Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Author "Khwashaba, M. P."

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    The challenges facing developmental local government in South Africa with specific reference to the Capricorn District Municipality in Limpopo Province
    (2017-06) Hungwe, Nyasha Alex; Khwashaba, M. P.; Mahole, E.
    i This study focused on the challenges faced by Developmental Local Government in South Africa with specific reference to the Capricorn District Municipality. Local government in South Africa has undergone significant and far-reaching changes. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 stipulates that local government is no longer expected to render basic services only, but also to serve as an agent of development. Mixed research method was used to obtain a picture on the challenges facing developmental local government. Mixed research method made use of qualitative and quantitative research methodology. Quantitative research methodology in this study was used because it enabled the researcher to test relationships, describe and examine cause and effect relations. Qualitative research methodology was used because it covers issues in great depth and detail and allows for the ability to interact with research subjects. For this study, the researcher used a non-probability sampling and its subtype purposive or judgmental sampling method to select the respondents of the study. The reason for using purposive sampling method was to produce a sample that can logically be assumed as representatives of the population.Two data analysis methods where used, that is thematic analysis and statistical analysis. Data collected through questionnaire will be analyzed using a computer program called Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22.0. The findings of the study are:  With regards to the importance of developmental local government the findings revealed that developmental local government was important in that it had ensured effective service delivery.  With regards to the challenges facing developmental local government the study findings revealed that there were indeed challenges with regards to developmental local government. These challenges ranged from lack of understanding of the way local government operates, political differences amongst political parties and failure to implement local economic development policies.  The study findings revealed that the municipality has no stable financial resources to be able to sustain service delivery without national government support. It was further revealed that the municipality has a shortage of relevant critical skills and quality human resources with the required technical and managerial competence to ensure quality service delivery at the local government sphere.  The findings on the strategies that can be used to overcome the challenges of developmental local government revealed that communities need to be educated on the meaning and importance of developmental local government. v The recommendations of the study are:  The researcher recommends that for the communities to be fully aware of the new mandate of developmental local government there is need for Capricorn District municipality to embark on community awareness program to inform people on the importance of developmental local government.  Alternative service delivery methods should be pursued by the Capricorn District Municipality to reduce pressure on the available resources. Services should not be provided through traditional methods only.  It is recommended that the municipality need to improve on local participatory governance. Capricorn District Municipality must secure greater participation by residents in matters of governance. Participation will assist in communities to have an understanding of the way local government operates.  The researcher also recommends that municipal capacity building should be prioritized by the municipality. As a way of mitigating the challenges of critical skills shortages the researcher recommended that relevant municipal officials should attend service excellence training courses.  The researcher recommends that education on the meaning of developmental local government can enhance the performance of Capricorn district municipality
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    Challenges militating against community participation on the Integrated Development Plan Process in Thulamela Local Municipality
    (2019-04-18) Ndou, Rendani; Khwashaba, M. P.; Mahole, Ephraim
    The study focusses on the challenges militating against community participation on the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process in Thulamela Local Municipality (TLM) and to find strategies to be used to enhance community participation on Integrated Development Plan. The study is based on matters of community participation and IDP in order to find out how community participation in the municipalities can influence the planning process in an integrated manner. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996) mandates local government to encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in the matters of local government. IDP is the rightful platform to fulfil the aforementioned mandate in the local government. In this study, the researcher made use of a mixed research method where both qualitative and quantitative research methods are used. The research is qualitative in nature, but the quantitative method is also used in data interpretation, because data collected was based on the views and opinions of a large number of respondents and the analysis of results based on statistical significance. The researcher used the non-probability sampling and its subtype purposive sampling method to select the participants in this study. Questionnaires, interviews as well as literature were used to gather data in this research. Two types of data analysis were used when analysing the data. For data collected through interview, the researcher used thematic analysis (Narrative form) and for data collected through questionnaire, the researcher used International Business Machinery (IBM)- Statistical Product in Service Solutions (SPSS) Statistics V25. The researcher followed research ethics before conducting the study. The major findings of the study are: • The study found out that 38 (76%) of the respondents agreed that community members actively participate in IDP process. This is an indication that community members of Thulamela Local Municipality actively participate in IDP process. • The researcher found out that the majority of the respondents at 45 which constitutes 90% agreed that active community participation in IDP process plays an important role in the improvement of the basic service delivery. • The researcher found out that majority of the respondents at 35 which constitutes 70% of the respondents in the study agreed that community members are well informed about different types of participation in IDP process. • The researcher found out that majority of the respondents at 38 which constitutes 76% of the respondents in the study disagreed that there are enough resources to capacitate community members in order to participate actively in IDP process. v The main recommendations are: • The researcher recommends that community members should take a share of responsibility to actively participate in IDP process. Thus, the community members should consider it necessary that they strive to make community participation on IDP process fashionable. • The researcher recommends that there should be active community participation in IDP process because it plays an important role in the improvement of basic service delivery. Community participation in IDP process needs to be active for the basic service delivery to be improved. • The researcher recommends that community members should be well informed about different types of participation on IDP process. It is the responsibility of the municipality to inform community members about different types of community participation that they can use to participate in IDP process. • The researcher recommends that the municipality should make enough resources to capacitate community members in order to participate actively in IDP process available. The municipality should embark on a journey to raise funds either from other government sectors and/or private sectors.
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    Critical analysis of job strategies in the Makhado Local Municipality
    (2019-09-20) Mbedzi, Langanani; Khwashaba, M. P.; Mahole, E.; Nkuna, N. W.
    This study focused on critical analysis of job creation strategies in the Makhado Local Municipality (MLM). Even though there are policies and strategies adopted by Local Economic Development (LED) in order to speed up the process of job creation, there are still many unemployed people with no potential job prospects in the area. There are quite a number of factors working against job creation which range from geographic and demographic dispositions, availability of industries within the area, and limited infrastructure that can help to fast track job creation. The researcher used descriptive research design for this study. The researcher followed a mixed methods approach in which quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used. The reason for using a mixed methods approach was to integrate both qualitative and quantitative research methods to enable them to complement each other, thereby adding value to the findings. The researcher used non-probability sampling and its sub-type purposive sampling to select the respondents for this study. Purposive sampling method provides a wide range of non-probability sampling techniques for the researcher to draw on. Data collection instruments which were used were interview questions and questionnaires. Statistical analysis and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. The researcher followed the research ethics before conducting study. The following were the major findings of the study: • The study findings revealed that municipality fails to inform members of the public with regard to job creation strategies in any process of development. • The research study findings revealed that the municipalities should create positions instead of internships without getting employment after completion. • The study findings revealed that public participation encourages community members to be actively involved in the municipality projects and helps to create good relationship between communities and the municipality to improve basic service delivery. The following are the recommendations of the study: • The research study revealed that good working relationship between municipal officials and community members should be encouraged as it is vital in enhancing the provision of service in the communities. • The study recommended that the municipalities should create positions which are permanent. • The researcher recommends that openness between community structures and the municipality should be encouraged in order to bring development in the municipality.
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    The development of management skills of officials for the enhancement of effective service delivery in Limpopo Province: The case of Vhembe District Municipality
    (2018-05-18) Nekhavhambe, Mutshutshu; Khwashaba, M. P.; Vermaak, N. J.; Thakhathi, D. R.
    The focus of this study is on skills development at the management level of local government. Quality service delivery can only be attained when there are properly trained and skilled officials. Officials who have relevant knowledge and skills on what they are employed to do, are treasurable assets to their employers. The South African public and Vhembe District Municipality`s residence in particular expect the delivery of services that are of acceptable standard. It is therefore, imperative to have properly trained workers at this sphere of government. The study therefore, investigates whether middle and senior level officials (managers) are properly skilled to be able to provide required services to communities. The study uses a mixed research method, i.e. both the qualitative and quantitative research methods. Senior level managers were taken through an interview process to try and gather data that will help to determine any challenge and even where the Municipality is managing well in providing services by virtue of it having qualified competent personnel. This process will help to identify gaps if any and thereafter suggest ways to close/overcome them. This will be done by asking these officials open-ended questions wherein they could give the researcher more information on the topic. Middle level managers were requested to complete a questionnaire with close-ended questions. This helps in bringing statistical data that focuses on relevant issues about the topic. The main findings of the study are therefore the following: ➢ Senior officials possess some skills, especially with regards to leadership although specific areas of functioning were not indicated. Besides this, a number of problem areas were highlighted ranging from planning; organising; v communication; interpersonal relations; financial management; strategic management; and labour relations. This could be instigated by the fact that available skills are misdirected through the misplacement of officials with regards to the actual skills they have and positions they are placed on. ➢ Although not everyone is the Municipality is consulted on an individual basis when the analysis of training needs is undertaken and when designing training programmes, a reasonable number of officials are however involved. In doing this, the Municipality partners with SALGA and the LGSETA. All officials are thereafter given an opportunity to attend trainings as per the identified skills gaps, however, a number of officials, especially elderly people are reluctant to attend such trainings because they know they are close to retirement and to them is like being punished as they won`t be using such skills for long. ➢ Poor skills impact negatively on the Municipality`s efforts to provide acceptable services as it hampers the delivery of quality goods and services. This is further exacerbated by the exodus of officials with scarce skills who are difficult to retain due to their demand by institutions. The deployment of cadres without the requisite skills for the jobs, costs the Municipality dearly as they fail to execute what they are employed for due to lack of knowledge. Furthermore, the approach of outsourcing the provision of goods and services does not always benefit the Municipality and communities as private companies try to minimise costs in order to attain profit and in that process, end up providing poor quality goods and services. ➢ Accountability is well maintained at the lower level positions in the Municipality as work is regularly monitored by supervisors, however, the challenge is with senior level officials who should account for the institution holistically. This is necessitated by the fact that senior level positions are mostly occupied by deployed cadres which makes it difficult to pin point accountability because such people turn to get directives from deployers and they also report to them, to the demise of the internal system. vi The following recommendations are therefore made based on the findings of the study: ➢ As the Municipality conducts a training needs analysis every-time before designing training programmes for officials, in ascertaining the real skills gaps, the Municipality should continue to conduct such skills audit exercises that will also lead to proper placement of officials in positions they qualify for and after determining genuine skills gaps institute relevant and effective intervention strategies and mechanisms that could help improve officials` knowledge and skills. ➢ Attending training by officials should be mandatory when a skills gap has been identified and in applying this, appointment letters and performance contract agreements for those already in the employment of the Municipality should have a clause about mandatory training, where and when deemed necessary. ➢ The Municipality should consider sending officials to reputable service providers on issues that are problematic to officials, for example, planning; communication; financial management; strategic management; and labour relations and this should be done twice a year. ➢ In line with the proposed skills training model on figure 2.4, the Municipality should expect trainees to be assessed after a training to determine their level of competence and good performance be rewarded. ➢ The merit principle be followed, in appointing and promoting employees even with deployed cadres, to avoid placing people on positions they do not qualify for. ➢ The EPWP that is run by the Municipality in partnership with the Department of Public Works be extended to train professionals and people who deserve be put on beneficial programmes that will give them skills that are required to develop the Municipality instead of confining them to the task of de-bushing grass and trees along roads. vii ➢ Managers continue to give their subordinates a chance to act on their behalf during their absence from work to help in equipping juniors to be ready for more challenging responsibilities in future. ➢ The Municipality should appoint credible service providers when outsourcing services. ➢ The Municipality should make sure that the procurement section functions properly. ➢ Retention of officials with scarce skills be a priority. ➢ The Municipality should always implement audit recommendations to improve its governance. ➢ The Municipality should warn officials, especially politicians (councilors), not to promise communities goods and services that might be difficult to honour and be realistic based on affordability. ➢ The Municipality should establish reliable control and monitoring measures and systems in place in order to enforce accountability. ➢ Officials to sign a code of conduct expecting them to be loyal to the Municipality and not to outside people. ➢ The Municipality should develop a proper performance management system with clear key performance areas to make officials committed to their work. ➢
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    Factors that contribute to the street children phenomenon in Thohoyandou Town at the Vhembe District in Limpopo province
    (2017-09-18) Matodzi, A. N.; Khwashaba, M. P.; Mahole, E.
    See the attached abstract below
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    An investigation into the prevalence of unethical behaviour in a South African Municipality: A case of Vhembe District Municipality
    (2018-05-18) Mufamadi, Musiwa Collen; Khwashaba, M. P.; Thakhathi, D. R.
    The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of unethical behaviour in the South African municipalities. Municipalities are responsible for providing services such as maintenance of local roads, refuse removals, water supply and sanitation, amongst others. However municipalities’ unethical behaviour have produced many disadvantages for themselves and the society at large. Effective and efficient service delivery is negatively affected by unethical behaviour resulting in the waste of government millions of rands each year, money that could have been spent on delivering services. The fact that there is unethical behaviour in municipalities can be interpreted as a total absence of ethical culture in the behaviour of municipal officials. Municipal officials are encouraged to uphold moral principles such as impartiality, accountability and trustworthy while performing their official duties. Given this background, the research project attempted to provide explanations for the patterns of unethical conduct and also pointed out strategies that could be employed to curb unethical behaviour in municipalities. For the purpose of this study, the researcher employed both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The researcher used purposive sampling to select respondents of the study. Two (2) instruments were used to collect data, namely, questionnaires and interviews. To analyse data, two types of data analysis were used. For data collected through questionnaires, the researcher used the Statistical Package for Social Sciences to analyse data. Data collected through interviews were analysed through the use of thematic analysis in the form of narrative. The study revealed specific unethical behaviour that were prevalent at Vhembe District Municipality. The study indicated that senior municipal officials must ensure that ethics initiatives systems and programmes should be put in place so that conducive ethical environment is created. The results indicated that despite challenges, employed strategies provided desired results. Specific solutions such improving employment practices and procurement activities were recommended that could improve ethical standards in the municipalities.
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    The role of public participation in the improvement of basic service delivery in Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province
    (2016-05) Matloga, Sanah Tebogo; Khwashaba, M. P.; Mahole, E.
    See the attached abstract below
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    The role of traditional leaders in the promotion of Local Economic Development
    (2018-05-18) Mahole, Ephraim; Khwashaba, M. P.; Thakhathi, D. R.; Nkuna, N. W.
    This study focussed on the roles of traditional leaders in the promotion of Local Economic Development (LED). This study focused on Limpopo Province but for this study, the research study was conducted in Vhembe District which consists of four (04) local municipalities which are Makhado, Thulamela, Musina and Collins Chabane local municipalities under Limpopo Province. Chiefs as traditional leaders are expected to play an active role in local development, on the day-to-day administration of their areas and the lives of people in their jurisdiction. One of the roles of traditional leaders is to promote socio-economic development and service delivery. The new government is trying to bring economic development to all areas, especially rural areas which were left out in the previous regime. The researcher chose a mixed research method in which both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used. The reason for using a mixed research method is because it can be integrated in such a way that qualitative and quantitative methods retain their original structures and procedures. A qualitative approach is applicable in this study, because it allows openness to ideas, experiences, opinions, feelings and perceptions expressed by the research participants to the researcher. The researcher also applied a quantitative study for which would enable him to get results from many respondents. The researcher used a field research study as a research design. For this study, the researcher used a non-probability sampling and its subtype purposive sampling method to select the respondents for this study. The researcher chose purposive sampling method which is based entirely on the judgment of the researcher regarding the characteristics of the participants. Two data collection instruments were used, namely; research questionnaire and interview. The reason for selecting structured questionnaire and open-ended interview schedule is because the researcher wants to get relevant information about the study. Two methods of data analysis were used, namely descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings of the research study were:  The study findings revealed that majority of the respondents at 155 (74.3%) agreed that traditional leaders participate in approving Local Economic Development (LED) initiatives/projetcs. The study further affirms that most of the respondents at 178 which constitute 84.8% confirm that traditional leaders influence community members to participate in economic development projects in their communities.  Majority of the respondents at 147 (70.0%) agreed that traditional leaders are effective instruments to initiate LED and the researcher discovered that participation by traditional leaders promotes community development. vi  The findings revealed that there is a lack of co-operation between the traditional leaders and the municipalities. Poor working relationship between traditional leaders and the municipalities was revealed that it hampers the implementation of economic development projects in the municipality.  The study findings revealed that the LED in the municipality fails to create job opportunities and these result to an increase in crime rate. The study findings also revealed that poor planning, communication break-down; lack of common interest; poor management by the municipalities exacerbate the challenges facing traditional leaders in the implementation of local economic development.  The study findings revealed that traditional leaders lack knowledge, skills, capacity and resources in orders to promote LED. The study also discovered that due to the educational level of traditional leaders, it makes it difficult for them to understand the concepts and developmental projects.  The study findings discovered that traditional leaders only get involved in policy-making for IDP programmes wherein community stakeholders participate by providing the development projects that they require in the areas.  The researcher found that the role of traditional leaders in the promotion of LED is minimal because the only role of traditional leaders in the promotion of LED is mainly the allocation of land for LED projects. The recommendations of the research study are:  The researcher recommends that traditional leaders should actively participate in the decision-making to the implementation of LED. There is a greater need to ensure that the traditional leaders are made aware about the concept − LED. Traditional leaders should influence community members to participate in economic development projects. Traditional leaders should encourage community members to actively participate in economic development projects.  The study found that traditional leaders have development skills to benefit the community’s future and the researcher recommends that traditional leaders should be granted an opportunity on LED projects, as they are having development skills that can benefit the community. If traditional leaders are given a chance to participate in decision-making processes regarding issues that relate to and affect them, they will become part of the initiatives and this sense of ownership will encourage them to participate fully in the LED. vii  It is recommended that the culture of consultation and communication between traditional leaders and the municipalities should be promoted to enhance a good working relationship. Good working relationship between the traditional leaders and municipal councillors should be encouraged as it is very critical in enhancing the provision of services in the communities. The municipalities should improve their systems of communication to promote effective involvement of traditional leaders in LED. It is suggested that openness between community structures and the municipality should be encouraged.  The researcher recommends that the municipalities should provide enough budget to improve the implementation of LED in order to bring the communities and the government together in working towards the improvements of the LED projects. The findings suggested that in order for the municipalities to implement LED projects there should have well trained personnel and enough funding and be in a position to attract investors in order to implement the LED projects accordingly.  Supporting traditional leaders with training will enhance good governance, performance and accountability. The institution of traditional leaders should be trained about economic development as most of the respondents asserted that training on economic development is not given to traditional leaders. The researcher recommends that traditional leaders should be trained on economic development activities, as training is one form of communication which promotes the realisation of improved development. The researcher recommends that there should be a school that will educate traditional leaders to gain knowledge and skills which will result in a better community development.  It was stated that the municipality should involve traditional leaders in LED by clearly adding and stipulating out the roles of traditional leaders in the promotion of LED. The researcher recommends that the municipalities should involve the traditional leaders in LED as it encourages community ownership. The researcher recommends that LED meetings should be done regularly to give traditional leaders a better understanding of what is LED and what the municipalities is doing concerning job creation, eradication of poverty and other municipal matters.  The findings suggested that the traditional leader should be part of the LED by playing a meaningful role in the decision-making body (formulation stage) to implementation and have a voice in the LED council.
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    The management of divorce cases in South Africa and their effects on men: a case study of Nzhelele and Thohoyandou Magisterial Districts in Vhembe District Municipality
    (2013-08-20) Ramabulana, Rofhiwa Mashudu; Khwashaba, M. P.
    The institution of marriage is regarded as one of the most important institutions in South Africa. There are different laws that are put in place to ensure that this institution is entered into in a right manner. These laws validate the existence of the institution of marriage. They guide how it is formed and also how it can be dissolved. Marriage symbolises the coming together of two people in a union that allows them to share each other's resources' strengthens and weakness. Companionship and dependence upon one another is often found within the institution of marriage. When the institution of marriage is dissolved or when it breaks down and the spouses go their separate ways, this ending or dissolution of marriage is referred to as divorce. There are many causes of this and also challenges that come with divorce. This study investigated how the management of divorce cases affect men, financially, socially and economically. The study was conducted in Nzhelele and Thohoyandou in Vhembe District Limpopo Province. The methodologies used in this study were mixed methodologies in that; the data collection processes that were followed were both qualitative and quantitative in nature. An interview schedule and a survey questionnaire were used to collect the data. The findings of the study are that divorced men face emotional challenges that are a result of the feelings of anger, betrayal and hurt and the financial loses they suffer because of the divorce. Another finding is 'that men face financial hardships due to a loss of valuable assets and estate; they also face social challenges as a result of loss of custody of children and difficulties in co-parenting children between two households. Another finding is that the management of divorce cases does not favour men more and women instead of men get custody of minor children more. The study recommends that that in divorce cases men's needs and challenges should be taken into consideration and should be awarded the same opportunity or an equal chance to can get the custody of minor children and also receive maintenance from their former spouse.