The main objective of the study is to explore the accountability of the ward councillors through the application of the Batho Pele principles in Lukhanji Municipality. Accountability is regarded as the key aspect for any government in which it should be monitored and maintained. The main problem to be addressed by this study is the ways in which the ward councillors can improve accountability applying the Batho Pele principles. To address the research problem and to achieve the aims of this study, an empirical research was done by distributing self-administered questionnaires to the participants in Lukhanji Municipality. The research findings revealed that in Lukhanji Municipality poor accountability of the ward councillors in which it needs improvement. Another finding is that poor accountability is caused by the lack of understanding of the Batho Pele principles, lack of understanding of the accountability mechanisms and poor relations between the community and ward councillors. The research findings of the study pointed to the necessity to make a set of recommendations on improving accountability through the application of Batho Pele principles in Lukhanji Municipality.

Since 1994, the South African Government embarked on an ambitious Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) to correct the injustices of the past. One of the major programmes, which the government is implementing within the RDP framework, is the ―Integrated National Electrification Programme‖ (INEP) with the aim to address the electricity backlog by 2012. Recent figures from Statistics SA, indicate substantial progress with regard to access to electricity throughout the country and especially in previously disadvantaged areas. This study is an investigation of the impact of access to free basic electricity (FBE) on the welfare of indigent households in Buffalo City Municipality (BCM). This study aims at better understanding ways in which indigent households use electricity and to what extent access to electricity is improving the level of poverty in the households. Empirical evidences from pro-poor electrification programmes worldwide and especially in Asia suggest that greater access to electricity by poor people leads to economic and social development at both micro and macro levels. This study investigates the impact of electricity on household poverty, with focus on household income, household health and children‘s education. This study used mixed research methods to investigate the research problem. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using survey questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews of key informants.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for Doctoral Degree in Philosophy – Management Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / South African municipalities are key institutions that are close to the heart of communities and therefore, their employees form the cornerstone of service delivery to communities. Many municipalities have been blamed for unreliable delivery of basic services whilst those that are located in rural areas still struggle to generate own revenue and faces serious skills shortages. It is important to note that there has been very little research conducted in rural districts and other similar sized municipalities on evaluating the impact of skills development, service delivery and management of learning transfer. Existing studies although they provide useful data, they seem to be aggregate, broad and not tailor made for rural district[s] and some other South African municipalities. Studies which are directed at local municipalities adopts ‘one size fit all approach’ and they did not consider that rural district municipalities have enourmous challenges in evaluating the impact of skills development in service delivery and attracting people with requisite technical and managerial expertise. According to Punia and Kant (2013) most literature on impact and evaluation of transfer training is mainly drawn from the corporate sector. Furthermore, Topno, (2012), Pallares, (2012), Bird and Cassel (2013), they similarily pointed that existing models on evaluating effectiveness of development programs in various companies have the most limitations in assessing post training job performance and organisational impact. This is supported by Wenzel and Cordery (2014 stresses that for the past 40 years, evaluation and impact of learning transfer concept remained complex, underdeveloped and with limited clearly defined empirical findings. Raliphada, Coetzee and Ukpere (2014) indicates that there are organisational factors affecting learning transfer in the South African Public Service. The identification of factors affecting learning transfer is a critical step toward ensuring that successful strategies are developed to remove barriers to learning transfer and ultimately improve implementation which leads to enhanced service delivery (Raliphada et al 2014). Since 2000, Government has undertaken steps to transform South African municipalities. However, systematic problems contributing to poor management and service delivery challenges have continued to engulf local government and in most instances such grievances translated to service delivery protests across the country. Amongst dilemmas facing local government in South Africa is the shortage of skills, poor management, corruption, conflict management and unreliable service delivery. Researchers consistently argued that grievances concerning local government relates to unreliable service delivery, shortage of skills and poor management. The purpose of this is to assess the role of line managers in implementation of skills development at the UMzinyathi rural – district and other similar sized municipalities and impact on service delivery. The study investigated perceptions of line managers, skills development facilitators and employees about the impact of skills development on service delivery at uMzinyathi District Municipality in Kwazulu Natal. The study investigated challenges experienced by managers in training and skills development. The questions were to indicate how challenges in training and skills development can be addressed in rural –district municipality and other South African municipalities. The research adopted qualitative methodology. Furthermore, thematic analysis was used for presentation and discussion of the results. The responses or data collected from participants was interpreted and analysed. The findings of the study imply that there is no human resource development strategy, absence of mentoring and coaching, managers are not involved in skills development, there are no Skills development facilitators, high management turnover, poor planning, absence of effective employee performance management system across all levels in a municipality, no proper training and development sections and there are no tools to measure impact and success of training in local municipalities of a District. The research proposes that integrative transfer of training model developed by Lee C et al (2014), be extended to UMzinyathi District municipality in KwaZulu-Natal and other South African municipalities. The study is also suggesting that existing transfer of training model be modified to add the evaluation of impact and post organisational performance. The study targeted a rural district municipality because of limited research directed at this sphere of government. The modified Integrative Transfer of training Model will contribute to the new knowledge which is currently not existing in the municipalities. The model is modified to consider not only post training job performance but to add the evaluation of organisational performance and impact influenced by skills development programmes. / D

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Technology: Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Skills Development is one of the key priorities of the National Development Plan Vision for 2030, which views it (skills development) as a catalyst for the unemployment reduction in South Africa. Skills Development is a key National Priority in South Africa and requires a new approach to training and development, one that calls for positive interventions. However, a challenge has been identified, namely the lack of commitment and support to skills development by line managers at municipal level. The problem was not confined to the institutional capacity of the Municipality but included the individual capacity of the line managers who is responsible for managing employees. The challenge was ensuring that they have the relevant capacity and skills to undertake their functions. Managers are accountable for the development of their subordinates but tend to neglect their role in the area of skills development. Existing research focuses on the role of line managers in training and development and the significance of managerial support in training and development. However, there is a gap because managers understand training and development but do not understand their role in supporting and developing their subordinates, which impacts negatively on the performance of the organisation which in turn impacts negatively on the delivery of services. Human Resource Development (HRD) literature remains largely theoretical and rhetorical in encouraging line managers to take responsibility for training and development. The overall aim of the study was to identify the role of line managers in the implementation of skills development at a local municipality and the impact thereof on service delivery. A quantitative research study was undertaken to achieve the objectives of the study. One hundred and ten managers on Patterson Grades D1 to E2 were targeted for the study. They were required to complete self-administered questionnaires. The findings of the study will assist line managers to understand the positive impact that training and development has on the performance of employees, which ultimately impacts on the achievement of business goals and objectives. The findings are; • Managers understand the training and development practices of the municipality but do not know how to support the training and development of their subordinates. • Managers believe that the organisation supports training and development but do not know if the organisation has an approved Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) that is being implemented; whether the organisation has a training and development strategy which is related to the overall strategy of the organisation; and whether the training of employees is given adequate importance in the organisation and is being managed in a proactive way. • A majority of the managers believe that training and development of employees has an impact on service delivery, but cannot agree whether training and development has helped improve the performance of employees in the organisation. • In terms of what can be used to encourage managers’ buy-in to training and development within the organisation, the overall average level of agreement was 88.0% .The scores for this section demonstrated that managers lack the necessary skills and competencies when it comes to the identification of training needs and training gaps. The findings of this research has identified that although managers are experienced in local government and have an understanding of the training and development practices of the municipality, they tend to get stuck in the authoritative managerial role and cannot switch into the facilitator role, which impacts on the way that they perform their skills development function as a manager. This therefore impacts negatively on the development of employees and on the delivery of services by the municipality. Without skilled, competent employees, no services can be rendered to communities. / M

This study investigated the role of ward committees in enhancing service delivery through public participation with reference to the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Province of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. This study provided a motivation for the study to be undertaken, problem statement, objectives of the study, hypothesis, research design and methodology, ethical considerations, delimitation of the study and the overview of chapters. The Constitution of the Republic of South African of 1996 provides for the creation of three spheres of government, namely, the national sphere, the provincial sphere and the local government sphere. These spheres are interdependent from each other. Local government is one of the spheres of government created to bring government closer to the people, as well as giving communities a sense of involvement in the political and governance processes that control their daily lives. The need for effective democratic local government as a vehicle for development and national integration is imperative (Reddy, 1996:3). Municipalities are established in terms of section 12 of the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, wherein Members of Executive Councils (MEC‟s) may establish a municipal area which the Demarcation Board demarcates in the province in terms of the Municipal Demarcation Act 27 of 1998.

In terms of section 152(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 local government should provide a democratic and accountable service to local communities. Therefore, elected representatives and municipal officials must be accountable for their actions. This study investigates the influence of public participation in enhancing the accountability of ward councillors in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). For the purpose of the study, the hypothesis was formulated that accountability of ward councillors is hampered by improper public participation mechanisms in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). In order to achieve the goal of this study and to test the hypothesis, it was essential to review literature on the accountability of ward councillors and public participation in local government. Primary data was obtained by interviewing ward committees and ward councillors from Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Interviews were conducted with ward councillors and ward committees in wards 13 and 14 of BCMM. The major findings of the study, inter alia, are that ward councillors give feedback to their constituencies. Ward committees are instrumental in encouraging members of the public to attending these meetings. The most popular forum for public participation is the Independent Development Planning (IDP). It was established that approachability, accessibility and visibility of both ward councillors and ward committees in the community enhance public participation. The study concludes with recommendations that will assist the BCMM to enhance the accountability of ward councillors through public participation.

Text in Afrikaans / Werkontleding word onderneem om die onderskeie funksies wat in 'n instelling uitgevoer word, te ontleed en te groepeer as pligte van individuele betrekkings wat in die proses ge1dentifiseer word. Inligting wat op grond van werkontleding verkry is, kan daartoe bydra dat die uitvoering van personeelfunksies doeltreffend en effektief geskied. 'n Li teratuurstudie en empiriese narvorsing is in hierdie·studie onderneem om te bepaal wat die rol van werkontleding in die ui tvoering van funksionele personeelbedrywighede in die Stadsraad van Lichtenburg is. Empiriese navorsing is onderneem in al die Departemente van die Stadsraad van Lichtenburg. Ten einde die doel van die studie te verwesenlik is vier navorsingsvrae gestel. Deur middel van vraelyste wat aan die teikengroep gestuur is, is data oor die navorsingsvrae ingesamel. Die empiriese studie het daarop gedui dat inligting verkry op grond van werkontleding wel kan bydra tot die effektiewe uitvoering van funksionele personeelbedrywighede. Dies studie het egter ui tgewys dat nie alle leidinggewende amptenare bewus is dat die inligting op grond van werkontleding verkry,. die uitvoering van hul personeelfunksies kan vergemaklik nie. / respective functions performed in an institution, as duties of individual jobs identified in the process. Information gathered on the basis of the job analysis, can contribute to the fact that the performing of personnel functions transpires efficiently and effectively. A literature study as well as empiricial research were undertaken in this study to determine ' what the role of job analyses is in the performing of functional personnel activities in the City Council of Lichtenburg. .on the basis of job analysis can definitely contribute to the effective performing of functional personnel activities. The study indicated however, that not all leadinq officials were aware that information gathered on the basis of job analysis, could expedite the performing of their personnel functions. / Public Administration / M.Admin. (Public Administration)

An exploratory study was conducted to understand work related stress and substance use among the cemetery workers of the Ethekwini Municipality Anecdotal evidence suggested that in order to cope with the work related stress, this group of workers used substances like dagga and alcohol to cope with the stressors. A qualitative study was done in which focus group discussions were used to understand the cemetery workers' stressors and coping strategies with particular interest in the use of substances. A purposive sampling technique was used and six cemeteries out of twelve within the Ethekwini Municipality were chosen. All the workers in these cemeteries performed similar duties. The participants were on permanent contracts and were mainly adult males, with only a few female workers. They were from Indian and African ancestry. Thematic content analysis was used to explore their stressors and coping strategies. The cemetery workers' stress revolved around the intense and strenuous nature of their work with special reference to the exhumation of graves. Organisational structures and management practices that allowed for inadequate communication and little participation in the making of decisions, impacted negatively on their job satisfaction. The stresses were managed by a general acceptance of their working conditions, and the use of substances like dagga and alcohol during working hours. The data suggested that the stressors would be lessened if attention is paid to the improvement of communication between the participants and management, and to allow for a more participatory decision making, regarding aspects that directly influenced their daily activities. Proper induction and selection procedures are needed, and health promotion activities are needed on the dangers of substance use and healthy stress management strategies. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

Text in Afrikaans / Werkontleding word onderneem om die onderskeie funksies wat in 'n instelling uitgevoer word, te ontleed en te groepeer as pligte van individuele betrekkings wat in die proses ge1dentifiseer word. Inligting wat op grond van werkontleding verkry is, kan daartoe bydra dat die uitvoering van personeelfunksies doeltreffend en effektief geskied. 'n Li teratuurstudie en empiriese narvorsing is in hierdie·studie onderneem om te bepaal wat die rol van werkontleding in die ui tvoering van funksionele personeelbedrywighede in die Stadsraad van Lichtenburg is. Empiriese navorsing is onderneem in al die Departemente van die Stadsraad van Lichtenburg. Ten einde die doel van die studie te verwesenlik is vier navorsingsvrae gestel. Deur middel van vraelyste wat aan die teikengroep gestuur is, is data oor die navorsingsvrae ingesamel. Die empiriese studie het daarop gedui dat inligting verkry op grond van werkontleding wel kan bydra tot die effektiewe uitvoering van funksionele personeelbedrywighede. Dies studie het egter ui tgewys dat nie alle leidinggewende amptenare bewus is dat die inligting op grond van werkontleding verkry,. die uitvoering van hul personeelfunksies kan vergemaklik nie. / respective functions performed in an institution, as duties of individual jobs identified in the process. Information gathered on the basis of the job analysis, can contribute to the fact that the performing of personnel functions transpires efficiently and effectively. A literature study as well as empiricial research were undertaken in this study to determine ' what the role of job analyses is in the performing of functional personnel activities in the City Council of Lichtenburg. .on the basis of job analysis can definitely contribute to the effective performing of functional personnel activities. The study indicated however, that not all leadinq officials were aware that information gathered on the basis of job analysis, could expedite the performing of their personnel functions. / Public Administration and Management / M.Admin. (Public Administration)

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology in Public Management in the Faculty of business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012 / South Africa has been experiencing poor service delivery protests. The Eastern Cape in particular, is characterised by rural areas owing to segregation that was created by the past apartheid government. Ineffective operations of municipalities are usually found to be the root cause of ineffective service delivery. However, the Republic of South Africa‟s Constitution,1996 and other forms of legislation provide for monitoring and support of municipalities by national and provincial government, although most monitoring and support responsibilities are borne with the provincial government. Provincial governments provide an oversight role towards municipalities and assist them when they cannot and do not fulfil their obligations. This study focuses on the Eastern Cape with the Cacadu District Municipality as the identified case-study. The district is one of the largest in the Eastern Cape and is marked by high levels of poverty and unemployment. The study investigates the effectiveness of the Eastern Cape Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs (ECDLGTA) to monitor and evaluate municipalities, with reference to the Cacadu District Municipality. Monitoring and evaluation are effective tools, which are utilised by developed countries to achieve good governance and effective service delivery. South Africa has also followed a culture of M&E and established the Government Wide Monitoring and Evaluation System. It is important that monitoring and evaluation systems are effective. Because with effective systems, government can detect early warning signs of corruption or any other forms of ineffectiveness. The purpose of this research study is to explore current systems that the ECDLGTA has established to monitor municipalities and to assess whether those systems are effective or not. Furthermore, the research intends to explore the reasons for ineffectiveness, as well as the relationship between the municipalities and the provincial government. In order to reach conclusions to these questions, an empirical study was conducted by using qualitative research methodology. Interviews were conducted and are described in chapter five. Chapter Six and Seven present the results that were achieved from the interviews and analysis of those results, whilst Chapter eight presents concluding remarks and recommendations based on the findings.