An assessment of the local government turnaround strategy: the Umzimvubu local municipality
- Authors: Nyamela, Kalipa Vincent
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Corporate turnarounds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8236 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010865 , Corporate turnarounds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South African Municipalities have often been labeled as failures in the provision of services to local communities. These allegations include poor governance, maladministration, corruption and poor delivery of services. Certain municipalities are unable to deliver sufficient services to the communities of their geographic areas due to maladministration, political interference and corruption. This study undertook an assessment of the implementation of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy with emphasis on the Umzimvubu Local Municipality. The study comprises of five chapters and was motivated by the National Cabinet‟s decision to turn around the image of South African municipalities. The study includes an overview on the development and transformation of local government in South Africa as a point of departure. This is followed by an assessment of the implementation of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy, with specific reference to the Umzimvubu Local Municipality. The quantitative research methodology was employed for purposes of the study and the interpretation of the research findings are analyzed and described. A number of conclusions that were arrived at during the study, followed by specific recommendations are proposed in the final chapter. These are based on the findings primarily from the literature review and empirical survey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nyamela, Kalipa Vincent
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Corporate turnarounds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8236 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010865 , Corporate turnarounds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South African Municipalities have often been labeled as failures in the provision of services to local communities. These allegations include poor governance, maladministration, corruption and poor delivery of services. Certain municipalities are unable to deliver sufficient services to the communities of their geographic areas due to maladministration, political interference and corruption. This study undertook an assessment of the implementation of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy with emphasis on the Umzimvubu Local Municipality. The study comprises of five chapters and was motivated by the National Cabinet‟s decision to turn around the image of South African municipalities. The study includes an overview on the development and transformation of local government in South Africa as a point of departure. This is followed by an assessment of the implementation of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy, with specific reference to the Umzimvubu Local Municipality. The quantitative research methodology was employed for purposes of the study and the interpretation of the research findings are analyzed and described. A number of conclusions that were arrived at during the study, followed by specific recommendations are proposed in the final chapter. These are based on the findings primarily from the literature review and empirical survey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The adequacy of national student financial aid scheme towards qualification completion at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Authors: Nzuzo, Nomakhaya Olivia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Student financial aid administration -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Dropouts -- Prevention , Student aid -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8291 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018686
- Description: NSFAS is a government-funded scheme that was established in 1996 with the objective of assisting financially needy students who are able to perform well academically, but are financially disadvantaged, and cannot afford higher education. The scheme was introduced as a mechanism to develop the country’s human capital and to also eradicate inequalities leading to poverty, crime, skill shortages and high levels of unemployment. This research was encouraged by the realization of the high drop-out rates amongst students funded by NSFAS. The research, therefore, wanted to investigate the adequacy of NSFAS in qualification completion, specifically at NMMU. In order to elicit responses from participants, a mixed method, with both quantitative and qualitative approaches was preferred. Questionnaires containing closed and open-ended questions were used as instruments for collecting data from participants. The study used a selected group of participants, with certain characteristics; and hence, the study was a purposive study. Five main areas were formulated as a framework to present the findings. The five areas involved the economic background of parents of NSFAS recipients, challenges faced by NSFAS recipients, as well as to determine whether NSFAS recipients were motivated to work hard as a result of attaining financial assistance. The last two areas involved reasons for NSFAS recipients to drop out and lastly the available support for NSFAS recipients. In relation to the economic background of parents of NSFAS recipients, findings revealed that almost 50 percent of their guardians were employed, with 26 percent of them being in skilled positions. The challenges faced by NSFAS recipients, were revealed, as being both academic and financial. About 52 percent of participants did not obtain full funding; and therefore, were expected to contribute towards their uncovered expenses. These participants were eventually faced with financial challenges that led them to drop out. To determine whether participants were motivated to work hard, as a result of acquiring financial assistance from NSFAS, about 52 percent of participants agreed to have received financial relief from NSFAS, but were not motivated to work hard. Findings revealed different reasons that led students funded by NSFAS to drop out before qualifying. The reasons included less Lecturer support (17.6 percent), unbearable workload (51.8 percent), bad qualification choice and financial challenges (21.4 percent). The last main area focused on available support from NSFAS as an Organisation to its recipients. Findings revealed no structured support system in place from NSFAS that was directed specifically to see its recipients succeed. Findings of the study can be used to identify students funded by NSFAS who might drop out before finishing their intended qualification. The findings could also guide NSFAS on what the student requirements are – in order to qualify. Recommendations on drop-out reductions and retention successes from local and international countries are provided. Further recommendations directed to NSFAS as a provider and it’s recipients are also provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nzuzo, Nomakhaya Olivia
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Student financial aid administration -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Dropouts -- Prevention , Student aid -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8291 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018686
- Description: NSFAS is a government-funded scheme that was established in 1996 with the objective of assisting financially needy students who are able to perform well academically, but are financially disadvantaged, and cannot afford higher education. The scheme was introduced as a mechanism to develop the country’s human capital and to also eradicate inequalities leading to poverty, crime, skill shortages and high levels of unemployment. This research was encouraged by the realization of the high drop-out rates amongst students funded by NSFAS. The research, therefore, wanted to investigate the adequacy of NSFAS in qualification completion, specifically at NMMU. In order to elicit responses from participants, a mixed method, with both quantitative and qualitative approaches was preferred. Questionnaires containing closed and open-ended questions were used as instruments for collecting data from participants. The study used a selected group of participants, with certain characteristics; and hence, the study was a purposive study. Five main areas were formulated as a framework to present the findings. The five areas involved the economic background of parents of NSFAS recipients, challenges faced by NSFAS recipients, as well as to determine whether NSFAS recipients were motivated to work hard as a result of attaining financial assistance. The last two areas involved reasons for NSFAS recipients to drop out and lastly the available support for NSFAS recipients. In relation to the economic background of parents of NSFAS recipients, findings revealed that almost 50 percent of their guardians were employed, with 26 percent of them being in skilled positions. The challenges faced by NSFAS recipients, were revealed, as being both academic and financial. About 52 percent of participants did not obtain full funding; and therefore, were expected to contribute towards their uncovered expenses. These participants were eventually faced with financial challenges that led them to drop out. To determine whether participants were motivated to work hard, as a result of acquiring financial assistance from NSFAS, about 52 percent of participants agreed to have received financial relief from NSFAS, but were not motivated to work hard. Findings revealed different reasons that led students funded by NSFAS to drop out before qualifying. The reasons included less Lecturer support (17.6 percent), unbearable workload (51.8 percent), bad qualification choice and financial challenges (21.4 percent). The last main area focused on available support from NSFAS as an Organisation to its recipients. Findings revealed no structured support system in place from NSFAS that was directed specifically to see its recipients succeed. Findings of the study can be used to identify students funded by NSFAS who might drop out before finishing their intended qualification. The findings could also guide NSFAS on what the student requirements are – in order to qualify. Recommendations on drop-out reductions and retention successes from local and international countries are provided. Further recommendations directed to NSFAS as a provider and it’s recipients are also provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
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
Assessing the effectivity of poverty eradication strategies on communities in the Eastern Cape province: the case of Ngqushwa local Municipality in Amathole District (2008- 2011)
- Authors: Seyisi, Sakhumzi Patrick
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11658 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007042
- Description: This study explored information about the strategies on communities to eradicate poverty through interactive process with relevant sources. An expedient sample of participants was drawn from strategic position that deal with poverty eradication in the area of Amathole District in Ngqushwa Local Municipality, Eastern Cape. The collection of data was done though focus groups, questionnaires, scheduled interviews, and observation. The results acquired from the analysed thesis of the study signify that the poverty alleviation projects are confronted with diverse challenges that impede their potential growth and long term viability. Key to these constraints are issues pertaining to lack of capacity from project members, lack of resources, lack of financial and project management skills.The study was useful in assessing the strategies so as to draw logical strength and wisdom to provide lasting solution to the problem facing poverty alleviation projects. At a broader scale, the future of these projects I guaranteed integrated approach , resource provision, capacity enhancement and shared understanding in conceptualization of poverty alleviation projects. The identified challenges can be resolved provided that, the Ngqushwa Municipalities and the Department of Social Development, as a champion of poverty alleviation of integrated developmental approach. This noble objective can be achieved if other government department, institutions and spheres are also committed to cause.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Seyisi, Sakhumzi Patrick
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11658 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007042
- Description: This study explored information about the strategies on communities to eradicate poverty through interactive process with relevant sources. An expedient sample of participants was drawn from strategic position that deal with poverty eradication in the area of Amathole District in Ngqushwa Local Municipality, Eastern Cape. The collection of data was done though focus groups, questionnaires, scheduled interviews, and observation. The results acquired from the analysed thesis of the study signify that the poverty alleviation projects are confronted with diverse challenges that impede their potential growth and long term viability. Key to these constraints are issues pertaining to lack of capacity from project members, lack of resources, lack of financial and project management skills.The study was useful in assessing the strategies so as to draw logical strength and wisdom to provide lasting solution to the problem facing poverty alleviation projects. At a broader scale, the future of these projects I guaranteed integrated approach , resource provision, capacity enhancement and shared understanding in conceptualization of poverty alleviation projects. The identified challenges can be resolved provided that, the Ngqushwa Municipalities and the Department of Social Development, as a champion of poverty alleviation of integrated developmental approach. This noble objective can be achieved if other government department, institutions and spheres are also committed to cause.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An assessment of service delivery challenges: Intsika Yethu Municipality
- Authors: Shasha, Zamuxolo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Government productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Evaluation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8272 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015965
- Description: This study assesses service delivery challenges in Intsika Yethu Municipality with reference to water and electricity. This report presents the findings of a study conducted to identify the service delivery challenges related to the provision of basic services such as water and electricity, together with the recommendations on how these challenges can be resolved. This study was prompted by the huge number of backlogs experienced regarding water and electricity as well as complaints of non-service delivery and little understanding of the programme and plans within Intsika Yethu Municipality. The results of this study show that the communities do not fully participate in their development planning processes and they do not understand the purpose and existence of IDP document. The researcher hopes that this study will sensitise the community to participate in the affairs of their development that will change the quality of their lives. Intsika Yethu Municipality should improve their strategies and consultation structures in the implementation of water and electricity projects as well as the IDP processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Shasha, Zamuxolo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Government productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Evaluation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8272 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015965
- Description: This study assesses service delivery challenges in Intsika Yethu Municipality with reference to water and electricity. This report presents the findings of a study conducted to identify the service delivery challenges related to the provision of basic services such as water and electricity, together with the recommendations on how these challenges can be resolved. This study was prompted by the huge number of backlogs experienced regarding water and electricity as well as complaints of non-service delivery and little understanding of the programme and plans within Intsika Yethu Municipality. The results of this study show that the communities do not fully participate in their development planning processes and they do not understand the purpose and existence of IDP document. The researcher hopes that this study will sensitise the community to participate in the affairs of their development that will change the quality of their lives. Intsika Yethu Municipality should improve their strategies and consultation structures in the implementation of water and electricity projects as well as the IDP processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The integrated development plan as a developmental tool: the case of Amahlathi Municipality
- Sokopo, Bongiwe Annette Patience
- Authors: Sokopo, Bongiwe Annette Patience
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8355 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020919
- Description: The study is about the Integrated Development Plan as a developmental tool for the Amahlathi municipality. The main focus of the study is to assess whether the Integrated Development Plan is used as a developmental tool in the Amahlathi municipality. Local government in South Africa has been mandated by the Constitution and other pieces of legislation like the White Paper on local government, the municipal Structures Act and the municipal Systems Act to improve the socio-economic conditions of communities to deliver services to the people and encourage communities to participate in the process of developing the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). Service delivery remains a challenge in the municipality despite the initiative of introducing the IDP to support this local municipality in fulfilling its mandate of taking services to communities. This is reflected in the municipal IDP Mayor‟s foreword where it is indicated that the infrastructure backlogs are still visible in the municipality to the extent that there are areas where there are no operations at all. Also, the report by the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in 2009 indicated that Amahlathi local municipality is among 57 municipalities in the country that have been identified as the most vulnerable and which therefore needed support for sustenance. This study details these challenges and places particular focus on the utilisation of the IDP as a developmental tool for Amahlathi Local Municipality. From the literature and responses by the respondents, it is clear that local government has to be committed to work with citizens and groups within the communities to find sustainable ways to meet their social, economic and material needs and improve their quality of life. The study is both qualitative and quantitative and questionnaires have been used as a method of collecting data. The responses and results suggested that the community members in the Amahlathi municipality were aware of the existence of the IDP. However, a lot of work still has to be done to ensure that there is development in the communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Sokopo, Bongiwe Annette Patience
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8355 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020919
- Description: The study is about the Integrated Development Plan as a developmental tool for the Amahlathi municipality. The main focus of the study is to assess whether the Integrated Development Plan is used as a developmental tool in the Amahlathi municipality. Local government in South Africa has been mandated by the Constitution and other pieces of legislation like the White Paper on local government, the municipal Structures Act and the municipal Systems Act to improve the socio-economic conditions of communities to deliver services to the people and encourage communities to participate in the process of developing the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). Service delivery remains a challenge in the municipality despite the initiative of introducing the IDP to support this local municipality in fulfilling its mandate of taking services to communities. This is reflected in the municipal IDP Mayor‟s foreword where it is indicated that the infrastructure backlogs are still visible in the municipality to the extent that there are areas where there are no operations at all. Also, the report by the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in 2009 indicated that Amahlathi local municipality is among 57 municipalities in the country that have been identified as the most vulnerable and which therefore needed support for sustenance. This study details these challenges and places particular focus on the utilisation of the IDP as a developmental tool for Amahlathi Local Municipality. From the literature and responses by the respondents, it is clear that local government has to be committed to work with citizens and groups within the communities to find sustainable ways to meet their social, economic and material needs and improve their quality of life. The study is both qualitative and quantitative and questionnaires have been used as a method of collecting data. The responses and results suggested that the community members in the Amahlathi municipality were aware of the existence of the IDP. However, a lot of work still has to be done to ensure that there is development in the communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Assessing the role of cooperatives in poverty alleviation in the Eastern Cape: a the case of Amathole district municipality
- Authors: Vellem, Babalwa Faith
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11669 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007113 , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study Assess the role of Cooperatives in Poverty Alleviation in the Eastern Cape Case Study of Amathole District Municipality how cooperatives are conducted in the Amathole District Municipality and establishes the perceptions of staff and members of the public about the service rendered by the municipality, and developing the mechanisms that can be used to identify cooperatives activities and how to improve the services rendered by the municipality, and if there are any challenges, they must be resolved. The research was also to look at how the support from government and other government agencies are used to enhance the cooperatives governance. Lastly, the research was to find the best model for cooperative development and what needs to be done to enhance the capacity of the cooperatives. The literature indicates that staff must be equipped with necessary skills; however it is evident that training and development is essential for the members of the cooperative. Questionnaires and interviews were used as a method of collecting data from the respondents. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyse the data. The research assumption was that cooperative development is a viable tool for economic development of the rural areas. This can help many South Africans and many communities come out of poverty. However, there are limitations that were caused by the inability of government to co-ordinate cooperative development. Despite the role that cooperatives play in South Africa, cooperatives still experience a number of challenges. These challenges are, amongst others, lack of access to finance, lack of access to market, lack of business skills, lack of infrastructural facilities and lack of knowledge about the cooperative. In view of the challenges facing the cooperatives, the government instituted a number of state departments and parastatals for funding and other necessary support. These are DTI, DEDEA (in the Eastern Cape), ECDC, South African Development Agency (SEDA), Department of Labour and municipalities. The objectives of these support institutions are to provide necessary support needed by cooperatives and to ensure that cooperative development is sustainable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Vellem, Babalwa Faith
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11669 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007113 , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study Assess the role of Cooperatives in Poverty Alleviation in the Eastern Cape Case Study of Amathole District Municipality how cooperatives are conducted in the Amathole District Municipality and establishes the perceptions of staff and members of the public about the service rendered by the municipality, and developing the mechanisms that can be used to identify cooperatives activities and how to improve the services rendered by the municipality, and if there are any challenges, they must be resolved. The research was also to look at how the support from government and other government agencies are used to enhance the cooperatives governance. Lastly, the research was to find the best model for cooperative development and what needs to be done to enhance the capacity of the cooperatives. The literature indicates that staff must be equipped with necessary skills; however it is evident that training and development is essential for the members of the cooperative. Questionnaires and interviews were used as a method of collecting data from the respondents. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyse the data. The research assumption was that cooperative development is a viable tool for economic development of the rural areas. This can help many South Africans and many communities come out of poverty. However, there are limitations that were caused by the inability of government to co-ordinate cooperative development. Despite the role that cooperatives play in South Africa, cooperatives still experience a number of challenges. These challenges are, amongst others, lack of access to finance, lack of access to market, lack of business skills, lack of infrastructural facilities and lack of knowledge about the cooperative. In view of the challenges facing the cooperatives, the government instituted a number of state departments and parastatals for funding and other necessary support. These are DTI, DEDEA (in the Eastern Cape), ECDC, South African Development Agency (SEDA), Department of Labour and municipalities. The objectives of these support institutions are to provide necessary support needed by cooperatives and to ensure that cooperative development is sustainable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012