Public Governance

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Adherence to performance management system framework by the Solid Waste Management Division within the Umdoni Municipality.
(2018) Mkhize, Sibusiso Wycliff.; Nzimakwe, Thokozani Ian.
Municipalities are obliged by the Constitution to provide services in an efficient, effective and accountable manner. However, Local Government in South Africa has been characterised by inefficiency and marred by public service delivery protests. This study argues that Performance Management System (PMS) is one practice of management which significantly improves service delivery in public organisations. The study explored the origin and evolution of management and the models of Public Administration. It is guided by four theories namely: the Scientific Management Theory, Systems Theory, Institutional Theory and the Rational Choice theory. The concept of Adherence was critical to the study, thus the researcher constructed the Adherence Model, illustrating the activities and organisational practices which lead to adherence. The main aim of the study was to assess the adherence of PMS at the Solid Waste Management Division at Umdoni Municipality. This was achieved by examining the perceptions of the management and operational staff of the Solid Waste Management Division at Umdoni Municipality. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire was employed to determine the degree of adherence of PMS by assessing the extent to which the Umdoni Municipality applied the principles of PMS. Rooted from the quantitative research design, closed-ended survey questionnaires were distributed to 115 participants. The results of the study indicated that there was a lack of comprehensiveness in the implementation of the PMS principles in the Umdoni Municipality. The findings also showed that the adherence of PMS was appropriately practised by the middle and top management staff, while the PMS principles were inconsistently imposed on the lower hierarchical staff, such as the Umdoni Solid Waste Management Division Staff.
The administration and management of local child welfare agencies.
(1995) Kooblal, Moonilall.; Sing, Deoram.; Moonilal, R.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the administration and management of local Child Welfare Agencies. Appropriate and relevant knowledge and skills in administration and management processes are essential to ensure that Child Welfare Agencies function within the normative foundations of public administration. The Board ofManagement of the Agencies are voluntary in nature. The smaller and embryo agencies depend on untrained volunteers to provide both administrative and management leadership. Basic democratically determined administrative and management processes are necessary to make welfare services more economical, efficient and effective. The major objectives of this study were: - to examine the existing administrative and management structures and processes and their functions. - to determine the role of the Board of Management Committee structures and senior personnel in administration and management. - to determine the foundation principles of administration and management that guide the functioning of Child Welfare Agencies. This Study provided an opportunity for agencies to express their views on the existing situation and what the future ought to be like. The study viewed Public administration as a vast field of activity which can be classified into four (4) main groups viz: a. generic administrative and managerial, b. auxiliary, c. instrumental, and d. functional also referred to as line functions. Although this study focused separately on administrative and management functions, it should be noted that both dimensions ofgeneric administrative functions are performed along with the functional, auxiliary and instrumental activities. (v) In a Child Welfare Agency the Board of Management together with the middle and upper management of staff will determine the administrative and management processes of policy making, organising, staffing, financing, determining work methods and procedures and control. The aim of public administration is community welfare, therefore the administrative and management processes must be founded on normative foundations of public administration. The findings ofthis research will not only contribute to the established agencies but will be of great help to the embryo and developing agencies.
Administration of social pensions and grants for Indians in the Phoenix regional area.
(1988) Govender, Devageeranee.; Coetzee, W. A. J.
No abstract available.
Administration of the valuation of property at the local government level with special reference to the Durban Municipality.
(1987) Garbharran, Hari Lall.; Coetzee, W. A. J.; Reddy, Purshottama Sivanarain.
In this dissertation, a study is undertaken of the administration of the valuation of property at the local government level with special reference to the Durban Municipality. The establishment of local authorities is a direct result of the Government's policy to provide goods and services for local communities. Consequently, it is significant to locate the place of local authorities in the constellation of public institutions, and to examine their rapidly increasing number of functions. Past legislation, authorising the establishment of local authorities, coupled with a discussion of the Regional Services Councils Act, 1985 (Act 109 of 1985), provide the necessary insight required for the understanding of the property valuation function by local authorities. The principles pertaining to the theory of valuation are explored, with particular emphasis on the impact of supply and demand on the valuation of property. The valuer, who performs numerous functions, is an important cog in the valuation process. Since the valuation of property is a prerequisite to the rating of property, it is also useful to examine the latter aspect to appreciate the interaction between valuation and rating. Legislation pertaining to valuation is voluminous. At the Central Government level, the Department of Public Works and Land Affairs is responsible for the valuation of property. The Expropriation Act, 1975 (Act 63 of 1975), has played a significant role over the judicial influence of property valuation. The valuation profession has taken a significant step forward since 1982, with the promulgation of the Valuers' Act, 1982 (Act 23 of 1982), which emphasizes the necessity of raising the standard of the valuation of immovable property throughout the Republic of South Africa. At the provincial level, separate ordinances, pertaining to property valuation, exist for each province. Finally, local authorities promulgate bylaws to regulate the property industry. There is an abundance of literature on the methods of property valuation. The different methods of valuation are the Direct Sales Comparison Method, the Income Method, the Land Residual Method and the Cost Method. The aforementioned Methods of valuation are particularly suitable to the estimation of the value of vacant land, flats, townships and schools, respectively. The scope of the functions o f the Durban Municipality's Estates Department has grown so vastly since 1914 that there are ten clearly demarcated valuation zones presently. The aforementioned Department's intricate organisational structure, with clearly defined functions delegated to the divisions, sections and subsections, ensure that tasks pertaining to property valuation are concluded efficiently and effectively. The degree of subjectivity in the valuation of residential properties has been drastically reduced with the introduction of the computer at the Estates Department. The work procedures pertaining to the drawing up of the Valuation Roll and the functioning of the Valuation Appeal Board, respectively, ensure efficient and effective control in property valuation. In the light of the aforementioned observations, the following recommendations are made: (i) amend the Valuers' Act, 1982 (Act 23 of 1982), to reserve specific valuation tasks for valuers; (ii) that the valuer should persevere in his studies on property valuation; (iii) that the valuer should adhere rigidly, at all times, to the guidelines of public administration; (iv) the designation of 'building valuer' should be changed; (v) the Durban City Council's rate of investment in property should be accelerated; (vi) the training and orientation of valuers should be an ongoing process. (vii) separate terms of reference should be assigned to the Estates Department; (viii) separate departments should be created for valuations and estates, respectively; (ix) a simply worded and uniform valuation ordinance should be implemented in the Republic of South Africa; (x) a uniform method of valuation, for a particular type of property, should be introduced; (xi) land and buildings should be estimated at market value; (xii) the services of a full-time Senior Legal Adviser are essential; (xiii) the unearned increment of the capital value of land should also be taxed; (xiv) the frequency of valuations should increase during periods of accelerated expansion; (xv) a uniform rating system should be implemented throughout the Republic of South Africa; (xvi) the negotiation process should be used as a cross-check to enhance the validity of valuations; (xvii) the fees paid to the members of the Valuation Appeal Board should be increased; and (xviii) larger pieces of vacant land should be taxed at a higher rate.
Administrative and management functions of welfare officers.
(1995) Dlamini, Sibusiso Moffat.; Sing, Deoram.
The study which is documented in this dissertation was undertaken to portray primarily, the involvement of welfare officers in the performance of administrative and management functions. The period during which the study was conducted, that is, prior to the postapartheid era, was very significant. The significance of the research period was in the sense that welfare officers of the former KwaZulu Government who were interviewed, were already critically evaluating their functions and work situation. The study provided a medium whereby welfare officers expressed the perceptions of their real and present, as well as their ideal and envisaged work situation, in the context of the post-apartheid environment. The study took cogmsance of the welfare officers' performance of their functions as public servants in the field of public administration. In the above context, the study viewed public administration as a vast field of work consisting of a number of main function-groups namely: (i) The generic administrative functions each of which has two dimensions that is: (a) the conceptual (initiatory and innovative) and directive dimension and (b) the managerial dimension. (ii) The auxiliary functions (iii) The line functions - also referred to as functional activities. Although the study focused on administrative and management functions which are reported separately, it should be noted that like in any public institution, both dimensions of generic administrative functions of welfare officers are performed along with the functional, auxiliary and instrumental activities. The ultimate aim of public administration, which is also recognised by this study, is the promotion of the general welfare of the community. The study has realised the fact that welfare officers were significant promoters of the community's welfare. For being promoters of the welfare of the community, welfare officers have the responsibility and the obligation to commit themselves to the observation of normative guidelines to ensure that their service delivery is effective and efficient. In line with the above statement, the welfare officers' observation of current and future normative factors features prominently in this study. Although responses on current and future normative factors are presented separately in this report, this study acknowledges the significance of welfare officers integrated approach to the observation of and commitment to both current and future normative guidelines. Apart from the listed examples of interviewees' involvement in performing their functions, and advantages of observing normative guidelines, detailed accounts of what were perceived as obstacles are also presented. Responses, remarks and ideas expressed by interviewees provided adequate information on which the researcher based his conclusions and recommendations. The apparent merit of this study is in its depiction and revelations of the extent and magnitude of welfare officers' functions, responsibilities, commitments and obligations. Another favourable and notable feature of the study is the fact that it was conveniently timed at an opportune transitional period whereby both the current and future work environments of welfare officers could be critically assessed, evaluated, and possibly amended.
An analysis of the theory and practice of leadership in education with particular reference to superintendents of education (management) in the eThekwini region of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education.
(2004) Nobin, Brian Edward.; Sing, Deoram.
Approaches to management have varied radically in their purposes and have altered significantly over time. Hierarchies of authority, divisions of labour, adherence to rules and spans of control are now regarded as denying the flexibility and responsiveness that provide the necessary conditions for effective leadership. In the past, some theorists viewed leadership as a fixed set of skills and techniques, often aimed at controlling subordinates' behaviour. In the recent past, however, leadership theory tends to emphasize the need for leaders to reflect on themselves, their subordinates' needs, different modalities and approaches, at different times. One such theoretical model, which can begin the process of explaining variations in systems of management and leadership, is the situational theory. An important step in the evolution of knowledge about leadership was the creation of the contingency or situational theory. According to this theory of leadership, the situation determines the best style. The four most influential contingency models of leadership used in this study are Fiedler's contingency model, Hersey and Blanchard's situational model, House's path-goal model, and the Vroom-Yetton-Jago leader-participation model. In this study, the four situational models were used to ascertain whether superintendents of education (management) in the eThekwini Region can and do use different leadership styles in different situations. The researcher identified three variables in the work situation that help determine which leadership style will be effective, namely leader-subordinate relations, task structure and the leader's position power. As the researcher gathered more data from a variety of survey methods such as participant observation, an attitudinal questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews, it was found that effective superintendents not only managed downward but were also effective in lateral relationships with subordinates. The aim of the study, therefore, was to discover whether the participants were adept at recognizing the requirements of the situation and the needs of their subordinates, and then adjusting their own leadership style accordingly. A basic feature of the situational or contingency theory of leadership, envisaged in this study, is that it seeks to emancipate superintendents from their dependency on practices that are the product of precedent, habit and tradition by developing modes of analysis and enquiry that are aimed at exposing and examining the beliefs, values and assumptions implicit in the theoretical framework through which superintendents organize their experiences. The study shows that it is only by challenging the adequacy of conventional theories of leadership practice that the observations, interpretations and judgments of superintendents will become more rational and coherent and their practices will be conducted in effective ways. By subjecting the beliefs and justifications of existing and ongoing practical traditions to rational analysis, theory transforms practice by transforming the ways in which practice is experienced and understood. Superintendents of Education (Management) based in the eThekwini Region are operating in one of the most dynamic and complex educational enviromnents in KwaZulu-Natal, one where many variables have an enormous influence on their main task, namely to achieve the goals and objectives of the Education Department. In this context, a whole new vista of leadership can be explored. Leadership is fundamentally the task of these superintendents to direct the activities and performance of subordinates, such as principals of schools, so that the objectives of the Department can be attained. In its simplest form, leadership is the relationship and interaction between the superintendent and his or her subordinate. In setting up the study, the researcher provided for the participation of superintendents and principals. The new political dispensation in South Africa is characterized by a host of variables that can be classified under what is known as 'transformation', In an educational landscape that is undergoing fundamental change, superintendents no longer have the luxury of relying on generic administrative approaches, technical skills, and management functions. To this end, this study makes the point that the success of the current education system is not necessarily due to the superintendents' competence as managers but rather to their ability as leaders. Turning superintendents into educational leaders so that they can become better managers is one of the underlying principles behind this study. The real challenge facing superintendents is to combine strong leadership and strong management and use each to balance the other. Research on leadership is moving in many directions and new lines of enquiry are opening up in an effort to construct the ultimate leadership model. International research shows that high impact leaders do not rely solely on the structural approach. These leaders consciously reflect on, study and develop their leadership practices to meet the demands of today's evolving education enviromnent. Recent studies suggest that effective superintendents take time and effort to manage their relationships with their subordinates. For multiple leadership roles to work together,the actions of superintendents must be carefully coordinated by strategies that differ from those coordinating traditional management roles. Such strategies, the researcher believes, help create a corporate culture where superintendents value strong leadership and strive to create it. Institutionalizing a leadership-centred culture is the ultimate act of leadership. The researcher believes that this study has the potential to challenge superintendents to play a more meaningful and appropriate role in the transformation of educational leadership. It was with this in mind that an analysis of the theory and practice of leadership in education with a particular reference to superintendents of education (management) in the eThekwini Region of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and Culture was visited by the researcher.
Assessing the benefits of empowering rural women through local economic development initiatives in Port St. Johns Municipality.
(2018) Fodo, Sinazo Ayabulela.; Nyawo, Jabulani Christopher.
South Africa is viewed as one of the developing countries in Africa. Regardless of the advancements recorded, the local impact of the broad development is as yet needing. This may be because of the inheritances of the apartheid regime. Amid the apartheid period, development was isolated. The White people profited more from development at the disservice of the Black populace in South Africa. Gender inequality was at its most noteworthy pervasiveness. Women occupied the least societal position when contrasted with men. In any case, post 1994 the democratic government executed expanded desires for the citizens as it guaranteed the public of the delivery of services for the improvement of their lives. Hence, while attempting to decrease racial and exceptional incongruities through advancing the improvement of the already hindered territories, there was a presentation of Local Economic Development (LED). LED has been seen as an initiative that is able to address local socio-economic challenges and to promote local growth and development. Critically in this way, developmental institutions were commanded in addition to other things to develop the strengthening of empowerment of women on the agenda of all their developmental projects and introduce innovative ways to promote gender equality. Women empowerment implies giving women the opportunity or capacity to experience life the way they want. It enables them to identify their skills, knowledge and capacities to settle on their own choices. It is a dynamic and development process for women which incorporates awareness, achievement and completion of skills. This is to state that women empowerment on LED will improve the status of women through literacy, education, training and creating awareness. In this manner, women empowerment on LED will ensure that women are equipped to make choices that will improve their standard of living. However, the issue of development in South Africa is that, it is just specific to urban regions. Put in another path, in spite of incredible strands appreciated in growing South Africa, imbalance and underdevelopment is as yet overflowing. Rural women are as yet looked with challenges that may hinder their development. A number of rural women lack awareness and knowledge, are exposed to inequality, are unemployed and exposed to poverty. The point of this investigation was to basically break down the benefits of empowering rural women through developing LED activities. The objectives of the study were to: (a) assess the benefits of empowering women through LED initiatives in the rural settings of Port St Johns municipality; (b) assess the major LED projects run by the municipality that are beneficial to women; (c) assess the capacity at which the municipality is able to empower women through training and development for effective participation in local economic development initiatives in Port St Johns municipality; and (e) evaluate the challenges associated with the implementation of local economic development initiatives in Port St Johns municipality. The study is qualitative in nature, thus the researcher employed qualitative techniques to gather data. The researcher employed a thematic analysis as a mechanism to analyse data collected from the participants.The researcher also utilized the purposive sampling method and aimed at interviewing twenty participants consisting of one municipal manager, one LED manager, one Ward Councillor, one traditional leader, four small businesses owned by rural women and twelve rural women of Port St Johns municipality in Swazini Administrative Area. However, due to certain circumstances the researcher managed to interview sixteen participants, consisting of one municipal manager, one LED manager, one ward committee, one traditional leader, two small businesses owned by rural women and ten rural women of Port St Johns municipality in Swazini Administrative Area. The researcher assembled that within Swazini administrative area women continue to be exposed to poverty, a number of women are unemployed, no real economic activities exists within the area, LED initiatives are promptly accessible, women lack financial support to run existing projects, lack of information, lack of responsiveness to LED initiatives, lack of proper infrastructure, lack of intergovernmental support, no training and development initiatives exist within the area and women have moved from rural areas to find greener pasture. The researcher suggests that , the Port St Johns municipality must introduce training and development workshops, form partnerships with other stakeholders, introduce mentors for existing projects, initiate projects that target women that will alleviate poverty and unemployment, disseminate information on LED, the municipality must converse with the traditional leader and Ward Councillor and find common grounds on how to boost the economy of the area and the municipality must seek intergovernmental intervention and encourage the participation of women in LED initiatives.
Assessing the state of public participation and service delivery : the case of Maphumulo Municipality.
(2016) Mdlalose, Mukelani.; Taylor, Derek.; Ruffin, Fayth Anese.
Public participation and consultation remains an integral tool used by the state to communicate and interact with citizens on the ground, especially about services and programmes to be provided to communities. The precepts of this concept are housed in the Constitution of South Africa (Act No 108 of 1996), as well as the Municipal Systems Act (No 32 of 2000) and Municipal Structures Act (No. 117 of 1998). In particular, Chapter Five of the Municipal Systems Act requires municipalities to approve Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) every 5 years and also explains how the municipality should conduct public participation as part of community consultation process of IDP approval. The study was undertaken following a number of violent public protests in the Maphumulo Local Municipality. Communities were complaining about a number of service delivery issues. The intention of this study was to explore the underlying reasons for these service delivery protests, by investigating the level of public participation and community consultation. The majority of grievances raised by communities during protests were not listed in the approved municipal IDP. Other grievances were related to duties of the District Municipality and Provincial and National government. These challenges raised by communities showed that public participation strategies are not working efficiently. It emerged during the study that, although service delivery backlog remains a challenge within the municipality, communication breakdown between citizens and government is the major underlying cause of service delivery protests. When relevant officials do not provide feedback to communities, citizens become disgruntled and voice their anger through violent public protests. The study adopted a qualitative approach and interviews were used as the primary tool to collect data. From these, it emerged that communication breakdown and poor public participation strategies used by the municipality are indeed the major causes of community dissatisfaction. After analysis, recommendations from the research findings were made. These include, amongst others, compiling a consolidated IDP plan for all three spheres of government in the Municipality and establishment of mobile offices by government departments to visit all wards. In addition, more regular community meetings and the quarterly use of a community survey would increase contact and input from communities. The study concluded by suggesting areas for further investigation which would assist in creating a more accurate picture of the problems leading to public dissatisfaction and protest, as well as sustainable solutions to these issues.
Assessment of CRDP in empowering women at uMhlontlo Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province.
(2017) Msutwana, Nomakatini.; Nyawo, Jabulani Christopher.
Most rural areas of South Africa are characterised by abject poverty, low levels of literacy amongst adult women, under-utilisation of natural resources, compromised access to socio-economic infrastructure, non-availability of clean water for agricultural development and services, and a high dependency on social grants and unresolved land restitution and tenure issues as in the view by (Hart & Jacobs, 2012). A closer look at the Eastern Cape Province shows that the rural areas are characterised by gross under-development in specific areas in all respects. These areas include the former homeland areas, which are being characterised by huge infrastructure backlog, high poverty levels, food insecurity, economic and skills shortages. In 2009, the South African government undertook an initiative to resolve the challenges facing rural areas, thereby establishing a programme called the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP). Obadire, et al. (2014) postulates that the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) have introduced this programme in an attempt to fight poverty, hunger, unemployment and lack of development in rural areas. In the view of DRDAR (2013), the programme has a vision of creating vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural livelihoods. This study is premised on the pathetic status of women, which has its origins from the apartheid past. Black African women have been discriminated and disadvantaged on cultural, business and political perspectives, and the poverty levels amongst women are higher than that of male-headed households. However, even though rural women have evolved to contribute in socio-economic roles to support their families; the development processes have been seen as inadequate (Osita-Njoku and Princewill, 2015:258). StatsSA (2014) stipulates that there is an increase in female-headed households in South Africa. This brings out a compelling reason for coming up with a study of this nature. The main aim of this study was to assess the influence of the CRDP in empowering women in the development site of the Umhlontlo local municipality. To achieve this aim, the research objectives have been created: firstly, to assess how the women of the rural municipality area have been developed through literacy and empowerment programmes, and how well the transformation has impacted their lives. Secondly, to assess the influence of the remedial programmes of the government in addressing the issues of discrimination and subordination against women. Lastly, to investigate the effects of development programmes in the fight against poverty and towards the development of the local economy. This study utilised a qualitative research approach. This is because the nature of the study required deeper understanding, illuminating and examining the participant’s experiences, ideas and attitudes in an etymological form. A non-probability technique, purposive sampling, and face-to-face interview as well as the focus groups were used in this study. The findings of the study revealed that rural women within the jurisdiction of the Umhlontlo Local Municipality benefited from the CRDP, and the government should continue implementing programmes of such a nature within the rural areas. The empowerment of women has resulted in improved living standards for their dependants and the community in general. It is clear from the findings that through the CRDP, the residents of the uMhlontlo local municipality, have obtained many benefits. In order to ensure that programmes such as the CRDP succeed and supported, it is recommended that the government create a good relationship with key, local, economic development stakeholders.
An assessment of revenue management of water and sanitation : a case of Harry Gwala District Municipality.
(2016) Nkabane, Nobuhle Pamela.; Nzimakwe, Thokozani Ian.
Rural municipalities in South Africa are beset by poor revenue collection and management and the Harry Gwala District Municipality is no exception. In this regard, public finance is a decisive and overriding factor in determining the financial viability of municipalities. Failure to collect revenues properly compromises the quality of service delivery including the provision of water and sanitation. In general, financial viability of urban and rural municipalities differs respectively. This claim is based on the fact that some municipalities are self-sufficient while others remain dependent on national revenue for survival and the revenue base in most rural municipalities, including the Harry Gwala District Municipality, is weak and unsustainable rendering service delivery ineffective and unsatisfactory. Arguably, the transition to democracy has instilled a culture of non-payment and a culture of entitlement even though households are able to pay for service charges. However, 22 years later the government is still providing free services to such individuals. The study intended to assess the revenue management of water and sanitation in the Harry Gwala District Municipality. The study explored the communication challenges being experienced by this municipality in the provision of metered services in water and sanitation service delivery. The study assessed the challenges relating to the billing system and to the management of the revenue collection for water and sanitation in the Harry Gwala District Municipality. Data collection methods were interviews as the primary data collection strategy. The researcher interviewed 4 focus groups. The instrument that was used was interview guides. Based on the empirical data collected and analysed, the study was able to determine the financial standpoint for the municipality along with the recommendations. The study recommends how best the local authorities or Water Services Authorities can improve water and sanitation revenue inflows to ensure availability and sustainability of revenue sources in order to operate, maintain and refurbish the existing infrastructure.
An assessment of the administration of the prevention of the mother to child transmission programme in Umgungundlovu District-KwaZulu-Natal.
(2014) Mtungwa, Lillian Nonhle.; Mubangizi, Betty Claire.
This study assesses how the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission programme (PMTCT) is administered and implemented under three public health clinics within uMgungundlovu Health District in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The programme has a crucial role in reducing the mortality of babies owing to Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV. The study focuses on public health care processes aimed at the vulnerable population of women and children who attend public health care facilities. It was critical to investigate the extent to which the programme was accessible to all South Africans visiting public health facilities. Qualitative research methodology was employed in this study. In-depth interviews were carried out in three public health clinics falling under uMgungundlovu Health District. These interviews were carried out with health care professionals based at the facilities: patients receiving health care services within the maternity, antenatal and postnatal sections as well as the PMTCT Coordinators or Managers responsible for the implementation of guidelines, policies and protocols within the KZN Department of Health (KZN DOH). The findings of the study revealed that the three health care clinics possessed the PMTCT policies and protocols and the health care professionals knew how these had to be implemented though not in all three facilities. The majority of women received education on HIV/AIDS in all three facilities under study, and most knew how HIV was transmitted and how the transmissions could be avoided. About 90% of women who attended antenatal services were aware that an HIV positive mother could transmit the virus to her unborn child during pregnancy, birth, and through breastfeeding. The research, however, established that there were a range of implementation challenges. This includes a lack of sufficient consultation rooms, lack of human resources and difficulties arising during delivery process when dealing with stigma associated with HIV/AIDS in some communities. Further, the research established that defaulting patients who failed to take their medication made a notable impact on the smooth implementation of the programme. It was suggested that all health care professionals involved should receive training in the administration of the PMTCT programme. This would help to ensure that all patients are enrolled into the programme in time and that all staff knew how to implement the programme to the right people, and at the right time.
An assessment of the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for water service delivery : a case study of Ugu District Municipality.
(2017) Hlongwane, Ronelle Tania.; Reddy, Purshottama Sivanarain.; Sayeed, Cheryl Mohamed.
This study provides an assessment of the role of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms at Ugu District Municipality in relation to the delivery of water services. Ugu District Municipality is located in KwaZulu-Natal’s lower south coast. A case study was used to measure the effectiveness of these mechanisms and their role in facilitating the monitoring and evaluation of water service delivery at Ugu District Municipality. A synopsis of local government restructuring and transformation at Ugu District Municipality is presented, with some reference on recent developments relating to restructuring and transformation in South Africa. The literature and policy framework for water service provision by municipalities provides an overview of literature on water service provision as well as a theoretical basis on which the study is based. The status of water services at Ugu District Municipality is outlined and emphasis is placed the pivotal role of partnerships between municipalities and the public, private sector, community and non-governmental organisations (CBOs and NGOs), this has been viewed as a fundamental route to be considered by municipalities in their efforts to resolve infrastructure backlogs and shortages. This study analyses the legal framework for water services provision to promote life and personal hygiene as well as the different legislation that paved way for the amendments and the smooth transition of the delivery of water services to poor, rural households to a peripheral issue into the South African Department of Water Affairs. The study highlights the need for water and sanitation services to be carried out in a manner aligned to the broader objectives of water resources management and instils the principles of cooperative governance which focus mainly on capacity building in all government spheres. It outlines the framework for oversight which includes monitoring, support and the role of the Department of Water and Sanitation if there is non-performance by provincial and local governments. The research design applicable to this study was exploratory in nature. A mixed methodology approach was employed and involved both quantitative and qualitative data collection. Interviews and surveys were the primary data collection instruments. Data analysis was guided by the application of thematic or content analysis. This enabled the researcher to obtain broader insight into the existing challenges that the municipality experiences with regards to water service delivery, and more insight into how alternatives could be introduced to promote more efficient water service delivery for the residents of Ugu District. Some of the challenges identified were that Ugu District Municipality is currently facing a financial crisis, ailing infrastructure and community perceptions that politicians and officials are not accountable to the residents for service delivery, such as water. These challenges present major implications for the municipality’s ability and responsibility to ensure that its mandate of water service delivery aligns with the prescripts of the South African Constitution, including those of the National Development Plan (NDP). The engagements between the researcher and the officials of Ugu District municipality revealed that monitoring and evaluation systems at the municipality are in existence however; to a large extent these mechanisms are not adequately implemented. This results in their ineffectiveness for the facilitation of water service delivery. The key challenge faced by Ugu District Municipality is ensuring that the delivery of water services is enhanced, particularly in rural areas. The key recommendations of the study suggest that the Ugu District Municipality needs to prioritize challenges related to improving monitoring and evaluation, staffing, ailing infrastructure and customer services on the agenda of its Integrated Development Plan (IDP). It is further recommended that Department of Water Affairs should play a supportive role by providing suitable interventions and strategies to monitor whether projects are being executed as planned.
The association of political will with performance of selected municipalities in South Africa.
(2015) Moshikaro, Asaph Mongwegela.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.
The study aimed to establish the association of political will with performance: a study of selected Municipalities in South Africa in the wake of continued service delivery lapses. The review of literature revealed that there is a paucity of substantial research on the relationship of political will and performance in Municipalities globally and in South Africa. This study sought to fill that knowledge gap. Post-apartheid South Africa faces a major challenge in ensuring that Municipalities provide optimal and professional services to citizens of diverse cultures. A comparative analysis of the four Southern African countries’ service delivery (including South Africa) seems to be a microcosm of a situation that pervades Africa, except for a few exceptions. To study the association of political will with performance: a study of selected Municipalities in South Africa, various qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were employed to collect data, namely, demographic data, opinions, intensity and salience of political will, Municipal performance issues, Municipal experts’ comments, integrated development programmes (IDPs), Annual Reports, Auditor Report (2014), legislative and policy documents and an integrated approach to service delivery at local government level. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the data under the relevant themes presented an integrated as well as a holistic view of the study. The study’s empirical findings and results revealed that an association between political will and Municipal performance was found to be qualitatively and quantitatively significant, namely, that there is a connection (i.e. from a quantitative perspective) between political will and Municipal performance (56.5%) is a fair positive response that is supported by qualitative findings. In other words, Councillors and Municipal Managers, who are politicians, understood their political will and were accountable for Municipal performance. Among others, as improvement of Municipal performance in the local government matches the rise or increase of the level of political will amongst political leaders, therefore, further studies of cause and effect of these variables are recommended. As the study was limited to only two provinces in South Africa, it is recommended that, inter alia, that further broad studies, perhaps longitudinal, in all South African provinces are undertaken for validation of the findings and results as well as reproducibility of this study.
Attitudes to privatisation with particular reference to the campus protection services at the University of Durban-Westville.
(2003) Duma, Nokulunga Prudence Lungani.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.
No abstract available.
Black economic empowerment and its impact on tendering procedures and processes within the Ministry of Public Works-KZN.
(2012) Mkhize, Nozipho Fortunate.; Mubangizi, Betty Claire.
The goal of this study was to determine the impact of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) on the tendering procedures and processes in the Ministry of Public Works, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The study identified the problems with regard to the implementation of BEE within the Ministry and insight was gained into how BEE policies are structured and the particular goals set by the Ministry in that regard. This was undertaken with a view to determining the effect that BEE has on public administration practice, with particular emphasis on the tendering processes of the Ministry. Based on insight gained through this research, the study concludes with a set of recommendations which, hopefully, will improve BEE practices in tendering policies and procedures in the Ministry. This was a qualitative study, which collected data using structured questionnaires and one-onone interviews with selected senior officials sampled from the population group within the Ministry. In addition, the study utilised secondary information through a thorough literature review of the subject matter as well as relevant reports, policies and legislation.
A case study of a land reform project in KwaZulu-Natal with reference to the Nkaseni Restitution Land Claim.
(2010) Dlamini, Mzulu Alexandre.; Pillay, Pregala.; Govender, V.
The primary aim of this research was to examine the processes involved in the implementation of land reform policies in South Africa with specific reference to the Nkaseni Land Restitution Claim in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. The objective was to conduct an in-depth diagnostic study with a view to understanding the nature of the challenges, and to propose interventions that could improve land reform processes and the functioning of communal projects in the country. The hypothesis of this research was that the South African government's attempts at land reform have thus far failed to live up to expectations. Part of this research aimed to investigate this hypothesis using the Nkaseni Communal Project as a case study. A number of issues were identified as findings in this research and this report aims to present these issues. Through this study, the pillars of the land reform programme in South Africa were discussed as tenure reform, restitution and redistribution. While mention of the other land reform programmes was made, emphasis was placed mainly on the restitution policy which is the focus of this research. In this research, the experience of land reform in Less-Developed Countries such as Brazil, Kenya, Tanzania and China, has been reviewed. A lesson learnt from developing countries is that tensions and potential conflicts can hinder the process of land reform. It was also established that land reform is time-consuming, expensive and difficult. Some of the issues identified fall outside the mandate of the Department of Land Affairs, which recommends a clear framework for effective role-player participation with other government departments and other relevant stakeholders. A clear policy is needed on post-transfer support for land reform communal projects. This includes clarifying the specific roles, functions and powers of the different stakeholders. This study was also able to provide some evidence that there are numerous challenges that are being experienced by communal-managed projects that have been set up within the KZN Province. A number of the challenges emanate from poorly-drafted Constitutions of the Communal Property Institution as well as poor implementation of projects. The study was able to illustrate that land title can be transferred to the Communal Property Institutions, but that does not translate into the realization of secure individual rights of members of the institution. It was also noted that failure to address issues relating to individual rights allocation can be one of the major sources of conflict within Communal Projects. The research findings revealed that there was very little focus on empowering beneficiaries of communal projects to manage their newlyacquired resources once transfer of land had taken place. Also noted is that there was a lack of understanding of the Trust (as an institution) by some of the Trust members. Lack of co-operative governance was raised as a key issue hindering support from other stakeholders. The study revealed that there was a lack of systems or processes of dealing with multiple interests of Trust members. There was poor representation of women within decision-making structures. Lack of skills transfer to land reform beneficiaries is another contributing factor to the many challenges that are faced by the Communal Property Institutions. Beneficiary training and capacity building are key recommendations in the findings. From the start of the land reform programme, it was recognized that, given South Africa’s Agricultural history, transferring skills to beneficiaries was to be one of the key challenges and determinants of the land reform programme’s success. In the light of this study, a more integrated method of skills transfer at the community level would have many advantages, as it would help alleviate a number of the challenges currently experienced by the land reform projects. Lastly, the study also indicated that land reform beneficiaries were rarely experienced in making independent decisions. It is clear from this research that there is no blueprint approach to land reform, as each project should be designed for the particular conditions to be effective. The important aspects of both individual and communal tenure should be properly understood when reform initiative attempts to change social relations in rural areas are undertaken. There must be flexibility in policies regarding farm size, while support must also be given to proper training and extension aimed at increasing the individual farmer's managerial ability.
A case study of environmental health in the South Durban basin.
(2005) Niranjan, Ivan.; Subban, Mogesperie.; Moodley, Sathiasiven.
No abstract available.
Challenges of government-to-government e-government: a case study of KwaZulu-Natal department of transport.
(2015) Abdulla, Mohamed Irshad.; Wissink, Henry Frank.; McArthur, Brian Walter.
e-Government (e-Gov) is the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance government service delivery to citizens. Government-to-Government (G2G) is a type of e-Gov concerned with the use of ICT within a government department or across different government departments. e-Gov is plagued by high failure rates and therefore faces challenges that inhibit governments from leveraging ICT to its fullest potential. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore and understand e-Gov challenges, focusing on G2G in particular. A qualitative research methodology was used, with a case-study research design. The research site was the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport. A conceptual framework comprising e-Gov and public management models and theories was used to interpret the data and reach conclusions. This research has shown that departmental e-Gov policy and the e-Gov quality management framework are foundational requirements for successful implementation. The challenges facing G2G in the KZN DoT can be considered as three layers with various inter-relations between the layers. The outer layer of challenges (sub-themes of strategy, usability, complexity, HR skills, resistance, systems development methodology, management support and data quality) must firstly be addressed, followed by the middle layer of challenges (themes of Addressing User Requirements, Business Process Management, Change Management, User Involvement, Organisational Culture and Priority); once this has been achieved, the central challenge facing G2G (User Adoption) is likely to be addressed. User Adoption was found to be the central challenge facing G2G since the lack of user adoption means that the intended benefits of G2G cannot be realised. By addressing these three layers, challenges related to Technology Infrastructure are solved in the process, although various other underlying issues related to Technology Infrastructure were identified. This research has addressed gaps in the literature on understanding the current challenges facing G2G as a particular form of e-Gov, and specifically how it is approached within a South African provincial government context. It has also bridged the gap between e-Gov and public management research, as each research domain has traditionally considered e-Gov independently. Finally, from a methodological perspective, this study contributes to the lack of qualitative research on e-Gov.
Code of professional ethics in education : a case study of Ilembe District.
(2011) Nzama, Sibongiseni Sylvester.; Nzimakwe, Thokozani Ian.
The failure of the many township and rural schools to improve learner outcomes is not only recognised as a pervasive and insidious social problem affecting those communities, but also entrenches inequalities and militates social cohesion and unity. The study highlights the challenges experienced in the Ilembe District that hamper the effective delivery of a quality education. The study confronts these challenges from a constitutional and human rights perspective, and seeks to unravel whether or not educators grasp the critical nature of their role in facilitating the achievement, not only of the educational goals but of other Constitutional imperatives as well. Given the turbulent nature of the environment in which educators operate, the study also seeks to establish if educators can keep up with the new challenges of teaching in the twenty-first century. In this regard, the role of continuing professional teacher development and the new competencies required of educators were investigated to ascertain whether they lead to improved teaching and therefore more effective learning. The study further investigated the effectiveness of the Code of Professional Ethics in curbing unethical behaviour and thus ensuring the attainment of objectives. Furthermore, the study looked at the various interventions by the Government in an endeavour to facilitate the realisation of the Constitutional ideals. This involved looking at the legislative and policy framework put in place, as well as campaigns and other initiatives that demonstrate the government’s commitment to these ideals. A literature study added another dimension to it, in that it provided the theoretical basis for the study and another perspective on how these matters were dealt with elsewhere. The researcher used an eclectic approach in an effort to get a better understanding of the problem. The choice of methodology and design used in the study was, to a large extent, influenced by the nature and objectives of the study. The study was premised on the fact that the rurality of the Ilembe District should not be used to deprive the learners from this community of a quality education and that, the many policies that seem wonderful on paper are useless if they do not translate to effective implementation.
Collective bargaining at local government level with particular reference to Natal.
(1987) De Wet, Leonardus.; Coetzee, W. A. J.

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