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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
41

A critical narrative analysis of the deployment of corporate arrangements in the conduct of government employee pension fund

Kekana, Makabelo Ephraim 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA (Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African (SA) government is experiencing problems with regard to its service delivery mandate in public institutions. These problems have resulted from a number of factors, such as SA’s history of unequal distribution of resources; the introduction of remedial legislations and programmes when the new government took office in 1994; incorrect implementation of these legislations and programmes with the accompanying departure of skilled managers accompanied by the influx of new and inexperienced managers. Deliberate interventions were introduced to address this service delivery problem however, many public institutions remain unsuccessful in fulfilling their mandate to service delivery. In this study, the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) is used as a case study to learn more about the effect of corporate governance in addressing service delivery problems in public institutions. As a government entity, the GEPF experienced some service delivery problems with regard to its mandate. Like any other public entity in SA, the GEPF is governed by all legislative provisions governing public entities and is equally affected by challenges such as scarcity of resources (financial; equipment and skills). The objectives of the study is to identify major principles and techniques related to corporatisation as an approach to management practice; to identify major challenges encountered by GEPF prior to corporatisation; and to analyse the deployment of corporate arrangements in the conduct of the GEPF in relation to these techniques and principles. The basis of this research is a thorough literature study and interviews with managers of the GEPF. The major finding of this study is that the GEPF has entrusted basic duties and responsibilities affecting its mandate to employer institutions (EIs). These basic yet sensitive functions have been left arbitrarily to EIs, hence the GEPF is unable to execute its duties in its benefits administration in line with its vision. Other findings include internal processes are incorrectly applied, thus hampering effective and efficient benefits administration; there is lack of, or limited use of a performance management system; there is an inability to deal with predictable problems; and the organisation of resources does not support the vision of the GEPF. Achievements in terms of the corporatisation process to improve performance were noted. The enrolment of the services of consultants to assist the GEPF to improve its performance led to the following: approval of the organisational structure that supports the GEPF’s vision; empowerment of managers in terms of skills capacity; conversion of contract workers to permanent; and taking an aggressive approach to performance and risk management. It is therefore concluded that although challenges still exist, the GEPF has embarked on a systematic process to rid itself of the challenges it faces. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse Owerheidsektor ervaar tans probleme ten opsigte van sy diensleweringsmandaat. Die probleme met swak dienslewering kan toegeskryf word aan faktore soos Suid-Afrika se geskiedenis van wat betref die onbillike verdeling van hulpbronne, die daarstel van ʼn nuwe regering in 1994 wat gelei het tot regstellende wetgewing en programme, die onoordeelkundige implementering van hierdie nuwe wetgewing en programme, en die gepaardgaande verlies van bekwame bestuurders en die aanstelling van nuwe en onervare bestuurders. Ten spyte van doelbewuste ingrypings om die diensleweringprobleem aan te spreek, bly owerheidsinstellings steeds in gebreke om aan hul diensleweringsmandaat te voldoen. Die Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) is as ʼn gevallestudie gebruik om die effek van korporatiewe bestuur op die hantering van diensleweringsprobleme in owerheidsinstellings te bepaal. Die GEPF as ʼn owerheidsinstelling ervaar ook probleme wat sy mandaat van dienslewering betref. In vergelyking met ander owerheidsinstellings ervaar die GEPF soortgelyke uitdagings ten opsigte van hulpbronverdeling (op finansiële vlak, en wat toerusting en vaardighede betref). Die doelwit van die studie is om die hoofbeginsels en -tegnieke verbonde aan korporatisering as ʼn bestuursbeleid te identifiseer, om die hoofuitdagings vir die GEPF voor intervensie op ʼn objektiewe en onbetrokke wyse te identifiseer, en om die tegnieke en beginsels aangewend sedert die implementering van die intervensie te analiseer. Hierdie studie is op ʼn deeglike literatuurstudie en die voer van onderhoude met bestuurslede van die GEPF geskoei. Die vernaamste bevinding van die studie is dat die GEPF sy basiese verpligtinge en verantwoordelikhede rakende sy mandaat aan die werkgewersinstellings toevertrou. Die basiese, dog sensitiewe funksies wat arbitrêr aan die werkgewer oorgelaat word, kniehalter die GEPF om sy administratiewe pligte volgens sy visie uit te voer. Ander bevindings sluit in dat interne prosesse op ʼn ondoeltreffende manier toegepas word, wat dan doeltreffende administrasie kortwiek. Dit sluit in die gebrek of beperkte gebruik van ʼn prestasiebestuurstelsel, die onbevoegdheid om ooglopende probleme te identifiseer en beperkte hulpbronne, wat nie die visie ondersteun nie. Die aanwending van korporatiewe prosesse om dienslewering te verbeter blyk suksesvol te wees. Die aanstelling van konsultante om behulpsaam te wees met dienslewering het gelei tot die goedkeuring van ʼn organisatoriese struktuur wat die visie van die GEPF ondersteun, die bemagtiging van bestuurders omdat hul vaardigheid verbeter is, die aanstelling van kontrakwerkers in permanente poste en ʼn aggressiewe benadering tot prestasie- en risikobestuur. Die gevolgtrekking is dat alhoewel daar nog uitdagings bestaan, die GEPF ʼn sistematiese proses onderneem het om die uitdagings te oorkom.
42

An assessment of South African housing co-operatives : the case of Ilinge Labahlali housing co-operative, Nyanga, Cape Town

Herbst, Adriana 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA (Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Co-operatives as a form of business have a long history in South Africa. The successes of agricultural co-operatives are well known. Housing co-operatives, however, are a relatively unfamiliar concept as a form of business to provide tenure, and for those who are involved in it, a frustrating and long process to obtain housing. This study examined the issue of housing co-operatives as part of addressing the housing crisis in South Africa taking into consideration that this specific model (housing development co-operatives) does not fall under the Social Housing sector anymore. It involves a comprehensive literature study of the history of co-operatives internationally and in South Africa as well as analysing different models implemented internationally and in South Africa; a review of legislation; policies affecting housing co-operatives; analysis of data and information and surveys of housing co-operatives. The specific aims of the research were: • To determine the different models of successful housing development cooperatives internationally; • To determine the viability and sustainability of housing development co-operatives in Third World Countries; • To determine the current status of the registered housing co-operatives in South Africa; • To determine the different models implemented in South Africa; • To evaluate the housing development co-operative sector in South Africa; • To determine the viability and sustainability of a registered housing development co-operative in Cape Town, (Ilinge Labahlali Housing Co-operative, Nyanga, Cape Town, South Africa); and • To determine the challenges faced by the co-operative and how they foresee these challenges being overcome. The study followed a survey design, including both qualitative and quantitative aspects. The qualitative approach related to the views and opinions of co-operative members with regards to the socio-economic impact that the co-operative have had and the quantitative approach relates to statistical and measurable data obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry in terms of a number of variables such as: type of co-operatives, categories indicated and Province representation. For the purpose of this study, only housing co-operatives were contacted and research was conducted on the state of housing co-operatives and if each housing co-operative meet the selection criteria of the Housing Development Co-operative Model. In critically assessing housing co-operatives in South Africa, it was determined that the unacceptable level of support from all three tiers of Government, was the prime problem experienced by housing co-operatives. Several reasons can explain this, the most prominent as follow: 1. The Department of Trade and Industry’s lack of proper record keeping and administration; 2. Housing development co-operatives do not benefit from the Social Housing sector in South Africa; 3. Department of Housing’s lack of knowledge with regards to the housing cooperative sector; 4. No synergy between different Government departments with regards to housing cooperatives; 5. Municipalities do not have the know-how regarding co-operatives and/or display an unwillingness to assist housing co-operatives; 6. Housing co-operatives established by outside agencies/Government departments receive no follow-up and support; 7. No proper Government housing co-operative department focusing on housing delivery with the necessary knowledge and support mechanisms in place. It is clear that in the late nineties, the co-operative principle was promoted by the Department of Housing, Social Housing Foundation and community workers alike as the new brain child of international agencies (Rooftops Canada, Norwegian Government, Swedish Government) to secure housing for communities building on the concept of “ubuntu”. Afterwards the emphasis were shifted to Social Housing Institutions and rental tenure and the few housing co-operatives registered, were left in the cold with no support structures available to them. With no support from international agencies, national-, provincial- and local Government the future of these housing co-operatives are bleak. Co-operative members are community driven, but without the necessary capacity-building and institutional support, community members become despondent and the co-operative principles of “working together to achieve more” are seen as just another scheme which failed in the delivery of housing. This study found that the grass root housing co-operative with the support of all levels of Government can be successful providing that community structures such as saving groups and hostel committees are in place. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Koöperasies as bedryfsvorm het ’n lang geskiedenis in Suid-Afrika. Die welslae van landboukoöperasies is wel bekend. Behuisingskoöperasies is egter ’n relatief onbekende konsep as bedryfsvorm om eiendomsreg te verskaf en vir diegene wat daarby betrokke is, is dit ’n frustrerende en uitgerekte proses waarvolgens behuising bekom kan word. Dié studie het die behuisingskoöperasie-aangeleentheid as deel van die aanspreek van die behuisingskrisis in Suid-Afrika onder die loep geplaas met inagneming daarvan dat hierdie spesifieke model (ontwikkelingsbehuising-koöperasies) nie meer onder die Maatskaplike Behuisingsektor ressorteer nie. Dit het ’n omvattende literatuurstudie van die geskiedenis van koöperasies internasionaal en in Suid-Afrika behels, asook ’n analise van verskillende modelle wat internasionaal en in Suid-Afrika toegepas word; ’n oorsig van relevante wetgewing; beleidsrigtings wat behuisingskoöperasies raak; analise van data en inligting, en opnames van behuisingskoöperasies. Die spesifieke doelwitte van die navorsing was: • Om die verskillende modelle van geslaagde ontwikkelingsbehuising-koöperasies internasionaal te bepaal; • Om die lewensvatbaarheid en volhoubaarheid van ontwikkelingsbehuisingkoöperasies in lande van die Derde Wêreld te bepaal; • Om die huidige status van die geregistreerde behuisingskoöperasies in Suid-Afrika te bepaal; • Om die verskillende modelle wat in Suid-Afrika toegepas word, te bepaal; • Om die behuisingsontwikkeling-koöperasiesektor in Suid-Afrika te evalueer; • Om die lewensvatbaarheid en volhoubaarheid van ’n geregistreerde behuisingsontwikkeling-koöperasie in Kaapstad (llinge Labahlali Behuisingskoöperasie, Nyanga, Kaapstad, Suid-Afrika) te bepaal, en • Om die uitdaging wat deur die koöperasies in die gesig gestaar word, te bepaal en hoe daar gemeen word dié uitdaging te bowe gekom gaan word. Dié studie is aan die hand van ’n vooropgestelde opnamepatroon uitgevoer wat kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe aspekte ingesluit het. Die kwalitatiewe benadering was gerig op die sieninge en menings van koöperasielede met betrekking tot die sosioekonomiese impak van die koöperasie, en die kwantitatiewe benadering het te make gehad met die statistiese en meetbare data rakende ’n aantal veranderlikes, soos soorte koöperasies, aangeduide kategorieë en provinsiale verteenwoordiging, wat van die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid bekom is. Vir die doel van hierdie studie is daar net met behuisingskoöperasies geskakel en navorsing is gedoen op die stand van behuisingskoöperasies en of iedere so ’n koöperasie aan die keuringskriteria van die model van die ontwikkelingsbehuising-koöperasie voldoen. Na kritiese beskouing van behuisingskoöperasies in Suid-Afrika, is daar vasgestel dat die onaanvaarbare mate van ondersteuning wat van die drie vlakke van regering ontvang word, die vernaamste probleem is waarmee behuisingskoöperasies te kampe het. Onder die talle redes wat as verduideliking kan dien, is die volgende die mees prominente: 1. Die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid se gebrek aan deeglike rekordhouding en administrasie; 2. Ontwikkelingsbehuising-koöperasies vind nie baat by die Maatskaplike Behuisingsektor in Suid-Afrika nie; 3. Die Departement van Behuising se gebrek aan kennis met betrekking tot die behuisingskoöperasiesektor; 4. Gebrek aan sinergie tussen verskillende regeringsdepartemente met betrekking tot behuisingskoöprasies; 5. Munisipaliteite beskik nie oor die kundigheid ten opsigte van koöperasies nie en/of toon onwilligheid om behuisingskoöperasies by te staan; 6. Behuisingskoöperasies, wat deur buite-ondernemings/regeringsdepartemente gestig word, ontvang geen onderskraging nie en daar is ook ’n gebrek aan enige voortgesette belangstelling in hulle doen en late. 7. Daar is geen geskikte behuisingskoöperasie aan regeringskant wat fokus op die voorsiening van behuising en wat oor die nodige kennis en ondersteuningsmeganismes beskik nie. Dit is duidelik dat die beginsel van koöperasies in die laat jare negentig deur die Departement van Behuising, die Maatskaplike Behuisingstigting, gemeenskapswerkers, en dies meer, as die nuwe breinkind van internasionale agentskappe soos Rooftops Canada, die Noorweegse regering, die Sweedse regering bevorder is om behuising vir gemeenskappe te verseker wat op die konsep “ubuntu” gebou het. Daarna is die klem na Maatskaplikebehuisingsondernemings en huurbesit verskuif en die enkele geregistreerde behuisingskoöperasies is sonder enige ondersteuningstruktuur aan hulle eie lot oorgelaat. Met geen ondersteuning van die kant van internasionale organisasies, nasionale, provinsiale of plaaslike regering nie, is die toekoms van dié behuisingskoöperasies maar bra droewig. Koöperasielede is gemeenskapsgedrewe, maar sonder die nodige kapasiteitsbou en institusionele onderskraging, het lede van die gemeenskap wanhopig geraak en word die beginsel van “saamwerk om meer te bereik” bloot beskou as net nog ’n plan wat ten opsigte van behuisingvoorsiening gefaal het. Dié studie het bevind dat die voetsoolvlak-behuisingskoöperasie – met die onderskraging van alle vlakke van regering – wel geslaagd kan wees, mits gemeenskapstrukture soos spaargroepe en hostelkomitees in plek is.
43

Evaluation of the Western Cape Provincial Government’s land provision programme for new state health facilities

Conradie, Hendrik Francois 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research was undertaken during 2009/2010 and focused on the Western Cape Department of Transport & Public Works (DPW) programme for the provision of land for the construction of new state health facilities (hospitals, community health centres, clinics) in the province. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the Department has instituted proper policy to deliver the required land, and whether this policy is implemented successfully. The study was thus, in essence, an evaluation of a government policy programme. The following are the overall findings and conclusions, per chapter: •Chapter 1 provides an introduction, with reference to the main research question and related questions. •In Chapter 2 important theory on policy evaluation is presented, and a Policy Documentation Template (PDT) developed, capturing the essential principles and elements for effective public policy documents. •In Chapter 3 important selected sections of the existing conceptual/theoretical body of knowledge on policy implementation are explored and analysed by the researcher, leading to identification of critical implementation principles/lessons as well as the Policy Implementation Monitor (PIM). •In Chapter 4 the DPW‟s set of policy documentation related to land provision for new state health facilities is studied, described, analysed, and compared with the PDT. It is found that an effective and enforceable annual operational plan does not exist, rendering successful policy implementation and monitoring impossible. •In Chapter 5 the implementation of the policy documents is described, and critically analysed. The PIM and lessons learnt from policy implementation theory are applied to DPW‟s implementation practice. Serious shortcomings are found in the implementation of the land provision programme – especially regarding ineffective cooperation between the Provincial Departments of Public Works and Health – resulting in delayed delivery of land for new state health facilities. •Chapter 6 contains the researcher‟s conclusions and policy recommendations. The researcher produces the following recommendations for consideration by the Minister, to address the problems in the DPW land provision policy programme: A. Appointment of a policy think tank (group of independent expert professional individuals with high-order management skills) with the following tasks: •Facilitate the establishment of a Health Facilities Partnership Contract (HFPC) between DPW and the Provincial Department of Health by 31 March 2011. •Ensure that the HFPC contains the essential elements on functioning of the partnership, and includes the mutually agreed new state health facility projects, of which construction must start over the next three financial years (2011/12 – 2013/14); also initiate an electronic management cockpit to be used by the Minister for real-time (24 hr) monitoring of progress with the priority land/facility projects. •Document a broad policy and strategic framework for innovative asset management approaches and models that will maximise revenue streams for DPW, and increase the value of the asset base of the Western Cape Provincial Government; this policy framework should include reference to inner city renewal in Cape Town, as well as asset-based urban regeneration and economic development in other larger towns of the Western Cape (e.g. George, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Hermanus, Paarl/Wellington, etc.). •Make recommendations regarding updating of the asset register of DPW, including reference to effecting and conclusion of the transfer of various real estate properties that have not been transferred to DPW yet, and regarding sophisticated information/communication technology (ICT) solutions that will modernise DPW‟s asset management to international best practice standards. B. The „policy think tank‟ (Ministerial advisory group) should have experts from outside DPW as members, but will have to engage with the DPW top management (Head of Department; Chief Director of Property Management; Director of Property Development) in a partnership context in order to have the HFPC established. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorsing is onderneem gedurende 2009/2010 en fokus op die Wes-Kaap Departement van Vervoer & Openbare Werke program vir die voorsiening van grond vir die konstruksie van nuwe staatsgesondheidsfasiliteite (hospitale, gemeenskap gesondheidsentrums, klinieke) in die provinsie. Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel of die Department behoorlike beleid ingestel het om die vereiste grond te lewer, en of hierdie beleid suksesvol geimplementeer word. Die studie was dus, in wese, 'n evaluering van 'n regeringsbeleidsprogram. Die volgende oorhoofse bevindinge en gevolgtrekkings word gemaak, per hoofstuk: •Hoofstuk 1 beslaan die inleiding, met verwysing na die hoof navorsingsvraag en verwante vrae. •In Hoofstuk 2 word belangrike teorie oor beleidsevaluering voorgehou, en 'n Beleid Dokumentasie Patroonplaat (BDP) word ontwikkel, wat die wesenlike beginsels en elemente vir effektiewe openbare beleidsdokumente bevat. •In Hoofstuk 3 word belangrike geselekteerde dele van die bestaande konseptuele/teoretiese kennispoel oor beleidsimplementering ondersoek en ontleed deur die navorser, wat lei na die identifikasie van kritiese implementering beginsels/lesse, asook die Beleid Implementering Monitor (BIM). •In Hoofstuk 4 word die Departement se stel beleidsdokumente rakende grondvoorsiening vir nuwe staatsgesondheidsfasiliteite bestudeer, beskryf, ontleed en vergelyk met die BDP. Dit word bevind dat geen effektiewe en afdwingbare jaarlikse operasionele plan bestaan nie, wat suksesvolle beleidsimplementering en monitering onmoontlik maak. •In Hoofstuk 5 word die implementering van die beleidsdokumente beskryf en krities ontleed. Die BIM en lesse uit die beleidsimplementering teorie word toegepas op die Departement se implementeringspraktyk. Ernstige tekortkominge word gevind in die implementering van die grondvoorsiening program – veral rakende die oneffektiewe samewerking tussen die Departemente van Openbare Werke en Gesondheid – met vertraagde lewering van grond vir nuwe staatsgesondheidfasiliteite die gevolg. •Hoofstuk 6 bevat die navorser se gevolgtrekkings en beleidsaanbevelings. Die navorser produseer die volgende aanbevelings vir oorweging deur die Minister, om die probleme in die Departement se grondvoorsiening beleidsprogram aan te spreek: A. Aanwysing van 'n beleid denkgroep ('n groep onafhanklike deskundige individue met hoë orde bestuursvaardighede) met die volgende take: •Fasiliteer die vestiging van 'n Gesondheidsfasiliteite Vennootskap Kontrak (GFVK) tussen die provinsiale Departemente van Openbare Werke en Gesondheid, teen 31 Maart 2011. •Verseker dat die GFVK die wesenlike elemente bevat betreffende funksionering van die vennootskap, asook die wedersyds ooreengekome projekte vir nuwe staatsgesondheidfasiliteite waarvan konstruksie 'n aanvang moet neem oor die volgende drie finansiële jare (2011/12 – 2013/14); inisieer ook 'n elektroniese bestuurskajuit vir gebruik van die Minister in die konstante (24 uur) monitering van vordering met die prioriteit grond/fasiliteite projekte. •Dokumenteer die breë beleid en strategiese raamwerk vir innoverende batebestuur benaderings en modelle, wat die inkomste strome vir die Departemente sal optimaliseer, en die waarde van die bate basis van die Wes-Kaap Provinsiale Regering sal vergroot; hierdie beleidsraamwerk moet verwysing na middestad-vernuwing in Kaapstad insluit, asook bate-gefundeerde stedelike en ekonomiese ontwikkeling in ander groter dorpe in die Wes-Kaap (soos George, Mosselbaai, Oudtshoorn, Hermanus, Paarl/Wellington, ens.). •Doen aanbevelings rakende die opdatering van die bate register van die Departement, insluitende verwysing na die uitvoer en afhandeling van die oordragte van verskeie vaste eiendomme wat nog nie oorgedra is na die Departement nie, asook rakende gesofistikeerde informasie/kommunikasie tegnologie (IKT) oplossings wat die Departement se batebestuur sal moderniseer tot internasionale beste-praktyk standaard. B. Die „beleid denkgroep‟ (Ministeriele adviesgroep) moet deskundiges van buite die Departement as lede hê, maar sal in gesprek moet tree met die Departement se topbestuur (Hoof van Departement; Hoof Direkteur van Eiendomsbestuur; Direkteur van Eiendomsontwikkeling) in 'n vennootskapskonteks, sodat die GFVK tot stand kan kom.
44

Economic development, decoupling and urban infrastructure : the role of innovation for an urban transition in Cape Town

Hyman, Katherine 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates the case of the Cape Town Central City Provincial Government Revitalisation Initiative (CCPGRI) as a means to further understanding of socio-technical transitions. The departure point for this research is the recognition that the current economic growth and development trajectory is unsustainable. Despite this, deeply institutionalised frames of reference for decision-making reinforce and perpetuate the utilisation of (incumbent) sociotechnical systems which diminish finite resources and deteriorate eco-system services. The theoretical notion of decoupling, however, offers an alternative economic development paradigm. Decoupling has been identified, within this thesis, as the guiding framework through which adaption strategies should be carried out. This was indentified through a comprehensive literature review and an assessment of Cape Town's critical networked infrastructure. Networked infrastructure conveys flows of resources across vast urban spaces, in a linear configuration, thus conditioning resource flows and consumption. The case of Cape Town, however, illustrates that a linear configuration of infrastructure is both financially and environmentally unsustainable. Moreover, the case provides the empirical evidence for decoupling, reinforcing the argument for the adoption of the notion as an alternative development paradigm. Networked infrastructure has furthermore been identified as a socio-technical system, and therefore is considered as the component requiring a system transition and the subsequent intervention point for decoupling economic growth from resource consumption. From an implementation perspective, socio-technical system transitions, achieved through innovation, are the necessary component for realising sustainable urban development. It is argued that innovation, necessary for socio-technical system transitions, should be the product of sustainability-orientated innovation systems (SOIS's). SOIS's are implicitly linked to decoupling through the shared goal of enabling greater sustainability. The Cape Town CCPGRI has been extrapolated onto the multi-levelled perspective (MLP) model and is used to further understanding about how socio-technical system transitions are achieved. Findings indicate that socio-technical systems transitions are possible in urban areas that have multiple niche innovations developing simultaneously. Of significance is the presence of an intermediary, who is able to facilitate and manage the development of niche innovations emerging from SOIS's. It is therefore argued that high quality networking is critical for achieving socio-technical transitions which emerge from SOIS's. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die geval van die "Cape Town Central City Provincial Government Revitalisation Initiative" (CCPGRI) as 'n manier om die begrip van sosio-tegniese oorgange te bevorder. Die vertrek punt vir hierdie navorsing is die insig dat die huidige verloop van ekonomiese groei en ontwikkeling onvolhoubaar is. Ten spyte hiervan versterk en verleng geïnstitusionaliseerde verwysingsraamwerke vir besluitneming die gebruik van (opgelegde) sosiotegniese sisteme wat uitputbare bronne verminder en ekosisteem dienste laat agteruitgaan. Die teoretiese idee van ontkoppeling bied nogtans 'n alternatiewe paradigma vir ekonomiese ontwikkeling. Hierdie tesis identifiseer ontkoppeling as die rigtinggewende raamwerk waardeur aanpassing strategië uitgevoer behoort te word. Dit is geïdentifiseer deur 'n omvattende literatuurstudie en 'n beoordeling van Kaapstad se kritiese infrastruktuur netwerk. Netwerke van infrastuktuur vervoer die vloei van bronne in 'n liniêre konfigurasie oor wye stedelike ruimtes en kondisioneer daardeur die vloei en verbruik van bronne. Die geval van Kaapstad illustreer egter dat 'n liniêre konfigurasie van infrastruktuur beide finansieel en omgewingsverwant onvolhoubaar is. Verder voorsien hierdie geval die empiriese bewyse vir ontkoppeling en versterk daardeur die argument vir die aanvaarding van die idee as „n alternatiewe paradigma vir ontwikkeling. Infrastruktuur netwerke is verder geïdentifiseer as 'n sosio-teniese sisteem en word daarom geag as die komponent wat 'n sisteem oorgang vereis en die gevolglike punt van ingryping om ekonomiese groei van bron verbruik te ontkoppel. Uit „n implemetering oogpunt is die oorgang van sosio-tegniese sisteme, voltrek deur innovering, die noodsaaklike komponent om volhoubare stedelike ontwikkeling te realiseer. Daar word geredeneer dat innovering – noodsaaklik vir sosio-tegniese sisteem oorgang – die produk behoort te wees van volhoubaar georiënteerde innovering sisteme. Hierdie sisteme is implisiet verbind aan ontkoppeling deur die gedeelde doel om groter volhoubaarheid moontlik te maak. Die Kaapstadse CCPGRI is op die meervlakkige perspektief model ge-ekstrapoleer en is aangewend om begrip te bevorder van hoe sosio-tegniese sisteem oorgang bereik word. Bevindings dui daarop dat sosio-tegniese sisteem oorgang moontlik is in stedelike gebiede waar meervoudige niche innoverings gelyktydig ontwikkel. Die teenwoordigheid van 'n tussenganger, wat die ontwikkeling van niche innoverings wat voortspruit uit die volhoubaar georiënteerde innovering sisteme kan fasiliteer en bestuur, is belangrik. Daar word dus geredeneer dat hoë kwaliteit netwerk daarstelling krities is vir die uitvoer van sosio-tegniese oorgange wat uit volhoubaar georiënteerde innovering sisteme voortspruit.
45

Enhancing resilience between people and nature in urban landscapes

Schaffler, Alexis 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The particular global context that is fundamentally altering the world is one in which the combined resource requirements of cities are unprecedented. This thesis communicates the thoughts, ideas and research observations on contemporary urbanisation dynamics through a synthesis of various perspectives. This conceptual fusion, as an attempt to provide a holistic overview of contemporary urban dynamics, forms the basis for developing a framework from which the multiple dimensions of cities can be addressed. This theoretical framework, which includes empirical analyses on the state of cities, is then applied to Johannesburg as a case study for deepening the understanding of urban dynamics and to assess implementation of the theoretical framework in reality. Despite being guided by the general aims of investigating current urban growth trends and the conceptual frameworks with which urban systems could be better understood, the complexity of the task at hand defied a static and linear research process. The ideas that emerged through the research journey, as opposed to a process, were synthesised using a literature review from which the framework of managing complex social-ecological systems was developed. Central to this framework is the metaphor of resilience, which through the idea of systemic adaptability, prioritises the need for both social and ecological opportunity to be enhanced. This is critical in the face of cross-cutting global challenges and in terms of cities as archetypical complex social-ecological systems. In reviewing literature on contemporary urbanisation dynamics, it was found that the socio-economic, spatial and ecological tensions characterising developing country cities, require strategies to enhance urban resilience rooted in local social and ecological capabilities that differ from developed nations’ contexts. These practical concerns were the catalyst for suggesting green infrastructure as a framework in which the joint social and ecological values of green assets are valued equally. This in line with the logic of enhancing a system’s overall systemic adaptability. The theoretical frameworks included in the literature review, therefore, emerged through the weaving back and forth of thoughts, debates and practical concerns about creating resilience between people and nature in the urban landscapes of developing countries The methodological implications of a green infrastructure framework resulted in the need to determine the total economic value of ecosystem services, as the benefits that society accrues through ecosystem functioning. Valuing both the social and ecological benefits of such ecosystem derivatives, not only relates to the concept of mutual resilience building, but makes the economic case for investment in natural assets. Through experience with this methodology, it emerged that valuation exercises of ecosystem services require primary research that connects physical data on ecosystem functioning to tangible economic values. In the chosen case study, however, this original research is yet to take place and methodologies for valuing Johannesburg’s green assets had to unfold based on data availability. The development of a methodology within a methodology is a major feature of this paper, which is guided by the logic that for overall systemic resilience to be sustained, investment in natural assets needs to explicitly account for the total economic values of ecosystem services. The conclusions suggest that Johannesburg is nevertheless in a unique position to capitalise on the concept of green infrastructure, from which social and ecological opportunity can be mutually enhanced. In a paradoxical way, the city’s tree-planting boom that resulted in the construction of the world’s largest urban forest in natural savannah grassland, has created inventories of ecological and social resilience that represent the multifunctional value of green assets, if valued explicitly. Recognition of these values shows that ecological assets extend beyond publicly delineated open space and that Johannesburg’s culture of greening is potentially playing a significant role in sustaining the resilience between its people and nature. However, until the detailed base research is conducted on the connections between Johannesburg’s green assets and their associated social and ecological dividends, these assets remain potential inventories of resilience whose values are yet to be fully determined. The recommendations of this thesis are therefore largely to strengthen the research and data bases on Johannesburg’s green assets. Original research is needed so that precise valuation exercises of Johannesburg’s ecosystem services can take place. This research is also the foundation from which a more robust and empirically sound case can be made for motivating investment in Johannesburg’s strategically unique green infrastructure, in the context of social-ecological challenges and the global movement towards green economies, jobs and cities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die spesifieke globale konteks wat die wêreld ten diepste verander, is ’n konteks waarin die gekombineerde behoeftes van stede ongekend is. Deur ’n samevatting van verskeie perspektiewe bied hierdie tesis gedagtes, idees en navorsingswaarnemings oor die hedendaagse stadsdinamika. Hierdie samevoeging van konsepte, as ’n poging om ’n holistiese oorsig van hedendaagse stadsdinamika te bied, vorm die grondslag vir die ontwikkeling van ’n raamwerk van waaruit die veelvuldige dimensies van stede benader kan word. Hierdie teoretiese raamwerk, wat empiriese analises van die stand van stede insluit, word dan toegepas op Johannesburg as ’n gevallestudie om die stadsdinamika beter te verstaan en die gebruik van die teoretiese raamwerk in die praktyk te evalueer. Die gedagtes wat uit die navorsing voortgespruit het, word saamgevat deur ’n oorsig te gee van literatuur waaruit die raamwerk vir die bestuur van komplekse sosio-ekologiese sisteme ontwikkel is. Die kern van hierdie raamwerk is die metafoor van weerstandsvermoë (“resilience”) wat, deur die gebruik van die konsep sistemiese aanpasbaarheid, die behoefte aan sowel meer sosiale as ekologiese geleenthede as die belangrikste prioriteite identifiseer. Dit is deurslaggewend in die lig van deursnee- globale uitdagings en in terme van stede as argetipiese komplekse sosio-ekologiese sisteme. In die oorsig van literatuur oor die hedendaagse stadsdinamika is daar gevind dat die sosio-ekonomiese, ruimtelike en ekologiese spanning wat stede in ontwikkelende lande kenmerk, strategieë vereis wat stadsweerstand, wat uit plaaslike sosiale en ekologiese vermoëns spruit, sal verhoog. Hierdie praktiese kwessies was die katalisator om ’n groen infrastruktuur voor te stel as die raamwerk waarbinne die gesamentlike sosiale en ekologiese waardes van groen bates ewe veel waarde dra, wat in pas is met die logiese gedagte om ’n sisteem se algehele sistemiese aanpasbaarheid te verhoog. Die teoretiese raamwerk wat ingesluit is in die literatuur wat bestudeer is, het dus na vore gekom deur die uitruil van gedagtes, debatte en praktiese benaderings tot hoe weerstandigheid geskep kan word tussen mens en natuur in die stedelike landskappe van ontwikkelende lande. Die metodologiese implikasies van ’n groen infrastruktuur-raamwerk het dit noodsaaklik gemaak om die totale ekonomiese waarde van ekosisteemdienste, as die voordele wat die samelewing deur ekosisteme ontvang, te bepaal. Die belangrikste navorsing om letterlike inligting oor Johannesburg se ekosisteemdienste aan tasbare ekonomiese waardes te verbind, moet egter nog gedoen word, en metodologieë om die stad se groen bates te evalueer moet ontwikkel word afhangende van die beskikbaarheid van inligting. Die ontwikkeling van ’n metodologie binne ’n metodologie is ’n belangrike kenmerk van hierdie tesis, wat gelei word deur die logiese gedagte dat belegging in natuurlike bates baie duidelik die totale ekonomiese waarde van ekosisteemdienste moet bepaal as algehele sistemiese weerstandsvermoë gehandhaaf wil word. Die gevolgtrekkings dui daarop dat Johannesburg nietemin in ’n unieke posisie is om finansiële voordeel uit die konsep van ’n groen infrastruktuur te trek. Op ’n teenstrydige manier het die stad se grootskaalse poging om bome aan te plant, wat gelei het tot die wêreld se grootste stedelike woud in ’n natuurlike grasvlakte, inligting gebied oor ekologiese en sosiale weerstandigheid, en dit verteenwoordig die multifunksionele waarde van groen bates as daar uitdruklik waarde daaraan geheg word. ’n Erkenning van hierdie waarde wys dat ekologiese bates verder strek as ’n openbare afgebakende oop ruimte en dat Johannesburg se groen kultuur moontlik ’n deurslaggewende rol speel om die weerstandsvermoë tussen sy mense en die natuur volhoubaar te maak. Voordat noukeurige grondnavorsing oor die verband tussen Johannesburg se groen bates en hulle gepaardgaande sosiale en ekologiese voordele egter nie uitgevoer is nie, bly hierdie bates potensiële beskrywings van weerstandsvermoë waarvan die waarde nog nie ten volle bepaal is nie. Die aanbevelings van hierdie tesis is daarom hoofsaaklik dat navorsing voortgesit word, en dat die kennisgrondslag van Johannesburg se groen bates verbreed word sodat ’n presiese evaluering van ekosisteemdienste gedoen kan word as die grondslag van sterker en empiries gestaafde redes om in die stad se groen infrastruktuur te belê.
46

Growing sustainable food systems : a study of local food distribution initiatives in Stellenbosch

Landman, Annie Petronella 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates practical approaches to growing sustainable food systems. It first establishes the condition of the global environment within which food systems function and critically assesses previous efforts to grow sustainable food systems. After applying these findings to a set of case studies on local-food distribution in Stellenbosch, I recommend ways for the local-food distribution network to encourage the growth of a sustainable Stellenbosch food system. The literature review provides an overview of the global environment in relation to food systems and lists certain contextual challenges that food systems must address to become sustainable. These challenges are social inequality, an urban future, degraded ecosystems, climate change, energy constraints, a growing global population and food insecurity. The literature review also describes how commercialisation has disembedded food systems from their contexts. This disembeddedness loosens the feedback loops food systems require to effectively respond to contextual challenges and consequently hinders their sustainability. The critical overview of previous attempts to re-embed food systems provides insight into practical ways of growing sustainable food systems. The overview demonstrates that while localisation and the building of social capital should not be seen as the ultimate goals of sustainable food systems, they can be useful mechanisms for nurturing sustainability if applied carefully. The case studies describe ten local-food distribution initiatives in Stellenbosch, and are informed by numerous in-depth semi-structured interviews. My conceptual framework contrasts each initiative’s self-reported vision, perceived reality, and realised actions; this highlights the conceptual and physical network connections between various local-food distribution initiatives, as well as the factors preventing and promoting their sustainability. The case studies show that although a local-food distribution network exists in Stellenbosch, it is fragile and lacks defined conceptual connections. This in turn constrains the formation of physical connections and thus the food system’s progress toward sustainability. The local-food distribution network in Stellenbosch can catalyse the growth of a sustainable food system because its initiatives focus on localisation but do not see it as a final objective. This shared focus indicates that localisation already constitutes a practical tool in the growth of a sustainable food system; however, the network’s lack of social capital still needs to be addressed. Inclusive projects designed to create and protect intellectual, political and economic spaces for reflection within the food system can generate the social capital necessary to grow a sustainable food system. The realisation of a sustainable Stellenbosch food system therefore depends on those with the capacity and resources to initiate the necessary changes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek praktiese benaderings waarmee volhoubare kossisteme bevorder kan word. Dit stel eerstens die toestand van die globale omgewing waarin kossisteme funksioneer vas en oorweeg krities vorige pogings wat volhoubare kossisteme probeer bevorder het. Na ek hierdie bevindings toepas op ’n stel gevallestudies van inisiatiewe wat plaaslik-geproduseerde kos in Stellenbosch versprei, kom ek met voorstelle vorendag vir dié verspreidingsnetwerk om die groei van ’n volhoubare Stellenbosch-kossisteem aan te moedig. Die literatuurstudie omskryf ’n oorsig van die globale omgewing met betrekking tot kossisteme en lys sekere kontekstuele uitdagings wat kossisteme moet aanspreek om volhoubaar te wees. Die uitdagings is maatskaplike ongelykheid, ’n verstedelikte toekoms, verswakte ekosisteme, klimaatsverandering, energiebeperkings, ’n groeiende globale bevolking en voedselonsekerheid. Die literatuurstudie bepaal ook dat kommersialisering kossisteme uit hulle omgewings ontwortel. Hierdie ontwortelling verswak die terugvoerbane wat kossisteme benodig om effektief op kontekstuele uitdagings te reageer en verhoed hulle volhoubaarheid. Die kritiese oorsig van vorige pogings om kossisteme nuwe wortels te laat skiet gee insig tot praktiese maniere om volhoubare kossisteme te bevorder. Die oorsig wys daarop dat terwyl lokalisering en die bou van maatskaplike kapitaal nie as die slotsom van volhoubare kossisteme beskou moet word nie, albei nuttige tegnieke kan wees vir die aankweek van volhoubaarheid indien hulle met sorg aangewend word. Die gevallestudies beskryf tien verspreidings-inisiatiewe van plaaslik-geproduseerde kos in Stellenbosch en is ingelig deur verskeie in-diepte, semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude. My konsepsuele raamwerk kontrasteer elke gevallestudie se self-verklaarde visie, veronderstelde realiteit en gerealiseerde aksies. Dit lig die begrips- en fisiesenetwerkkonneksies tussen die inisiatiewe uit en stel ’n aantal faktore bloot wat die netwerk se volhoubare groei positief en negatief beïnvloed. Die gevallestudies wys daarop dat alhoewel ’n verspreingsnetwerk van plaaslik-geproduseerde kos in Stellenbosch bestaan, dié netwerk swak is en omskrewe begripskonneksies kort. Om die beurt verhinder dit die formasie van fisiese konneksies en weerhou die kossisteem se vordering na volhoubaarheid. Die verspreidingsnetwerk van plaaslik-geproduseerde kos in Stellenbosch kan die groei van ‘n volhoubare kossisteem kataliseer omdat die inisiatiewe waaruit dit bestaan deur ’n gemeenskaplike fokus op lokalisering verbind word, maar dit nie as hulle einddoel beskou nie. Hierdie gedeelde fokus wys daarop dat lokalisering reeds ’n bruikbare tegniek vir die groei van ‘n volhoubare kossisteem is, maar die tekort aan maatskaplike kapitaal binne die netwerk moet steeds aangespreek word. Inklusiewe projekte wat saamgestel word om intellektuele, politiese en ekonomiese ruimtes vir besinning binne die kossisteem te bevorder en te bewaar, kan die nodige maatskaplike kapitaal kweek om ’n volhoubare kossisteem te vestig. Die verwesenliking van ’n volhoubare Stellenbosch-kossisteem hang dus van diegene af wat die kapasiteit en hulpbronne het om die nodige veranderings in te lei.
47

The impact of urban renewal on the health status of the community of Evaton

Tlhabanelo, Malebo Philemon 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Urban renewal is fairly new in South Arica compared to North America where the concept was introduced around 1949. Some urban areas in South Africa lacked basic subsistence needs while others had deteriorated into slums. That prompted the present government to act against such living conditions and make environments conducive to its motto of “better life for all”. One such area was Evaton within Emfuleni Local Municipality in Gauteng. The semi-rural centennial settlement is one of the few that enjoys freehold land tenure in South Africa. Unfortunately, that contributed to its underdevelopment as the politics of land release before 1996 prevented any development by the regime. The situation led Evaton developing into a slum without basic needs such as proper infrastructure, proper sanitation, refuse removal system, adequate water supply and social amenities. The situation manifested itself in poor community health status. The health status of the community was also influenced by the prevailing socio-economic conditions such as unemployment and poverty. Communities depended on home farming and animal husbandry to support their households. Unemployment and poverty resulted in crimes of stock-theft, house robberies and muggings. Gangsterism became the lifestyle of hooligans which made life difficult for vulnerable community members. Moreover, environmental health conditions were appalling. Water was drawn from improperly covered wells. Pit latrines and ash dumps were used for sanitation thus causing fly-breeding and rodent habourage. Animals roamed about while backyards were overpopulated with shacks instead of decent housing. Fossil fuel fires used inside mud houses with poor ventilation caused carbon monoxide poisoning. Particulate matter from dusty streets polluted the air. Diseases spread easily due to dust, overcrowding, and poor ventilation and sanitation. Families could hardly afford proper medical care which was scarce, remote and expensive. The intended urban renewal project aimed to improve the living conditions in Evaton. Improved housing was provided where possible, sewerage reticulation system was widened, electricity was installed and some service roads were tarred. More clinics were built to provide better and free health services to the community. Modern shopping malls were built. Municipal health and other essential services were partly delivered. The prospects of improved health status were beaming. Unfortunately, the project was hampered by obstacles such as politics of resistance to land release by landlords, which retarded housing progress. Funding was problematic and allegedly misused. Housing, roads and sanitation remained poor. Air quality remained poor as fossil fuel continued to be used due to high electricity costs. Animals were still kept and unemployment rate remained high. Research findings revealed that suspicions regarding clandestine land release deals were abound. Residents blamed leaders for offering jobs to friends and associates. Provision of affordable housing was rather too slow and made tedious by squabbles over management issues. Local economic development crucial to job creation and poverty alleviation needed strengthening to encourage self-reliance. It would be recommended that the situation in Evaton be afforded urgent intervention by government, with the support of strong community participation, which is crucial for smooth implementation of processes meant to improve living conditions in Evaton. Regeneration, with its envisaged prospects, needed the co-operation of all stakeholders. All suspicions regarding projects and processes had to be overcome. It would be important to employ persons with appropriate expertise, preferably from the local community; to strengthen project management for positive outcomes that would impact on the health status of the community was important. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Stedelike hernuwing in Suid-Afrika is ‘n redelike nuwe konsep in vergelyking met Noord- Amerika waar stedelike hernuwing reeds vanaf 1949 plaasgevind het Sommige stedelike areas in Suid-Afrika het agteruitgegaan as agtergebuurtes met ‘n tekort aan basiese lewensbehoeftes. Hierdie situasie het die huidige regering aangemoedig om aksie te neem teen hierdie lewenskondisies en ook beheer oor hierdie agtergebuurtes te neem ter ondersteuning van die regering se slagspreuk: “Beter lewe vir almal”. Een so ‘n area in Gauteng is Evaton, wat onder beheer van Emfuleni Plaaslike Munisipaliteit is. ‘n Honderd jare oue semi-plaaslike plek het vrye besitreg van eiendom in Suid-Afrika bepaal. Ongelukkig het hierdie bygedra tot onderontwikkeling aangesien politiese besluite rakende grond ontplooiing en ontwikkeling in Evaton negatief beïnvloed was deur die beherende bewind van daardie tyd. Hierdie situasie het ook bygedra dat Evaton in ‘n agtergebuurte verval het sonder voldoening aan basiese behoeftes soos aanvaarbare infrastruktuur, sanitasie, vullisverwydering, genoegsame water voorsiening en sosiale geriewe. Hierdie omstandighede het gevolglik aanleiding gegee dat Evaton gemeenskap onder andere lae gesondheidstatus geniet. Die gesondheidstatus van Evaton gemeenskap is verder ook beïnvloed deur heersende sosioekonomiese kondisies soos werkloosheid en armoede. Die gemeenskap was dus afhanklik van selfonderhoudende landbou- en veeboerdery ter wille van oorlewing. Werkloosheid en armoede het gevolglik ook aanleiding gegee tot misdade soos veediefstal, huisinbrake en rooftogte. Bendewese het ‘n leefstyl geword van straatboewe wat die lewe verder bemoeilik het vir kwetsbare gemeenskapslede. Walglike omgewingsgesondheid kondisies het gevolglik ook verder die oorhand gekry. Water is uit onbeskermde putte getap en buite toilette en ashope is vir sanitasie geriewe gebruik. Vlieë het uitgebroei en knaagdiere het daar begin aanteel. Vee het vry gewei en agtererwe was vol oorbevolkte krotte instede van aanvaarbare wonings Vure van fossielbrandstof is binne-in modderhuise met swak ventilasie gebrand en dit het tot koolstofmonoksied vergiftiging by inwoners gelei. Stofdeeltjies van stofstrate het lugbesoedeling veroorsaak. Siektes het vinnig versprei as gevolg van stof, oorbevolking, swak ventilasie en onhigiëniese sanitasie. Gesinne kon skaars geskikte mediese behandeling bekostig wat ver, skaars en duur was. Die stedelike hernuwingsprogram beoog om lewenskondisies in Evaton te verbeter. Beter behuising is verskaf waar moontlik, ‘n wyer rioolnetwerk is voorsien, elektrisiteit is voorsien en sekere dienspaaie is geteer. Meer klinieke is gebou om sodoende beter asook gratis gesondheidsdienste aan Evaton gemeenskap te voorsien. Ongelukkig was daar struikelblokke wat die stedelike hernuwingsprogram vertraag het. Die behuising projek kon nie volgens beplanning verloop nie aangesien grondeienaars onwillig was om hul grond af te staan. Fondse was nie genoeg nie en volgens aantuigings misbruik. Behuising, paaie en sanitasie bly nog swaak. Lugbesoedeling is steeds hoog aangesien fossielbrandstof steeds gebruik word as gevolg van hoë elektrisiteitskostes. Vee word steeds vrylik aangehou en die werkloosheid syfer is steeds baie hoog. Hierdie situasie in Evaton eis onmiddellik intervensie. Suspisies rakende grondhervorming moet oorkom word. Voorsiening van bekostigbare behuising moet verskerp word. Plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling wat noodsaaklik is vir werk skepping en armoede verligting moet aangespreek word om sodoende self-versorging aan te moedig. Intervensie van die Regering, met goeie gemeenkap deelname, is noodsaaklik vir gesonde lewenstandaarde in Evaton. Hervorming met beplande vooruitsigte sal dringend verskerp moet word sodat die impak van gesondheid standaarde op Evaton gemeenskap positief beïnvloed kan word.
48

Assessing the e-readiness of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) regional office Western Cape and its customers

Davids, Emihiyah 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: e-Governance refers to the utilisation of technology to improve on service delivery, sharing of information, client participation as well as to advance government through the transformation of its internal and external relationships (Shilubane, 2001:40).e-Governance further implies that government disseminates information and renders services to the public through “electronic means” (Manohar, Pulapa and Mellam, 2009:243). On the other hand, e-government is not entirely about electronic service delivery, but part of the continuous restructuring of government to ensure participation from its partners for improved efficacy and success. Therefore e-government is participatory in nature when implemented correctly. This study assesses and evaluates the current infrastructure and current e-initiatives of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Regional Office Western Cape and the extent to which the agency and its customers are ready to adopt e-government. The e-Governance Road Map (ERM) developed by Ernst & Young India for the New Delhi government was used to guide the researcher to assess the level of e-readiness of the SASSA Regional Office Western Cape. The Information and Communication Technology manager and customer care manager of the SASSA Regional Office Western Cape were interviewed and the beneficiaries of SASSA were requested to participate in the completion of questionnaires. The study found that the customers of SASSA were not as interested in electronic services as in mobile services such as reminders and notifications through short message service (SMS). There are, however, several impediments at SASSA such as an adoption of e-government and m-government, low budget for information and communication technology (ICT) as well as to conduct research among a larger group of SASSA customers. The study mainly recommends that the SASSA Regional Office Western Cape conduct a research study on a larger scale than this research study and to determine the needs of customers in respect of e-services and m-services. Should the agency decide to conduct an e-readiness assessment, the National e-Government Plan (NeGP) of India could be a useful guideline for the implementation of e-governance. The research study strongly recommends that SASSA develops a capacity-building roadmap for the successful implementation of e-governance. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: e-Regering verwys na die benutting van tegnologie om te verbeter op dienslewering, die deel van inligting, die kliënte deelname te versterk, sowel as om die regering te bevorder deur die transformasie van interne en eksterne verhoudings (Shilubane,2001:40). e-Regering impliseer verder dat die regering inligting versprei en dienste lewer aan die publiek deur middel van "elektroniese metodes" (Manohar, Pulapa en Mellam, 2009:243). Aan die ander kant, e-regering het nie slegs betrekking tot elektroniese dienslewering nie, maar sluit ook in die deurlopende herstrukturering van die regering om deelname van sy vennote te verseker om doeltreffendheid en sukses te bewerkstellig. e-Regering word dus as deelnemend beskou wanneer dit korrek geïmplementeer word. Hierdie studie bepaal en evalueer die huidige infrastruktuur en e-inisiatiewe van die Suid Afrikaanse Agentskap vir Maatskaplike Sekerheid (SAAMS) Streekkantoor Wes-Kaap en die mate waarin die agentskap en sy kliënte gereed is om e-regering aan te neem. Die e-regering kaart wat ontwikkel is deur Ernst en Young Indië vir die Nieu-Delhi regering was gebruik as riglyn om die vlak van e-gereedheid van die SAAMS Streekkantoor Wes-Kaap te bepaal. Onderhoude was gevoer met die Inligting en Kommunikasie tegnologiebestuurder en die kliëntediensbestuurder van die SAAMS Streekkantoor Wes-Kaap en die begunstigdes van SAAMS was versoek om deel te neem in die voltooiing van vraelyste. Die studie het bevind dat die kliënte van SAAMS nie werklik belangstel in elektroniese dienste nie, maar inteendeel aan mobiele dienste, onder andere kennisgewings deur middel van 'n kort boodskap diens. Daar is egter verskeie hindernisse wat die aanvaarding van e-regering en m-regering bemoeilik soos byvoorbeeld 'n lae begroting vir inligting en kommunikasie tegnologie (IKT) asook om navorsing te doen onder 'n groter groep van SAAMS kliënte. Die studie beveel hoofsaaklik aan dat SAAMS Streekkantoor Wes-Kaap 'n navorsingsprojek doen op 'n groter skaal as hierdie navorsing en die behoeftes van kliënte ten opsigte van e-dienste en m-dienste te bepaal. Indien die agentskap besluit om 'n e-gereedheid assessering uit te voer, word die Nasionale e-Regering Plan (NeGP) van Indië aan beveel as 'n nuttige riglyn vir die implementering van e-regering. Die navorsing beveel sterk aan dat SAAMS 'n vermoë-opbouplan vir die suksesvolle implementering van e-regering ontwikkel.
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An analysis of the perceptions of staff on performance appraisal : the case of the Department of Correctional Services

Binza, Malibongwe David 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is security‐oriented environment with a constitutional mandate to enforce offenders’ sentences by the court in a humane and safe manner that leads to their rehabilitation. Performance by employees especially in a security‐oriented environment is inevitably important and therefore has to be properly managed. Performance appraisal is one area of performance management that reinforces good performance. This study is meant to achieve the following objectives: To review literature regarding optimal performance appraisal processes in the DCS ; To conduct an investigation into the perceptions of DCS employees on how performance appraisal is done in the department ; To develop recommendations on how to improve performance appraisal conduct in the department. A literature review is conducted to put into perspective an ideal performance appraisal. Following this, qualitative and quantitative case study design methods were used to investigate how performance appraisals are viewed. Research participants were randomly sampled from Goodwood Prison, including Bellville Community Corrections. Their perceptions of the current system were tested and they were also asked how they thought it could be improved. Their input was collected by means of questionnaires. Collected data is then analysed, conclusions drawn and recommendations made on how performance appraisal could be improved. This study afforded DCS members an opportunity to interact with the researcher, in terms of representing their perceptions performance appraisal in the department. A major finding in this study is that the majority (70%) of DCS employees were not happy with the way appraisal is conducted in the department. Major causes of dissatisfaction included favouritism or lack of fairness. This is followed by lack of training. Respondents placed emphasis on the requirements for improvement in both of these areas. Based on the conducted research, the thesis offers the following recommendations to the DCS, namely making spiritual care a major player in increasing fairness and in eliminating favouritism which derails satisfactory performance appraisal in the department. Training is suggested as another way that improve performance appraisal in the department. In conclusion performance appraisal should be treated as important and given the attention that it deserves by management. This will result in better performance by employees and the department itself and is of utmost importance in a security‐oriented environment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste (DKD) is sekuriteits‐en omgewingsgeörienteerd met ‘n konstitisionele mandaat om vonnisse van oortreders wat deur die hof opgelê is op ‘n veilige en menslike wyse toe te pas wat hul rehabilitasie tot gevolg hê. Produktiwiteit van werknemers is veral noodsaaklik en belangrik in ‘n sekuriteitsge‐orienteerde omgewing en moet dus gevolglik effektief bestuur word. Produktiwiteitsmeting is een fasset van produktiwiteitsbestuur wat goeie prestasie en hoër produktiwiteit bevorder. Die mikpunt van hierdie studie was om die volgende doelstellings te bereik: Om ‘n oorsig van die akademiese literatuur aangaande die optimale produktiwiteitsassesseringsprosesse in die DKD te bied ; Om die menings van DKD werknemers oor die proses van produktiwiteitsassessering in die DKD te ondersoek ; en Om voorstelle te ontwikkel vir die verbetering van produktiwiteitsassesseringspraktyke in die department. ‘n Oorsig van akademiese literatuur was gedoen om ‘n ideaal vir produktiwiteitsassessering in perspektief te plaas. Vervolgens is kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe ondersoekinstrumente toegepas in ‘n gevallestudie om die opvattings omtrent produktiwiteitsassessering te ondersoek. Goodwood gevangenis, en Bellville Gemeenskapsgevangenis was die bronne vir deelnemers aan die ondersoek . Hul opvattings oor die huidige struktuur was getoets, sowel as hul menings oor hoe dit verbeter kan word. Hul bydrae was verkry deur middel van ‘n vraelys. Die versamelde data was ge‐analiseer, afleidings is gemaak , menings was gevorm en voorstellings is gemaak oor hoe produktiwiteitsassessering verbeter kan word. Die ondersoek het ‘n geleentheid gebied vir interaksie tussen lede van die DKD en die ondersoekbeampte in terme van verteenwoordiging van lede in hul menings oor produktiwiteitsassessering in die department. ‘n Hoofstaande bevinding van die studie was dat ‘n oorweldigende meerderheid van werknemers van die DKD ongelukkig was met die wyse van produktiwiteitsassessering in die department. Hoofoorsake van ontevredenheid was voortrekkery en ongelyke behandeling. Dit was gevolg deur ‘n gebrek aan opleiding. Respondente het klem gelê op die vereistes vir verbetering in albei areas. Hierdie tesis maak die volgende voorstellings, gebaseer op die ondersoek wat geloods is: gee prioriteitsposisie aan geestelike sorg as ‘n groot faktor in die verhoging van gelyke behandeling en die uitskakeling van voortekkery as ‘n duiwel wat bevredigende prestasie‐ en produktiwiteitsassessering in die wiele ry binne die department. Opleiding was voorgestel as nog ‘n wyse waarop produktiwiteitsassessering in die department verbeter kan word. Ten laaste, produktiwiteitsassessering moet as belangrik behandel word en die goedverdiende aandag van bestuur geniet. Dit sal verhoogde produktiwiteit/werksprestasie by werknemers en die department self tot gevolg hê en is van uiterste belang in ‘n sekuriteitsge‐orienteerde omgewing.
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Assessment of human resources records management practices in the Limpopo Department of Agriculture

Legodi, Koena Olivia 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research study assessed records management practices in the Limpopo Department of Agriculture (LDA), with the focus being on human resources records. Human resources records management practices were assessed in four key performance areas, namely: policy and regulatory framework, storage requirements, integrity of paper-based and electronic records, and efficiency and effectiveness of the registry system. The assessment tool, as prescribed in the Best Practice Model for Keeping and Managing Paper-Based Employee Records, was used. Research findings showed that LDA's performance in terms of records management practices do not comply with the set policies and regulatory framework and that the storage conditions are insecure. Research findings were evaluated and possible strategies for improving the management of human resources records are recommended. The adoption of awareness campaigns for staff, a coordinated training programme as well as the provision of support of top management, are some of the strategies recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie navorsingstudie is rekords van bestuurpraktyke in die Limpopo Departement van Landbou (LDL) geassesseer, met die fokus op menslikehulpbronrekords. Die menslikehulpbronrekords is geassesseer op grond van vier kernprestasie-areas, naamlik die beleids- en regulatoriese raamwerk, bergingsvereistes, integriteit van papiergebaseerde en elektroniese rekords, en doeltreffendheid en effektiwiteit van die registerstelsel. Die assesseringstelsel soos voorgeskryf deur die Best Practice Model for Keeping and Managing Paper-Based Employee Records is gebruik. Navorsingsbevindings het getoon dat die LDL se prestasie ten opsigte van rekordbestuurpraktyke nie voldoen aan beleide nie en dat ‟n regulatoriese raamwerk en veilige bergingstoestande nie bestaan nie. Navorsingsbevindings is geëvalueer en moontlike strategieë om die bestuur van menslikehulpbronrekords te verbeter, is aanbeveel. Die ingebruikneming van bewusmakingsveldtogte vir personeel, 'n gekoördineerde opleidingsprogrm en ook die verskaffing van steun deur topbestuur is van die strategieë wat aanbeveel word.

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