Department of Public and Development Administration

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Open Access
An investigation into the challenges facing municipalities in women empoernment: a case study of Ward 2 in Thulamela Municipality
(2012-05-22) Mamidze, Azwidali Alfred; Khwashaba, M. P.
This study was intended to investigate the challenges facing municipalities in women empowerment. The investigation was done on the selected individuals from both Thulamela municipality and ward 2 in Thulamela. The sample was drawn from the population using the purposive and systematic random sampling methods. Sixty five respondents were chosen as follows: four managers and twenty employees in Thulamela municipality, Fourty women under ward 2 in Thulamela and finally the ward 2 Councillor in Thulamela municipality. A single instrument for data collection was used. A questionnaire in (Appendix A) was handed out to concerned people. The analysis of data was mostly qualitative and based on relevant frequencies of response. SOME OF THE MAIN FINDINGS OF THIS STUDY WERE: • The majority of the respondents agreed that women were employed in low paid jobs during apartheid era. • It has been confirmed by 92,3% of the respondents when they agreed that gender equity act and policies created more jobs opportunities for the previously disadvantaged groups of women in particular. • Most of the respondents indicated that more women are employed in more decent jobs in democratic era than in apartheid period. • There are currently more projects that are established to empower women. • Majority of the respondents indicated lack of education as an obstacle to women empowerment. •Education for girls will promote women empowerment • Most of the respondents disagreed that uneducated women are recognized in women empowerment. • Most of the respondents disagreed that majority of the ward Counselors are women. • Combination of family and gender roles hamper women empowerment, this has been confirmed by 63,1% of the respondents. RECOMMENDATIONS As a result of the findings and conclusion, it has been realized that so many problems regarding challenges facing municipalities in women empowerment need to be addressed. The following are some of the recommendations made out of those findings. • Women need to be employed to top management positions and in more decent jobs through Affirmative action. • Gender equity act and policies must be implemented by both public and private sectors for more jobs creation as women empowerment. • Government should go on providing more projects aimed at women empowerment. • Women must also be given tenders for their economic stability. • There to be are educational programmes like ABET that need provided to women as they were previously disadvantaged in education. • Government should have campaigns aimed at discouraging teenage pregnancies.
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An investigation of the challenges of the Reconstruction Development Programme in the provision of low-cost houses: A case of Makhado Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2025-05-16) Bonyane, Fulufhelo; Nekhavhambe, M. M.; Maemu, E.
The study focuses on the challenges facing Makhado Local Municipality in the provision of RDP houses. Housing plays a major role in the lives and development of citizens. Access to adequate housing is a basic human right. Delivery of houses satisfies the basic needs of the people, and houses were provided with the intention to completely destroy the apartheid. The provision of housing has remained a big challenge among the poorest communities. The study used a convergent parallel mixed method approach, which consists of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The reason for choosing this method is that it can be combined in such a way that quantitative and qualitative mixed methods retain their original structures and procedures. To achieve the objective of the study, non - probability sampling and its sub-type, the purposive sampling method were used by the researcher to select the samples. Interviews and questionnaires were utilised to collect data. Data collected through the questionnaires was analysed through: International Business Machinery (IBM): Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) latest version and the information was presented using graphical tabular form, frequencies and percentages. The data collected through interviews was analysed through thematic analysis and presented in narrative form. The Major findings of the study are:  The Municipality does not have enough financial and human resources to provide RDP houses  There is no transparency and fairness in the provision of RDP houses,  The Municipality does not interact with the community to ensure the effective provision of RDP houses.  Community members are not aware of the matters related to the delivery of RDP houses. The following recommendations are therefore made based on the findings of the study:  The researcher recommends that there must be enough financial and human resources for the provision of RDP houses,  Training should be provided to municipal officials so that they can know their responsibilities in the provision of RDP houses,  The study recommends that there should be transparency and fairness in the provision of RDP houses,  The study recommends that the Municipality should fully interact with the community to ensure the effective provision of RDP houses
Open Access
Application of ethics in the provision of municipal services in Makhado Local Municipality
(2024-09-06) Matodzi, Tshifhiwa Rejoyce; Munzhedzi, P. H.; Sethu, M. J.
Access to basic municipal services is a major challenge in South Africa. Section 152 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, makes provision for municipalities to deliver basic services to their local communities. Local government plays an important role in ensuring that communities are provided with basic services. Research has shown that South Africa is experiencing challenges in providing basic services. This study focused on the application of ethics in the provision of municipal services in Makhado Local Municipality. The study was conducted at Makhado Local Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study aims to evaluate the application of ethics in the provision of municipal services at Makhado Local Municipality and suggest recommendations on how to eradicate challenges regarding basic municipal services. The researcher utilised a mixed research method in which both qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted. A sample of 284 participants consisting of traditional leaders, selected community members, municipal staff members, and ward councillors was selected using probability sampling and non-probability sampling techniques. The instruments used to collect data were questionnaires and interview schedules. The quantitative and quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis respectively. The main findings of this study indicate that the application of ethics has not significantly contributed to the improvement of municipal service delivery at Makhado Local Municipality. The main recommendations based on the findings are that decision-making on basic municipal services should be centred on ethics and that the municipality should aim to solve community issues in a sustainable manner rather than just following protocol.
Embargo
Asian Tigers Model as a strategy to achieve a developmental state in South Africa: a case of Thulamela Local Municipality
(2025-05-15) Mulaudzi, Witnes; Maemu, E.; Zitha, H. E.
This study sought to evaluate the Asian Tigers Model as a strategy to achieve a developmental state in South Africa, with specific reference to Thulamela Local Municipality. The term "Asian Tigers" refers to East Asian countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, China, and Singapore, which achieved rapid economic growth and industrialization from the 1960s onwards. These nations implemented key elements of the Asian Tigers Model, including export-oriented industrialization, strong government intervention, investment in education and technology, and strategic trade policies. By examining the historical context and unique challenges facing South Africa, this study aimed to evaluate the applicability of the Asian Tigers Model to South Africa’s development trajectory. The analysis considered the potential benefits, challenges, and adaptations necessary for successful implementation, highlighting lessons learned and policy implications for fostering sustainable economic development in South Africa. In this study, the researcher employed a mixed research methodology, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The motive behind using the mixed method was to enhance validity by providing deeper understanding through qualitative insights and broader coverage via quantitative data, resulting in more comprehensive and reliable conclusions. To achieve the study's objectives, non-probability sampling and its sub-type, purposive sampling, were used by the researcher to select samples. For data collection, two methods were employed: a structured questionnaire and interviews. The data collected through the structured questionnaire were analysed and presented in graphical tabular form, frequencies, and percentages, while the data collected via interviews were analysed and presented in a narrative form. This study aimed to offer a nuanced understanding of how the Asian Tigers Model can be adapted and applied to promote sustainable economic development in South Africa, with a focus on Thulamela Local Municipality
Open Access
Challenges causing delay in the implementation of water project in Mutale Municipality and its impact on social life of the community: a case study of Tshipise/Dambale Water Project
(2013-05-20) Kwinda, Tshifhiwa Solomon; Khwashaba, M. P.
The aim of the study was to investigate the challenges facing the delay in the implementation of a water project and its impact on social life of the community using Tshipise / Dambale water project as a case study. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. The study was placed in both the quantitative and qualitative research paradigm. The researcher used a non-probability method and its subtype purposive sampling for the purpose of collecting from the respondents with accurate and relevant information. The populations involved in this study were local traditional leaders; civic members from Tshipise and Dambale villages; and water committee from Tshipise and Dambale villages who completed the questionnaire and the community development worker (CDW), Ward councillor, community liaison officer (CLO) who were interviewed. The study revealed that the municipality is obliged, by the law, to provide the community with water and also that the municipality is aware that the law binds them to provide the community with water. The studies also revealed that lack of capacity of contractors in the implementation of water project have delayed the implementation of water project. It was recommended that competent contractors with relevant skills need to be appointed to render a relevant service. It was also recommended that the municipality must undertake proper monitoring to ensure the contractor is doing what he or she is supposed to do.
Open Access
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
Open Access
Challenges facing Shikundu community with regard to participation in the development projects in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province
(2012-12-19) Mahole, Ephraim; Khwashaba, M. P.; Marule, A. L.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
The character of administrative capacity on developmental local government in municipalities within Vhembe District Municipality
(2023-05-19) Tsanwani, Avhashoni Portia; Nkuna, N. W.; Nembudani, R. S.
The aim of the study was to investigate whether local government in South Africa has the administrative capacity congruent to developmental local governments’ mandate. The study outlined the characteristics of administration that qualify local government institutions to be categorized as local government that promulgate developmental mandate of governance. Municipalities within the Vhembe District served as case studies, and these were - Musina, Collins Chabane, Thulamela and Makhado - in Limpopo Province. The study was grounded in Henry Fayol’s Administrative Principles theory which describes management principles that lead to the success of an organization. The reason for choosing this theory is its deductive nature and potential to give room for changes in terms of new data. The principles in this theory make provision for general administrative perspective and serve as instructional tool for an organization. The research design adopted was normative and focused on the descriptive approach; it utilized a mixed-methods approach which integrated both quantitative and qualitative methods to collect, analyze and interpret data. The mechanisms utilized for gathering data were interviews and questionnaires, based on purposive sampling method. The population was comprised of officials and politicians from district and local municipalities as well as other municipal stakeholders within the Vhembe District. Data generated qualitatively and quantitatively from primary and secondary sources was analyzed by using thematic analysis and Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS), respectively. The findings show that developmental local government of South Africa lacks the potential to improve service delivery and of ensuring good governance. Therefore, the study recommends re-tooling of developmental local government administration. This process would improve the administrative capacity of local governments in South Africa by detailing the character or position that local government administration units must adopt for their mandate to be realized.
Open Access
Community participation as tool for promoting accountability in local government with specific reference to Makhado Local Municipality, Limpopo Province
(2020) Mawela, Ndivhaisafhi; Nkuna, N. W.; Mahole, E.
The research investigated community participation as a tool to promote accountability, using Makhado Local Municipality as a prime focus/case study. Makhado Local Municipality has seen a rise in public protest resulting from dissatisfaction with service delivery and lack of accountability by public officials. The dissertation was normative in nature because it employed the theoretical disposition of community participation and accountability on Makhado Local Municipality. A mixed method approach was adopted for the research, which enabled the combination of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis approaches to gain deeper insight of the topic under investigation. A general background review of available literature was presented to contextualise the problem statement understudy. An interpretive research was adopted to assess how community members navigate to create their social world though participatory mechanisms made available by the municipality. Research data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted using standard interview guidelines. Collected data was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively through in-depth review of responses extracted from the sampled population with the aid of a questionnaire. Statistical methods of data interpretation were incorporated to enhance data analysis. The findings of the study was that accountability is promoted through community participation, policy of the municipality are aligned to legislative framework and that municipal officials lack professionalism and accountability. It was recommended for the municipality to create systems that will enforce and promote professional conduct by public officials. Furthermore, it was recommended for the municipality to create mechanisms to ensure the involvement of community members as to promote accountability. The study drew its conclusions and recommendations from the views provided by the community participants and public officials on how to best use community participation as a tool for promoting accountability. Identity confidentiality of participants was respected and guaranteed throughout the course of the study. The research problem investigated was the lack of accountability by public officials in Makhado Local Municipality.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
The critical assessment of the challenges faced by Vhembe District Municipality with the implementation of supply chain management policies
(2012-12-07) Mutuvhi, Fhatuwani Lastborn; Khwashaba, M. P.; Thornhill, C.
Open Access
Critical assessment on the strategies of enhancing good governance in Local Government: a case of Thulamela Local Municipality
(2023-05-19) Madzonga, Pfano Walter; Vermaak, N. J.; Matloga, S. T.
This study examines strategies for improving good governance in South African local governments, with a focus on Thulamela Local Municipality in Limpopo Province. Quality services can only be provided by local governments if all of the principles of good governance are followed, including transparency, accountability, responsibility, the rule of law, participation, professional ethics, and so on. Poor governance in local governments led to an increase in violent incidents, a decrease in municipal service payments, corruption, misadministration, mismanagement of public funds, and a deterioration in service delivery. Local government officials no longer serve the public because good governance strategies are not effectively implemented; instead, public officials serve themselves. In this study, two population groups, municipal officials and community members, played a role in providing information about public services. Local governments, as stated in the Constitution, must strive to provide democratic and accountable government for local communities in order to ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner, to promote social and economic development, and to promote a safe and healthy environment. The main argument of this study remains that local governments are failing to provide democratic and accountable government to local communities, and as a result, local communities continue to strike and burn infrastructure. This study employed a mixed research method that included both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. A mixed research method is advantageous because it can be integrated in such a way that qualitative and quantitative methods retain their original structures and procedures. In this study, a qualitative approach was used because it allows for openness to ideas, experiences, opinions, feelings, and research participants' perceptions. On the other hand, quantitative methods were used in this study, allowing the researcher to obtain results from a large number of respondents. The study employed an analysis research design, and the respondents were chosen using non-probability sampling and its subtype purposive sampling. There were two data collection methods used: research questionnaires and interviews. The researcher chose these two data collection instruments in order to obtain relevant information for the study. For this study, statistical and thematic data analysis methods were used. Furthermore, secondary and primary data sources were used to gather more information about good governance strategies in local governments. The major findings of the study are: ● Local government must provide basic services to local communities which they are entitled to. ● During municipal decision making processes, the level of community participation is very low. ● Full citizen participation should be implemented and encouraged to issues pertaining to service delivery. ● The relationship between community and municipality is not good as municipality officials do not respect those they represent. ● Education and training of ethics on municipality officials should be enforced effectively i.e. openness, accountability and responsibility. The following recommendations are therefore made based on the findings of the study ● The study recommends that the Municipality should ensure that all communities that fall under its jurisdiction have access to adequate basic service delivery. ● Communities should always be involved in all matters related to basic service delivery to improve their standard of living. ● The Municipality should give support, confidence to community members who owe municipal services, to pay their debts so that money can be utilised to improve the delivery of basic services and any official who uses such money for private gain should face the law. ● The researcher recommends that the Municipality should ensure that it has a good relationship with all communities that fall under its jurisdiction. ● The researcher recommends that accountability, responsibilities with corporal punishment to those who disobey the law must be enforced to all municipal officials; this has to do with answerability and blameworthiness.
Open Access
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. ➢
Open Access
The effect of coalition government on municipal service delivery in the City of Tshwane
(2023-10-05) Setona, Pheelo; Munzhedzi, P. H.; Mafunisa, M. J.
The 2016 local government elections could not produce the outright winner with more than fifty percent of seats that required any political party to govern the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. In number of previous years, the City of Tshwane has been governed by solitary political party and has gotten used to singular arrangement. Subsequent to the failure of any political party to gain outright majority winner of seats to govern as a single party, the circumstances enforced political parties to form coalition government that empowered the Democratic Alliance and other smaller parties to be the governing coalition in the City of Tshwane since 2016 local government elections. This study sought to investigate the possible effect of coalition government on municipal service delivery with specific reference to the City of Tshwane. The study adopted the mixed method research. Quantitative data collection was obtained through 217 respondents who completed the closed-ended questionnaires. Qualitative data was gathered through interviewing 20 participants. The results confirmed that there was a unique and special type of coalition government at the City of Tshwane, as there was no party that managed to garner 51% or more to get a majority to take charge of the local government. The findings established that the Tshwane coalition government lacks effective municipal service delivery. Lack of capacity and skill development is also affecting the effectiveness of the coalition government. It is recommended that the City of Tshwane coalition government takes a sombre moment and reconsider its priorities so that effective municipal service delivery to the local communities who are adversely affected by lack of service delivery. There is a further need for the City of Tshwane to take a skills audit to determine the skills gaps that need to be filled that will assist in enhancing municipal service delivery mandate. Identification of the right skills and recruitment of the people with the requisite skills will go a long way towards the achievement of municipal service delivery at the City of Tshwane. The staff recruitment policy should be managed by professional people who can scout for the right talents that are capable to provide efficient and effective municipal service delivery to the local communities. Political interference and cadre deployment has always been debated as one of the challenges in most municipalities and should not be condoned as it affects the efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of municipal services delivery at the City of Tshwane coalition government. Politicians are good at handling political issues and not administrative matters that result in good service delivery. Corrupt tendencies have a negative effect on municipal service delivery, and as such there is a need to put checks and balances to curb corruption in the City.
Open Access
The Effectiveness of the Public Protector's Office in enhancing ethical conduct: The case of the Vhembe District Municipal Area
(2019-05-18) Raphasha, Nngwedzeni Ernie; Vermaak, N. J.; Nkuna, N. W.
The main thrust of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the Public Protector’s office in enhancing ethical conduct: The Case of Vhembe District Municipal Area. After the attainment of democracy in 1994, South Africa established the Public Protector’s office and other institutions to enhance ethical conduct within the public service. Despite the establishment of the Public Protector’s office, ethical challenges remained a big problem to achieve good governance and efficient service delivery to the masses of Vhembe. This study followed a mixed research methods and employed a descriptive case study design with explanatory features characterised by the sequential explanatory model strategy in which the collection and analysis of quantitative data was done, followed by the next phase of collecting and analysing qualitative data. Participants in this study were Public Protector’s officials, Mayors, Municipal Managers, Civic Organizations and the representatives of the private (tendering) companies found in Vhembe. The empirical data were collected through questionnaire and semi-structured interview schedule and analysed using SPSS and thematic (content) analysis. Data collection and analysis followed the objectives of the study as a framework. The major finding of the study is that the Public Protector’s office is not effective enough to enhance ethical conduct due to its inability and lack of constitutional powers to enforce adherence and compliance with its recommendations after conducting investigations. As a result, this renders the Public Protector’s office ineffective and unable to enhance ethical conduct effectively. The study therefore, recommends that the Public Protector’s office needs to be provided with sufficient resources as well as more constitutional powers to enable it to enforce implementation and compliance with its recommendations.
Open Access
The effects of local economic development in poverty alleviation: a case of Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality, Limpopo Province
(2023-05-19) Selemela, Charles; Mathebula, N. E.; Munzhedzi, P. H.
The focus of this study is to evaluate the effects of local economic development (LED) in poverty alleviation in municipalities using Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality as a case study. LED is essential as it involves identifying and using primarily local resources and skills to ensure or stimulate local economic growth and community development. Municipalities are responsible to ensure the promotion of LED projects to alleviate poverty. This study was motivated by fact that there is lack of promotion of LED projects, high rate of poverty and unemployment and other socio-economic related issues that is occurring in communities within Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality. Although the Municipality is continuing with the implementation of LED strategies but high rate of poverty and unemployment persist. Lack of capacity, incorrect interpretation or implementation of LED and resource constrains are some of the factors that contribute to failure of LED implementation in municipalities even though they are policies or guidelines in place. The study adopted a qualitative research approach with the aim of interpreting and analysing the responses in thematic method. The data was obtained through semi- structured interviews from the identified municipal officials who are responsible for LED implementation, other municipal officials, economic development agency officials, project beneficiaries, community stakeholders and project leaders. The study used face-to-face interviews as a more natural way of interacting with the respondents. The purposive sampling was appropriate for this study, because the researcher wanted participants who have knowledge about the topic and who can give reliable information which will help to reach the objectives of the study. The study findings revealed LED implementation in Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality is constraints by many factors which hinder it to achieving economic development and poverty alleviation. The Municipality have challenges such as lack of budget, political interference in the allocation of LED projects, double dipping of projects, dependency syndrome of LED projects, LED strategies do not address socio-economic challenges of communities, absence of monitoring and evaluation. Local economic development must contribute effectively on poverty alleviation and should have strong social focus.
Open Access
Employee training, job performance and retention in the Zimbabwe Private Sector
(2017-08-18) Musarurwa, Dzikamai; Setatati, Sam; Ngirande, Hlanganani
While globalization has created new opportunities for economic and social progress, it has also brought some costs such as the reduction of employee training programmes in the developing world and in private companies. As a result, poor employee job performance and failure to retain employees have become the norm in companies. This study explored the influence of employee training on employee job performance and employee retention in the Zimbabwean private sector. The study was quantitative in nature and it was conducted in two private sister companies namely Annualvest and Vast Africa. Stratified random sampling was used to choose the sample. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. This questionnaire comprised of four sections which measured the biographical data of the participants, employee training, job performance and retention. The training instrument was used to measure training and the individual work performance instrument (IWPQ 1, 0) was used to measure employee job performance. The turn-over intention instrument was used to measure employee retention. A statistical Software Package for Social Science (IBM- SPSS-2015) version 23 was used to analyse data. To establish the relationship between the research variables, the Spearman product moment correlation coefficient was used. Linear multiple regression analysis was performed to determine which dependent variable between job performance and employee retention is mostly affected by the independent variable (employee training). The study concluded that employee training has an influence on employee job performance and employee retention. However, a look at the different sub-scales of training shows that the availability of training proved to be the biggest predictor of job performance and employee retention of employees as compared to supervisor support and co-worker support on training. The study recommends that organisations should consider finding more resources to boost employee training. Policies must be put in place to encourage supervisor support and co-worker support on training.
Embargo
Enhancing ethical conduct in the codification and education options: A case of Vhembe District Municipality
(2025-05-15) Thenga, Thanzi; Singo, A. T.; Nekhavhambe, M. M.
The study examined the importance of the ethical conduct of municipal officials in promoting a code of conduct for municipal officials through education. In strengthening the code of conduct for Local Government Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000, chapter 12, Schedule 1, and Schedule 2 provide the code of conduct for municipal employees; the Code of Conduct for municipal employees is similarly described in Schedule 5 of the Local Government Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998. Its objective is to promote an environment rich in ethical and moral standards and behaviour. Unethical behaviour is delinquent conduct that affects organizations locally and globally, with ill implications for the societies they serve. Unethical conduct manifests in various forms, including coercive, destructive, deceptive, intrusive, secretive, manipulative, and exploitative conduct. The Limpopo Province has an eminent, recent history of unethical public service conduct involving large-scale tender-related corruption. Based on this concern, this study aimed to enhance ethical conduct regarding coding and education options in the Vhembe District Municipality. An integrated mixed-method research method was used in this study. The target population is municipal officials, and 30 VDM officials were sampled. Simple random sampling was employed in this study. Data collection was based on a Likert scale, and self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were adopted. The data analysis was based on descriptive and inferential quantitative methods, while the qualitative data was thematically analysed. Digital support from the latest SPSS and Microsoft Excel software was used to manage the statistical data and compute standard deviations, whereas NVIVO was used to build themes. The findings of this study revealed that while the municipality has a code of ethics in place, codification and education are effective options to enhance the ethical conduct of municipal officials. This study concludes by recommending strategies to promote ethical codes in municipal settings
Open Access
Ethical leadership in the Limpopo Provincial Public Service of South Africa: an imperative for good governance
(2018-05-18) Singo, Angeline Thivhilaeli; Mafunisa, J. M.; Vermaak, N. J.
The study reviews and assess the impact of ethical leadership in promotion of good governance in the Limpopo Province in South Africa. Since the inception of the province in 1994, the provincial government witnessed an alarming statistics of unethical behaviour within its echelons. The media reports is frequently dominated by negative news of ethical transgression within the province’s public institutions. The reports on fraud and corruption scandals ranges from conflict of interests which manifest itself through payment of ghost workers, tardiness, weak institutions, lack of accountability and honesty by senior and subordinate public officials. In 2011, some of the provincial government’s departments were placed under “Administration”, meaning the control of province by the National Treasury. The placement of the departments under administration confirms the public perception that the province is engulfed by ethical challenges which result to poor governance of the province. The findings from the study confirm that although the province attempted to put strategies to minimise acts of unethical behaviour in the province, there is still a concern of ethical transgression that is ongoing and unabated. The study adopted the mixed methodology research design for data collection. The senior public managers and subordinate public officials were sampled as the population for the study. The aim is to assess the pivotal role that senior public managers as leaders play in fostering the organisational performance, hence good governance through modelling behaviour. The findings of the study assist to respond to the concern of why transgressions of ethical conduct occurs despite progressive legislative frameworks were introduced to promote good governance. The study recommended an Integrative Model of Ethical Leadership, which takes into account