Thesis (MPA) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The study deals with the service delivery challenges facing the Limpopo Department of Public Works with regard to the discharging of its mandates “Provision of government infrastructure, management and maintenance of government immovable assets”. Literature review was conducted as a secondary source of information and primary information was collected from a sample of 61 respondents. The study used both qualitative (focus group discussions) and quantitative (questionnaires) in data collection and analysis. The findings revealed that the root causes of the challenges and the challenges themselves that the Department of Public Works: Limpopo is facing are internal and are as follows; Unavailability of work tools, low morale, budget constraints, long supply chain management processes and a lack of skilled personnel. Recommendations for these challenges are developing human resource capacity coupled with a good human resource plan, availability of a proper budget, business process reengineering, the introduction of a monitoring and evaluation system, a customer relationship management system and lastly a change of the organisational culture.

Thesis (MPA) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / his article measures the expectations of citizens against local government‟s legislative mandate to deliver services to citizens within the context of the Molemole and Blouberg Municipalities in Limpopo. In doing so, it aims to contribute the discourse on governance from the perspective of the governed. The qualitative study utilized purposive sampling and collected data using unstructured questionnaires; individual and focus group interviews, observation and participatory tools. The key findings are that citizens in the study area are in dire need of the following services: water, electricity, sanitation and sewerage, road maintenance services, housing, refuse removal and health services in that order; and that citizens were unclear about the functions of national, provincial and local government in relation to housing, health and other services. They felt that a local municipality has the responsibility to tar and maintain roads within its jurisdiction, including district roads and even to provide housing and health services. They also felt that, while local government is touted as the sphere that brings government closer to the people, it has not been accorded the necessary powers and functions to provide basic services to communities at a satisfactory level. As a result, since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, communities have lost faith in the ability of local municipalities to improve their welfare. Key words: service delivery, governance, municipalities, essential services

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges in the planning and implementation of government strategy by government departments: A case study of the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism. The need for this study was considered relevant and necessary as government departments face challenges in the planning and implementation of government strategy. Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, as a case study, face challenges in fulfilling some of its mandate. In terms of its strategic plan, the department seeks to address issues relating to economic growth, the promotion and development of tourism, and using environmental management to guide and monitor sustainable development in the province. These challenges have negative implications in the delivery of services to the communities. The ability of the Department to effectively implement the excellent environmental and economic legislation, at the same time the management of growth of tourism in the country remains a challenge. Although the strategic plans are elaborated, they have not been translated into concrete and concerted actions to meet the needs of the citizenry. In this study, the researcher investigated the following: demographic profile of respondents, challenges in the planning process, challenges in the implementation process, the impact of planning and implementation of the strategy on service delivery and lastly the disconnection between planning and implementation of the strategy. Data was analysed into themes and revealed communication, training, interpretation of relevant prescripts, limited resources/proper allocation of resources and effective participation of relevant stakeholders as, amongst others challenges to the process. The study concluded by providing recommendations to management of the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism on how to enhance planning and implementation of government of strategy. Some of the recommendations proposed are improved communications with stakeholders, proper allocation of resources, empowerment of employees, effective time management, discipline and responsibility and encouragement of a culture of change.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / The aim of the envisaged study is to investigate the water supply services in Lenyenye Township, in Greater Tzaneen Municipality and to derive suggestions and recommendations for improvement based on the objectives decomposed into the following: To review the extent and the magnitude of Water Supply problems and to identify, analyze the underlying causes of the water supply problems because the basic infrastructure provision of water supply is very poor and dismal across the area. Water serves as a basic need to which everybody has the right to access, be it for consumption or irrigation this service is, unfortunately, disrupted by many factors. The findings in the study for poor water supply emanate from many common causal factors such as management skills, technical challenges and illegal connections. Only two methods were employed to collect data in the study. Data collection was done by using the questionnaire and the interview methods and the interview involved direct personal contact with the participants who answered questions. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain data pertaining to water supply services from the representatives of water supply institutions. Recommendations in the study are based on the findings such as prioritization of effective water supply for Lenyenye township, community consultation and participation, addressing capacity constrains in the Municipality such as human resources, water service infrastructure, and skills development.

Thesis (M.A. (Business Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / This research study contends that co-operatives can play a pivotal role in the development of the local economy, if they are properly implemented. The central position of this document is that co-operatives in the Aganang Local Municipality have very little impact, if any, on its local economic development. The study reveals that, there are various challenges facing co-operatives development in the Aganang Local Municipality. According to the participants in the study, performance of co-operatives in the Aganang Local Municipality is, to a large extent, negatively influenced by the following constraints: Lack of viability studies before commencement, inadequate technical and entrepreneurial skills, Lack of finance, lack of access to affordable transport, suitable places of work, water, telecommunication services, electricity, quality raw materials and technology, lack of administration skills and mismanagement of funds. The literature reviewed reveals that throughout the developed and developing world, co-operatives have been a significant force in the local economic development. It is also reflected in this document that in many countries co-operatives are among the largest major enterprises. Examples of those countries are the United States of America, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Tanzania. It is common knowledge that, if enterprises/co-operatives have a number of organisational and resources constraints, they tend to fail. It is also vital to indicate that the extent to which co-operatives members are provided with knowledge and skills, determines their overall performance. On the contrary, and based on the findings of this study, co-operatives in the Aganang Local Municipality have been offered few training courses. For co-operatives in the Aganang Local Municipality to succeed, the following are recommended: viability study before establishment of co-operatives, capacitation in terms of technical and entrepreneurial skills and adequate financing

Thesis ( M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2015. / The study aims to gain an in-depth understanding of the gender dynamics which promote or retard the full participation of women in decision-making and leadership positions in the Nkangala District Municipality (NDM), Mpumalanga. Local Government, through municipalities, is the most strategic sphere of government. This is so because municipalities are the institutions of government that are closest to the people. Municipalities, through the various services provided, present critical service delivery institutions for women to actively participate in and influence decisions. Therefore the study contends that these institutions of local government are gendered. Against this backdrop, an analysis of gender representation of women and men in decision-making and leadership positions in the NDM was conducted. The aim was to assess the state of gender equality in the NDM. Further, the study explored this gender representation in relation to how it translates to women’s authority and influence in decision-making and leadership. This qualitative research study triangulated data collection using questionnaires, interviews and observation. The study focused on both the administrative and political components of local government. In the administrative component; interviews were conducted with Municipal Managers (MMs), Executive Directors (EDs) and Managers. In the political component, interviews were conducted with Executive Mayors, Speakers, Chief Whips and Members of the Mayoral Committees (MMCs). These constitute the decision-making and leadership positions in municipalities as institutions of local government. The study revealed that amidst the national and international policy and legislative provisions on women’s empowerment and gender equality, women continue to be confronted with institutional gendered challenges. Amongst others, the study revealed that there are pervasive gender dynamics, stereotypes, attitudes and perceptions towards women in decision-making and leadership positions in these institutions. Also, that there are minimum institutional mechanisms and strategies that encourage and support women’s participation in decision-making and leadership positions. The provincial and national gender machineries’ roles and responsibilities with regard to municipalities’ monitoring, oversight and overall support is not as vibrant. Drawing from the findings, the study concludes with a proposal for a Women’s Leadership Empowerment Model WLEM). A comprehensive model that will comprise of professional capacity-building and training, on-the-job coaching and mentorship, regular peer assessment and review for a to continuously support women in and into decision-making and leadership positions.

Thesis ( M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / This study was undertaken with the purpose of investigating the implementation of performance management in the Mbombela Local Municipality. This is a quantitative case study. The objective is to assess how Performance Management is implemented and used as a developmental tool to ensure and speed up service delivery in the municipality. Purposive and random sampling has been used to collect data and SPSS was applied to analyze data. The research revealed that Performance Management has not been implemented at all levels of employment. The study recommended that Performance Management should be implemented at all levels of employment and feedback should be given to employees promptly in order to improve their performance. In-service training is offered to employees to improve their performance and bring about understanding of their appraisal system. All employees must be motivated, trained and encouraged to share the same norms, values and organization objectives. The Municipal Manager should be the engine in terms of ensuring that Performance Management is implemented throughout the municipality to ensure quick service delivery to the committees

In this dissertation a study was undertaken of environmental administration in city-status local authorities in South Africa. Local authorities in South Africa constitute the third tier of government. They are established to provide essential goods and services to the community and to contribute to the national goal of community welfare. The services rendered by a local authority affects the quality of life of its inhabitants. South Africa is presently undergoing a period of transition and there are demands placed on local authorities to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants. Local authorities have become increasingly sensitive to environmental matters. Environmental administration plays a pivotal role in improving the quality of life of the community. In order that local authorities carry out their environmental functions efficiently and effectively, it is essential that the enabling generic administrative processes, managerial, functional, auxiliary and instrumental activities be instituted and executed. The enabling administrative processes include policy-making, organising, financing, staffing, determining methods and procedures and exercising of control. In the execution of these duties it is imperative that the normative factors, namely respect for environmental rights, ethics of environmental conservation, requirements of administrative law, maintenance of public accountability, fairness and reasonableness, efficiency and effectiveness and transparency and freedom of information be taken cognisance of. Attention was focused on the policy-making process emphasising environmental concepts and applications, environmental projects, pressing environmental issues, environmental awareness and external participation. Organisational structures in the form of committees are regarded essential to ensuring effective environmental administration. Appropriate and specific financial allocations are necessary for the environmental administration function. Well defined staffing practices are basic to ensuring that municipal functionaries involved in environmental administration achieve their objectives. Methods and procedures have to be constantly reviewed in the light of overall changes in environmental administration. The exercising of control is vital to ensure that the processes of environmental administration are performed within the context of the normative factors. The recommendations contained in the dissertation are directed at continuous review of environmental administration in local authorities within a conceptual framework which constitutes the following functions, policy-making, organising, financing, staffing, determining methods and procedures and exercising of control. Focus was placed on processes such as : (i) the formulation of environmental policy; (ii) designing separate organisational structures; (iii) specific budgetary allocations; (iv) the need for staffing practices to ensure that objectives are achieved; (v) the need for uniform and constant review of methods and procedures; and (vi) establishing codes of conduct relevant to environmental administration. / Thesis (MPA)-University of Durban-Westville, 1994.

In this dissertation a study is undertaken of the performance appraisal function in South African local authorities. Local authorities in South Africa are the third tier of government and are subordinate to the other two tiers, namely, the central and provincial authorities. They are established to render a variety of goods and services to the local community and to contribute to the national goal of community welfare. In the light of changing circumstances in South Africa, communities are becoming more advanced and complex and are placing new demands on local authorities everyday. Therefore, local authorities must ensure that their limited human resources are utilised as efficiently and effectively as possible to achieve an acceptable quality of life for the local community. Thus, municipal personnel administration plays an important role in contributing to the welfare of the local community. Municipal personnel administration comprises of several component activities such as personnel provisioning, support functions, training and development, and personnel utilisation functions. Performance appraisal falls within ambit of the personnel utilisation function and plays a pivotal role in promoting the improved· productivity of municipal personnel. In view of the aforementioned, this study investigates the implementation of the performance appraisal function in South African local authorities. The research was necessitated by the fact that local authority employees make up 14,8 percent of public sector employment and up to 70 percent of a local authority's operating budget is allocated for staff expenditure. Therefore, it is important that local authorities have an efficient and effective work force, and one of the ways this can be achieved is through the implementation of the performance appraisal function. Furthermore, very little research has been undertaken on the performance appraisal function as an activity within municipal personnel administration. Municipal employees must ensure that all activities constituting the performance appraisal function be implemented in terms of the dictates of the generic administrative, management, functional and auxiliary and instrumental activities. They must also adhere to the normative guidelines which have direct bearing on the performance appraisal function, such as legislative supremacy, maintenance of public accountability, efficiency and effectiveness, respect for community values and ethical standards. The study undertaken on the performance appraisal function in South African local authorities is viewed from a theoretical and operational perspective as follows: performance appraisal and municipal administration; theoretical perspectives of the performance appraisal function; nature and content of performance appraisal systems; the performance appraisal function in South African local authorities; and developing an acceptable performance appraisal system for South African local authorities. The performance appraisal systems at local authorities studied, are primarily viewed within an administrative frame of reference. Particular attention is focused on the generic administrative, management, functional and auxiliary and instrumental activities, as well as the normative factors of public administration. The efficient and effective utilisation of municipal personnel resources, especially in regard to their placement, development and promotion through the use of the performance appraisal function, is stressed. In the light of the aforementioned the following recommendations are made: (i) that municipal councils and high-ranking officials give due regard to the importance of the performance appraisal function within the context of municipal personnel administration; (ii) introduction of the performance management and development programme as postulated in chapter 6; (iii) review of performance appraisal on an ongoing basis (at least once a year) within an administrative frame of reference with particular attention to the following: legislative measures; policy directives; organising; financing; staffing; determining systems and procedures; and exercising control; (iv) that supervisors (appraisers) in municipal departments undergo training to implement the appraisal system and to keep abreast with the latest developments in the field; and (v) the creation of a separate department or section to deal specifically with the performance appraisal function. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1993.

No abstract available. / Thesis (MPA)-University of Durban-Westville, 2002.