An analysis of the relationship between bank efficiency and access to banking services in South Africa
- Authors: Maredza, Andrew
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Doctor of Administration (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/910 , vital:26508
- Description: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the nature of the relationship between bank efficiency gains and access to banking services in South Africa. The importance of making such an enquiry arises from the fact that various studies have identified access to financial services as an important vehicle for lifting the poor out of poverty. In particular, there is concern that banks` appetite for better scores on efficiency has the potential of reducing access to services for consumers particularly the low-income clients. The study attempted to answer two central research questions: Firstly, does the quest for banks to improve efficiency preclude access to banking services for some group of consumers? Secondly, do bank efficiency gains necessarily translate to improved accessibility to banking services? The researcher applied a two-stage methodology approach. In the first stage, the Hicks-Moorsteen aggregator functions were used to generate and decompose total factor productivity (TFP) into several efficiency measures for a panel of eight South African banks. First stage results revealed that the average banking sector total factor productivity efficiency (TFPE) was 59 percent implying that the observed TFP was 41 percent short of the maximum TFP possible using the available technology. A further comparison of performance revealed that large banks were better performing than small banks in terms of TFPE. Apart from estimating and decomposing TFP indices we needed to determine if there was a statistically significant change in the TFPE of South African banking system as a result of the global financial crisis. A general analysis of the generated scores showed that TFPE clearly decreased during 2008-2009, the period that coincided with the global financial crisis. We then used the Fixed Effects Model (FEM) in the second-stage analysis to examine the link between banking sector TFPE and access. The FEM was utilised to take account of bankspecific heterogeneity. The obtained results indicated existence of a positive and significant relationship between banking efficiency and access to banking services. This study suggests that banking sector efficiency plays a crucial role in promoting access to bank services in South Africa. We therefore underscore the need for all banks to attain and maintain high efficiency in order to augment government efforts towards improving accessibility for the unbanked South African people. We also found evidence similar to that reached by Kablan (2010) that an increase in the rural population is associated with a reduction in access to bank services. From this result, we speculated that banks are somewhat biased against providing their services to the general rural populace. Since the rural-population variable exerted the greatest marginal impact on access we suggested that perhaps investment in rural infrastructure would help broaden access and so improve financial inclusion on a larger scale. Finally we also investigated the link between banking sector efficiency and unemployment in South Africa. Of paramount importance in the second stage analysis was that we found a negative and significant association between banking sector efficiency and unemployment indicating that employment is influenced, inter alia, by the efficiency with which banks operate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Maredza, Andrew
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Doctor of Administration (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/910 , vital:26508
- Description: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the nature of the relationship between bank efficiency gains and access to banking services in South Africa. The importance of making such an enquiry arises from the fact that various studies have identified access to financial services as an important vehicle for lifting the poor out of poverty. In particular, there is concern that banks` appetite for better scores on efficiency has the potential of reducing access to services for consumers particularly the low-income clients. The study attempted to answer two central research questions: Firstly, does the quest for banks to improve efficiency preclude access to banking services for some group of consumers? Secondly, do bank efficiency gains necessarily translate to improved accessibility to banking services? The researcher applied a two-stage methodology approach. In the first stage, the Hicks-Moorsteen aggregator functions were used to generate and decompose total factor productivity (TFP) into several efficiency measures for a panel of eight South African banks. First stage results revealed that the average banking sector total factor productivity efficiency (TFPE) was 59 percent implying that the observed TFP was 41 percent short of the maximum TFP possible using the available technology. A further comparison of performance revealed that large banks were better performing than small banks in terms of TFPE. Apart from estimating and decomposing TFP indices we needed to determine if there was a statistically significant change in the TFPE of South African banking system as a result of the global financial crisis. A general analysis of the generated scores showed that TFPE clearly decreased during 2008-2009, the period that coincided with the global financial crisis. We then used the Fixed Effects Model (FEM) in the second-stage analysis to examine the link between banking sector TFPE and access. The FEM was utilised to take account of bankspecific heterogeneity. The obtained results indicated existence of a positive and significant relationship between banking efficiency and access to banking services. This study suggests that banking sector efficiency plays a crucial role in promoting access to bank services in South Africa. We therefore underscore the need for all banks to attain and maintain high efficiency in order to augment government efforts towards improving accessibility for the unbanked South African people. We also found evidence similar to that reached by Kablan (2010) that an increase in the rural population is associated with a reduction in access to bank services. From this result, we speculated that banks are somewhat biased against providing their services to the general rural populace. Since the rural-population variable exerted the greatest marginal impact on access we suggested that perhaps investment in rural infrastructure would help broaden access and so improve financial inclusion on a larger scale. Finally we also investigated the link between banking sector efficiency and unemployment in South Africa. Of paramount importance in the second stage analysis was that we found a negative and significant association between banking sector efficiency and unemployment indicating that employment is influenced, inter alia, by the efficiency with which banks operate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Assessment of the monitoring and evaluation tools for transversal training management agency for targeted community based organizations
- Authors: Harbor, Aderonke Omolola
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1172 , vital:26533
- Description: The purpose of this study was to determine if monitoring and evaluation tools at a local level could help bring about sustainability of rural projects of the community based organizations thereby making the livelihoods of community members better in the Eastern Cape Province. To accomplish this objective, a case study of the training provided by Transversal Training Management Agency (TTMA) was assessed within the concept of the practice of evaluation and seeking to answer four research questions: To what extent should capacity development create sustainable managerial competencies for rural projects? Are monitoring and evaluation tools the key to sustainable projects? How will knowledge and application of M&E tools improve capacity development of CBOs? What are the policy lessons that can be derived from the application of M&E tools for the grass roots groups? The research design was in two parts namely the literature review which focuses on the roles of social change theory and program theory approaches of evaluation which is best applicable for the grassroots, then the case study of TTMA. This was a qualitative research whereby secondary data source was mainly used. The researcher was an employee of TTMA within the period of study, therefore, was able to validate information. Multiple community projects were studied using the secondary data analysis. This was necessary because of the geographic spread of the CBOs that were trained all around the Eastern Cape province and the language barrier would have pose a challenge to the researcher if all project members were to be interviewed. The main findings of the study shows that training was well conducted and project members gave positive feedback about training but what was absent in the training is a study of a monitoring and evaluation framework for the projects‘ members as one of the necessary managerial competencies in order for them to track progress and warning signals in the project cycle before it is too late. In conclusion some recommendations have been made amongst which is a practical handbook of M&E for the grassroots. This provides variety of tools that can best suit the literacy levels of project members that this study targeted. TTMA can therefore, adopt this as part of the training courses for project sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Harbor, Aderonke Omolola
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1172 , vital:26533
- Description: The purpose of this study was to determine if monitoring and evaluation tools at a local level could help bring about sustainability of rural projects of the community based organizations thereby making the livelihoods of community members better in the Eastern Cape Province. To accomplish this objective, a case study of the training provided by Transversal Training Management Agency (TTMA) was assessed within the concept of the practice of evaluation and seeking to answer four research questions: To what extent should capacity development create sustainable managerial competencies for rural projects? Are monitoring and evaluation tools the key to sustainable projects? How will knowledge and application of M&E tools improve capacity development of CBOs? What are the policy lessons that can be derived from the application of M&E tools for the grass roots groups? The research design was in two parts namely the literature review which focuses on the roles of social change theory and program theory approaches of evaluation which is best applicable for the grassroots, then the case study of TTMA. This was a qualitative research whereby secondary data source was mainly used. The researcher was an employee of TTMA within the period of study, therefore, was able to validate information. Multiple community projects were studied using the secondary data analysis. This was necessary because of the geographic spread of the CBOs that were trained all around the Eastern Cape province and the language barrier would have pose a challenge to the researcher if all project members were to be interviewed. The main findings of the study shows that training was well conducted and project members gave positive feedback about training but what was absent in the training is a study of a monitoring and evaluation framework for the projects‘ members as one of the necessary managerial competencies in order for them to track progress and warning signals in the project cycle before it is too late. In conclusion some recommendations have been made amongst which is a practical handbook of M&E for the grassroots. This provides variety of tools that can best suit the literacy levels of project members that this study targeted. TTMA can therefore, adopt this as part of the training courses for project sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Balanced scorecard components as predictors of service performance management in first bank Nigeria plc 2009 – 2014
- Authors: Agomuonso, Clara Udochi
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1017866
- Description: Many institutions and organizations are set up to with a right motive but fail to actualize their vision. This cuts across both public and private institutions across the globe. A financial institution is selected for this research because of its sensitivity; hence getting it right with a delicate institution like a financial organization will assist usage of this monitoring system by other institutions. Modern banking in Nigeria started in 1892 with the free banking era which ended when the Banking Ordinance of 1952 was promulgated. First Bank was the pioneer bank that was established in Nigeria in 1894 as the Bank of British West Africa. The establishment of the First Bank of Nigeria predates the birth of the Nigerian nation as a sovereign entity. The bank which was registered as the bank of British West Africa in 1894 has therefore evolved along the path of political, social and economic changes and developments of Nigeria from the colonial period to independence and the experience of post-independence. It thus shared, in the process of its growth, the tidal experiences of the nation which, in retrospect, were sources of strength (Ndekwu, 1994).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Agomuonso, Clara Udochi
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1017866
- Description: Many institutions and organizations are set up to with a right motive but fail to actualize their vision. This cuts across both public and private institutions across the globe. A financial institution is selected for this research because of its sensitivity; hence getting it right with a delicate institution like a financial organization will assist usage of this monitoring system by other institutions. Modern banking in Nigeria started in 1892 with the free banking era which ended when the Banking Ordinance of 1952 was promulgated. First Bank was the pioneer bank that was established in Nigeria in 1894 as the Bank of British West Africa. The establishment of the First Bank of Nigeria predates the birth of the Nigerian nation as a sovereign entity. The bank which was registered as the bank of British West Africa in 1894 has therefore evolved along the path of political, social and economic changes and developments of Nigeria from the colonial period to independence and the experience of post-independence. It thus shared, in the process of its growth, the tidal experiences of the nation which, in retrospect, were sources of strength (Ndekwu, 1994).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Housing challenges in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality: an exploration
- Authors: Marutlulle, Noah Kaliofas
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1234 , vital:26539
- Description: The housing delivery topic is frequently dredged to the surface of media focus by tragic phenomena such as the destruction of lives and properties by storms and fires and also at the hands of the police during demonstrations. This study which is exploratory in nature and adopted an interpretive research philosophy aimed at investigating the housing delivery challenges encountered by Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) with the objectives of illuminating the challenges, establishing the role EMM play in housing delivery and providing recommendations that would assist in ameliorating the challenges. It utilised a qualitative methodology involving indirect observation which included the use of questionnaires and interviews and a purposive sampling method where fifty eight participants comprising employees of EMM, Councillors, Community leaders and Community members were selected. The data were analysed in Microsoft word using thematic analysis and a pilot study was used to pre-test the objectivity, reliability and validity of the data and also to improve the success and effectiveness of the investigation. Overall, the results suggested the main causes of the housing delivery challenges to be predominantly a combination of population growth, the unavailability of land, corruption and government policies. The key findings that emerged for the amelioration of the challenges were the formulation of a coherent housing strategy, the need for the government to pursue housing policies that are comprehensive and effectively integrated with broader socioeconomic objectives and also the need for the government to be fully attuned to the necessity of reconfiguring housing policy as part of its mechanism for managing the economy. The general focus of the recommendations was on overcoming the housing delivery hurdles. In recommending future research, the existence of a vast amount of new knowledge that still need to be discovered on the housing delivery arena was established and avenues were indicated through which the knowledge can directly illuminate issues central to the theme of this study [housing delivery challenges]. The study will become a landmark and a standard reference in future studies wherein it will also serve as a barometer to test new and contentious ideas and theories encapsulated in issues surrounding the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Marutlulle, Noah Kaliofas
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1234 , vital:26539
- Description: The housing delivery topic is frequently dredged to the surface of media focus by tragic phenomena such as the destruction of lives and properties by storms and fires and also at the hands of the police during demonstrations. This study which is exploratory in nature and adopted an interpretive research philosophy aimed at investigating the housing delivery challenges encountered by Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) with the objectives of illuminating the challenges, establishing the role EMM play in housing delivery and providing recommendations that would assist in ameliorating the challenges. It utilised a qualitative methodology involving indirect observation which included the use of questionnaires and interviews and a purposive sampling method where fifty eight participants comprising employees of EMM, Councillors, Community leaders and Community members were selected. The data were analysed in Microsoft word using thematic analysis and a pilot study was used to pre-test the objectivity, reliability and validity of the data and also to improve the success and effectiveness of the investigation. Overall, the results suggested the main causes of the housing delivery challenges to be predominantly a combination of population growth, the unavailability of land, corruption and government policies. The key findings that emerged for the amelioration of the challenges were the formulation of a coherent housing strategy, the need for the government to pursue housing policies that are comprehensive and effectively integrated with broader socioeconomic objectives and also the need for the government to be fully attuned to the necessity of reconfiguring housing policy as part of its mechanism for managing the economy. The general focus of the recommendations was on overcoming the housing delivery hurdles. In recommending future research, the existence of a vast amount of new knowledge that still need to be discovered on the housing delivery arena was established and avenues were indicated through which the knowledge can directly illuminate issues central to the theme of this study [housing delivery challenges]. The study will become a landmark and a standard reference in future studies wherein it will also serve as a barometer to test new and contentious ideas and theories encapsulated in issues surrounding the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Model for IT governance to improve information technology alignment of multi-campuses in South African institutions of higher learning
- Authors: Ngqondi, Tembisa Grace
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: IT Governance , Institution of higher learning , Strategic alignment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11143 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015277 , IT Governance , Institution of higher learning , Strategic alignment
- Description: Information Technology (IT) has emerged as an important issue for the public and private sectors. It has been initially identified as a vehicle in supporting business processes by speeding up the process of decision making and easy access of information as required for the competitive advantage of businesses. Organisations regarded IT as an enabler of their business processes. As IT has grown, its shape and definition have drastically changed from being an enabler of the business processes to become a central and strategic concern within the organisation that drives the business processes. The new IT landscape has made organisations completely dependant on IT for their decision making and effective functioning. The dependence on IT has created a need for unified and effective structures, standards and best practices that ensure the effective execution of business processes using IT. The establishment of IT Governance for institutions of higher learning has created the dual challenges of how IT Governance can work within the culture of inclusiveness and shared decision making while better aligning existing IT structures. These dual challenges vary from one university to another based on the culture of the specific university. This study therefore suggests possible ways that IT Governance can shape an institution of higher learning by strategically aligning the institution’s IT strategy with the overall university strategy through the development of an IT Governance Model. To come up with the said proposed model, qualitative research techniques such as document analysis, observations, interviews, a questionnaire and briefing sessions were used during the research process. The comparative analysis of the case studied was used to identify different IT Governance models adopted by other universities. Literature was reviewed to establish the emerging IT Governance practices established and implemented by different authors. The result from this study is that an IT Governance model specific to WSU has been developed. This model can be used as guiding tool in establishing new IT Governance structures and also modify and improve the existing IT Governance structure of different institutions of higher learning. This model can further be used to guide the development of the institution IT Governance implementation architecture framework.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ngqondi, Tembisa Grace
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: IT Governance , Institution of higher learning , Strategic alignment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11143 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015277 , IT Governance , Institution of higher learning , Strategic alignment
- Description: Information Technology (IT) has emerged as an important issue for the public and private sectors. It has been initially identified as a vehicle in supporting business processes by speeding up the process of decision making and easy access of information as required for the competitive advantage of businesses. Organisations regarded IT as an enabler of their business processes. As IT has grown, its shape and definition have drastically changed from being an enabler of the business processes to become a central and strategic concern within the organisation that drives the business processes. The new IT landscape has made organisations completely dependant on IT for their decision making and effective functioning. The dependence on IT has created a need for unified and effective structures, standards and best practices that ensure the effective execution of business processes using IT. The establishment of IT Governance for institutions of higher learning has created the dual challenges of how IT Governance can work within the culture of inclusiveness and shared decision making while better aligning existing IT structures. These dual challenges vary from one university to another based on the culture of the specific university. This study therefore suggests possible ways that IT Governance can shape an institution of higher learning by strategically aligning the institution’s IT strategy with the overall university strategy through the development of an IT Governance Model. To come up with the said proposed model, qualitative research techniques such as document analysis, observations, interviews, a questionnaire and briefing sessions were used during the research process. The comparative analysis of the case studied was used to identify different IT Governance models adopted by other universities. Literature was reviewed to establish the emerging IT Governance practices established and implemented by different authors. The result from this study is that an IT Governance model specific to WSU has been developed. This model can be used as guiding tool in establishing new IT Governance structures and also modify and improve the existing IT Governance structure of different institutions of higher learning. This model can further be used to guide the development of the institution IT Governance implementation architecture framework.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The establishment of a mobile phone information security culture: linking student awareness and behavioural intent
- Authors: Bukelwa, Ngoqo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Information security awareness -- Mobile phone security , Information safety
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/657 , vital:26485 , Information security awareness -- Mobile phone security , Information safety
- Description: The information security behaviour of technology users has become an increasingly popular research area as security experts have come to recognise that while securing technology by means of firewalls, passwords and offsite backups is important, such security may be rendered ineffective if the technology users themselves are not information security conscious. The mobile phone has become a necessity for many students but, at the same time, it exposes them to security threats that may result in a loss of information. Students in developing countries are at a disadvantage because they have limited access to information relating to information security threats, unlike their counterparts in more developed societies who can readily access this information from sources like the Internet. The developmental environment is plagued with challenges like access to the Internet or limited access to computers. The poor security behaviour exhibited by student mobile phone users, which was confirmed by the findings of this study, is of particular interest in the university context as most undergraduate students are offered a computer-related course which covers certain information security-related principles. During the restructuring of the South African higher education system, smaller universities and technikons (polytechnics) were merged to form comprehensive universities. Thus, the resultant South African university landscape is made up of traditional and comprehensive universities as well as universities of technology. Ordinarily, one would expect university students to have similar profiles. However in the case of this study, the environment was a unique factor which had a direct impact on students’ learning experiences and learning outcomes. Mbeki (2004) refers to two economies within South Africa the first one is financially sound and globally integrated, and the other found in urban and rural areas consists of unemployed and unemployable people who do not benefit from progress in the first economy. Action research was the methodological approach which was chosen for the purposes of this study to collect the requisite data among a population of university students from the ‘second economy’. The study focuses on the relationship between awareness and behavioural intention in understanding mobile phone user information security behaviour. The study concludes by proposing a behaviour profile forecasting framework based on predefined security behavioural profiles. A key finding of this study is that the security behaviour exhibited by mobile phone users is influenced by a combination of information security awareness and information security behavioural intention, and not just information security awareness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Bukelwa, Ngoqo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Information security awareness -- Mobile phone security , Information safety
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Information Systems)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/657 , vital:26485 , Information security awareness -- Mobile phone security , Information safety
- Description: The information security behaviour of technology users has become an increasingly popular research area as security experts have come to recognise that while securing technology by means of firewalls, passwords and offsite backups is important, such security may be rendered ineffective if the technology users themselves are not information security conscious. The mobile phone has become a necessity for many students but, at the same time, it exposes them to security threats that may result in a loss of information. Students in developing countries are at a disadvantage because they have limited access to information relating to information security threats, unlike their counterparts in more developed societies who can readily access this information from sources like the Internet. The developmental environment is plagued with challenges like access to the Internet or limited access to computers. The poor security behaviour exhibited by student mobile phone users, which was confirmed by the findings of this study, is of particular interest in the university context as most undergraduate students are offered a computer-related course which covers certain information security-related principles. During the restructuring of the South African higher education system, smaller universities and technikons (polytechnics) were merged to form comprehensive universities. Thus, the resultant South African university landscape is made up of traditional and comprehensive universities as well as universities of technology. Ordinarily, one would expect university students to have similar profiles. However in the case of this study, the environment was a unique factor which had a direct impact on students’ learning experiences and learning outcomes. Mbeki (2004) refers to two economies within South Africa the first one is financially sound and globally integrated, and the other found in urban and rural areas consists of unemployed and unemployable people who do not benefit from progress in the first economy. Action research was the methodological approach which was chosen for the purposes of this study to collect the requisite data among a population of university students from the ‘second economy’. The study focuses on the relationship between awareness and behavioural intention in understanding mobile phone user information security behaviour. The study concludes by proposing a behaviour profile forecasting framework based on predefined security behavioural profiles. A key finding of this study is that the security behaviour exhibited by mobile phone users is influenced by a combination of information security awareness and information security behavioural intention, and not just information security awareness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The impact of export diversification on economic performance in South Africa: 1980-2012
- Authors: Choga, Ireen
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Doctor of Commerce (in Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018223
- Description: A widely held view is that export diversification constitutes an important component of export led growth, and poses a major challenge for many developing countries. Given this, the role of export diversification on economic growth warrants a fresh analysis in South Africa. The primary objective of this study is to determine the impact of export diversification on economic growth in South Africa. In this context, the study seeks to establish the relationship between export diversification, export stability and export growth. Initially, the study examines the extent and structure of export diversification in South Africa; it then empirically establishes the link between export diversification, export stability and export growth. Finally, it develops a model and investigates the effects of export diversification on economic growth in South Africa. As an attempt to fulfill the proposed objectives, this study uses quarterly data for the period 1980 to 2012 as well as data for 28 selected groups of commodities to investigate the effects of export diversification on economic growth in South Africa. Measures of export diversification and structural changes in exports in the context of South Africa were discussed. The findings of this study are that the Commodity Specific Cumulative Experience function showed that plots for manufactured commodities are shifted to the right indicating that the commodities are non-traditional in nature whereas, plots for primary commodities are shifted to the left. Results also indicated that South Africa relies more on traditional exports than manufactured exports. Various measures of export instability were used to calculate the export instability index in South Africa. The results of the study reveal that the South African export basket is slightly diversified, and the less diversified or primary commodities are associated with high instability VECM approach was used to allow us to establish the extent of influence of export diversification and other explanatory variables on economic growth. Consistent with other researchers, the study found that export diversification plays significant roles to economic growth in South Africa. A number of diagnostic checks were employed to validate the parameter evaluation of the outcomes achieved by the model. The model passed all the diagnostic checks. On the whole, the results to a larger extent painted a pictured that export diversification is important or drives economic growth in South Africa. Corroborating our findings with work of other scholars, we conclude that our results are complementary.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Choga, Ireen
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Doctor of Commerce (in Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018223
- Description: A widely held view is that export diversification constitutes an important component of export led growth, and poses a major challenge for many developing countries. Given this, the role of export diversification on economic growth warrants a fresh analysis in South Africa. The primary objective of this study is to determine the impact of export diversification on economic growth in South Africa. In this context, the study seeks to establish the relationship between export diversification, export stability and export growth. Initially, the study examines the extent and structure of export diversification in South Africa; it then empirically establishes the link between export diversification, export stability and export growth. Finally, it develops a model and investigates the effects of export diversification on economic growth in South Africa. As an attempt to fulfill the proposed objectives, this study uses quarterly data for the period 1980 to 2012 as well as data for 28 selected groups of commodities to investigate the effects of export diversification on economic growth in South Africa. Measures of export diversification and structural changes in exports in the context of South Africa were discussed. The findings of this study are that the Commodity Specific Cumulative Experience function showed that plots for manufactured commodities are shifted to the right indicating that the commodities are non-traditional in nature whereas, plots for primary commodities are shifted to the left. Results also indicated that South Africa relies more on traditional exports than manufactured exports. Various measures of export instability were used to calculate the export instability index in South Africa. The results of the study reveal that the South African export basket is slightly diversified, and the less diversified or primary commodities are associated with high instability VECM approach was used to allow us to establish the extent of influence of export diversification and other explanatory variables on economic growth. Consistent with other researchers, the study found that export diversification plays significant roles to economic growth in South Africa. A number of diagnostic checks were employed to validate the parameter evaluation of the outcomes achieved by the model. The model passed all the diagnostic checks. On the whole, the results to a larger extent painted a pictured that export diversification is important or drives economic growth in South Africa. Corroborating our findings with work of other scholars, we conclude that our results are complementary.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A model for the implementation of Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in selected Eastern Cape schools
- Authors: Sambumbu, Antony Matemba
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11703 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015152
- Description: The main purpose of this research was to evaluate the processes for IQMS implementation in the selected Eastern Cape schools so as to determine the model that can be postulated for improving the IQMS implementation in the South African schools. While mainly deriving from the fact that so far, empirical research reveals that the process for IQMS implementation has been marred with a significant number of challenges. The study star begins with the formulation of a thought-process in its overriding hypothesis. The hypothesis is that the application of a five constructs’ IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 would signficantly influence the successful IQMS implementation in South African schools. The five constructs that are outlined in the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 include: (1) Considering the Notion of “Quality” and Whole School Evaluation, (2) Performance Management and Developmental Appraisals, (3) Considering Key Success Factors for IQMS Implementation, (4) the Use of Appropriate Implementation Processes, Systems and Methods, and (5) Constant Monitoring, and Evaluations and Applications of the Improvement Actions. Despite the fact that the integrated quality management theories strongly support this hypothesis, the study, in line with these five constructs which were also aligned with the five research questions and hypotheses that guided this research applies exploratory factor analysis. This has been done in order to further define the structure of the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 prior to applying confirmatory factor analysis in order to determine whether the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 would perfectly reproduce the 53 observed sample data which was used in the study. The results confirmed the overriding hypothesis in the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 which is that effectiveness of the IQMS implementation processes in the South African schools can be significantly influenced by the application of the five constructs. These include: Considering the Notion of “Quality” and Whole School Evaluation, Performance Management and Developmental Appraisals, Considering Key Success Factors for IQMS Implementation, the Use of the Appropriate Implementation Processes, Systems and Methods, and Undertaking Constant Monitoring, Evaluations and Improvement Action. In effect, it was recommended that the Eastern Cape Department of Education must adopt the IQMS implementation Model in Figure 1.1 in order to effectively implement its integrated quality management systems. Despite examining the limitations of the study, the recommendations chapter also discussed the area for further research in which it was suggested that the area for further research would be: Evaluating the impact of appropriate standards’ setting on the successful IQMS implementation in the schools in the Eastern Cape schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Sambumbu, Antony Matemba
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11703 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015152
- Description: The main purpose of this research was to evaluate the processes for IQMS implementation in the selected Eastern Cape schools so as to determine the model that can be postulated for improving the IQMS implementation in the South African schools. While mainly deriving from the fact that so far, empirical research reveals that the process for IQMS implementation has been marred with a significant number of challenges. The study star begins with the formulation of a thought-process in its overriding hypothesis. The hypothesis is that the application of a five constructs’ IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 would signficantly influence the successful IQMS implementation in South African schools. The five constructs that are outlined in the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 include: (1) Considering the Notion of “Quality” and Whole School Evaluation, (2) Performance Management and Developmental Appraisals, (3) Considering Key Success Factors for IQMS Implementation, (4) the Use of Appropriate Implementation Processes, Systems and Methods, and (5) Constant Monitoring, and Evaluations and Applications of the Improvement Actions. Despite the fact that the integrated quality management theories strongly support this hypothesis, the study, in line with these five constructs which were also aligned with the five research questions and hypotheses that guided this research applies exploratory factor analysis. This has been done in order to further define the structure of the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 prior to applying confirmatory factor analysis in order to determine whether the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 would perfectly reproduce the 53 observed sample data which was used in the study. The results confirmed the overriding hypothesis in the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 which is that effectiveness of the IQMS implementation processes in the South African schools can be significantly influenced by the application of the five constructs. These include: Considering the Notion of “Quality” and Whole School Evaluation, Performance Management and Developmental Appraisals, Considering Key Success Factors for IQMS Implementation, the Use of the Appropriate Implementation Processes, Systems and Methods, and Undertaking Constant Monitoring, Evaluations and Improvement Action. In effect, it was recommended that the Eastern Cape Department of Education must adopt the IQMS implementation Model in Figure 1.1 in order to effectively implement its integrated quality management systems. Despite examining the limitations of the study, the recommendations chapter also discussed the area for further research in which it was suggested that the area for further research would be: Evaluating the impact of appropriate standards’ setting on the successful IQMS implementation in the schools in the Eastern Cape schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Absorptive capacity and information technology adoption strategies in Kenyan SMEs
- Authors: Ndiege, Joshua Rumo Arongo
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11140 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1014672
- Description: Although Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), arguably, make up a significant part of economic development in many countries, these enterprises have continued to face challenges especially in developing countries like Kenya. With Information Technology (IT) being considered a critical component of the survival of SMEs, many are striving to invest in it. However, a number of these SMEs are still far from realising the full potential of their IT investments. In today‟s challenging and dynamic business environment, SMEs need to leverage both internal and external knowledge, exploit it to help improve and maintain their competitiveness, and consequently, their survival. This study has endeavoured to address the IT adoption strategy challenges experienced by SMEs in Kenya and other developing countries, as these have been largely flawed. The study has explored on the way in which these enterprises can build strong Absorptive Capacities (AC) and exploit these to improve their IT adoption processes through a model of AC. To achieve this, a qualitative, interpretive case study research approach was employed in this study. The findings of this study suggest that although AC plays a critical role in the performance of SMEs in Kenya, many of these enterprises have low levels of AC. It also became clear that all the SMEs that participated in the study had not attained maturity in their IT adoption process. However, SMEs that exhibited strong AC employed the use of more superior IT adoption processes than did their counterparts with low levels of AC. From the results of this study an IT Adoption Strategy Improvement Model (ITASIM) has been developed to help SMEs improve their IT adoption strategies. The model focuses on improving SMEs‟ AC and injecting these alongside the elements of a good strategy in the SMEs‟ IT adoption process. Furthermore, in order to help in the effective implementation of ITASIM, implementation guidelines have been developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Ndiege, Joshua Rumo Arongo
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11140 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1014672
- Description: Although Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), arguably, make up a significant part of economic development in many countries, these enterprises have continued to face challenges especially in developing countries like Kenya. With Information Technology (IT) being considered a critical component of the survival of SMEs, many are striving to invest in it. However, a number of these SMEs are still far from realising the full potential of their IT investments. In today‟s challenging and dynamic business environment, SMEs need to leverage both internal and external knowledge, exploit it to help improve and maintain their competitiveness, and consequently, their survival. This study has endeavoured to address the IT adoption strategy challenges experienced by SMEs in Kenya and other developing countries, as these have been largely flawed. The study has explored on the way in which these enterprises can build strong Absorptive Capacities (AC) and exploit these to improve their IT adoption processes through a model of AC. To achieve this, a qualitative, interpretive case study research approach was employed in this study. The findings of this study suggest that although AC plays a critical role in the performance of SMEs in Kenya, many of these enterprises have low levels of AC. It also became clear that all the SMEs that participated in the study had not attained maturity in their IT adoption process. However, SMEs that exhibited strong AC employed the use of more superior IT adoption processes than did their counterparts with low levels of AC. From the results of this study an IT Adoption Strategy Improvement Model (ITASIM) has been developed to help SMEs improve their IT adoption strategies. The model focuses on improving SMEs‟ AC and injecting these alongside the elements of a good strategy in the SMEs‟ IT adoption process. Furthermore, in order to help in the effective implementation of ITASIM, implementation guidelines have been developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An appraisal of support services to students with disabilities: the case of Walter Sisulu University
- Authors: Makiwane, Nonzwakazi Beauty
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1220 , vital:26537
- Description: The provision of effective support services in an efficient manner is a critical part of any university’s role to ensure that students with disabilities achieve academic outcomes. In South Africa universities are categorized into three types, namely traditional universities (offer theoretically-oriented degrees); universities of technology (offer vocational-oriented diplomas and degrees) and comprehensive universities (offer a combination of the other two). With their constitutional and policy framework obligations, universities are responsible for accommodating students with all types of disabilities. Pertaining to the awareness of social disparities, the quality of support services to students with disabilities still remains a concern. From various platforms it is evident that quality of support services to students with disabilities in South African universities is poor and in some instances crucial support devices do not exist at all. The pressures being felt by universities from external forces and the problems encountered in the extent of quality of support services has created the need for an appraisal. The purpose of this study, then, is to investigate and describe the quality of the support services provided to students with disabilities in a university context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An appraisal of support services to students with disabilities: the case of Walter Sisulu University
- Authors: Makiwane, Nonzwakazi Beauty
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1220 , vital:26537
- Description: The provision of effective support services in an efficient manner is a critical part of any university’s role to ensure that students with disabilities achieve academic outcomes. In South Africa universities are categorized into three types, namely traditional universities (offer theoretically-oriented degrees); universities of technology (offer vocational-oriented diplomas and degrees) and comprehensive universities (offer a combination of the other two). With their constitutional and policy framework obligations, universities are responsible for accommodating students with all types of disabilities. Pertaining to the awareness of social disparities, the quality of support services to students with disabilities still remains a concern. From various platforms it is evident that quality of support services to students with disabilities in South African universities is poor and in some instances crucial support devices do not exist at all. The pressures being felt by universities from external forces and the problems encountered in the extent of quality of support services has created the need for an appraisal. The purpose of this study, then, is to investigate and describe the quality of the support services provided to students with disabilities in a university context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Assessing financial viability of selected urban and rural municipalities in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Maclean, Sindisile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Economic policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007093 , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Economic policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: The purpose of the research is to assess the financial viability of selected urban and rural municipalities in the Eastern Cape. Municipalities that are not financially viable and sustainable will always struggle to deliver basic services to communities. Without sound financial management systems, municipalities will be forced to discontinue their operations. Municipalities, particularly small and rural ones, are not self-sufficient and often rely on grants and transfers to satisfy their immediate short-term goal of providing basic services to satisfy the needs of their communities. Therefore, finance is regarded as an overriding and decisive factor for determining the viability of municipalities. The study seeks to investigate the financial viability of selected urban and rural municipalities in the Eastern Cape. Its key research questions are: Are municipalities able to provide sufficient funds to provide a range of services at an acceptable service level? To what extent do municipalities rely on external funding? Do municipalities have revenue collection capacity and revenue policies? The study asserts that most municipalities lack the required financial resources. They depend mainly on transfers from Provincial Government and equitable share and conditional grants from National Government. Section 152 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 8 of 1996, states, amongst other things, that Local Government should ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner. The constitution further states that a municipality must strive, within its financial and administrative capacity, to achieve its objectives. The Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003, creates a framework for municipalities to borrow money and determine the conditions for short- and long-term borrowing. The Act assigns clear roles and responsibilities to the various role players involved in local government financial management. According to the Act, an annual budget for a municipality may only be funded from realistically anticipated revenues to be collected. As revenue projections in the budget must be realistic, the Municipal Property Rates Act, Act 6 of 2004, facilitates the collection of revenue in municipalities and establishes a uniform property rating system across South Africa. Property tax is the biggest element of local government tax revenue and is central to municipal finance. The Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, amongst its objectives, provides for the manner in which municipal powers and functions are exercised as well as establishes a simple framework for the core processes of planning, performance management and resource mobilisation. The Act also provides a framework for public administration and human resource development. Finally, it also empowers the poor and ensures that municipalities put in place service tariffs and credit control policies that take their needs into account. The research contends that, whilst there is legislation and structures to assist and direct municipalities, it has been established that municipalities do not properly collect rates and taxes due to them to augment their revenue. The study has shown nevertheless that metropolitan municipalities have the capacity to collect revenue for municipal services. This is confirmed by their collection rate which ranges between 94 % and 97 %. There is also the culture of non-payment by communities for services rendered by the municipalities. Rural municipalities are exempted from property tax, while other rural municipalities who have an urban component, have to collect. There is also the question of unemployment and poverty. Consequently, municipalities are not self-sufficient and rely on grants and equitable share to survive. As a result of this lack of self-sufficiency, it is difficult to implement service delivery and also difficult to attract skilled personnel. The study has investigated why some municipalities fail to collect revenue and depend on national grants. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings of the quantitative paradigm have been presented in the form of graphs and charts. The major findings include: All municipalities have limited borrowing capacity; have not exceeded their budgets in terms of their spending; small municipalities have households as their main contributor of revenue collected; metropolitan municipalities get the big slice of their revenue from business; small and rural municipalities rely on grants and transfers and are therefore not financially viable; metropolitan municipalities are, to a great extent, financially viable but lack skills and capacity to utilize their resources for effective service delivery; and all municipalities under-spend their budgets. The study, after elaborating on the findings, makes recommendations on how municipalities should become financially viable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Maclean, Sindisile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Economic policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007093 , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Economic policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: The purpose of the research is to assess the financial viability of selected urban and rural municipalities in the Eastern Cape. Municipalities that are not financially viable and sustainable will always struggle to deliver basic services to communities. Without sound financial management systems, municipalities will be forced to discontinue their operations. Municipalities, particularly small and rural ones, are not self-sufficient and often rely on grants and transfers to satisfy their immediate short-term goal of providing basic services to satisfy the needs of their communities. Therefore, finance is regarded as an overriding and decisive factor for determining the viability of municipalities. The study seeks to investigate the financial viability of selected urban and rural municipalities in the Eastern Cape. Its key research questions are: Are municipalities able to provide sufficient funds to provide a range of services at an acceptable service level? To what extent do municipalities rely on external funding? Do municipalities have revenue collection capacity and revenue policies? The study asserts that most municipalities lack the required financial resources. They depend mainly on transfers from Provincial Government and equitable share and conditional grants from National Government. Section 152 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 8 of 1996, states, amongst other things, that Local Government should ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner. The constitution further states that a municipality must strive, within its financial and administrative capacity, to achieve its objectives. The Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003, creates a framework for municipalities to borrow money and determine the conditions for short- and long-term borrowing. The Act assigns clear roles and responsibilities to the various role players involved in local government financial management. According to the Act, an annual budget for a municipality may only be funded from realistically anticipated revenues to be collected. As revenue projections in the budget must be realistic, the Municipal Property Rates Act, Act 6 of 2004, facilitates the collection of revenue in municipalities and establishes a uniform property rating system across South Africa. Property tax is the biggest element of local government tax revenue and is central to municipal finance. The Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, amongst its objectives, provides for the manner in which municipal powers and functions are exercised as well as establishes a simple framework for the core processes of planning, performance management and resource mobilisation. The Act also provides a framework for public administration and human resource development. Finally, it also empowers the poor and ensures that municipalities put in place service tariffs and credit control policies that take their needs into account. The research contends that, whilst there is legislation and structures to assist and direct municipalities, it has been established that municipalities do not properly collect rates and taxes due to them to augment their revenue. The study has shown nevertheless that metropolitan municipalities have the capacity to collect revenue for municipal services. This is confirmed by their collection rate which ranges between 94 % and 97 %. There is also the culture of non-payment by communities for services rendered by the municipalities. Rural municipalities are exempted from property tax, while other rural municipalities who have an urban component, have to collect. There is also the question of unemployment and poverty. Consequently, municipalities are not self-sufficient and rely on grants and equitable share to survive. As a result of this lack of self-sufficiency, it is difficult to implement service delivery and also difficult to attract skilled personnel. The study has investigated why some municipalities fail to collect revenue and depend on national grants. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings of the quantitative paradigm have been presented in the form of graphs and charts. The major findings include: All municipalities have limited borrowing capacity; have not exceeded their budgets in terms of their spending; small municipalities have households as their main contributor of revenue collected; metropolitan municipalities get the big slice of their revenue from business; small and rural municipalities rely on grants and transfers and are therefore not financially viable; metropolitan municipalities are, to a great extent, financially viable but lack skills and capacity to utilize their resources for effective service delivery; and all municipalities under-spend their budgets. The study, after elaborating on the findings, makes recommendations on how municipalities should become financially viable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Electricity generation, transmission and distribution policy: a comparative study of Nigeria (1960-2011) and South Africa (1960-2011)
- Authors: Okafor, Chukwuemeka
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Electric power distribution -- Nigeria , Electric power distribution -- South Africa , Electric power consumption -- Nigeria , Electric power consumption -- South Africa , Electric power production -- Nigeria , Electric power production -- South Africa , Electric power transmission -- Nigeria , Electric power transmission -- South Africa , Electricity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11660 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007049 , Electric power distribution -- Nigeria , Electric power distribution -- South Africa , Electric power consumption -- Nigeria , Electric power consumption -- South Africa , Electric power production -- Nigeria , Electric power production -- South Africa , Electric power transmission -- Nigeria , Electric power transmission -- South Africa , Electricity
- Description: The electric power policies in Nigeria and South Africa are considered the governments’ intention to provide quality and affordable electricity to the people. A comparative study on the electric power policies focuses on the similarities and differences in the policy approaches, the policy issues that affect electrification, and the impact of the policy issues in achieving the goal of universal access to quality and affordable electricity power in both countries. The methodological approach allows for an in depth textual study on the electric power policy documents in both countries. In Nigeria, the government intends to address the massive demand-supply imbalance and achieve the goal of electrification through reforms that focus on private sector-led growth in the sub-sector. In South Africa, the identification of electrification as a public problem by the post apartheid government leads to an integrated policy framework that focuses on balancing economic concerns with social and environmental considerations. The study identifies electricity provision as a social welfare responsibility of the governments in both countries and examines the policy issues in the context of public welfare. In Nigeria, the policy issues are found to be self serving and not in line with sustainable public interest, given the socio-economic challenges. As a result they, exert less impact on achieving the goal of universal access to quality and affordable electricity in the country. In South Africa, good governance in the sub-sector has enabled the identification of policy issues in line with sustainable public interests of social equity, poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability; and government using public administration agencies to play a key role in service delivery. Recommendations of the study mainly derive from the South African experience on electrification, and are intended to offer some policy-lessons to Nigeria in the sub-sector. The study contributes to new knowledge in the discipline of public administration by opening up new vistas for a comparative analysis of electric power policy issues in both countries in the context of public welfare. Besides, a comparative study on electrification in Nigeria and South Africa from a policy angle contributes to the existing knowledge base in the discipline.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Okafor, Chukwuemeka
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Electric power distribution -- Nigeria , Electric power distribution -- South Africa , Electric power consumption -- Nigeria , Electric power consumption -- South Africa , Electric power production -- Nigeria , Electric power production -- South Africa , Electric power transmission -- Nigeria , Electric power transmission -- South Africa , Electricity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11660 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007049 , Electric power distribution -- Nigeria , Electric power distribution -- South Africa , Electric power consumption -- Nigeria , Electric power consumption -- South Africa , Electric power production -- Nigeria , Electric power production -- South Africa , Electric power transmission -- Nigeria , Electric power transmission -- South Africa , Electricity
- Description: The electric power policies in Nigeria and South Africa are considered the governments’ intention to provide quality and affordable electricity to the people. A comparative study on the electric power policies focuses on the similarities and differences in the policy approaches, the policy issues that affect electrification, and the impact of the policy issues in achieving the goal of universal access to quality and affordable electricity power in both countries. The methodological approach allows for an in depth textual study on the electric power policy documents in both countries. In Nigeria, the government intends to address the massive demand-supply imbalance and achieve the goal of electrification through reforms that focus on private sector-led growth in the sub-sector. In South Africa, the identification of electrification as a public problem by the post apartheid government leads to an integrated policy framework that focuses on balancing economic concerns with social and environmental considerations. The study identifies electricity provision as a social welfare responsibility of the governments in both countries and examines the policy issues in the context of public welfare. In Nigeria, the policy issues are found to be self serving and not in line with sustainable public interest, given the socio-economic challenges. As a result they, exert less impact on achieving the goal of universal access to quality and affordable electricity in the country. In South Africa, good governance in the sub-sector has enabled the identification of policy issues in line with sustainable public interests of social equity, poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability; and government using public administration agencies to play a key role in service delivery. Recommendations of the study mainly derive from the South African experience on electrification, and are intended to offer some policy-lessons to Nigeria in the sub-sector. The study contributes to new knowledge in the discipline of public administration by opening up new vistas for a comparative analysis of electric power policy issues in both countries in the context of public welfare. Besides, a comparative study on electrification in Nigeria and South Africa from a policy angle contributes to the existing knowledge base in the discipline.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Ethnic conflict in Nigeria: a challenge to inclusive social and political development
- Authors: Adetiba, Toyin Cotties
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Genocide -- Nigeria , Ethnic conflict -- Nigeria , National characteristics, Nigerian , Citizenship -- Nigeria , Ethnicity -- Nigeria , Multiculturalism -- Nigeria , Economic development -- Nigeria , Nigeria -- Politics and government , Nationalism -- Nigeria , Nigeria -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Science Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11432 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006955 , Genocide -- Nigeria , Ethnic conflict -- Nigeria , National characteristics, Nigerian , Citizenship -- Nigeria , Ethnicity -- Nigeria , Multiculturalism -- Nigeria , Economic development -- Nigeria , Nigeria -- Politics and government , Nationalism -- Nigeria , Nigeria -- Social conditions
- Description: The question of ethnicity has been one of the most topical subjects of study by social scientists. The controversies around this phenomenon seem to have been heated up by the high visibility of mobilized and politicized ethnic groups in most multi-ethnic states. Therefore, the extent to which ethnic nationalities are able to effectively manage the interplay of ethnic differences determines to what extent a multi-ethnic nation develops without crisis. Historically Nigeria has come a long way from multi-ethnic entity with political differences and background to the amalgamation of 1914 till the present structure of thirty-six states. Ethnicity, no doubt has contributed immensely to ethnic conflicts in Nigeria because of long standing revulsion or resentments towards ethnic groups different from one’s own or fear of domination which can as well lead ethnic groups to resort to violence as a means to protect and preserve the existing ethnic groups. Significantly ethnicity in Nigeria, is a product inequality among the various ethnic groups orchestrated by a long period of colonialism; a period which witnessed the ascendancy of three major ethnic groups to the socio-political domination of other ethnic groups and a period when the three major ethnic groups were used as a pedestal for the distribution of socio-political goods, resulting in the inability of other ethnic groups to access these socio-political goods. This situation has continued to impact negatively on the forces of national integration and cohesion in ethnically divided Nigeria. Considering the relationship between ethnicity and development; socio-political exclusion is not only ethically dangerous to development but also economically unproductive. It deprives groups and individuals of the opportunity for the necessary development that can be beneficial to the society. Thus, it is important to develop an integrative socio-political frame-work that explicitly recognizes the participatory role of every ethnic group in governance. Hence, there is a need for the adoption of inclusive governance to manage ethnicity in Nigeria. Notwithstanding, ethnic conflict still persists and an attempt will be made in this study to identify the reasons. Central to socio-political sustainability in Nigeria is a system that should recognize that differences are important to development and encompass notions of equality. Such a system should acknowledge the socio-political and economic power of every ethnic group and promote a system devoid of ethnocentric and exclusionary socio-political and economic policies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Adetiba, Toyin Cotties
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Genocide -- Nigeria , Ethnic conflict -- Nigeria , National characteristics, Nigerian , Citizenship -- Nigeria , Ethnicity -- Nigeria , Multiculturalism -- Nigeria , Economic development -- Nigeria , Nigeria -- Politics and government , Nationalism -- Nigeria , Nigeria -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Science Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11432 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006955 , Genocide -- Nigeria , Ethnic conflict -- Nigeria , National characteristics, Nigerian , Citizenship -- Nigeria , Ethnicity -- Nigeria , Multiculturalism -- Nigeria , Economic development -- Nigeria , Nigeria -- Politics and government , Nationalism -- Nigeria , Nigeria -- Social conditions
- Description: The question of ethnicity has been one of the most topical subjects of study by social scientists. The controversies around this phenomenon seem to have been heated up by the high visibility of mobilized and politicized ethnic groups in most multi-ethnic states. Therefore, the extent to which ethnic nationalities are able to effectively manage the interplay of ethnic differences determines to what extent a multi-ethnic nation develops without crisis. Historically Nigeria has come a long way from multi-ethnic entity with political differences and background to the amalgamation of 1914 till the present structure of thirty-six states. Ethnicity, no doubt has contributed immensely to ethnic conflicts in Nigeria because of long standing revulsion or resentments towards ethnic groups different from one’s own or fear of domination which can as well lead ethnic groups to resort to violence as a means to protect and preserve the existing ethnic groups. Significantly ethnicity in Nigeria, is a product inequality among the various ethnic groups orchestrated by a long period of colonialism; a period which witnessed the ascendancy of three major ethnic groups to the socio-political domination of other ethnic groups and a period when the three major ethnic groups were used as a pedestal for the distribution of socio-political goods, resulting in the inability of other ethnic groups to access these socio-political goods. This situation has continued to impact negatively on the forces of national integration and cohesion in ethnically divided Nigeria. Considering the relationship between ethnicity and development; socio-political exclusion is not only ethically dangerous to development but also economically unproductive. It deprives groups and individuals of the opportunity for the necessary development that can be beneficial to the society. Thus, it is important to develop an integrative socio-political frame-work that explicitly recognizes the participatory role of every ethnic group in governance. Hence, there is a need for the adoption of inclusive governance to manage ethnicity in Nigeria. Notwithstanding, ethnic conflict still persists and an attempt will be made in this study to identify the reasons. Central to socio-political sustainability in Nigeria is a system that should recognize that differences are important to development and encompass notions of equality. Such a system should acknowledge the socio-political and economic power of every ethnic group and promote a system devoid of ethnocentric and exclusionary socio-political and economic policies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Implementation of Public Participation Policy approach in Mbombela Local Municipality of Mpumalanga Province of South Africa: an evaluation
- Authors: Ndlovu, Derick
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013597
- Description: Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, South Africa has promulgated a number of progressive legislation and programmes in an effort to improve the well-being of its citizens. There is legislation and prescripts designed to provide policy and legal basis for a concerted and coherent pursuit of public participation in South Africa. There are various pieces of legislation that provide overarching principles and norms to guide the concerted enhancement of public participation in the local sphere of government. In spite of the plethora of policies and programmes, communities in various places continue to engage in service delivery protests. This study critically analyzed the implementation of public participation policy as a legislative core value for local government, with specific reference to Mbombela local municipality. In doing so, it critically explored the extent to which Mbombela local municipality involves the local communities in matters of local government such as in strategic decision making, the development of the IDP, performance management and in service delivery processes. The study employed a qualitative research methodology, relying mainly on secondary written sources of data, which reported on public participation and public administration. These sources include books, journals, internet sources, government legislation and policies. Data was also collected from Mbombela local municipality through interviews with municipal officials, members of ward committees, community development workers and the public. This study has found that Mbombela local municipality (MLM) relies primarily on ward committees, ward- based meetings and the Speakers outreach as mechanisms to facilitate public participation. The municipality seems to regard public participation as a crucial aspect in that a public participation unit was established; however the municipality is using a low level of participation, with limited power by citizens to influence strategic decisions. This means that communities and community organizations are involved on matters of the municipality only through attending community meetings therefore such meetings are not sufficient for effective public participation as communities should also be involved in more strategic and influential means such as participating in steering committees, development and economic forums. This study further found that some of the ward committees are not effectively functional as a result of lack of commitment from ward committee members, unavailability of some ard committee members due to their permanent job commitments and due to the difficulty that is caused by the vastness of some of the wards. This study also revealed hat there is no feedback provided to ward committees by the municipality on the ward committee reports that are submitted to the municipality on monthly bases, as a results some ward committee members are demotivated. This research study concludes that Mbombela local municipality is not effectively implementing local government legislation in respect to public participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Ndlovu, Derick
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013597
- Description: Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, South Africa has promulgated a number of progressive legislation and programmes in an effort to improve the well-being of its citizens. There is legislation and prescripts designed to provide policy and legal basis for a concerted and coherent pursuit of public participation in South Africa. There are various pieces of legislation that provide overarching principles and norms to guide the concerted enhancement of public participation in the local sphere of government. In spite of the plethora of policies and programmes, communities in various places continue to engage in service delivery protests. This study critically analyzed the implementation of public participation policy as a legislative core value for local government, with specific reference to Mbombela local municipality. In doing so, it critically explored the extent to which Mbombela local municipality involves the local communities in matters of local government such as in strategic decision making, the development of the IDP, performance management and in service delivery processes. The study employed a qualitative research methodology, relying mainly on secondary written sources of data, which reported on public participation and public administration. These sources include books, journals, internet sources, government legislation and policies. Data was also collected from Mbombela local municipality through interviews with municipal officials, members of ward committees, community development workers and the public. This study has found that Mbombela local municipality (MLM) relies primarily on ward committees, ward- based meetings and the Speakers outreach as mechanisms to facilitate public participation. The municipality seems to regard public participation as a crucial aspect in that a public participation unit was established; however the municipality is using a low level of participation, with limited power by citizens to influence strategic decisions. This means that communities and community organizations are involved on matters of the municipality only through attending community meetings therefore such meetings are not sufficient for effective public participation as communities should also be involved in more strategic and influential means such as participating in steering committees, development and economic forums. This study further found that some of the ward committees are not effectively functional as a result of lack of commitment from ward committee members, unavailability of some ard committee members due to their permanent job commitments and due to the difficulty that is caused by the vastness of some of the wards. This study also revealed hat there is no feedback provided to ward committees by the municipality on the ward committee reports that are submitted to the municipality on monthly bases, as a results some ward committee members are demotivated. This research study concludes that Mbombela local municipality is not effectively implementing local government legislation in respect to public participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Performance monitoring and evaluation for sustainable low-cost housing delivery: the case of Lukhanji and Malahleni local Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province South Africa
- Authors: Gomomo, Mzwakhe Gugu
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11747 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018529
- Description: One of the serious problems facing South Africa is that of the provision of adequate low-cost housing for the poorest of poor. Only about 56% lived in fully-owned formal dwellings in 2009. (Stats SA: 2009). The problem is not only about the inability of the government to decrease backlogs in the provision of adequate low-cost houses. These contributory factors include the standard of construction, land as well as continuous urbanisation. International commitments such as the UN’s Millennium Goals put further pressure on government to permanently resolve the issue. Adequate housing is recognised globally as a basic human right. This includes access to running water and sanitation and electricity. The aim of the study is not to investigate construction techniques or methods, specific choices of location or any other planning-related issues, but to find an approach that is more appealing to the challenge of the provision of housing as per the afore-mentioned challenges combined with, amongst others, the provision of the necessary resources and relevant political processes as well as monitoring and evaluation. The provision of low-cost housing is unique in nature as it can never be fully resolved. To assist the process because of its nature, future studies suggest systems theory as a best recognised and more successful way to address wicked problems. By investigating low-cost housing programmes in Chile and Australia, identifying the elements of systems theory used, it was possible to find pointers to help formulate a set of steps (or actions) to use to address South Africa’s low-cost housing challenge. This research report proposes that, while the challenge of housing provision in a country like South Africa will most probably always be present, it can be alleviated by applying systems thinking to the problem. The study therefore puts forth Participatory Housing Delivery Monitoring Model (PHDMM). The model will assist in providing the beneficiaries of low-cost houses space to participate in the housing process and projects. It will also necessitate accountability by various participants in housing development. Capacity building will also be part of the package.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Gomomo, Mzwakhe Gugu
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11747 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018529
- Description: One of the serious problems facing South Africa is that of the provision of adequate low-cost housing for the poorest of poor. Only about 56% lived in fully-owned formal dwellings in 2009. (Stats SA: 2009). The problem is not only about the inability of the government to decrease backlogs in the provision of adequate low-cost houses. These contributory factors include the standard of construction, land as well as continuous urbanisation. International commitments such as the UN’s Millennium Goals put further pressure on government to permanently resolve the issue. Adequate housing is recognised globally as a basic human right. This includes access to running water and sanitation and electricity. The aim of the study is not to investigate construction techniques or methods, specific choices of location or any other planning-related issues, but to find an approach that is more appealing to the challenge of the provision of housing as per the afore-mentioned challenges combined with, amongst others, the provision of the necessary resources and relevant political processes as well as monitoring and evaluation. The provision of low-cost housing is unique in nature as it can never be fully resolved. To assist the process because of its nature, future studies suggest systems theory as a best recognised and more successful way to address wicked problems. By investigating low-cost housing programmes in Chile and Australia, identifying the elements of systems theory used, it was possible to find pointers to help formulate a set of steps (or actions) to use to address South Africa’s low-cost housing challenge. This research report proposes that, while the challenge of housing provision in a country like South Africa will most probably always be present, it can be alleviated by applying systems thinking to the problem. The study therefore puts forth Participatory Housing Delivery Monitoring Model (PHDMM). The model will assist in providing the beneficiaries of low-cost houses space to participate in the housing process and projects. It will also necessitate accountability by various participants in housing development. Capacity building will also be part of the package.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An evaluation of women participation in housing delivery in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: the case of the Mdantsane Township in Buffalo City Municipality (1962–2012)
- Ssekibuule, Henry Jacob Festus
- Authors: Ssekibuule, Henry Jacob Festus
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11689 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013593
- Description: This study, Women Participation in Housing Delivery of the Mdantsane Township Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) Area is explained in this thesis as a heterogeneous, long lasting, immobile and an essential consumer good that need to be delivered to the homeless. Such a delivery process needs to ensure that the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality area remains sustainable. Women's participation in housing delivery in South Africa; the extent of empowerment in the post 1994 era, with specific reference to case studies in Mdantsane Township 1962 -1998, begins with the premise that post-apartheid housing policies, compared to those of the apartheid era, have provided women with greater access to housing. In 1994, the housing backlog was estimated to be about 3.5 million units, with the majority of those in need of shelter, being African women. This backlog was due to past policies that largely excluded women from ownership and access to capital or resources to build formal housing. The changes wrought by the democratic dispensation, such as constitutional provision for gender equality, promised women greater participation in the social, political and economic spheres of the country. The recognition of gender equality and housing as rights protected within the constitution was reinforced by pronouncements in various policy documents, such as the Housing White Paper (HWP) that underlined the need for women's involvement in shelter development. When the Government of National Unity took office in 1994, it inherited a country with severe inequalities in resource distribution and land ownership. In particular, it inherited a housing crisis, which was largely, caused by apartheid legislation and policies. This research focused on the women participation in the housing delivery crisis from 1962 to post-1994, by considering the impact and effect of the constitutional right towards women to have access to adequate housing, especially for those living in intolerable conditions. It does so by utilising a social-scientific approach to the law. This approach acknowledges that the housing right must exist alongside other social phenomena and as a part of everyday life in South Africa. Accordingly, the implementation of the housing right by three local municipalities in the EC was examined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ssekibuule, Henry Jacob Festus
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11689 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013593
- Description: This study, Women Participation in Housing Delivery of the Mdantsane Township Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) Area is explained in this thesis as a heterogeneous, long lasting, immobile and an essential consumer good that need to be delivered to the homeless. Such a delivery process needs to ensure that the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality area remains sustainable. Women's participation in housing delivery in South Africa; the extent of empowerment in the post 1994 era, with specific reference to case studies in Mdantsane Township 1962 -1998, begins with the premise that post-apartheid housing policies, compared to those of the apartheid era, have provided women with greater access to housing. In 1994, the housing backlog was estimated to be about 3.5 million units, with the majority of those in need of shelter, being African women. This backlog was due to past policies that largely excluded women from ownership and access to capital or resources to build formal housing. The changes wrought by the democratic dispensation, such as constitutional provision for gender equality, promised women greater participation in the social, political and economic spheres of the country. The recognition of gender equality and housing as rights protected within the constitution was reinforced by pronouncements in various policy documents, such as the Housing White Paper (HWP) that underlined the need for women's involvement in shelter development. When the Government of National Unity took office in 1994, it inherited a country with severe inequalities in resource distribution and land ownership. In particular, it inherited a housing crisis, which was largely, caused by apartheid legislation and policies. This research focused on the women participation in the housing delivery crisis from 1962 to post-1994, by considering the impact and effect of the constitutional right towards women to have access to adequate housing, especially for those living in intolerable conditions. It does so by utilising a social-scientific approach to the law. This approach acknowledges that the housing right must exist alongside other social phenomena and as a part of everyday life in South Africa. Accordingly, the implementation of the housing right by three local municipalities in the EC was examined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An investigation of persistence of rural poverty in South Africa: the case of O.R. Tambo district municipality
- Authors: Kongwa, Kekelwa Samuele
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Science Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11443 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007577
- Description: The purpose of this study was an investigation of the reasons for persistent poverty and low level of economic growth and development in the OR Tambo district municipality of the Eastern Cape Province since the advent of democracy in South Africa. To accomplish this objective, a case study of the OR Tambo district municipality was undertaken within the concept of development, seeking to answer three research questions: What are the factors that explain the persistence of poverty in the OR Tambo district municipality? Why is the OR Tambo district municipality the most exposed to poverty in relative and absolute terms? What have state poverty intervention strategies done to alleviate poverty in the OR Tambo district since the advent of democracy in South Africa? Mainly qualitative data collection methods, involving in-depth semi-structured interviews, textual and document analyses, focus group discussions and observations were employed to answer the research questions. A purposive sampling of nineteen participants, supplemented by three focus groups, was selected. The macro-level case study design was supplemented by micro-level documentary evidence on poverty and development. From the synthesised findings of the investigation, twelve causal factors were identified as responsible for persistent poverty and low level of economic growth and development in the OR Tambo district. These included political neglect, agricultural neglect, poor infrastructure, corruption, poor service delivery, poor quality of natural resources, brain drain, migrant labour system, culture of tolerance and conservatism, culture of dependence, no long-term development strategy and globalisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kongwa, Kekelwa Samuele
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Science Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11443 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007577
- Description: The purpose of this study was an investigation of the reasons for persistent poverty and low level of economic growth and development in the OR Tambo district municipality of the Eastern Cape Province since the advent of democracy in South Africa. To accomplish this objective, a case study of the OR Tambo district municipality was undertaken within the concept of development, seeking to answer three research questions: What are the factors that explain the persistence of poverty in the OR Tambo district municipality? Why is the OR Tambo district municipality the most exposed to poverty in relative and absolute terms? What have state poverty intervention strategies done to alleviate poverty in the OR Tambo district since the advent of democracy in South Africa? Mainly qualitative data collection methods, involving in-depth semi-structured interviews, textual and document analyses, focus group discussions and observations were employed to answer the research questions. A purposive sampling of nineteen participants, supplemented by three focus groups, was selected. The macro-level case study design was supplemented by micro-level documentary evidence on poverty and development. From the synthesised findings of the investigation, twelve causal factors were identified as responsible for persistent poverty and low level of economic growth and development in the OR Tambo district. These included political neglect, agricultural neglect, poor infrastructure, corruption, poor service delivery, poor quality of natural resources, brain drain, migrant labour system, culture of tolerance and conservatism, culture of dependence, no long-term development strategy and globalisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Decentralised cooperative governance in the South African metropolitan municipalities
- Authors: Zimba, Anthony Andile
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa , Intergovernmental cooperation -- South Africa , Public administration -- South Africa , Human services -- South Africa , Municipal government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Science Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11427 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/536 , Community development -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa , Intergovernmental cooperation -- South Africa , Public administration -- South Africa , Human services -- South Africa , Municipal government -- South Africa
- Description: The study emanates from the constitutional imperatives with regard to the role of local government in community development. The notion of cooperative governance is envisaged in the South African Constitution which stipulates that all spheres of government must adhere to the principles of cooperative government and must conduct their activities within the parameters prescribed by the Constitution. The purpose is to support and strengthen the capacity of the local governments to manage their own affairs and to perform their functions. The basic values and principles governing public administration entail that: it must be broadly representative of the people of South Africa in order to redress the imbalances. The existing gaps in the legislation on decision making power at the local level of the municipality, be it in a ward committee or sub council, have not been adequately addressed in the post 1994 democratic dispensation. It is in this context that this study seeks to address these gaps and obstacles, and contribute to the design and development of a decentralized cooperative governance model, specifically to the six metropolitan municipalities and also provide a basis for further research. The findings of the research could be adapted as a national policy in the empowering of municipalities through the dispersal of democratic power which is an essential ingredient of inclusive governance. Based on a case study of six metropolitan municipalities, the research is intended to contribute to the development of empirically grounded; praxis and practical guideline in decentralized cooperative governance which can be adopted and institutionalized in public administration. It is believed that a study of decentralized cooperative governance adds value in that it seeks to link decentralized power and local development. Rather than civil society organisations being seen as adversarial, a creative partnership with the state in local development is crucial. This political assimilation is critical in the construction of democracy through fusing the substantive values of a political culture with the procedural requisites of democratic accountability. This serves to fragment and disperse political power and maintain a system of checks and balances with regard to the exercise of governmental power. The capacity for innovation, flexibility and change can be enhanced at the local level, and it is a cliché that local decision making is viewed as more democratic in contrast to central, top-down decision-making processes. A syncretistic model for local government based on the political adaptation of political and inclusive decentralisation is outlined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Zimba, Anthony Andile
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa , Intergovernmental cooperation -- South Africa , Public administration -- South Africa , Human services -- South Africa , Municipal government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Science Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11427 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/536 , Community development -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa , Intergovernmental cooperation -- South Africa , Public administration -- South Africa , Human services -- South Africa , Municipal government -- South Africa
- Description: The study emanates from the constitutional imperatives with regard to the role of local government in community development. The notion of cooperative governance is envisaged in the South African Constitution which stipulates that all spheres of government must adhere to the principles of cooperative government and must conduct their activities within the parameters prescribed by the Constitution. The purpose is to support and strengthen the capacity of the local governments to manage their own affairs and to perform their functions. The basic values and principles governing public administration entail that: it must be broadly representative of the people of South Africa in order to redress the imbalances. The existing gaps in the legislation on decision making power at the local level of the municipality, be it in a ward committee or sub council, have not been adequately addressed in the post 1994 democratic dispensation. It is in this context that this study seeks to address these gaps and obstacles, and contribute to the design and development of a decentralized cooperative governance model, specifically to the six metropolitan municipalities and also provide a basis for further research. The findings of the research could be adapted as a national policy in the empowering of municipalities through the dispersal of democratic power which is an essential ingredient of inclusive governance. Based on a case study of six metropolitan municipalities, the research is intended to contribute to the development of empirically grounded; praxis and practical guideline in decentralized cooperative governance which can be adopted and institutionalized in public administration. It is believed that a study of decentralized cooperative governance adds value in that it seeks to link decentralized power and local development. Rather than civil society organisations being seen as adversarial, a creative partnership with the state in local development is crucial. This political assimilation is critical in the construction of democracy through fusing the substantive values of a political culture with the procedural requisites of democratic accountability. This serves to fragment and disperse political power and maintain a system of checks and balances with regard to the exercise of governmental power. The capacity for innovation, flexibility and change can be enhanced at the local level, and it is a cliché that local decision making is viewed as more democratic in contrast to central, top-down decision-making processes. A syncretistic model for local government based on the political adaptation of political and inclusive decentralisation is outlined.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Evaluation of international aid in Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Lwanga-Iga, Ivan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: United Nations -- Economic assistance , Economic assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , International cooperation -- Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Science Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007219 , United Nations -- Economic assistance , Economic assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , International cooperation -- Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: International Aid or Official Development Assistance (ODA), especially its implementation and effectiveness, has long been and continues to be a vigorously contested matter amongst the stakeholders in the development arena. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of ODA in two municipalities in the Eastern Cape – Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipalities – during the period 2005–2010. This period coincided with the introduction of the Paris Declaration (PD), an intervention intended to improve the ODA or Aid landscape globally. This was also the period during which the so-called service delivery protests in almost all municipalities in South Africa escalated. A diversified methodology including both quantitative and qualitative approaches was used in this study while adhering to the evaluation framework of the Paris Declaration as recommended by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This framework put special focus on the five principles of ownership, alignment, harmonisation, managing for results and mutual accountability. Of particular significance in this study is the special attention paid to the actual beneficiaries on the ground, namely the communities, which is contrary to most existing Paris Declaration evaluations. The research findings suggested that there had been no conscious efforts to implement the Paris Declaration in the two municipalities that were investigated. Furthermore, the prevailing weaknesses in governance, coupled with both administrative and operational paralysis in these two institutions, provided for less than fertile ground for this intervention to thrive.The findings also highlighted that ODA programmes were very poorly known by most stakeholders, especially the communities who were supposed to benefit directly from this assistance. These results also underscored the partisan nature of ODA and how it influenced the perceptions of the various key players. The success and future of ODA programmes in South Africa, particularly in municipalities, will largely rely on “Active Citizenry”. Although ODA’s contribution to South Africa seems negligible in monetary terms, its significance lies among others in the innovations, piloting, risk mitigation, catalytic initiatives and capacity development it introduces or generates and which need to be correctly exploited, implemented and maximised. ODA in South Africa should therefore focus at the local level, the municipalities, which represent the interface between the citizens and the state. To ensure that the ensuing innovations are optimally cascaded down in an organised and effective manner to where they are mostly needed, ODA should preferably operate at the strategic level in municipalities. This would in turn assist in counteracting the current high levels of poverty and inequality in the country. Study findings further suggest that South Africa should cease its current ambivalence regarding ODA and refrain from the so-called “Triangular” ODA in support of the rest of Africa. The demands in it’s own back yard are steadily mounting. This is clearly reflected by the continuous service delivery protests and instability in several municipalities in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Lwanga-Iga, Ivan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: United Nations -- Economic assistance , Economic assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , International cooperation -- Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Science Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007219 , United Nations -- Economic assistance , Economic assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , International cooperation -- Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: International Aid or Official Development Assistance (ODA), especially its implementation and effectiveness, has long been and continues to be a vigorously contested matter amongst the stakeholders in the development arena. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of ODA in two municipalities in the Eastern Cape – Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipalities – during the period 2005–2010. This period coincided with the introduction of the Paris Declaration (PD), an intervention intended to improve the ODA or Aid landscape globally. This was also the period during which the so-called service delivery protests in almost all municipalities in South Africa escalated. A diversified methodology including both quantitative and qualitative approaches was used in this study while adhering to the evaluation framework of the Paris Declaration as recommended by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This framework put special focus on the five principles of ownership, alignment, harmonisation, managing for results and mutual accountability. Of particular significance in this study is the special attention paid to the actual beneficiaries on the ground, namely the communities, which is contrary to most existing Paris Declaration evaluations. The research findings suggested that there had been no conscious efforts to implement the Paris Declaration in the two municipalities that were investigated. Furthermore, the prevailing weaknesses in governance, coupled with both administrative and operational paralysis in these two institutions, provided for less than fertile ground for this intervention to thrive.The findings also highlighted that ODA programmes were very poorly known by most stakeholders, especially the communities who were supposed to benefit directly from this assistance. These results also underscored the partisan nature of ODA and how it influenced the perceptions of the various key players. The success and future of ODA programmes in South Africa, particularly in municipalities, will largely rely on “Active Citizenry”. Although ODA’s contribution to South Africa seems negligible in monetary terms, its significance lies among others in the innovations, piloting, risk mitigation, catalytic initiatives and capacity development it introduces or generates and which need to be correctly exploited, implemented and maximised. ODA in South Africa should therefore focus at the local level, the municipalities, which represent the interface between the citizens and the state. To ensure that the ensuing innovations are optimally cascaded down in an organised and effective manner to where they are mostly needed, ODA should preferably operate at the strategic level in municipalities. This would in turn assist in counteracting the current high levels of poverty and inequality in the country. Study findings further suggest that South Africa should cease its current ambivalence regarding ODA and refrain from the so-called “Triangular” ODA in support of the rest of Africa. The demands in it’s own back yard are steadily mounting. This is clearly reflected by the continuous service delivery protests and instability in several municipalities in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Strategy implementation: a critical assessment of the application of integrated risk management in the implementation of Eastern Cape Province provincial growth and development strategy (ECPGDS)
- Tshayingca-Mashiya, Nontsikelelo Valencia
- Authors: Tshayingca-Mashiya, Nontsikelelo Valencia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Risk assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Growth , Risk assessment -- Development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Strategic planning , Risk management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11678 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007305 , Risk assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Growth , Risk assessment -- Development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Strategic planning , Risk management
- Description: Strategic Management cycle consist of strategic planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review of strategy. Strategy implementation has thus become the most significant management challenge. Yang et al. (2010) claim that although formulating a consistent strategy is a difficult task for any management team, making that strategy work and implementing it throughout the organisation is even more difficult. Yang further argues that Strategy implementation has been recorded as a key challenge for today’s organisations. According to Gurowitz (2008, there is evidence which shows that less than 10 percent of strategies formulated are effectively executed. Hrebiniak (2005) advances that; failure in organisations to effectively execute strategies is often as a result of limitation in linking organisational goals with objectives (operations). There are many other factors that influence the success of strategy implementation, ranging from the people who communicate or implement the strategy, to the systems or mechanisms in place for co-ordination. Brynard (2005) asserts that strategy implementation is equally challenging for management in Government departments, given that efforts of Government are aimed at improving service delivery. Poor strategy implementation is linked to poor service delivery. It is also worth noting that whilst implementation is acknowledged as a challenge, joint planning and joint implementation policies and strategies experience even a greater challenge in their implementation According to Young (2006), Debra and Yeates (2008), strategy implementation is in itself a risk because of its impact on the processes, people, and the systems. Strategy implementation is thus considered one of the main risk factors in organisations. In concurring with this view, Lorenzi et al. (2008) proposes that, strategy implementation implies change, and therefore poses risk to the processes, the people and the systems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Tshayingca-Mashiya, Nontsikelelo Valencia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Risk assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Growth , Risk assessment -- Development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Strategic planning , Risk management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11678 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007305 , Risk assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Growth , Risk assessment -- Development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Strategic planning , Risk management
- Description: Strategic Management cycle consist of strategic planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review of strategy. Strategy implementation has thus become the most significant management challenge. Yang et al. (2010) claim that although formulating a consistent strategy is a difficult task for any management team, making that strategy work and implementing it throughout the organisation is even more difficult. Yang further argues that Strategy implementation has been recorded as a key challenge for today’s organisations. According to Gurowitz (2008, there is evidence which shows that less than 10 percent of strategies formulated are effectively executed. Hrebiniak (2005) advances that; failure in organisations to effectively execute strategies is often as a result of limitation in linking organisational goals with objectives (operations). There are many other factors that influence the success of strategy implementation, ranging from the people who communicate or implement the strategy, to the systems or mechanisms in place for co-ordination. Brynard (2005) asserts that strategy implementation is equally challenging for management in Government departments, given that efforts of Government are aimed at improving service delivery. Poor strategy implementation is linked to poor service delivery. It is also worth noting that whilst implementation is acknowledged as a challenge, joint planning and joint implementation policies and strategies experience even a greater challenge in their implementation According to Young (2006), Debra and Yeates (2008), strategy implementation is in itself a risk because of its impact on the processes, people, and the systems. Strategy implementation is thus considered one of the main risk factors in organisations. In concurring with this view, Lorenzi et al. (2008) proposes that, strategy implementation implies change, and therefore poses risk to the processes, the people and the systems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012