skeptical public to be vaccinated against the virus. Drawing on Aristotle’s Rhetoric and Rousseau’s The Social Contract, the theoretical framework of this thesis feeds from Heidegger’s (1977) views on technology, new media, Web 2.0 technologies, Eid’s (2008) Crisis Decision-Making Model for Media Rational Responsibility, Rowan, Botan, Krepes, Samoilenko and Farnsworth’s (2008) CAUSE model, Crozier’s (1967) Theory of Bureaucratic Dysfunction and New Public Management. The thesis employs a case study approach and utilizes a qualitative research design to analyze the Twitter messages and internal City of Ottawa documents, and to conduct in-depth interviews with employees. Findings reveal and explain that the City of Ottawa’s program constitutes a flawed communicative model. A recommended communicative model is put forth in order to improve the areas of planning, human resources and message design. This model contributes to the emerging field of social media, and is intended to help health crisis decision-makers communicate their messages effectively.

During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the City of Ottawa implemented a program to disseminate vaccination clinic information using the microblogging tool Twitter. The purpose of this thesis is to examine and evaluate whether this program constitutes a communicative model. The challenge for crisis communicators has been to convince a confused and skeptical public to be vaccinated against the virus. Drawing on Aristotle’s Rhetoric and Rousseau’s The Social Contract, the theoretical framework of this thesis feeds from Heidegger’s (1977) views on technology, new media, Web 2.0 technologies, Eid’s (2008) Crisis Decision-Making Model for Media Rational Responsibility, Rowan, Botan, Krepes, Samoilenko and Farnsworth’s (2008) CAUSE model, Crozier’s (1967) Theory of Bureaucratic Dysfunction and New Public Management. The thesis employs a case study approach and utilizes a qualitative research design to analyze the Twitter messages and internal City of Ottawa documents, and to conduct in-depth interviews with employees. Findings reveal and explain that the City of Ottawa’s program constitutes a flawed communicative model. A recommended communicative model is put forth in order to improve the areas of planning, human resources and message design. This model contributes to the emerging field of social media, and is intended to help health crisis decision-makers communicate their messages effectively.

M. Tech. Public Management / In this case study of the Section 79 governance model, adopted by the City of Tshwane in 2011, the researcher explores the feasibility of the implementation of the Section 79 Governance Model in the local government. The key lessons learnt from the experience of the implementation of Section 79 Governance Model by the City of Tshwane are used to make three sets of recommendations. The first set of recommendations advises policy makers in RSA on development / establishment of a legislative framework that would formalize the section 79 oversight committees. The second set of recommendations relates to identifying the challenges faced by the City of Tshwane in implementing the Section 79 governance model. The third set of recommendation identifies the resources required for successful implementation of section 79 governance model.

M. Tech. Cost and Management Accounting / This study analysed perceptions on the application of cost accounting in the budgeting process, a case of the City of Tshwane municipality. The focus was generally recognised costing techniques used. Employee perceptions were analysed to determine whether recognised costing techniques were being applied, and if so, were those costing techniques being efficiently and effectively applied. An analysis of the employee perceptions of the reliability of the currently implemented costing techniques for the preparation of budget estimates, together with the employees' perceptions of management's implementation and maintenance of the budget estimates as required by legislation governing municipal budgeting process was also carried out.