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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dawn of the new South Africa, with the election of the first democratically elected government in 1994, provided a huge service delivery challenge to the public service. Delivery challenges included, the different own affairs services that had to be amalgamated into one public service, matters of transformation, with regard to representivity of all race groups in government, and to reduce the huge backlog of access to public services to millions of South Africans previously excluded. Notwithstanding various initiatives by government through legislation and policies, to support the public sector in developing necessary skills and competencies of public servants for the improvement of service delivery, there is currently massive dissatisfaction from citizens regarding government's inability to provide basic services. Research will prove that the “traditional manner” of skills development initiatives cannot alone assists public servants to improve their skills and competencies to allow government to deliver on its mandate to provide minimum services to its citizens. Furthermore the research will prove that the concept of the “learning organisation (LO)” or alternatively “organisational learning (OL)”: Can support the “traditional” training and development methods to improve the skills levels of public servants to deliver on the mandate of government ; Is a planned intervention which must be supported from management as change agents ; Benefit employees more from this approach to learn ; Must be supported by a change of the organisational culture, information and knowledge management and the appreciation of individual knowledge and experience. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Met aanbreek van die nuwe Suid-Afrika in 1994, na die nuut verkose eerste demokratiese regering, is groot uitdagings ten opsigte van dienslewering aan die openbare sektor gestel. Hierdie uitdagings sluit onder andere in die verskeie eie-sake administrasies wat geamalgameer moes word, hervormingsaangeleenthede soos om verteenwoordiging van alle rasse in die openbare sektor te verseker en ook om die groot agterstand in dienslewering aan miljoene mense in Suid Afrika wat voorheen daarvan uitgesluit was, te verminder. Nieteenstaande verskeie regeringspogings om dienslewering te verhoog deur nuwe wetgewing te promulgeer om die nodige vaardighede en bevoegdhede van staatsamptenare te verbeter, is daar nog steeds grootskaalse ontevredenheid by die algemene publiek oor die regering se onvermoë om basiese dienste te verskaf. Die navorsing sal toon dat die "tradisionele" wyse van vaardigheids-ontwikkelingsinisiatiewe alleen nie voldoende sal wees om die vaardighede en bevoegdhede van staatsamptenare te verbeter om die regering in staat te stel om aan sy mandaat te voldoen om minimum dienste aan die publiek te lewer nie. Die navorsing sal ook toon dat die konsep van leef "organisatoriese leer (OL)": Die tradisionele manier van opleiding en ontwikkeling kan ondersteun om die vaardigheidsvlakke van staatsamptenare te verbeter en sodoende op die regering se mandaat te kan lewer ; 'n Beplande ingryping is wat deur bestuur ondersteun moet word wie as veranderingsagente in die organisasie moet optree ; Meer voordele bied aan werknemers om te leer ; Deur 'n verandering in die kultuur van die organisasie, inligting- en kennisbestuur, en die waardering van individuele kennis en ervaring, ondersteun moet word.

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Nine years after the launch of the Learnership programme, considerable efforts have been undertaken by various organisations to implement the programme. However, the implementation of the programme is still faced with various challenges which hamper the overall goal of obtaining a formal registered qualification and maximising the employment opportunities of the learners through the combination of vocational education and training. The study focuses on the evaluation of the implementation of the Learnership programme within the Public Service Commission. By nature, evaluations play a critical role of determining the worthiness of a programme or its shortcomings. The study provides a detailed account of the Learnership programme, its design, and the implementation thereof. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for a transparent, non-discriminatory legislative and policy context, as well as sound institutional mechanisms for supporting the implementation of the programme. Based on the evidence gathered, it appears that there is little appreciation of the concept of skills development through the Learnership programme. The implementation of the programme has been marred by coordination and management challenges and as a result, the acquiring of skills or skills transfer through the programme remains a challenge. Overall, the lack of institutionalising the programme has rendered it an ad-hoc activity as opposed to a strategic investment of addressing skills shortage. A number of recommendations are provided for improving the implementation of the programme and to contribute towards resolving the pervasive skills constraints in South Africa through the Learnership programme. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nege jaar na die instelling van die Leerderskapprogram is heelwat werk reeds deur verskeie organisasies gedoen om die program te implementeer. Die implementering van die program gaan steeds met verskeie uitdagings gepaard wat nadelig is vir die verwesenliking van die oorkoepelende doel om 'n formele geregistreerde kwalifikasie te verwerf en die leerders se indiensnemingsgeleenthede te verbeter deur 'n kombinasie van beroepsonderwys en -opleiding. Die studie fokus op die evaluering van die implementering van die Leerderskapprogram in die Staatsdienskommissie. Evaluering speel uiteraard 'n kritieke rol om die waarde of tekortkominge van 'n program te bepaal. Die studie bied 'n gedetailleerde oorsig van die Leerderskapprogram en die ontwerp en implementering daarvan. Voorts beklemtoon die studie 'n deursigtige, niediskriminerende wetgewende en beleidskonteks asook 'n stewige institusionele meganisme om die implementering van die program te steun, hoewel dit uit die getuienis blyk dat daar weinig begrip is van die konsep van vaardigheidsontwikkeling deur die Leerderskapprogram. Die implementering van die program word belemmer deur koördinerings- en bestuursuitdagings, met die gevolg dat die verwerwing van vaardighede of vaardigheidsoordrag deur middel van die program 'n uitdaging bly. In die geheel gesien, veroorsaak die gebrekkige institusionalisering van die program dat dit 'n ad hoc-aktiwiteit is in plaas van 'n strategiese investering om die vaardigheidstekort die hoof te bied. Verskeie aanbevelings word gedoen om die implementering van die program te verbeter en om by te dra tot die oplossing van die wydverspreide vaardigheidstekort in Suid-Afrika deur middel van die Leerderskapprogram.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis was to determine whether or not examples exist of commercial grain farmers in the Swartland region of South Africa moving away from high-external-input agricultural production systems towards production systems based on ecologically restorative partnerships with soils and other natural systems. The research also sought to understand why these farmers were changing their approach to farming, as well as investigating the specific technologies and practices they were implementing in order to achieve these changes. In addition, the thesis also considered the theoretical implications of these changes on food security in the Western Cape. Three research approaches were employed: qualitative case studies of seven progressive farmers in the region; a literature review; and an analysis of secondary data. Throughout these three approaches, Swilling and Annecke’s conceptualisation of a multifaceted global polycrisis was used as a conceptual reference point. This was done with the intention of providing an agricultural analysis which looks beyond the farm gate and takes cognisance of the broader socio-ecological issues which affect and are affected by agriculture. The research identified seven farmers who are shifting towards lower-external-input production methods, which focus on enhancing beneficial partnerships with natural systems. The on-site interviews and observations revealed that the degree to which these seven farmers were altering their practices varied significantly. However, four key technologies and practices were identified as being common to all seven farmers: the use of legume rotations, reduced tillage, new styles of planters and increasing farm size. With regard to food security, the research suggested that current changes in these farmers’ agricultural practices could assist in keeping food prices and food production levels more stable in future, compared to production using high-external-input practices previously employed by the farmers. The potential improvement in production stability was shown to result mainly from improvements in soil health, as these improvements give crops increased resilience to unfavourable weather conditions, greater disease-resistance and improved vitality. The potential improvement in price stability stemmed predominantly from increased input-use efficiency and the utilisation of natural fertility and pest-management practices which were less susceptible to monopolistic input sales structures, international shortages and the increasing cost of fossil fuels. Due to the small size of the case study sample and the fact that this research focussed specifically on farmers who were considered progressive, the findings presented in this thesis cannot be viewed as representative of the larger agricultural region. The intention was rather to establish the positive changes currently underway, in order to provide useful pointers for similarly beneficial changes to be implemented elsewhere. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis was om vas te stel of voorbeelde bestaan van kommersiële graanboere in die Swartlandgebied van Suid Afrika wat wegbeweeg van hoë-eksterne-inset produksie sisteme na sisteme wat gebasseer is op vennootskappe met grond en ander natuurlike sisteme. Die doel van dié vennootskappe isom ekologiese herstellingte bewerkstellig. Die navorsing het ook gepoog om te verstaan hoekom hierdie boere hulle boerderytegniekeverander; spesifieke tegnologieë en praktyke wat gebruik word om verandering mee te bringis ondersoek. Daarenbowe oorweeg hierdie tesis ook die teoretiese implikasies van die veranderings op voedselsekuriteit in die Wes-Kaap. Drie navorsings benaderings is te werk gestel: kwalitatiewe gevallestudies van sewe vooruitstrewende boere in die area; ‘n literatuurstudie; en ‘n analise van sekondêre data. Swilling en Annecke se konsepsualisering van die veelvoudig-gefasetteerde globale polikrisis is deurlopend gebruik as ‘n konsepsuele verwysingspunt. Dit is gedoen om‘n boerdery analise daar te stel wat verby die plaashek kyk na wyer maatskaplike en ekologiese kwessies wat ‘n wederkerige verhouding met boerdery het. Die navorsing het sewe boere geidentifiseer wat na laer-eksterne-inset produksie metodes beweeg. Hierdie metodes fokus daarop om voordelige verhoudings met natuurlike sisteme te versterk. Onderhoude en waarnemings op die plase het vasgestel dat die graad van praktykverandering merkwaardig tussen die sewe boere verskil. Nietemin, vier gemeenskaplike sleuteltegnologieëenpraktyke is geidentifiseer: die rotasie van peulgewasse, verminderde grondbewerking, nuwe plantermodelle en die vergroting van plaasgroottes. Met betrekking tot voedselsekuriteit vind die navorsing dat huidige veranderings in die wyse waarop geboer word, in vergelyking met die voorafgaande hoe-eksterne-inset produksie praktyke, kospryse en produksievlakke kan stabiliseer. Die navorsing wys daarop dat ‘npotensiële verbetering in produksie stabiliteit ‘n uitkoms van gesonder grond is. Gesonder grond verhoog gewasse se vermoëom effektief op ongunstige weerkondisies te reageer, bevorder hulle pes-afweringvermoë en verbeter die lewenskragtigheid van gewasse. Die potensiele verbetering in die stabiliteit van pryse is ‘n nagevolg van meer effektiewe gebruik van insette en die gebruik van natuurlike vrugbaarheid en pesbestuurpraktyke wat minder vatbaar is vir monopolistiese inset-verkoopstrukture, internasionale tekorte en die prysverhoging van fossielbrandstowwe. Na aanleiding van die klein skaal van die gevallestudies en die feit dat die navorsing spesifiek gefokus het op vooruitstrewende boere, verteenwoordig die bevindings in hierdie tesis nie die omliggende landbou area nie. Die veronderstelling was eerder om die positiewe veranderings wat tans onderweg is vas te stel om sodoende bruikbare advies aan soortgelyke voordelige veranderings wat elders geimplementeer kan word te verskaf.

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Public sector organisations have to deliver quality services to the people amid budgetary cuts and public disenchantment with the public sector. Delivering these services in the face of dwindling resources has led public sector organisations to introduce performance improvement initiatives in an endeavour to do more with less. The government of Botswana introduced a raft of performance improvement initiatives such as WITS, O & M and Job Evaluation in the public sector with the sole objective of improving performance and driving public service delivery. However, despite the implementation of these initiatives, there was increasing concern that the quality of the delivery of public services was declining. These performance improvement initiatives were criticised for failing to make any meaningful impact on organisational performance, as the problems of poor service delivery remained unchanged. The failure of these earlier public sector reforms to improve organisational performance led the government to introduce a more comprehensive and holistic reform programme, PMS, guided by the national vision – Vision 2016 – in 1999. PMS was seen as the overall framework within which all previous reform initiatives could be integrated. This research sought to determine whether the objectives of PMS of DTA were being realised, given that previous public sector reforms had been deemed to have failed to actually raise organisational performance. A case study of DTA was therefore undertaken to describe the extent to which PMS had delivered on its objectives. Data collection was through structured self-administered questionnaires, comprising 14 closed-ended questions, one ranked question and one open-ended question. This was also augmented by documentary analysis of official reports such as the Annual Statements of Accounts (ASA). The research found that PMS had succeeded only in so far as communicating DTA’s vision, mission and values across the department. There was awareness of PMS within DTA. However, the system had not succeeded in improving DTA’s organisational performance, as it was hampered by various challenges such as lack of leadership commitment, the difficulty in implementing the system and lack of feedback on organisational performance. Recommendations are also made for enhancing DTA’s PMS to actually realise its objectives of improving organisational performance. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar word van openbare sektor organisasies verwag om kwaliteit dienste aan die publiek te lewer te midde van ingekorte begrotings en openbare ontnugtering rakende die openbaresektor. In ‘n poging om hierdie dienste te lewer ten spyte van beperkte hulpbronne stel openbaresektor organisasies inisiatiewe in om werkverrigting te verbeter en sodoende meer koste-doeltreffend te werk. Die regering van Botswana het ‘n aantal inisiatiewe, byvoorbeeld Werk Verbetering Spanne (WITS), Organisering en Metodes (O&M) en Posevaluering, in die openbaresektor geïmplementeer met die uitsluitlike doel om werkverrigting te verbeter en openbare dienslewering te dryf. Ten spyte hiervan was daar egter toenemende kommer dat die kwaliteit van dienslewering toenemend verswak. Bogenoemde inisiatiewe is gekritiseer dat hulle gefaal het om enige noemenswaardige impak op organisatoriese prestasie te toon, aangesien probleme rakende swak dienslewering onveranderd was. Die versuim van hierdie aanvanklike hervormings in die openbaresektor om organisatoriese prestasie te verbeter, het daartoe aanleiding gegee dat die regering in 1999 ‘n meer omvattende en holistiese hervormingsprogram, die Prestasie Bestuur Stelsel (PMS), ingestel het, gelei deur die nasionale visie – ‘Vision 2016’. Die PMS is gesien as die omvattende raamwerk waarbinne al die vorige hervormingsinisiatiewe geïntegreer kon word. Hierdie navorsing het gepoog om vas te stel of die doelstellings van die PMS in die Departement van Stam Administrasie realiseer, siende vorige openbaresektor hervormings nie geslaag het om organisatoriese prestasie te verbeter nie. ‘n Gevallestudie van die departement is onderneem om die mate waarin die PMS se doelstellings bereik is te beskryf. Dataversameling is gedoen deur gestruktureerde, selfgeadministreerde vraelyste, bestaande uit 14 geslote vrae, een ranglysvraag en een oopvraag. Dit is aangevul deur dokumentêre analise van amptelike verslae soos Jaarlikse Rekeningstate. Die navorsing het gevind dat die PMS slegs in dié mate geslaag het dat mense dwarsdeur die departement bewusgemaak is van die departement se visie, missie en waardes. Hoewel mense bewus was van die prestasiebestuurstelsel, bevind die navorsing geen daadwerklike verbetering in organisatoriese prestasie nie, aangesien dit belemmer word deur verskeie uitdagings, soos gebrekkige toewyding deur leiers, probleme met die implementering van die sisteem en die tekort aan terugvoer rakende organisatoriese prestasie. Die navorsing stel sekere aanbevelings voor om die departement se prestasiebestuursisteem te verbeter om die doelstelling om organisatoriese prestasie te verwesenlik.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis sets out to explore housing co-operatives as an alternative housing delivery mechanism in South Africa. This is done by critically examining the housing policy post 1994, as well as the various mechanisms government implemented in an attempt to manage the service delivery within the housing sector. The thesis also explores the role that co-operatives played in South Africa’s history and draws some historical comparisons in relation to the establishment of housing co-operatives internationally and locally. In exploring the various types of housing co-operatives, insights emerge about their structure, potential and limitations. The thesis examines the themes of public service delivery and explores possible alternatives to the failing traditional model of public service delivery. The thesis focuses on the experiences and perceptions that South Africans have with regards to local government process in housing service delivery. The thesis concludes that local government should play an active role in creating more collaborative partnerships; one that focuses on training and facilitating the efforts of civil society to establish entities such as housing cooperatives. This requires a fundamental shift in the manner in which local government approaches service delivery in the housing sector. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis het ten doel behuisings kooperatiewe te verken as ’n alternatiewe behuisingsmeganisme in Suid-Afrika. Dit is gedoen deur n kritiese ondersoek van die behuisingsbeleid na 1994, sowel as die verskeie meganismes wat die regering probeer implementeer het in ’n poging om die dienslewering binne die behuisingsektor te beheer. Die tesis ondersoek die rol wat koöperatiewe gespeel het in Suid-Afrika se geskiedenis en het ’n historiese vergelyking gemaak met betrekking tot die stigting van behuisingskoöperatiewe op internasionale sowel as op plaaslike vlak. In die tesis van die verskillende tiepe behuising koöperasies het sekere ideas na vore gekom ten opsigte van hul struktuur, potensiaal en beperkinge. Die tesis ondersoek die temas van publieke dienslewering en het ook na die alternatiewe gekyk ten opsigte van publieke dienslewering. Die tesis fokus op die ervarings en persepsies van Suid- Afrikaners met betrekking tot die plaaslike regering se proses van behuisings dienslewering. Die tesis word afgesluit met voorstelle waarin plaaslike regering 'n aktiewe rol speel in die skepping van meer samewerkende vennootskappe, een wat fokus op die opleiding en die fasilitering waarin pogings van die burgerlike samelewing entiteite tot stand bring soos byvoorbeeld behuising koöperasies. Dit vereis ’n fundamentele verandering in die wyse waarop plaaslike regering dienslewering benader in die behuisingsektor.