No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

The prospects for the establishment of a system of developmental local government in South Africa appear to be dim. This dissertation examines development delivery in the broader state/market debate. From this debate a clear role is developed for local government as an agent of delivery. This type of local government is characterised by strength and a developmental outlook. An analysis is provided of the history of local government, as well as the legislation and policy that has been out in place to facilitate the transition between apartheid and post-apartheid local government. Through a series of interviews, participant knowledge and data collection, an assessment of the Mooi River TLC is made in terms of its strength and its developmental outlook. The future of local government is found to be constrained by a historical legacy as well as by the actions of groupings inside and outside the local sphere. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 2000.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

This research examines planning for recreational facilities and open spaces in townships. In this regard, various planning methods and approaches to planning for recreational facilities open spaces have been reviewed. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used in the study. Secondary sources were used in defining the nature of recreational facilities and spaces whereas the primary sources provided experiential knowledge. The study assessed the adequacy and appropriateness of recreational facilities and open spaces for the youth in the township. Different methods were employed in data collection and analysis. This includes the use of a questionnaire, check lists and documents. Questionnaires presented responses from the youth on the topic whereas check list represents the researchers' observations gathered through field survey. The research focus examined suitability, quality and quantity of recreational facilities and open spaces for the youth in ESikhawini. The results reveal that recreational open spaces show varying degrees of suitability and quality. Poor quality of spaces was characterized with lack of visual appropriateness as a result of littering, maintenance and lack of open space furniture. As such conclusion and recommendations to improve the situation are made. These findings are useful to planners, urban designers, architects and developers in making decisions in the planning for recreational facilities and spaces in township environment. / Thesis (M.T.U.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2009.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of Ward Committees in facilitating community participation in municipal planning. The main objective was to identify challenges currently faced by Ward Committees in discharging their responsibilities and to make recommendations that would improve Ward Committee's participation in municipal planning. A qualitative approach was adopted and data was gathered through focus group discussions and interviews. The findings indicated that one of the key impediments to Ward Committees having an influence on council decision making appears to be limited power that most Ward Councilors have within the deliberation processes of municipal councils. Moreover, the tensions around respective powers and functions of Ward Committees also highlight a larger fundamental issue affecting public participation and local government. This study found that the role of Ward Committee members in the Integrated Development Planning process is unsatisfactory. The findings indicated that the Ward Committees had limited knowledge of the Integrated Development Plan process despite the fact that they were expected to facilitate and take part in decision making. The study recommends training for Ward Committees on municipal process, clarity on their role and access to information on municipal planning. Ward Committees have a great potential to facilitate bigger community involvement and should be more integrated into municipal processes the study has established. It is therefore necessary that the role of Ward Committees be understood as being an instrument of community participation within a broader context of municipal governance. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

The emergence of public enterprises was heightened in the middle part of this century at a time when the Keynesian theory dominated economic thinking. State involvement in the economy was viewed as essentially crucial for crowding in of investment. With recession creeping in the late 70s, coupled with dynamic and evolving economic thinking and policies of the time, degovernmentalisation assumed prominence. The central theme was that the private sector was more efficient in the allocation of resources. The UK led the way in 1979 with pronouncements of privatisation of state enterprises. Privatisation became the new buzzword, and was exported all over the world. In South Africa, the problems encountered towards the close of the late 1980s paved the way for privatisation. South African Posts and Telecommunications' (SAPT) path towards privatisation was mooted in 1988 and chanted in October 1991 when it was commercialized to form TELKOM SA Limited. The takeoff to privatisation occurred in 1996 when 30% of TELKOM shares were sold off to Telekom Malaysia Bhd partnered by US-based SBC Communications Inc. Telecommunications has pervaded all facets of human endeavors covering social, security and business functions. Intricately intertwined global processes have complemented the sector's propensity to expand and integrate since the late 70s. Despite its salient impact on political, economic and social development, telecommunications remains at a crossroads in South Africa. The seemingly dichotomous situation in South Africa presents an interesting development dilemma of social thrust versus private capital development. In telecommunications, there are two conflicting objectives that have to be met: universal service provision versus growth and development of world class business services. Privatisation will have a profound impact on various stakeholders including the government, TELKOM, trade unions, residential and business consumers, equipment manufacturers and engineers among others. The study therefore seeks to give an anagram of parastatals emergence, analysis of the privatisation process, as well as provide a critical and empirical review of TELKOM development trajectory. The analysis is made within the context of development using the following theories: principal-agent theory, theory of contestable markets and regulatory theory. These are central to issues behind privatisation since ownership; efficiency and regulation shape the policies and operations of companies today. This thesis has found that TELKOM has performed relatively well over the last couple of decades but has been facing major challenges created by the new sociopolitical dispensation, globalization and a shift in economic thinking premised on capitalism. There are wide disparities in the provision of phones along spatial and racial lines. Competition is still a far cry although regulation structures are in place. For regulation to work there must be competition and free access to information, and this is non existent. Regulation in an information asymmetry environment can render it ineffective. The only route open for telecommunications in South Africa is privatisation, which should be implemented in stages in consultation with various stakeholders. Policy guidelines should emphasize the promotion of both the universal service and market services in order to close the gaps created by apartheid and make South Africa industry competitive. Models from the developed and developing worlds should be blended while taking into consideration historical and specific conditions prevailing in the country. The dynamic telecommunications industry is going to self adjust through a process of partnerships and alliances while lower tariffs can be achieved through competitive provision of services and supply of equipment. Complementary telecommunication services should be provided through existing networks operated by Transtel, Eskom etc. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 1999.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

International debates in the field of development have redefined housing as sustainable housing. Thus, housing no long refers to the delivery of physical products. The introduction of the concept of sustainability has far reaching consequences for the delivery of housing, which now amounts to the creation of viable communities. Moreover, the delivery of housing now takes place within the context of a policy framework that is indicative of a complete reversal of past policies towards developmentally-oriented, integrated approaches aimed at bringing about the long term sustainability of a vibrant and organic civil society. Significantly, the conception of housing as a process prioritises community control of projects at the local level with the assistance of external role players. Unfortunately, this long awaited component of housing projects is often marred by capacity constraints on the part of beneficiary communities who cannot participate and lor negotiate with other stakeholders in the delivery of housing. Therefore, the level at which this investigation is focused is on the mediation of community participation by all the relevant stakeholders in order to unravel the influence that this has on the quality of the housing products that are received. In this respect, an inquiry into the concepts of participation is tested against a case study of a community involved in a housing project and concludes that community participation is indeed mediated by many role players and that their influence has a determining effect on the quality of the social and physical products received. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

Disabled people live in a complex world encompassing the same interests and desires that motivate the balance of the earth's population. We have always known this, but as is often the case, society often plans without considering the needs of disabled people. Progress toward the acceptance of disabled persons as total human beings has not come about because equality is not a reality for disabled people. A point of departure for this research is therefore that disablement is a relation to the surrounding world, not a static phenomenon. It should perhaps be emphasized that this “relation” applies not only to the physical but also social environment. It is hoped that this study will demonstrate the inequalities that disabled people have to contend with, with reference to services such as housing, transportation, education, employment and recreational opportunities. The attitudes, value judgments and expectations of society and the disabled themselves contribute to the creation or breakdown of barriers to full participation and equality. It is recommended that a great deal more be done to achieve the equality that disabled individuals so rightly deserve especially in regard to the promotion of self-dependent life leading to enhanced quality of living. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

This dissertation assesses the role of small-scale farming in reducing poverty in rural areas using household data collected from Kanyayo and interviews with Department of Agriculture, Bizana Local Municipality and other key community members. The reviewed literature confirmed that small-scale farming has a potential to reduce poverty if well supported. This support includes the eradication of problems facing small-scale farming, while at the same time empowering small-scale farmers through connecting them to reliable market outlets. The findings of the study indicated that small-scale farming in Kanyayo is faced by many problems. These problems include: labour shortage which is attributed to lack of youth involvement, laziness and sicknesses; insufficient rainfall; poor infrastructure and inadequate access to services; lack of connectedness to market outlets; lack of farming information. These obstacles to small-scale farming tend to constrain smallscale farming potential and thereby exacerbate poverty levels. Arising from the research several recommendations were put forward. These include: development of the labour force; irrigation schemes and construction of dams; delivering of services and infrastructure; market arrangements; accessible to farming information center. The study concludes that small-scale fanning has a power to reduce poverty in rural areas but that power is based on removal of barriers to small-scale farming. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.