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Item Embargo 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.Item 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 municipalityItem 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.Item 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, EphraimThe 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.Item 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.Item 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.Item 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.Item 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.Item 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.Item 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. ➢Item 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.Item 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.Item 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.Item Open Access Employee training, job performance and retention in the Zimbabwe Private Sector(2017-08-18) Musarurwa, Dzikamai; Setatati, Sam; Ngirande, HlangananiWhile 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.Item 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 accountItem Open Access 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 belowItem Open Access The functioning of funded community based organisations in rural areas: a case study in Collins Chabane Local Municipality(2023-10-05) Tshabalala, Basani Violet; Mahole, E.; Nkuna, N. W.The purpose of this study was to investigate the functioning of funded Community Based Organisations in rural areas: A Case study in Collins Chabane Local Municipality. It has been widely reported that over the past decades, poor, dishonest management of public affairs and corruption (immoral acts) have dominated management of the public-sector divisions. Often, maladministration and corruption in the public sector are widely publicised and exaggerated, largely because it spends on taxpayers’ money. In trying to resolve this dilemma, practitioners in the public sector, particularly public managers adhere to guidelines which channel them on how they should administer and direct the public service. More so, the guidelines must help in placing subordinates on the right track precisely to prevent corruption and eliminate maladministration. The study adopted a pragmatic paradigm as a guideline for developing research methodology and took on the research venture in a manner that was most valid and appropriate. Thus, a mixed method research design, in which both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used was utilised. Field research study as a research design was used wherein non-probability sampling and its subtype purposive sampling method to select the respondents was applied. Two data collection instruments were used namely; research questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive analysis as a statistical technique and thematic analysis were used to analyse data. The researcher followed all the processes required for ethical considerations when conducting a study, as well as having knowledge and understanding that respondent’s participation in research must be done voluntarily without any harm. The findings of the research study were: The study findings revealed that 69 (49.3%) of the respondents agreed that the management performed different functions in funded Community Based Organisations in rural areas. It was also discovered that at 68 (48.5%) of the respondents agreed that Community Based Organisations are controlled by the members of the board. In addition, most of the respondents at 73 (52.2%) agreed that the members of the board have skills for managing the funded Community Based Organisations. Data further revealed that Community Based Organisations do not belong to people but to the community. The study findings also discovered that members of the board are educated and have knowledge on organisational matters. Finally, the study findings confirmed that the organisation is not run by young people. vi The recommendations of the research study are: The researcher recommended that members of the management should ensure that Community Based Organisations are fully operational because of the functions performed by the management. The members of the board should know their duties of guiding and leading the staff on their duties on daily basis. The management should share the knowledge or skills with the staff members to ensure that they have the same knowledge so that they can assist when the need arise. The authority must be given to all community members to limit the power of the leadership in having full control over people. The members of the board should be educated and have knowledge on organisational matters. The last recommendation is that staff members should also be involved in running the organisation to be familiar with new knowledge related to organisations.Item Open Access Good governance in the provision of municipal services: a case of Vhembe District Municipality(2023-10-05) Mudzusi, Takalani Nancy; Munzhedzi, P. H.; Mahole, E.The study focuses on good governance in the provision of municipal services at the Vhembe District Municipality. The local communities judge their municipalities’ performance through the provision of services and the treatment that they get from its officials. The challenge of governance adversely affects the delivery of municipal services. People always expect good governance and service from their respective municipalities. However, it seems as though the municipalities are failing greatly. It is therefore; important for the municipality to adhere to good governance provisions which ultimately manifests through effective municipal service delivery. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research method which is a mixed method underpinned by the pragmatic paradigm as it advocates for the use of mixed methods. Data was collected through questionnaire and interview. The questionnaires were distributed to IDP officials, LED officials, PMS officials as well as other administrative officials and managers, whiles interviews were conducted telephonically with PR councillors of the Vhembe District Municipality in order to gather information related to adherence of good governance in the provision of municipal services. For data analysis, the study adopted statistical and thematic analysis. Information gathered through questionnaires was analysed using Micro-Soft Excel and thematic analysis is used for information collected through interviews. The following research ethics were considered in this study: permission to conduct the research study, informed consent, confidentiality and anonymity, no harm to respondents and voluntary participation. The study will enhance the knowledge of relevant political office bearers and administrative officials regarding the understanding of good governance in the Vhembe District Municipality. The study found that the status of good governance in the Vhembe District Municipality is not at a desired state and as such; it needs requisite improvements. It is also found that there is a relationship between good governance and provision of municipal services and revealed that sufficient municipal service delivery to the local communities is more likely if the provisions of good governance are correctly implemented. The study found that lack of resources makes it difficult for the municipality to resolve municipal service delivery challenges of the local communities in its jurisdiction. Prolonged waiting time for municipal services to be delivered to local communities is one of the major challenges faced by the municipality. The study found that raising awareness on the importance of good governance, community participation and training officials on how they can implement good governance principles can be used as improvement mechanism. The study recommends for the municipal officials to follow good governance provisions because it positively contributes to the effective and efficient provision of high quality municipal services. It is further recommended that the municipality should set time frames to adequately address prolonged waiting time regarding the delivery of municipal services to the local communities. To address limited understanding of good governance by officials, the study recommends that greater awareness and through training about good governance be instilled with a purpose of enhancing the provision of municipal service delivery. The establishment of monitoring and evaluation mechanism may contribute positively to the provision of municipal services, and as such it is one of the recommended measures.Item Open Access The impact of COVID-19 on the implementation of the National Development Plan 2030: a case of Vhembe District Municipality(2023-05-19) Maemu, Emmanuel; Munzhedzi, P. H.; Mathebula, N. E.The study sought to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 also known as corona virus disease on the implementation of the National Development Plan 2030 at the Vhembe District Municipality. The National Development Plan (NDP) is a plan for South Africa to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030 through uniting South Africans, unleashing the energies of its citizens, growing an inclusive economy, building capabilities, enhancing the capability of the state and leaders working together to solve complex problems. The approach of the Plan revolves around citizens being active in development, a capable and developmental state able to intervene to correct the historical inequities, and strong leadership throughout society by working together to solve the problems. The Plan addresses the need to enhance the capabilities of the people so that they can live the lives that they desire; and to develop the capabilities of the state so that it can grow faster, draw more people into work and raise living standards for all, particularly the poor. COVID-19 pandemic has done significant harm to an already bruised economy which affected the implementation of the NDP 2030. This study used a mixed research methodology in which both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used. The reason for using the mixed method was that it can be combined in such a way that quantitative and qualitative methods retain their original structures and procedures. To achieve the objective of the study, non-probability sampling and its sub-type, purposive sampling method were used to get an appropriate sample. The researcher used two data collection methods namely, questionnaires and interviews. The data collected through the questionnaires were analysed using statistical analysis through the computer software called: International Business Machinery (IBM): Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) version 28.0 and the information was presented using graphical tabular form, frequencies, and percentages. The data collected through interviews were analysed through thematic analysis and presented in narrative form. The major findings of the study are: • COVID-19 has a major impact on South African economy. • Municipal financial budget has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. • There is no proper implementation of the NDP due to the lockdown regulations in Vhembe District Municipality. • There is an increase in unemployment rate due to employment reduction and retrenchment in many businesses which affect the aim of full employment rate by 2030 which is the priority of the NDP. • There is high level of dropouts from school due to rotational polices and online classes to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. The following recommendations are therefore made based on the findings of the study: • The study recommended that Economic Recovery Plan should be fostered to address the impact of COVID-19 on the South African economy. • It is further recommended that maximum time should be on the implementation of the NDP 2030 and the deadlines of achieving the plan should be adjusted to achieve the goals by 2030. • The Municipality should focus more in low and middle-income areas as they are more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic. • The Municipality should also strengthen partnerships between private sector and local municipalities within its jurisdiction to improve the implementation of the NDP 2030.Item Open Access Implementation of Batho Pele principles in Local Government: the case of Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo Province South Africa(2022-07-15) Mboweni, Phanuel Cyril; Nkuna, N. W.; Mahole, E.This research investigates the implementation of Batho Pele principles in local government, the case of Mopani District Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The Batho Pele principles provide a framework about how government establishments are supposed to implement an efficient and effective public service to enhance the development of local government. Adherence in the implementation of these principles will guarantee the provision of excellent free basic services that meet, amongst others, the people’s needs, expectations and enhance customer satisfaction, while upholding the government’s promise that access to decent public services is no longer a privilege to be enjoyed by a few, but the rightful expectation of all citizens. A critical evaluative theoretical framework was adopted to establish the extent of implementation of Batho Pele principles within the South African local government landscape using Mopani District Municipality as a case study. The 1994 South African democratic dispensation has posed challenges and opportunities to all spheres of government. The democratic transition has signaled the government's commitment in dealing with societal challenges, ranging from physical infrastructure development to value-laden developmental aspects. The study utilized a triangulation/mixed-methods research design, although, the approach was more biased towards qualitative than quantitative. Purposive sampling method was used for participant selection and both primary and secondary data was used. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire; the data was analysed using the thematic approach and through the International Business Machinery-Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS) software version 25. These findings based on the analysed data from the questionnaire are as follows: most public representatives and officials are either literate or aliterate (unwilling to read further, although able to do so); agreements that are reached between stakeholders on outcomes of demands that are raised during protest marches, picketing and other mechanisms of industrial actions to press for improved service delivery in the municipalities, are not implemented; not all municipalities ensure that regular monthly Ward Committee meetings are convened; several municipalities close municipal offices during protest marches for more than one day. Based on the responses of the questions that were posed during the interviews, the following findings were made: the launch of the Batho Pele have not cascaded down to the local government sphere; municipal officials and public representatives perceive the implementing of the Batho Pele principles to be a provincial and national government imperative; and some Councillors and municipal officials do not play their oversight role on projects that are implemented, in their areas of jurisdiction. The ensuing paragraphs detail the recommendations established in line with the problem statement and the objectives of the study that were discussed in chapter one. The recommendations are as follows: public representatives and officials should be encouraged to be lifelong learners, hence, should be encouraged to further their studies in areas relevant to their current duties; municipalities should honour all agreements and proposals that are reached between stakeholders and them, on demands that are raised during protest marches, picketing and other mechanisms of industrial actions; this, it is anticipated will enhance service delivery; municipalities which are not ensuring that regular monthly Ward Committee meetings are convened should do so; those municipalities that close municipal offices due to protest marches for more than one day, should work with state agencies that will assist them in activating early-warning strategies to curb, in advance, such protests from happening. Based on the responses of the questions that were posed during the interview, the following recommendations were pronounced that: all spheres of government should consider cascading, on a regular basis, the implementation of the Batho Pele principles. Such was reiterated by the Minister of Public Service and Administration during the Launch Public Service Month held at The Ranch Hotel in Limpopo Province on 28 August 2019; vii municipal officials and public representatives should formally be reminded that Batho Pele principles should be implemented at local, provincial, and national government levels; and councillors and municipal officials should activiely play their oversight role on projects that are implemented in their area of jurisdiction. The study proposed that since Batho Pele principles model was introduced in 1997, its inception and implementation was not fully devolved at the local government sphere of government. Therefore, this study engineers that the Batho Pele principles should be fully re-cascaded in all spheres of government.
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