PhD (Public Adminiistration) / Department of Public and Development Administration / This study examines the notion of public participation as a tool to enhance service delivery in
the Capricorn District Municipality. Public participation is a milestone of democracy and
local governance. Local government – which is closest to the people – provides an ideal
forum for the flourishing of participatory democracy. The centrality of public participation in
the development of policies and programmes or action plans has been widely recognised by
both government and the private sector. However, involving the public in the development of
any policy, programme or action plan is a daunting task. Indeed, if not well-managed, public
involvement often leads to protests, litigation, criticisms, and delays in service delivery to the
people. Thus, the extent to which public participation can be a tool for the enhancement of
service delivery in Limpopo – especially in the Capricorn District Municipality – is the focus
of this study.
This study is guided by the following questions: What are the key concepts that relate to
public participation as a tool to enhance service delivery? What impact does the Constitution
of South Africa, Act 08 of 1996, and other government legal frameworks have on public
participation as a tool to enhance service delivery in South Africa, particularly in the
Capricorn District Municipality? What modes and models of public participation are used to
enhance service delivery in the Capricorn District Municipality? What are the main factors
that influence public participation as a tool to enhance service delivery in the Capricorn
District Municipality?
The study adopts both qualitative and quantitative research approaches whereby the use of
primary and secondary sources was augmented by interviews with local government actors.
Moreover, questionnaires were administered by the researcher and his assistant researchers.
A purposive sampling method was used. The researcher ensured that all relevant elements of
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research ethics were observed. The data generated by the questionnaires and interviews were
analysed and interpreted using the latest statistical tools. Both qualitative and quantitative
analysis methods were used. Data collected using questionnaires were analysed by means of
the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The information was presented in the
form of tabulations, frequencies, and percentages. Data collected through interviews were
analysed using thematic analysis.
The findings of this study reflect that public participation mainly serves the purpose of meeting the
statutory requirements for the development of best value initiatives and gaining information from
citizens. The majority of the respondents were of the view that the Ward Committee system is fully
functional in their municipalities. All Capricorn District municipalities have officers responsible for
public participation; however, not all of them are accessible to the public. It was revealed that the
public participation budget in Lepelle-Nkumpi and Mollemole is insufficient. The other main
constrains identified are the serious lack of personal and working tools and resources. The study also
found that not all documents were translated into the languages spoken in the Capricorn District and
that there is a lack of feedback mechanisms on the issues raised by members of public during the IDP
and Budget Fora.These findings were discussed in relation to the study’s objectives and
research questions.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:univen/oai:univendspace.univen.ac.za:11602/680 |
| Date | 18 May 2017 |
| Creators | Mudzanani, Lufuno Robert |
| Contributors | Thakhathi, R., Vermaak, N. J. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (xv, 288 leaves : color illustrations) |
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