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Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Author "Maela, Khutso Delphus"
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Item Open Access Public participation as a strategy to promote good governance in local government: the case of Blouberg Local Municipality(2020-06-18) Maela, Khutso Delphus; Mahole, E.; Nekhavhambe, M. M.The study focused on public participation as a strategy to promote good governance in Local Government. The focus area was Blouberg Local Municipality. Public participation is a process by which an organization consults with affected individuals, organizations, and government entities before taking a decision. Public participation is considered as a two-way communication and cooperative problem-solving process whose goal is to achieve better and more acceptable decisions. Public participation simply entails that the publics must be able to cooperate with government on decisions that affect them. The municipalities must also be able to interact and consult with the public on the use of land and municipal development at the local level, defined as a process involving the training of civil servants, administrative and fiscal decentralization, dialogue between governments and civil society and staff incentives. Good governance begins with the political will to govern well. However, Good governance is a tremendously indefinable objective. This is because good governance means different things to different organizations and to different actors within these organizations. The study used the mixed method research approach to understand the scope and nature under which public participation is practiced, to achieve good governance. For the purpose of this study, the researcher used both qualitative and quantitative research approach as well as pragmatic approach to support the research. In addition, the researcher used descriptive and contextual research design. The data collection methods used are questionnaires and interviews. The sampling group of the study consists of municipal officials, councillors and selected community members. The research used non-probability sampling and purposive to select the sample members. The data was analysed using thematic and statistical analyses. The researcher strictly adhered to ethical conduct. The major findings of the study are the following: The study found that the 36 respondents, who constitute 36%, pointed out that community members are not informed about the activities of the municipality. The study found that the majority, 36 (36%) of respondents strongly disagreed with the statement that the municipality has adequate financial and human resources to enable public participation. Fifty-five (55) respondents, which constitute 55% strongly disagreed that the municipal officials have a good relationship with the residents and councillors of the Blouberg local Municipality. Public participation helps in the provision of adequate and relevant services to the publics. The findings revealed that corruption hinders public participation. Finally, the study revealed that public participation can be enhanced through imbizos and utilization of radio stations to inform members of the public about public participation. iv The recommendations of the study are the following: The study recommends that there is a need to inform the public about the activities of the municipality. The researcher recommends that there must be adequate financial and human resources to enable public participation. The study recommends that there must be a good relationship between municipal officials, residents and the councillors of the Blouberg local Municipality. The study recommends public participation is in the provision of the adequate and relevant services to the publics. The study recommends that there is a need for ethical practises within the municipality to promote public participation. The study recommends that public participation be ensured through imbizos, utilization of radio stations to inform public about their participationItem Embargo The effect of developmental local government in implementing local economic development strategy: a case of Polokwane Local Municipality(2024-09-06) Maela, Khutso Delphus; Munzhedzi, P. H.; Mathebula, N. E.The study evaluates effect of developmental local government (DLG) in implementing local economic development (LED) strategy, using the Polokwane Local Municipality as a case study. DLG is borne out of a complex of socio-economic and political procedures marked by democratization, marketization, and decentralization. DLG presents a new approach to the pursuit of collective welfare and developmental goals, leveraged by ideas that favour a redefinition of the role of the state and government. Most important is the decentralisation of functions of the state and government as an important strategy to boost local economies to address high levels of poverty, unemployment, and inequalities facing most communities. LED is a localized, ‘place-based’ approach to local development. LED as a development strategy has in the recent past gained widespread popularity and acceptance as a grassroots-based approach, especially in the developing world. The study applied mixed-methods research approach to understand the scope and nature of the study. The study used a pragmatic research paradigm while descriptive and contextual research design were applied. Questionnaires and interviews are the data collection methods that were used in this study. The population of the study consists of municipal officials, councilors, and selected community members within the Polokwane Local Municipality area. The study used non-probability and probability. Data was analysed using thematic and statistical analysis. The data collected through questionnaires were analysed through the International Business Machinery: Statistical Product and Service Solutions (IBM: SPSS) the latest Version 28.0. The information was presented in the form of tables, and graphs followed by frequencies and percentage. Data collected through interviews was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings of the study are: • DLG improves the living standards of the communities through the implementation of LED. • DLG empowers local communities and ensures independence. • DLG ensures the availability of funds to support the LED strategy. • There is active community and stakeholder participation in the LED project development and implementation. • DLG ensures that LED alleviates poverty. • The DLG ensures proper communication channels to coordinate and implement LED strategy. • Polokwane community members through their participation work with Municipality towards achieving the LED strategy. • DLG create job opportunities through LED. • Traditional Leaders, community stakeholders, community development workers, community development groups and NGOs should be incorporated in Municipal LED projects to ensure the effective implementation of LED in the Municipality. • The increase in funding may sufficiently support the implementation of LED programmes. • The continuous workshops to educate the local communities and municipal officials about new technological development are necessary since they will be able to adapt to the new changes, for instance the operation of e-governance under the evolution of 4th industrial revolution. The training or workshops of communities and municipal officials is vital for fostering effective LED planning and implementation • Deployment of sufficient resources for implementing LED programmes is essential. • Corruption and other mal-administrative practices must be effectively curtailed through oversight mechanisms such as Chapter 9 institutions. • Sufficient support for the government departments such as Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA, Public Works inter alia is needed. Recommendations of the study are: • The study recommends for the sustainable developmental local economic stimuli theory (SDLEST) which is based on the following principles: community-stakeholder participation, public/community value, utilization of local resources, job creation, accountability measures, local education and training, participative NGOs, local investors, and empowerment. • The study suggests the support of Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) as they are significant contributors to economic growth and employment. • Education and training regarding the usage of local resources and participation in municipal affairs is vital in Polokwane Local Municipality. • The study suggests for municipality together with COGHSTA to partner with NGOs and private sectors to encourage sustainable business practises. Sustainable business practises should be aimed at tackling the community problems such as social inequality, unequal distribution of wealth, failing economics, community conflict, gender inequality, lack of education, rampant poverty and provision of quality life for all. • The study recommends for sufficient budget to be able to cater all the projects the municipality considers to improve the social, political, and economic needs of the communities. • The study recommends the encouragement of community, and relevant stakeholder participation as a way of empowering community members. • The study suggests for collaborative partnerships with linguists, cultural organizations, universities, and tourism agencies around Polokwane Local Municipality to enhance local economic development. • E-government is also recommended as an effective method for the implementation of LED since the issues of corruption, maladministration, and nepotism will be reduced. • The study recommends that there should be the development of an inclusive and robust local economy to eradicate poverty and create jobs. • The study recommends for agriculture, tourism, SMMEs, education and training, e-government, service delivery, utilisation of local resources, collaboration, participation and public-private partnership as centres of effective LED through DLG.