Munzhedzi, P. H.Mathebula, N. E.Maela, Khutso Delphus2024-10-022024-10-022024-09-06Maela, K.D. 2024. The effect of developmental local government in implementing local economic development strategy: a case of Polokwane Local Municipality. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/2697D. AdminDepartment of Public and Development AdministrationThe 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.1 online resource (xiv, 292 leaves) : color illustrationsenLocal governmentUCTDDevelopmental local governmentLocal economic developmentDevelopmentMunicipalityDevelopment state352.140968256Local government -- Data processingLocal government -- South Africa -- LimpopoMunicipal government -- South Africa -- LimpopoLocal finance -- South Africa -- LimpopoEconomic development -- South Africa -- LimpopoThesisMaela KD. The effect of developmental local government in implementing local economic development strategy: a case of Polokwane Local Municipality. []. , 2024 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Maela, K. D. (2024). <i>The effect of developmental local government in implementing local economic development strategy: a case of Polokwane Local Municipality</i>. (). . Retrieved fromMaela, Khutso Delphus. <i>"The effect of developmental local government in implementing local economic development strategy: a case of Polokwane Local Municipality."</i> ., , 2024.TY - Thesis AU - Maela, Khutso Delphus AB - 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. DA - 2024-09-06 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Local government KW - Developmental local government KW - Local economic development KW - Development KW - Municipality KW - Development state LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2024 T1 - The effect of developmental local government in implementing local economic development strategy: a case of Polokwane Local Municipality TI - The effect of developmental local government in implementing local economic development strategy: a case of Polokwane Local Municipality UR - ER -