Theses and Dissertations

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Municipal service delivery challenges in a developmental local government context: the case of Vhembe District Municipality
(2024-09-06) Nghonyama, Goodman
This study focuses on municipal service delivery challenges in a developmental local government context: The case of Vhembe District Municipality. South African local government has experienced significant and far-reaching transformation in developmental local government. According to Sections 74(3) and 75(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (from now on referred to as the Constitution, 1996), local government is not only obliged to provide essential services but also to act as a development agent. This study used the pragmatic research method because it is often associated with mixed-methods or multiple-methods, where the focus is on the consequences of research and on the research questions rather than on the methods. This study used a descriptive research design which provides an opportunity to integrate the qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. This study applied mixed-method research where qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. The judgemental sampling method was used to select the study respondents. Research questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data for the study. This study used both statistical and thematic analysis for data analysis and presentation. Ethical considerations were followed before conducting the study. The main findings of this study indicates that the municipal service delivery challenges in a developmental local government were municipal capacity constraints, financial viability problems, service delivery protests, convoluted political processes, corruption, and poor planning. The main recommendations based on the findings are that the municipality provide community awareness and the strategies that can be used to overcome the challenges of developmental local government on service delivery, within the Vhembe District Municipality.
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The role of leadership traits in successfully navigating politically motivated workplace conflicts by public managers: a case of Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo Province
(2024-09-06) Radzilani, Florence; Munzhedzi, P. H.; Mahole, E.
The study was intended to evaluate the role of leadership traits in successfully navigating politically motivated workplace conflicts by public managers in the Vhembe District. Workplace conflict has a detrimental impact in any public institutions’ productivity and financial viability. The specific problem is that some public managers lack effective leadership traits to manage politically motivated conflicts. In addition to this, many studies indicate how leaders through their institutions have adeptly mediated workplace conflict. The study was informed by the interpretivism paradigm, and a case study research design was implemented. A qualitative research methodology was used since the study sought to solicit detailed information from the participants. The total population comprised of 60 managers and a purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 20 public managers for participation in the study. The study area was in the Vhembe District, inclusive of its two local municipalities, Collins Chabane Local Municipality and Musina Local Municipality. Thematic data analysis was used as a data analysis tool. The study’s major finding revealed that causes such as power struggles and lack of transparency are the major causes of politically motivated conflict in the workplace. However, the causes have a severe effect on the productivity of institutions. The study recommends that causes of politically motivated conflict in the workplace should be addressed before it can lead to conflict, in that way it will help managers to deal with fewer conflicts. In addressing politically motivated workplace conflict, the municipality should consider stringent measures on people who do not focus on their tasks because it slows down the progress on the institution.
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The effect of developmental local government in implementing local economic development strategy: a case of Polokwane Local Municipality
(2024-09-06) Maela, Khutso Delphus; Munzhedzi, P. H.; Mathebula, N. E.
The study evaluates effect of developmental local government (DLG) in implementing local economic development (LED) strategy, using the Polokwane Local Municipality as a case study. DLG is borne out of a complex of socio-economic and political procedures marked by democratization, marketization, and decentralization. DLG presents a new approach to the pursuit of collective welfare and developmental goals, leveraged by ideas that favour a redefinition of the role of the state and government. Most important is the decentralisation of functions of the state and government as an important strategy to boost local economies to address high levels of poverty, unemployment, and inequalities facing most communities. LED is a localized, ‘place-based’ approach to local development. LED as a development strategy has in the recent past gained widespread popularity and acceptance as a grassroots-based approach, especially in the developing world. The study applied mixed-methods research approach to understand the scope and nature of the study. The study used a pragmatic research paradigm while descriptive and contextual research design were applied. Questionnaires and interviews are the data collection methods that were used in this study. The population of the study consists of municipal officials, councilors, and selected community members within the Polokwane Local Municipality area. The study used non-probability and probability. Data was analysed using thematic and statistical analysis. The data collected through questionnaires were analysed through the International Business Machinery: Statistical Product and Service Solutions (IBM: SPSS) the latest Version 28.0. The information was presented in the form of tables, and graphs followed by frequencies and percentage. Data collected through interviews was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings of the study are: • DLG improves the living standards of the communities through the implementation of LED. • DLG empowers local communities and ensures independence. • DLG ensures the availability of funds to support the LED strategy. • There is active community and stakeholder participation in the LED project development and implementation. • DLG ensures that LED alleviates poverty. • The DLG ensures proper communication channels to coordinate and implement LED strategy. • Polokwane community members through their participation work with Municipality towards achieving the LED strategy. • DLG create job opportunities through LED. • Traditional Leaders, community stakeholders, community development workers, community development groups and NGOs should be incorporated in Municipal LED projects to ensure the effective implementation of LED in the Municipality. • The increase in funding may sufficiently support the implementation of LED programmes. • The continuous workshops to educate the local communities and municipal officials about new technological development are necessary since they will be able to adapt to the new changes, for instance the operation of e-governance under the evolution of 4th industrial revolution. The training or workshops of communities and municipal officials is vital for fostering effective LED planning and implementation • Deployment of sufficient resources for implementing LED programmes is essential. • Corruption and other mal-administrative practices must be effectively curtailed through oversight mechanisms such as Chapter 9 institutions. • Sufficient support for the government departments such as Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA, Public Works inter alia is needed. Recommendations of the study are: • The study recommends for the sustainable developmental local economic stimuli theory (SDLEST) which is based on the following principles: community-stakeholder participation, public/community value, utilization of local resources, job creation, accountability measures, local education and training, participative NGOs, local investors, and empowerment. • The study suggests the support of Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) as they are significant contributors to economic growth and employment. • Education and training regarding the usage of local resources and participation in municipal affairs is vital in Polokwane Local Municipality. • The study suggests for municipality together with COGHSTA to partner with NGOs and private sectors to encourage sustainable business practises. Sustainable business practises should be aimed at tackling the community problems such as social inequality, unequal distribution of wealth, failing economics, community conflict, gender inequality, lack of education, rampant poverty and provision of quality life for all. • The study recommends for sufficient budget to be able to cater all the projects the municipality considers to improve the social, political, and economic needs of the communities. • The study recommends the encouragement of community, and relevant stakeholder participation as a way of empowering community members. • The study suggests for collaborative partnerships with linguists, cultural organizations, universities, and tourism agencies around Polokwane Local Municipality to enhance local economic development. • E-government is also recommended as an effective method for the implementation of LED since the issues of corruption, maladministration, and nepotism will be reduced. • The study recommends that there should be the development of an inclusive and robust local economy to eradicate poverty and create jobs. • The study recommends for agriculture, tourism, SMMEs, education and training, e-government, service delivery, utilisation of local resources, collaboration, participation and public-private partnership as centres of effective LED through DLG.
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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.
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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.
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The role of public participation in the improvement of basic service delivery in the Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province
(2023-10-05) Matloga, Sanah Tebogo; Mahole, E.; Nekhavhambe, M. M.
The focus of this study is to investigate the role of public participation in the improvement of basic service delivery in the Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province (LP). The study concentrates on matters of public participation and basic service delivery to discover how public participation in municipalities influences the improvement of basic service delivery. The study was conducted in Vhembe District Municipality. The mixed method approach that includes quantitative and qualitative research was used. The reason for using a mixed research method is that it can be integrated; such that quantitative and qualitative methods retain their original structures and procedures. Quantitative method is used because it enables the researcher to get results from many respondents through questionnaires, while the qualitative method allows flexibility, and therefore, the researcher becomes more innovative and has closer interaction with the respondents by way of observation and personal interview. A field study was used as the research design. A non-probability sampling technique was applied to purposively select respondents of the study who have an idea about public participation and the delivery of basic services in municipalities. Non-probability sampling was chosen because the units to be observed are selected on the basis of the researcher’s judgment on which one is most useful or representative. Quantitative data collected were analyzed using International Business Machinery: Statistical Product and Service Solution (IBM: SPSS) latest version, while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis in a narrative format. In the process of data collection, all forms of ethical considerations were followed to ensure that all respondents participated freely without force or intimidation. The major findings of the study are: • Members of the public are reluctant to attend meetings dealing with service delivery in the Vhembe District Municipality; • Traditional leaders work hand in hand with the municipality to improve basic service delivery; • Lack of public participation resulted in poor basic service delivery; • Limited staff and appointment of unqualified personnel in strategic positions in the municipalities create challenges to public participation and the improvement of basic service delivery within the Municipality; • Public participation can manage conflicts, increase accountability, promote democracy, and help the municipality in providing information and feedback to the community; and • The implementation of Batho-Pele principles can be used as a strategy to address challenges facing basic service delivery. The recommendations of the study are the following: • Based on the findings, it is recommended that municipalities should encourage members of the public to attend public participation meetings to improve basic service delivery; • Municipalities should continue to work hand in hand with the Traditional leaders to encourage public participation and to improve the delivery of basic services. • Municipalities should continue to encourage public participation as it is revealed through the findings that lack of public participation results in poor service delivery. • Municipalities should appoint qualified staff personnel in strategic positions for proper facilitation of public participation in improving basic service delivery. • Municipalities should implement Batho-Pele principles to the latter as a strategy to address challenges facing basic service delivery through the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Service Delivery Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP).
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The role of code of conduct in enhancing service delivery in local government with specific reference to Mopani District Municipality
(2023-10-05) Mbedzi, Langanani; Mahole, N. E.; Mafunisa, M. J.
This study focuses on the role of code of conduct in enhancing basic service delivery in local government with specific reference to Mopani District Municipality. The deontological theory will be adopted to emphasise adherence to rules regardless of consequences or motives behind the action. The theories of virtue, deontology and teleology were selected in this study to try to understand the concept of ethics and its relevance to answer the research questions developed in this research. Theories are helpful in predicting and explaining phenomena, such as why people behave the way they do. Regulatory framework, on the other hand, serves as the fundamental basis for reasoning or action. There are various manifestations of unethical conduct in local public administration and these manifestations include corruption, bribe, nepotism and favouritism, fraud, poor public accountability and kickback. South Africa is characterised by various causes of unethical conduct in local public administration. These causes are psychological causes, deficient control and accountability, complex legislation, inadequate procedures and manuals, deficient management and organisation. The Batho-Pele White Paper (1997) principles identify several Batho-Pele principles. Batho-Pele principles include redress and value for money. The study describes various legislative and policy frameworks governing local public administration. The legislative and policy framework include, Batho-Pele White Paper (1997), Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004, and the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003. The study adopted mixed methods approach to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon being studied. Mixed methods give a voice to study participants and ensure that study findings are grounded in participants’ experiences. The study uses research paradigm which is guided by pragmatism. The study focuses on pragmatic research paradigms amongst others namely post positivism, constructivist, participatory and pragmatism. The study uses descriptive statistics and thematic analysis to analyse data. The study describes all the processes of ethical consideration in the research ethics having knowledge and understanding that respondent’s participation in research must be done voluntarily without any harm. The research revealed that leadership seems to play a more significant role in influencing the behaviour of municipal officials, than the rules or codes of conduct of a municipality. The study recommends a properly institutionalized of code of conduct to be developed for guiding the municipality’s ethics performance. vi Findings of the research study The study findings revealed that majority of the respondents at 181 (95,2%) agreed that there are adequate controls to ensure that municipal officials comply with policies and procedure in the municipality. The study further confirms that most of the respondents at 175 (92,1%) of the respondents agreed with the statement that the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 encourages the action of municipal officials to be in line with the values and principle of public administration. Majority of the respondents at 166 (87,4%) agreed that challenges facing local municipalities need to be evaluated to check if they are yielding desired results. The study found that 115 (81,6%) of respondents agreed that existing code of conduct needs to be revised. The findings revealed that mechanisms should be developed in an ethical manner that are reflected in different ways, such as compliance to rules and laws, desisting from fraud, theft, corruption and abuse of leadership authority. The study findings revealed that appointing an ethics officer is one of the effective strategies for enhancing ethical conduct in the municipality, an important mechanism that is adhered to at the Mopani district municipalities. The findings revealed that municipal officials are aware of the manual code of conduct in place. The researcher found that corruption is the main issue that leads to unethical challenges confronting municipalities in enhancing basic service delivery in the municipality. Recommendations of the research study It was recommended that code of conduct approaches should be aimed at enhancing basic service delivery in the municipality, the training of municipal officials should emphasize innovativeness and the importance of values. Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) stipulates that South African local government does not have an official code of conduct as a separate document for ethical conduct. This is not conducive to ethics being taken seriously at local government sphere. The researcher sees a need for a separate code of conduct to be established, formulated and emphasised. It was established that political instability, lack of skilled workforce and corruption within the municipality exacerbate poor service delivery resulting to people’s suffering. It was recommended that municipal officials should do what is in the best interest of the public to ensure public accountability. It was recommended that municipal officials should act ethically all times. It was recommended that promised standard of services should be delivered. It was recommended that there should be plans for service delivery to avoid community protests on basic service delivery. The researcher recommends that leaders need to be trained and encouraged to create strong ethical cultures within the municipality.
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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.
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 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
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.
Open Access
The role of governance within South Africa's state-owned enterprises: a case study of ESKOM
(2023-05-19) Dzaga, Tsireledzo; Nekhavhambe, M. M.; Sethu, M. J.
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
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
Public value perspectives of Integrated Development Planning in Thulamela Local Municipality
(2023-05-19) Mudau, Ndivhudza; Ochara, N. M.; Mahole, E.
Integrated development planning has changed the way in which community and local government interact about service delivery. This study was based on the public value perspective of Integrated Development Planning (IDP). The IDP commits that municipalities must work with communities in ensuring that together sustainable ways to improve the value of lives of all citizens can be reached. The South African government has adopted development approach for local government to eradicate the legacy of apartheid. The local government has developed and formulated policies to promote and strengthen development planning in municipalities. The Municipal System Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), Section 118 mandated that municipality should provide principles and mechanism that will enable municipality to move progressively towards social and economic upliftment of local communities. However, several studies have indicated that there is lack of community participation in the process of IDP. The nature of IDP should be understood on the perspective of public value creation. This study adopted positivist method. The study adopted a descriptive research design. A probability sampling was used in the study and the cluster sampling approach was adopted to select the sample of which the sample size was selected from employees of Thulamela Local Municipality and community representatives. Structured questionnaire was used to gather information. A descriptive statistic was used to analyze data. The researcher followed research ethics before conducting the study. The study found that there is too much control from the three levels of government which frustrates the process of democracy. The study showed that most public participations are not inclusive and are not involved on deliberation and creating new understandings but rather are oriented to consulting with the public to gather input or just allowing people to express different perspectives. The researcher revealed that the roles of the other sphere of government are not clear in the local developments. The study findings showed that local authorities are not equipped to undertake the developmental role envisaged in the IDP. The findings showed that traditional role of local government is non consultative and paternalistic. The study found that local authorities lack the capability to coordinate multiple stakeholders in development initiatives. The findings of the study revealed that operating as equal partners with national and provincial government agencies at the local level makes it difficult to operate. The study recommended that there should not be too much control from the three levels of government to strengthen the process of democracy. The recommendations of the study noted that public participation should be inclusive and involved in deliberation and creating new understandings and oriented to consulting with the public to gather input for people to express different perspectives. The researcher recommends that the roles of the other sphere of government should be clear in the local developments. The Recommendations of the study showed that local authorities should be equipped to undertake the developmental role envisaged in the IDP. The recommendations of the study showed that traditional role of local government should be non-consultative and paternalistic. The study recommends that local authorities should have the capability to coordinate multiple stakeholders in development initiatives. According to the findings, the study recommends that operating as equal partners with national and provincial government agencies at the local level should not be difficult to operate. According to the study, the IDP process of Municipalities should be clear and there should be opportunity for all to participate and contribute to the IDP process. The study recommended that Municipality should regularly use participatory focus groups during the IDP process.
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.
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
Local economic development as a strategy to enhance community development projects: A case of Thulamela Local Municipality
(2019) Ngobeni, Tlangelani; Nekhavhambe, M.N.; Mahole, E.
The purpose of this study was to examine local economic development (LED) as a strategy to enhance community development projects in the Thulamela Local Municipality as well as the effects of effective LED. The LED was introduced in the municipalities to create jobs and alleviate poverty. The LED strategy uses local resources with local communities, public institutions, and the private sector to create employment and eradicate poverty. This is due to the lack of job opportunities and high levels of unemployment in rural areas. Therefore, this study addressed that with the realisation of the importance of local economic development as a strategy in local government, rural areas in TLM can be developed through community development projects. The study used the pragmatic approach paradigm and the mixed-method approach, in which both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect and analyse the data. This was done to take both the advantage of quantitative and qualitative methods, whereby, when the other method could not provide valuable information, the other was used. In-depth information from the respondents was extracted, whereby participants expressed their feelings, and opinions during data collection. The research design used was the convergent parallel design, which allowed the collection of data in both methods to gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomena. The study area was the Thulamela Local Municipality. The study used the purposive sampling procedure to select the respondents to obtain more knowledge from skilled respondents. Two instruments of data collection were used, namely: structured questionnaire and open-ended interview schedule. Data was analysed through inferential statistics and the narrative method. Respondents were informed and made aware of the challenges of taking part and that they can withdraw from the study at any time. The findings of the research study were:  The major findings of the study are that 55 (55%) of the respondents agreed that LED is a strategy that enhances community development projects.  The study revealed that 45 (45%) of the respondents strongly agreed that skills and administrative capacity is vital as a way to strengthen LED strategy.  The majority of respondents at 48% agreed that Location Theory is vital in promoting local economic development.  The study found that community participation and funding are major problem as a key to LED projects.  The study also revealed that there is a shortage of land as most land is owned by traditional leaders, and land ownership is through Permission to Occupy (PTO) arrangements. The study further affirmed that the policies of LED in the Municipality are outdated. Recommendations of the study are:  The findings suggested that TLM should create a conducive environment for LED projects to exist in order to create jobs and alleviate poverty. fund existing and new community projects for them to flourish.  It was indicated that the Municipality should train project coordinators regularly as well as to employ officials that have the capacity and administrative skills to implement LED projects.  It is recommended that the Municipality should view LED in a locality-based approach to stimulate local economy whereby, local resources are used and skills to benefit citizens to ensure.  It is recommended that the Municipality should influence effective participation as well as fund existing and new LED projects.  The study recommends that the Municipality must work with traditional leaders as the custodian of the land. The study further recommends that the LED policies must be updated to meet the current socio-economic needs.
Open Access
The role of community participation in the delivery of basic services: The case of the Thulamela Local Municipality
(2021-11-19) Maemu, Emmanuel; Nekhavhambe, M. M.; Mahole, E.
The study sought to investigate the role of community participation in the delivery of basic services at the Thulamela Local Municipality Limpopo Province. Community participation is a concept meant to ensure that community members are an integral part of processes that determine their destiny in relation to their development needs. Community participation is a means of empowering people, by developing their skills and abilities, to enable them to negotiate and make appropriate decisions for their development. Basic services are the most important services that enable the public to live an acceptable and enjoyable life. Community members play an active role in the delivery of basic services by providing inputs related to the matters of the delivery of basic services. A healthy relationship between the communities and the municipality is an important element in the delivery of basic services to communities. This is evident in the role that communities play in the delivery of basic services, such as volunteering at agencies that are responsible for the delivery of basic services on behalf of the government and providing relevant inputs related to the delivery of basic services. In this study the researcher used a mixed research methodology in which both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used. The reason for using the mixed method is 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 by the researcher to select the samples. For data collection, the researcher used two data collection methods namely, questionnaire and interview. The data collected through the questionnaire were analysed using statistical analysis through the computer software called: International Business Machinery (IBM): Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) version 25.0 and the information was presented using graphical tabular form, frequencies, and percentages. The data collected through interview were analysed through thematic analysis and presented in narrative form. The major findings of the study are:  Involving communities in basic service delivery and empowering them has the potential to boost their livelihood and foster development.  The Municipality has an annual financial budget to deliver basic services.  Voluntarism by community members is allowed by the Municipality to enhance the delivery of basic services.  The absence of infrastructure such as roads and proper bridges hinder the relationship between the Municipality and the communities.  There is apathy in some communities due to poor basic service delivery as communities no longer interested to attend IDP meetings and in this regard, the Municipality should have tangible project to motivate community members to attend IDP meetings related to the delivery of basic services. The following recommendations are therefore made based on the findings of the study  The study recommends that the Municipality should involve community in basic service delivery and empower them to have potential to boost their livelihood and foster development.  The Municipality should have an annual plan related to the delivery of basic services to the communities.  It is recommended that Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) should be allowed to participate in enhancing the delivery of basic services.  Community members should be involved in the municipal decision making on the delivery of basic services.  The researcher recommends that the Municipality should fully interact with the community for effective service delivery.
Open Access
Public participation as a strategy to promote good governance in local government: the case of Blouberg Local Municipality
(2020-06-18) Maela, Khutso Delphus; Mahole, E.; Nekhavhambe, M. M.
The study focused on public participation as a strategy to promote good governance in Local Government. The focus area was Blouberg Local Municipality. Public participation is a process by which an organization consults with affected individuals, organizations, and government entities before taking a decision. Public participation is considered as a two-way communication and cooperative problem-solving process whose goal is to achieve better and more acceptable decisions. Public participation simply entails that the publics must be able to cooperate with government on decisions that affect them. The municipalities must also be able to interact and consult with the public on the use of land and municipal development at the local level, defined as a process involving the training of civil servants, administrative and fiscal decentralization, dialogue between governments and civil society and staff incentives. Good governance begins with the political will to govern well. However, Good governance is a tremendously indefinable objective. This is because good governance means different things to different organizations and to different actors within these organizations. The study used the mixed method research approach to understand the scope and nature under which public participation is practiced, to achieve good governance. For the purpose of this study, the researcher used both qualitative and quantitative research approach as well as pragmatic approach to support the research. In addition, the researcher used descriptive and contextual research design. The data collection methods used are questionnaires and interviews. The sampling group of the study consists of municipal officials, councillors and selected community members. The research used non-probability sampling and purposive to select the sample members. The data was analysed using thematic and statistical analyses. The researcher strictly adhered to ethical conduct. The major findings of the study are the following: The study found that the 36 respondents, who constitute 36%, pointed out that community members are not informed about the activities of the municipality. The study found that the majority, 36 (36%) of respondents strongly disagreed with the statement that the municipality has adequate financial and human resources to enable public participation. Fifty-five (55) respondents, which constitute 55% strongly disagreed that the municipal officials have a good relationship with the residents and councillors of the Blouberg local Municipality. Public participation helps in the provision of adequate and relevant services to the publics. The findings revealed that corruption hinders public participation. Finally, the study revealed that public participation can be enhanced through imbizos and utilization of radio stations to inform members of the public about public participation. iv The recommendations of the study are the following: The study recommends that there is a need to inform the public about the activities of the municipality. The researcher recommends that there must be adequate financial and human resources to enable public participation. The study recommends that there must be a good relationship between municipal officials, residents and the councillors of the Blouberg local Municipality. The study recommends public participation is in the provision of the adequate and relevant services to the publics. The study recommends that there is a need for ethical practises within the municipality to promote public participation. The study recommends that public participation be ensured through imbizos, utilization of radio stations to inform public about their participation
Open Access
Skills development plan as a tool for enhancing performance in local government, with specific reference to Greater Letaba Local Municipality
(2020-09) Seopetsa, Thato; Mahole, E.; Nekhavhambe, M. M.
This study focuses on Skills Development Plan as a tool for enhancing performance in local government. The focus area is the Greater-Letaba Local Municipality. Lack of skills is one of the factors identified as being responsible for poor performance in many municipalities in South Africa in the Auditor-General of South Africa’s report of 2019. According to this report, evidence of poor performance of most municipalities is largely due to poor service delivery and infrastructure backlogs. The Skills Development Plan is a tool which was developed to enhance performance in service delivery and infrastructure development. Effective service delivery and infrastructure development will improve the quality of life of all South Africans, especially the poor. This study followed the mixed methods, in which both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used. The mixed method was used to investigate the Skills Development Plan as a tool for enhancing performance in local government, with specific reference to the Greater-Letaba Local Municipality. Quantitative research methodology was used in this study because it enabled the researcher to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data to be transformed into usable statistics. Qualitative research methodology was used because it covered issues in great depth and detail, and it allowed the researcher to interact with the research subjects. The researcher used the contextual and descriptive design for the study, while the sampling of respondents was done through non-probability sampling, under which the sub-type, purposive or judgmental sampling was used to collect the data. Purposive sampling was chosen because the researcher wanted to use her judgement to select a sample that is most useful to the purposes of the research. Two instruments; namely, questionnaires and interviews were used to collect the data. The reason for selecting structured questionnaires and open-ended interview schedule is that the researcher wanted to collect the primary data to obtain relevant information about the study. The researcher used descriptive statistics and thematic analysis for data analysis. Finally, the researcher adhered to the research ethics. The Major findings of the research study are: The study findings discovered that majority of the respondents at ninety (90) constituting 90% responded that skills development plan leads to an improvement in employee performance, which in turn improves services offered to municipal residents. The findings revealed that the majority of the respondents, 88 who constitute 88% indicated that skills development programmes are properly coordinated. It was found that the majority of respondents, 80 who constitute 80% affirm that municipal officials are encouraged to attend skills development programmes. The findings attest that the skills development plan play a role in filling the skills gap, training and developing the municipal officials’ scarce skills according to the plan and also in terms of career development for the municipal officials to perform work better. The study v found that budget constraints, time and poor skills audit are the challenges of implementing the skills development plan at the Greater-Letaba Local Municipality. The recommendations of the research study are as follows: The researcher recommends that the municipality should identify municipal officials who at all categories are struggling to operate and maintain their services standard and infrastructure in a cost-effective and sustainable manner and train them. The researcher recommends that the skills development programmes will be properly coordinated when municipal actors collaborate to achieve skills development goals and consequently ensure that the skills development programmes are linked to the organisational objectives. The researcher recommends that there is a need for mentorship in the municipality as a means of encouraging municipal officials to attend skills development programmes with the intention of supports in improving the welfare of communities. The researcher recommends that training of administrative and political component, technical staff and managers in both “hard” technical skills, as well as “soft” skills development including supervision, leadership, organising, coordination, monitoring and control are further required. The researcher recommends that the municipality should overcome the capacity challenges and manage unsatisfactory performance in several ways such as achieving targets on a regular basis with limited time, money and human resources who are not allowed to work every day to comply with the COVID-19 regulations.