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Welcome to the University of Venda Institutional Repository, an open digital archive of the research output of the University of Venda. Univen IR contains theses and dissertations, research papers as well as conference papers. For further information and assistance please contact Mr Keith Malabi at +27 15 9628564 or +27 15 962 8314 during office hours

Recent Submissions

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The role of e- participation in the promotion of municipal service delivery in Thulamela Local Municipality

(2026-05-19) Mudau, Fhatuwani Prince; Mbedzi, L.; Mahole, E.

This study examined the role of e-participation in promoting municipal service delivery in Thulamela Local Municipality. Despite legislative frameworks supporting public participation in South Africa, municipalities continue to experience service delivery challenges, particularly in water provision, waste management, and infrastructure, which disproportionately affect rural and marginalised communities. While digital platforms offer opportunities to enhance participatory governance, their effectiveness and inclusivity remain underexplored in rural municipal contexts. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of e-participation in improving service delivery, citizen engagement, and decision-making processes in Thulamela Local Municipality. A mixed-methods approach was employed. The quantitative component utilised structured questionnaires administered to 185 community members selected through stratified random sampling, enabling statistical analysis of patterns and perceptions. The qualitative component involved purposive sampling of 15 key informants, including municipal officials, ward councillors, and ICT personnel, with data analysed thematically to provide in-depth contextual insights. The findings revealed that e-participation improved communication, transparency, and citizen involvement, with approximately 60% of respondents indicating enhanced responsiveness and engagement. However, only 51.9% perceived improvements in sustainable service delivery, reflecting uneven outcomes. Qualitative results confirmed increased accessibility through digital platforms but highlighted challenges such as limited digital literacy, poor internet access, low awareness, and delayed municipal feedback. The study concluded that e- participation has significant potential to improve service delivery but is constrained by structural and institutional barriers. The study contributes empirical evidence on e-participation in a rural municipality and provides practical insights for enhancing inclusive, responsive, and sustainable digital governance.

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The role of Good governance in enhancing Local Economic Development in the Vhembe District Municipality

(2026-05-19) Netshandama, Madzanga Carol; Munzhedzi, P. H.; Singo, A. T.

This study focuses on the role of good governance in enhancing Local Economic Development (LED) in Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), Limpopo Province. Good governance is a critical factor in enhancing LED, as it ensures transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and the efficient management of resources. This study examines the multifaceted role of good governance in driving economic growth at the local level, focusing on its capacity of local government institutions to create an enabling environment for sustainable development. Key governance principles such as participatory decision-making, the rule of law, and effective service delivery are highlighted as essential components for promoting local economic initiatives, attracting private sector investments, and fostering community-driven development. However, the local sphere of government faces a multiplicity of local economic challenges, such as poorly maintained infrastructure, a lack of an LED strategy, limited capacity, and a lack of community participation. This study uses a pragmatic research paradigm. In this study, the researcher adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative approach is utilised to examine associations and investigate cause-and-effect relationships between measurable variables, while the qualitative approach is employed to interact with study subjects and explore the issues in depth and complexity. The researcher employs non-probability sampling and purposive or judgmental sampling, to pick respondents for this study. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. This study uses the data analysis methods, which are thematic analysis and statistical analysis. Data collected through a questionnaire is analysed using the computer program Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 31.0.1.0. The study revealed that the majority of the respondents, 51, constituting 46,4%, agreed that political and administrative officials are held to account in their operations. The study findings revealed that the majority of the respondents, 75 (68,2%), agreed that the lack of accountability among officials hinders LED. The findings reveal that most of the respondents, 79, who constitute 71,8% agreed that local community involvement enhances governance and supports economic development. Finally, the study revealed that training programs for municipal officials will improve governance and support economic development. The study recommends that VDM continues to strengthen accountability mechanisms by promoting transparent reporting, regular performance evaluations, and active public oversight to maintain and build on this positive perception. The study recommends that the municipality implement stronger accountability measures for officials to ensure transparency and improve the effectiveness of LED efforts. The findings showed that most of the respondents agreed that the lack of accountability among officials hinders LED. The study recommends that community engagement should be enhanced by creating more inclusive platforms for participation and ensuring that community input is meaningfully integrated into planning and decision-making processes. The study recommends that the municipality must implement regular and targeted training initiatives to enhance officials’ skills, knowledge, and capacity to drive effective governance and sustainable economic growth. The study findings indicated that training programs for municipal officials will improve governance and support economic development.

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The Effects of Unethical Conduct on the performance of municipal ward councillors in selected local municipalities of Limpopo Province

(2026-05-19) Mukhadi, Mukhethwa; Zitha, H. E.; Matloga, S. T.

The main function of local government is to provide communities with basic services such as water, electricity, garbage removal, and sanitation, as well as promoting socio-economic development while encouraging community involvement. However, municipal ward councillors are tasked with understanding and representing community needs and monitoring the performance of local municipalities in service delivery. The practice of unethical conduct in local government manifests in erosion of public trust, political fallout, and reduced performance of both local municipalities and municipal ward councillors. This research analysed the impact of unethical conduct on the performance of municipal ward councillors, proposing strategies to improve their performance, thereby enhancing service delivery. The study aimed to explore the effects of unethical conduct on the performance of municipal ward councillors in Limpopo. The study employed a qualitative desktop research approach underpinned by four theories (the Principal-Agent Theory, Institutional Theory, Political Theory, and Systems Theory), coupled with the Interpretivism research paradigm, Explanatory research design, purposive sampling as a sampling method, document review as a data collection method, and Thematic analysis as the data analysis method. The study found that the performance of municipal ward councillors is not hindered by their own behaviours but is greatly influenced by the environment in which they operate. The continuous practice of unethical behaviour undermines resource allocation, declines service delivery, increases irregular expenditure, reduces public trust, and results in protests. The study recommended the adoption of modern technology, such as the use of Artificial Intelligence, to monitor behaviour, ensure compliance, produce accurate results for decision making, oversee the tender awarding process, and keep records of all municipal transactions. The findings will contribute towards combating unethical conduct, enhancing the performance of officials, promoting quality service delivery in South Africa, and adding to the body of knowledge that already exists.

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The role of e-governance in enhancing effective supply chain management in the Rand Water

(2026-05-19) Mabasha, Masala Cyril; Maela, K. D.; Munzhedzi, P. H.

This study investigates the role of e-governance in enhancing effective supply chain management (SCM) in the Rand Water. Guided primarily by institutional theory and selectively drawing on the technology organisation, environment perspective, the study examines how coercive, mimetic, and normative pressures interact with internal capabilities to shape digital reform trajectories. This study adopted a desktop-based qualitative design, synthesising secondary sources published between 2020-2025. This includes peer-reviewed studies, policy frameworks, and audit reports to inform data collection and analysis. The analysis employed content and thematic analysis to map e-governance across the full SCM value chain, procurement, demand planning and forecasting, logistics and inventory visibility, disposal and compliance, contract oversight, and risk control, rather than treating e-procurement in isolation. Within this frame, the study seeks to address persistent weaknesses at Rand Water, fragmented platforms, manual workarounds, partial integration of the Central Supplier Database and eTender systems, skills and capacity gaps, and cyber-organisational risks. The study found that Rand Water has made notable progress in digitising procurement processes, particularly in sourcing and tendering, improving transparency, compliance, and accountability through system integration and automation. However, downstream supply chain functions remain only partially digitised, with fragmented systems, skills gaps, and cybersecurity concerns limiting the full realisation of an integrated and transformative e-governance framework. The study recommends the integration of supply chain systems into a unified digital architecture, supported by advanced analytics, improved digital skills, and strengthened data governance and cybersecurity frameworks. It further calls for a shift from compliance-driven e-governance to a more flexible, innovation-oriented approach that promotes organisational agility, responsible risk-taking, and long-term performance improvement.

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Evaluating the efficacy of Local Economic Development program on poverty alleviation in Collins Chabane Local Municipality

(2026-05-19) Magomani, Rhulani Elvis; Sethu, M. J.; Zitha, H.

This study evaluates the efficacy of the Local Economic Development (LED) program in alleviating poverty in Collins Chabane Local Municipality, a rural locality with profound socio-economic issues. The research draws on secondary data from municipal reports, government policy documents, and peer-reviewed literature to explore ways in which LED activities facilitate poverty relief. Poverty relief is facilitated in three ways: skills development; small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) support, and self-employment. The research is underpinned by a qualitative desktop-based. The study adopts a constructivist research paradigm. Employing an exploratory research design, the study seeks to investigate the efficacy of the LED program on poverty alleviation in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality. The research approach is inductive, allowing for the emergence of Endogenous Growth Theory through thematic synthesis of existing literature. Despite the potential programs with common challenges such as under-funding, low institutional capacity, inadequate technical expertise, and limited infrastructure, LED programs limit their abilities to alleviate poverty. By discussing the inclusiveness and effectiveness of LED methods in Collins Chabane Local Municipality, the study addresses a gap in the body of research on rural LED impacts and provides possible practical solutions in alleviating poverty and promoting service delivery in rural communities.