An investigation into social exclusion in the implementation of social grants: the case study of the child support grant in the Nkonkobe local municipality (Eastern Cape)
- Authors: Boniswa, Mashibini
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: National Congress -- Child Support Grant -- Eastern Cape Province , Means-testing -- Nkonkobe municipality -- Poverty , Social exclusion -- Social Security -- South African Social Security Agency
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11737 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018220 , National Congress -- Child Support Grant -- Eastern Cape Province , Means-testing -- Nkonkobe municipality -- Poverty , Social exclusion -- Social Security -- South African Social Security Agency
- Description: South Africa is faced by a huge problem of inequality, twenty years after the dawn of independence. Such inequalities have been addressed by policy intervention such as the social security and assistance of citizens through various classes of grants. One of the grants targeting children under the age of 18 years is the child support grant. However there are deserving children who have been left-out of mainstream social security through social exclusion. The study sought to investigate the problem of the social exclusion of children from the child support grant in the Nkonkobe municipality. Through the use of the Basic Needs Approach (BNA) to understand the need for any state/government to promote the social welfare of its citizens, the study took a triangulated research paradigm which used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches to collect data from forty respondents by way of a questionnaire survey. The study found out that, inter alia, poverty remains high in the Nkonkobe municipal area, there is rampant social exclusion in the area, the amount paid for the child support grant is little and that the effects of the withdrawal of the grant when the child reaches the age of 18 are unbearable to the child. Some of the recommendations which the study made in line with improved mainstream social security in relation to the child support grant are that, the government needs to improve information dissemination about grants to the populace, there should be mandatory policies to make sure all citizens have identification particulars, the government should be mobile and take services to the people and there should a consideration to review the amount paid for the child support grant upwards. The researcher is quite optimistic that the study will play a part in improving policy implementation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Boniswa, Mashibini
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: National Congress -- Child Support Grant -- Eastern Cape Province , Means-testing -- Nkonkobe municipality -- Poverty , Social exclusion -- Social Security -- South African Social Security Agency
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11737 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018220 , National Congress -- Child Support Grant -- Eastern Cape Province , Means-testing -- Nkonkobe municipality -- Poverty , Social exclusion -- Social Security -- South African Social Security Agency
- Description: South Africa is faced by a huge problem of inequality, twenty years after the dawn of independence. Such inequalities have been addressed by policy intervention such as the social security and assistance of citizens through various classes of grants. One of the grants targeting children under the age of 18 years is the child support grant. However there are deserving children who have been left-out of mainstream social security through social exclusion. The study sought to investigate the problem of the social exclusion of children from the child support grant in the Nkonkobe municipality. Through the use of the Basic Needs Approach (BNA) to understand the need for any state/government to promote the social welfare of its citizens, the study took a triangulated research paradigm which used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches to collect data from forty respondents by way of a questionnaire survey. The study found out that, inter alia, poverty remains high in the Nkonkobe municipal area, there is rampant social exclusion in the area, the amount paid for the child support grant is little and that the effects of the withdrawal of the grant when the child reaches the age of 18 are unbearable to the child. Some of the recommendations which the study made in line with improved mainstream social security in relation to the child support grant are that, the government needs to improve information dissemination about grants to the populace, there should be mandatory policies to make sure all citizens have identification particulars, the government should be mobile and take services to the people and there should a consideration to review the amount paid for the child support grant upwards. The researcher is quite optimistic that the study will play a part in improving policy implementation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Evaluating the efficacy of anti-corruption measures in the procurement system: a case study of Marondera municipality in Mashonaland, east of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Sabilika, Maxwell Seagent
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Civil service -- Zimbabwe , Government purchasing -- Zimbabwe , Municipal officials and employees -- Zimbabwe , Municipal government -- Zimbabwe , Political corruption -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11679 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007620 , Civil service -- Zimbabwe , Government purchasing -- Zimbabwe , Municipal officials and employees -- Zimbabwe , Municipal government -- Zimbabwe , Political corruption -- Zimbabwe
- Description: Anti-corruption measures are put forward as a panacea to effective procurement system, among other things, which ultimately improve service delivery. Corruption has demonstrated remarkable durability and flexibility to survive in all socio-economic systems with the conception of a corruption-free economy in reality, is hardly possible. Given this background, this study sought to evaluate the efficacy of the already implemented anti-corruption measures in the procurememt procecesses of Marondera municipality. To understand their effectiveness, relevant literature was reviewed. Different scholars point against the ineffectiveness of these measures, with Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from previous research showing devastating results in Zimbabwean local institutions. A further discussion of corruption cenception, different anti-corruption measures and legal frameworks gave a greater understanding of the area under study. In this study, a sample of 80 respondents was identified and data collected from them using both snow ball and purposive sampling methods. Thirty-five of them were females respondents and forty-five were male respondents from Marondera municipal community, with different demographic characteristics which was used for comparison of responses. Questionnaires and interviews were used as research instruments. Both the Quantitative and Qualitative research methods were used in the anaylsis of the data, to increase validity and reliability of the feelings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Sabilika, Maxwell Seagent
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Civil service -- Zimbabwe , Government purchasing -- Zimbabwe , Municipal officials and employees -- Zimbabwe , Municipal government -- Zimbabwe , Political corruption -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11679 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007620 , Civil service -- Zimbabwe , Government purchasing -- Zimbabwe , Municipal officials and employees -- Zimbabwe , Municipal government -- Zimbabwe , Political corruption -- Zimbabwe
- Description: Anti-corruption measures are put forward as a panacea to effective procurement system, among other things, which ultimately improve service delivery. Corruption has demonstrated remarkable durability and flexibility to survive in all socio-economic systems with the conception of a corruption-free economy in reality, is hardly possible. Given this background, this study sought to evaluate the efficacy of the already implemented anti-corruption measures in the procurememt procecesses of Marondera municipality. To understand their effectiveness, relevant literature was reviewed. Different scholars point against the ineffectiveness of these measures, with Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from previous research showing devastating results in Zimbabwean local institutions. A further discussion of corruption cenception, different anti-corruption measures and legal frameworks gave a greater understanding of the area under study. In this study, a sample of 80 respondents was identified and data collected from them using both snow ball and purposive sampling methods. Thirty-five of them were females respondents and forty-five were male respondents from Marondera municipal community, with different demographic characteristics which was used for comparison of responses. Questionnaires and interviews were used as research instruments. Both the Quantitative and Qualitative research methods were used in the anaylsis of the data, to increase validity and reliability of the feelings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An evaluation of the provision of houses in the Eastern Cape at Intsika Yethu local municipality: the case of Joe Slovo informal settlement at Chris Hani District Municipality (for the period 2009-2011)
- Authors: Mbotoloshi, Zukile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11637 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001245 , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The research seeks to evaluate the housing service rendering in the Intsika Yethu Local Municipality with special reference to the Joe Slovo informal settlement at Chris Hani District Municipality. The introduction provides the general overview of the study and provides a background to the intention of the research to evaluate the housing services provision in the municipality. The problem statements briefly describe the problem identified in the study and the objectives of the study are set. The theoretical framework is provided and the theories used to evaluate the housing service are discussed which are institutional theory and the system theory. The importance of conducting the research is discussed and the limitations of the study are discussed in the research. Importantly, the study plan directs the researcher in the direction towards the goals of the research. Also the terms used in this study that are not clear were defined to avoid misinterpretation; misunderstanding and confusion of words and terms. The review of the current literature on the theoretical framework and the nature and place of public administration was discussed. The policy process and the nature and place of policy making as well as steps in policymaking were discussed. The nature and place of policy implementation which includes all the functions was discussed in the study. The policy analysis and evaluation as the final step in the policy process including the stages in policy analysis and evaluation i.e. input phase; processing and conversion phase; output phase, impact/effect phase were discussed The legislative framework for rendering of housing services in South Africa was discussed as it influence and affects the housing service rendering in Intsika Yethu Local Municipality. The role of municipal authorities in the rendering of housing services was discussed. The permission to conduct research was received from Intsika Yethu local municipality on the 13 October 2009 from the Municipal Manager. The research design was explained together with research approaches and strategy as qualitative and quantitative. The research methodology with a clear population and sampling for the study as well as the data collection instruments and procedures as questionnaires; literature study and interviews were explained. The ethical considerations are discussed. The data analysis and interpretation was conducted to enable the researcher to identify patterns which are consistent within the data. The theory and techniques for data analysis was discussed to link the theory and data analysis. The demographics of chief officials and political office bearers as respondents include their age; year of service, home language, gender, the academic qualification as well as the different stakeholders were analysed. The housing as essential services in the initiation of policy which the input phase of the Systems theory analysis was conducted and the data on the nature of housing services as output phase were analysed and discussed. The data on the structural problems were analysed and discussed. Also the analysis was conducted on the legislative framework for housing x services. The problems with the rendering of housing services especially administrative enabling problems as a processing phase in the policy process were analysed and discussed. And lastly, the possible solutions to the solving of housing problems were discussed and analysed. The findings of the study were provided and discussed and the concluding remarks were provided to whether the problem is real and whether the hypothesis is true and valid. The recommendations of the study were provided to enable Intsika Yethu Local Municipality to improve the housing service provisioning and ultimately to provide better service delivery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mbotoloshi, Zukile
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11637 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001245 , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The research seeks to evaluate the housing service rendering in the Intsika Yethu Local Municipality with special reference to the Joe Slovo informal settlement at Chris Hani District Municipality. The introduction provides the general overview of the study and provides a background to the intention of the research to evaluate the housing services provision in the municipality. The problem statements briefly describe the problem identified in the study and the objectives of the study are set. The theoretical framework is provided and the theories used to evaluate the housing service are discussed which are institutional theory and the system theory. The importance of conducting the research is discussed and the limitations of the study are discussed in the research. Importantly, the study plan directs the researcher in the direction towards the goals of the research. Also the terms used in this study that are not clear were defined to avoid misinterpretation; misunderstanding and confusion of words and terms. The review of the current literature on the theoretical framework and the nature and place of public administration was discussed. The policy process and the nature and place of policy making as well as steps in policymaking were discussed. The nature and place of policy implementation which includes all the functions was discussed in the study. The policy analysis and evaluation as the final step in the policy process including the stages in policy analysis and evaluation i.e. input phase; processing and conversion phase; output phase, impact/effect phase were discussed The legislative framework for rendering of housing services in South Africa was discussed as it influence and affects the housing service rendering in Intsika Yethu Local Municipality. The role of municipal authorities in the rendering of housing services was discussed. The permission to conduct research was received from Intsika Yethu local municipality on the 13 October 2009 from the Municipal Manager. The research design was explained together with research approaches and strategy as qualitative and quantitative. The research methodology with a clear population and sampling for the study as well as the data collection instruments and procedures as questionnaires; literature study and interviews were explained. The ethical considerations are discussed. The data analysis and interpretation was conducted to enable the researcher to identify patterns which are consistent within the data. The theory and techniques for data analysis was discussed to link the theory and data analysis. The demographics of chief officials and political office bearers as respondents include their age; year of service, home language, gender, the academic qualification as well as the different stakeholders were analysed. The housing as essential services in the initiation of policy which the input phase of the Systems theory analysis was conducted and the data on the nature of housing services as output phase were analysed and discussed. The data on the structural problems were analysed and discussed. Also the analysis was conducted on the legislative framework for housing x services. The problems with the rendering of housing services especially administrative enabling problems as a processing phase in the policy process were analysed and discussed. And lastly, the possible solutions to the solving of housing problems were discussed and analysed. The findings of the study were provided and discussed and the concluding remarks were provided to whether the problem is real and whether the hypothesis is true and valid. The recommendations of the study were provided to enable Intsika Yethu Local Municipality to improve the housing service provisioning and ultimately to provide better service delivery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An evaluation of employee assistance programmes and the impact of workplace wellness on employee productivity: a case study of the Eastern Cape Provincial (2007-2012)
- Authors: Mazantsana, Nomzamo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee assistance programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee empowerment , Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007041 , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee assistance programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee empowerment , Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: An employee wellness programme is a programme that promotes and supports the well-being of its employees and is aimed at increasing productivity. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are used as a means of ensuring employee wellness. Employee Assistance Programme can be defined as a programme aimed at improving the quality of life of employees and their families by providing support and helping to alleviate the impact of everyday work and personal problems. EAPs are intended to help employees deal with their personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health and well-being. The main goal of the EAP is to enhance productivity as well as social functioning of individuals.The main objective of the study as to evaluate the Employee Assistance Programmes and the impact of Workplace Wellness on employee performance in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. This was triggered by the fact that Wellness and EAPs are not visible in the ECPL and the Legislature continues to lose employees due to ill-health and resignations. The institution is characterised by a culture of “us” and “them”, us, referring to Labour and them to Management, and therefore resulting in low staff morale. This raised some concern from the researcher as there is an EAP paid for by the Legislature, but awareness, utilisation and effectiveness of the programme remain a challenge. Due to the nature of the institution’s core business, it is perhaps even more vital for the Legislature to create an organisational culture of caring and employees to be nurtured. It is believed that it is more cost effective and beneficial to both the employer and the employee to retain trained employees, than it is to lose troubled employees and hire new ones, in particular because there is no guarantee that the new ones will not, in time also show signs of problems. The researcher used applied research in this study to explore the need for the EAP as well as how best the programme can be implemented. A combination of an explanatory-descriptive design was used for this study because little is known about the phenomenon or programme. For this research, the researcher used a combination of interval/systematic and random sampling to complement each other in reducing any bias that has the potential of occurring when applying interval/systematic sampling. To get representation and precision, the researcher divided 285 employees according to their ranks. The results from this attempt were: Secretariat=25, Management=42, Administrative staff=196, General Workers=33 NEHAWU Shopstewards=10. The researcher then divided employees in each respective category by one tenth or 10% of each category to get the number of respondents from each category to be included in the sample and added up all categories to get the sample size. The sample of this study was thus, Secretariat=1, Management=4, Administrative staff=20, General workers=3 and NEHAWU Shopstewards=1 and made up a sample size of 29. Only one questionnaire was compiled for all the respondents because EAP recognise that employees start from the CEO of a company to the lowest paid employee in that company and, as such considers all employees to be equal. Research results indicated that there are some limitations in the utilisation of EAP and that employees are faced with both personal and work-related problems. Thus it became clear that the whole concept of Employee Wellness and Employee Assistance Programmes needed to be overhauled and restructured to ensure maximum benefit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mazantsana, Nomzamo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee assistance programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee empowerment , Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007041 , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee assistance programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee empowerment , Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: An employee wellness programme is a programme that promotes and supports the well-being of its employees and is aimed at increasing productivity. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are used as a means of ensuring employee wellness. Employee Assistance Programme can be defined as a programme aimed at improving the quality of life of employees and their families by providing support and helping to alleviate the impact of everyday work and personal problems. EAPs are intended to help employees deal with their personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health and well-being. The main goal of the EAP is to enhance productivity as well as social functioning of individuals.The main objective of the study as to evaluate the Employee Assistance Programmes and the impact of Workplace Wellness on employee performance in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. This was triggered by the fact that Wellness and EAPs are not visible in the ECPL and the Legislature continues to lose employees due to ill-health and resignations. The institution is characterised by a culture of “us” and “them”, us, referring to Labour and them to Management, and therefore resulting in low staff morale. This raised some concern from the researcher as there is an EAP paid for by the Legislature, but awareness, utilisation and effectiveness of the programme remain a challenge. Due to the nature of the institution’s core business, it is perhaps even more vital for the Legislature to create an organisational culture of caring and employees to be nurtured. It is believed that it is more cost effective and beneficial to both the employer and the employee to retain trained employees, than it is to lose troubled employees and hire new ones, in particular because there is no guarantee that the new ones will not, in time also show signs of problems. The researcher used applied research in this study to explore the need for the EAP as well as how best the programme can be implemented. A combination of an explanatory-descriptive design was used for this study because little is known about the phenomenon or programme. For this research, the researcher used a combination of interval/systematic and random sampling to complement each other in reducing any bias that has the potential of occurring when applying interval/systematic sampling. To get representation and precision, the researcher divided 285 employees according to their ranks. The results from this attempt were: Secretariat=25, Management=42, Administrative staff=196, General Workers=33 NEHAWU Shopstewards=10. The researcher then divided employees in each respective category by one tenth or 10% of each category to get the number of respondents from each category to be included in the sample and added up all categories to get the sample size. The sample of this study was thus, Secretariat=1, Management=4, Administrative staff=20, General workers=3 and NEHAWU Shopstewards=1 and made up a sample size of 29. Only one questionnaire was compiled for all the respondents because EAP recognise that employees start from the CEO of a company to the lowest paid employee in that company and, as such considers all employees to be equal. Research results indicated that there are some limitations in the utilisation of EAP and that employees are faced with both personal and work-related problems. Thus it became clear that the whole concept of Employee Wellness and Employee Assistance Programmes needed to be overhauled and restructured to ensure maximum benefit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
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