Institutional Capacity has been a hidden factor that has not been given much attention in the service delivery protests that have seen many residents of the townships taking to the streets. The year 2005 saw the beginning of these protests right up to 2010. South Africa`s Constitution of 1996, has empowered municipalities through the developmental goals set out in chapter 7as well as the Bill of Rights. The Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 and the Municipal Finance Management Act of 2003 empowered all the municipalities to embark on a developmental agenda that is guided by the Integrated Development Planning (IDP). The IDP process has ensured that the needs of the communities are prioritised and are budgeted for. Hence the approval of the budget is tied to the IDP. Once the IDP is approved by the Council, outcomes and impact must be seen on the ground and this is not happening in most municipalities especially at Emfuleni Local Municipality. The completion of the IDP process is as a result of planning by all departments within a municipality. Once this is done, it is then that the budget is approved. In most cases implementation is the next step that should follow and this is not the case at Emfuleni Local Municipality. Programmes and projects do not reach the completion stage hence service delivery protests. The issue of capacity becomes a critical factor in that municipalities must be able to implement what was planned in the IDP. Currently it seems there are challenges that are caused by capacity problems and political interference in the administrative duties of the administrators. Much as it is admissible that South Africa has undergone political transformation, at the same time it is not excusable to fail when it comes to implementing projects that are planned for. It would seem that capacity challenges are not given proper attention as to whether managers and employees understand what needs to be implemented and how that should be done. Skills and qualifications are the most critical factors that need to be given serious attention when it comes to implementation of programmes and projects. By appointing incompetent people in critical position or politically connected people, the end product or the outcomes thereof are likely to be disastrous as this is revealed by service delivery protests. Project management and financial management skills are very critical when it comes to implementation of any projects. Hence the hypothesis of this study was formulated that due to lack of institutional capacity, Emfuleni Local Municipality was unable to implement the IDP to the satisfactory of the communities that they serve. In support of the empirical research, institutional capacity issues and problems were analysed. The research analysis and outcomes indicate that a majority of the employees used in the sample admit to the fact that lack of skills and political interference as well as misalignment of functions within departments result in the municipality not being able to function to its full capacity. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

Historically the practice of conservation planning has occurred in an ad hoc manner in areas that have no economic or agricultural value. When systematic conservation planning has been implemented it has ensured the identification of priority areas that contain species, habitats, and processes essential to achieving conservation targets and goals set out by government. In the recent past a number of authors within the conservation planning fraternity have started questioning the actual impact of conservation plans. Only one third of the conservation plans (globally) published between 1998 and 2000 resulted in actual implementation. Prendengast et al. (1999) described this gap between conservation plans and conservation action as the ‘research–implementation–gap’. The same phenomenon is experienced in local government conservation planning, in South Africa. This has led to a lack of conservation planning and implementation. By using the Gauteng provincial Conservation Plan (C–Plan), that is considered the strategic conservation planning document for the province government, a critical evaluation of the extent to which environmental aspects are considered in strategic level municipal decision making was done. Six local and two district municipalities within the Gauteng Province were selected to ascertain, through a comparative and objective analysis, to what extent their strategic documents (Integrated Development Plan, Spatial Development Framework and Environmental Management Framework) reflect the conservation planning done on a provincial sphere (C–Plan). An analysis was done of the selected documentation and spatial maps to determine whether incorporation occurred either explicitly and/or implicitly. The expectation is that municipalities within the Gauteng Province, should, as part of their Integrated Development Plan process, integrate the Gauteng C–Plan with their Integrated Development Plans. The research found that all the municipalities fully incorporated the C–Plan within their Environmental Management Frameworks indicating that local government conservation planners do consult and incorporate provincial conservation plans when they are generating their own plans. The Spatial Development Frameworks and Integrated Development Plans did not reflect this strong connection with regards to conservation planning. There is a lack of integration between the different documents and an inability to bring a planning aspect(s) to delivery and implementation. There is no problem with the incorporation of the C–Plan into the Environmental Management Frameworks, thus future research or conservation initiatives should focus on the effective incorporation of the Environmental Management Frameworks into other strategic municipal documentation (Spatial Development Frameworks and Integrated Development Plans) and promote the integration that occurs between the municipal documents themselves. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

A qualitative research approach was utilised with the goal to explore the views and interpretation of community members concerning the participation in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the City of Johannesburg Municipality. The objectives were to conceptualise the legal and policy framework for the implementation of IDP's in South African municipalities (with reference to community/public participation); explore the nature and extent of community participation in the IDP processes (understanding of the IDP process and its meaning to the community); explore community participation in relation to decision-making in the process of IDP consultation, and make suggestions for advocacy on meaningful community participation to optimise the success of IDP in the City of Johannesburg Municipality. Using applied research made it possible for suggestions of meaningful community participation to optimise the success of IDP in the City of Johannesburg Municipality. A sample of 18 participants was drawn from Region E of which only 10 people participated, focusing on Alexandra as the population. The most suitable research design was a qualitative design with a collective case study. A focus group session was held with each of the two groups of participants. The focus group session with community representatives took place at the AlexSankopano multi-purpose main hall in Alexandra, whilst the session with the representatives of the City of Johannesburg municipality, took place at the boardroom of Region E offices in Sandton. Data collected were analysed using Creswell's data analysis spiral. The findings of the research showed that, although participation in the IDP of the Alexandra community which forms part of Region E of the City of Johannesburg Municipality was acknowledged, it was not meaningful and effective to the community and municipal officials. The above finding seems to suggest that the value of community participation for sustainable development in the community, as well as for nation building has not been realised. / Mini Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Social Work and Criminology / MA / Unrestricted

This study aim is to look closer on how municipalities utilize the citizens and creatin a dialog between the two parties as a tool to achieve a more sustainable development. To answer this question this study looks closer on the municipality of Umeå and their work with the process and dialog together with the citizens to create a detailed development plan for the area of Tomtebo gård. Through analysis of document used as a basis for the creation of the detailed development plan for Tomtebo gård. The conclusion is if the municipality of Umeå have done enough work to get the citizens involved in the process or if they are using the process as a tool to increase the legitimacy in their decisions

The recent reform of potable water service provisioning by means of the promulgation of the Water Services Act 108 of 1997 and the National Water Act 36 of 1998 in South Africa has started a process of addressing the imbalance that existed in regard to how the national resource was being distributed. Water is now recognised as a scarce resource that belongs to all the people of the country. Consequently, it should be managed in an integrated way for social and economic development – including future growth (Fuggle & Rabie, 2005:293; Reimann, Chimboza & Fubesi, 2012:446). What is required is an attitude that incorporates a sensitivity in the careful cognisance and management of ―the aggregate of surrounding objects, conditions, and influences that impact on the life and habits of man, or any other organism or collection of organisms (South Africa, 1989). The provision of potable water by water services authorities (WSAs) is an important basic service that faces a number of challenges, such as the use of an outdated infrastructure, the lack of skilled and knowledgeable people, improper planning, and the booming population that places overt pressure on the demand for service delivery. This study was, therefore, undertaken to investigate how a municipality – which is forced to obtain its potable water supply from nearby surface and groundwater catchments, could manage this supply in a more effective, efficient, equitable, economic and sustainable manner by means of improved co-operative governance and intergovernmental relations. The key motivation was thus to develop a plan that would manage water resources more effectively on strategic, tactical and operational levels within government structures and to assist in realising integrated water resources management (IWRM). The proposed plan could be used to develop a shared vision for the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality (Dr KKDM) municipal area of responsibility; and to provide an overview of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats regarding the management of water resources. A qualitative research design was used to conduct the study, which included a literature review, semi-structured interviews, data sampling and scientific analysis of responses. Furthermore, a case-study approach was followed by the researcher, with Dr KKDM as the unit of analysis (the locus). / Thesis (Ph.D. (Public Management and Governance))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The recent reform of potable water service provisioning by means of the promulgation of the Water Services Act 108 of 1997 and the National Water Act 36 of 1998 in South Africa has started a process of addressing the imbalance that existed in regard to how the national resource was being distributed. Water is now recognised as a scarce resource that belongs to all the people of the country. Consequently, it should be managed in an integrated way for social and economic development – including future growth (Fuggle & Rabie, 2005:293; Reimann, Chimboza & Fubesi, 2012:446). What is required is an attitude that incorporates a sensitivity in the careful cognisance and management of ―the aggregate of surrounding objects, conditions, and influences that impact on the life and habits of man, or any other organism or collection of organisms (South Africa, 1989). The provision of potable water by water services authorities (WSAs) is an important basic service that faces a number of challenges, such as the use of an outdated infrastructure, the lack of skilled and knowledgeable people, improper planning, and the booming population that places overt pressure on the demand for service delivery. This study was, therefore, undertaken to investigate how a municipality – which is forced to obtain its potable water supply from nearby surface and groundwater catchments, could manage this supply in a more effective, efficient, equitable, economic and sustainable manner by means of improved co-operative governance and intergovernmental relations. The key motivation was thus to develop a plan that would manage water resources more effectively on strategic, tactical and operational levels within government structures and to assist in realising integrated water resources management (IWRM). The proposed plan could be used to develop a shared vision for the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality (Dr KKDM) municipal area of responsibility; and to provide an overview of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats regarding the management of water resources. A qualitative research design was used to conduct the study, which included a literature review, semi-structured interviews, data sampling and scientific analysis of responses. Furthermore, a case-study approach was followed by the researcher, with Dr KKDM as the unit of analysis (the locus). / Thesis (Ph.D. (Public Management and Governance))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Much is written on the importance of participatory communication and its role in uplifting indigent communities. As the closest government sphere to communities, local government is charged with directly improving the lives of the poor and is required by legislation to conduct Integrated Development Planning (IDP). This requires that a municipal authority utilise participatory communication aspects such as dialogue, empowerment, and planning. These are most important pillars of community development. However, many studies have warned that elements such as modernisation, dependency and bureaucracy need to be re-assed and observed with caution since they have the potential to impede and limit the extent of participatory communication in community development. These concepts serve as the basic points of departure and theoretical background underpinning this study, which is tasked with exploring the extent of participatory communication in the IDP context of Jouberton Township in the Matlosana LocalMunicipality. In her public address on challenges facing North West Local municipalities (Including Matlosana Municipality) in January 2014, former premier, Thandi Modise, emphasised the need for municipalities to ensure that communities attend IDP meetings, approve earmarked IDP projects and be aware of how a municipality spends its budget earmarked for specific development projects. It is evident from theory and higher echelon of government that participatory communication is seen as the most important pillar and the basis for the existence of a municipal government. It is against this background, that this study was carried out under the assumption that the practice of participatory communication in contemporary local government only exists on paper; while in reality the public does not enjoy active participation in municipal IDP consultative frameworks. This is despite much discourse being available in government and in academia around the importance and role of participatory communication in community development. The study espoused a qualitative research approach to gather data and purposive sampling was used to select respondents linked to two IDP projects in Jouberton Township from the 2012/13 financial year. Its purpose was to explore perceptions among Matlosana municipal representatives and community members in Jouberton Township on the extent of participatory communication in the IDP context. The empirical part of the study comprised of focus group and unstructured interviews, as well as participant observation. By using a typology of participation by Anyaegbunam et al (2004), the study revealed that Jouberton communities are passive participators in municipal IDP consultative frameworks where they participate by just being informed about what is going to happen or has already happened and feedback is minimal. This is opposed to a desired form of empowered participation which is highly recommended by scholars in development communication where stakeholders should be able to and are willing to participate in joint analysis, which leads to joint decision making about what should be achieved and how. It has been discovered that there is a lack of active participation in community development in the IDP context of Matlosana Municipality and the study makes recommendations on how transformative elements of participation can be applied to improve current norms and standards in participatory communication. / MA (Communication Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In general, the improper disposal of waste may hinder the constitutional guarantee of a right to an environment to human health or well-being. This is especially true of domestic solid waste, a particular area of the waste stream frequently disposed of on South Africa's vacant land, rivers and streets amongst other. There is need therefore for municipalities as locally based authorities that are constitutionally bestowed with specific functions and duties in relation to waste, to ensure effective domestic solid waste management. The aim of this study is to investigate the content and design of some legal instruments aimed at domestic solid waste management in two municipalities of South Africa’s Limpopo Province namely the Lephalale and Greater Tzaneen Municipalities. The investigation and critical analysis of the selected instruments are based on the content of South Africa’s national waste law and policy with respect to domestic solid waste management specifically. The study concludes with a number of observations and recommendations with respect to the investigation instrumentation of Lephalale and Greater Tzaneen Municipalities. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Much is written on the importance of participatory communication and its role in uplifting indigent communities. As the closest government sphere to communities, local government is charged with directly improving the lives of the poor and is required by legislation to conduct Integrated Development Planning (IDP). This requires that a municipal authority utilise participatory communication aspects such as dialogue, empowerment, and planning. These are most important pillars of community development. However, many studies have warned that elements such as modernisation, dependency and bureaucracy need to be re-assed and observed with caution since they have the potential to impede and limit the extent of participatory communication in community development. These concepts serve as the basic points of departure and theoretical background underpinning this study, which is tasked with exploring the extent of participatory communication in the IDP context of Jouberton Township in the Matlosana LocalMunicipality. In her public address on challenges facing North West Local municipalities (Including Matlosana Municipality) in January 2014, former premier, Thandi Modise, emphasised the need for municipalities to ensure that communities attend IDP meetings, approve earmarked IDP projects and be aware of how a municipality spends its budget earmarked for specific development projects. It is evident from theory and higher echelon of government that participatory communication is seen as the most important pillar and the basis for the existence of a municipal government. It is against this background, that this study was carried out under the assumption that the practice of participatory communication in contemporary local government only exists on paper; while in reality the public does not enjoy active participation in municipal IDP consultative frameworks. This is despite much discourse being available in government and in academia around the importance and role of participatory communication in community development. The study espoused a qualitative research approach to gather data and purposive sampling was used to select respondents linked to two IDP projects in Jouberton Township from the 2012/13 financial year. Its purpose was to explore perceptions among Matlosana municipal representatives and community members in Jouberton Township on the extent of participatory communication in the IDP context. The empirical part of the study comprised of focus group and unstructured interviews, as well as participant observation. By using a typology of participation by Anyaegbunam et al (2004), the study revealed that Jouberton communities are passive participators in municipal IDP consultative frameworks where they participate by just being informed about what is going to happen or has already happened and feedback is minimal. This is opposed to a desired form of empowered participation which is highly recommended by scholars in development communication where stakeholders should be able to and are willing to participate in joint analysis, which leads to joint decision making about what should be achieved and how. It has been discovered that there is a lack of active participation in community development in the IDP context of Matlosana Municipality and the study makes recommendations on how transformative elements of participation can be applied to improve current norms and standards in participatory communication. / MA (Communication Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In general, the improper disposal of waste may hinder the constitutional guarantee of a right to an environment to human health or well-being. This is especially true of domestic solid waste, a particular area of the waste stream frequently disposed of on South Africa's vacant land, rivers and streets amongst other. There is need therefore for municipalities as locally based authorities that are constitutionally bestowed with specific functions and duties in relation to waste, to ensure effective domestic solid waste management. The aim of this study is to investigate the content and design of some legal instruments aimed at domestic solid waste management in two municipalities of South Africa’s Limpopo Province namely the Lephalale and Greater Tzaneen Municipalities. The investigation and critical analysis of the selected instruments are based on the content of South Africa’s national waste law and policy with respect to domestic solid waste management specifically. The study concludes with a number of observations and recommendations with respect to the investigation instrumentation of Lephalale and Greater Tzaneen Municipalities. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014