ResearchSpace

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Implementation analysis of the KwaZulu-Natal Social Development Policy on Youth Development (2020) with focus on Youth Mobilisation and Skills Development Programme : a case study of Umvoti Local Municipality.
(2026) Ntshaba, Nomkhuleko Muriel Zwakele.; Manicom, Desiree Pushpeganday.
Post 1994 youth in South Africa still face challenges, including a high unemployment rate, low educational qualifications, poverty, and health-related challenges. The democratic government implemented some strategies through youth-directed policies and legislative frameworks, to mitigate some of these challenges. The KwaZulu-Natal Social Development Policy on Youth Development (2020) is one of the policies that provides a framework for engaging youth to participate in socio-economic activities. The study thus investigated the implementation of this policy in Umvoti Local Municipality, in the Department of Social Development. The main objective of the study was to understand the experiences of the implementing agents, and the beneficiaries of the programme. Qualitative research methods were employed to gain deeper insights into the lived experiences of policy implementers and policy beneficiaries. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten officials: government implementing agents, community development practitioners, social workers and service office managers, and nine Youth NPOs working in the municipality and 55 beneficiaries of the policy. The findings of the study indicated that the policy is implemented without sufficient knowledge of its content, there is no role clarification for the implementing agents, and they only serve as the link with the community. Many challenges were also highlighted, including the lack of resources, poor planning on the part of the implementers, duplication of information due to poor communication, as well as the lack of post-programme support to youth who would have completed the programme. These challenges are caused by poor coordination and lack of role clarifications within implementers. This impact negatively to policy result in terms of meeting immediate, medium and long term individual youth needs. In light of these findings, several recommendations are made, including the need for proper guidelines on the recruitment of the beneficiaries, multisectoral collaborations for knowledge and resource sharing, as well as implementing a tracking system for post-programme support.
An analysis of the National Housing Code 2009 on informal settlements upgrades : a case study of KwaJika-Joe, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2026) Ngubo, Lungile.; Rieker, Mark Ivan.
This study analyses the implementation of the Housing Code (2009) in informal settlement upgrading, using KwaJika Joe within the Msunduzi Municipality in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, as a case study. Guided by the Basic Human Needs Approach, Brynard’s 5-C Protocol, and complementary policy implementation frameworks, the research examines how the informal settlements upgrading programme has been translated from policy intent into practice at the municipal level. The study sought to assess the implementation process, identify key institutional and governance challenges, analyse alignment with policy provisions, and explore opportunities for improving policy execution. A desktop case study methodology was adopted, drawing on academic literature, policy documents, municipal reports, and media sources. Through thematic analysis, the findings reveal that despite a comprehensive and progressive policy framework, implementation remains constrained by institutional capacity limitations, governance coordination challenges, policy ambiguities, and weaknesses in community participation. These challenges have contributed to uneven service delivery, delays in upgrading interventions, and dissatisfaction among some residents. The study concludes that while the Housing Code (2009) provides a sound framework for informal settlement upgrading its effectiveness is dependent on strengthened institutional capacity, clearer policy guidance, and more meaningful participatory mechanisms. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of policy implementation in informal settlements and offers insights to inform more responsive and sustainable housing interventions in South Africa.
The role of e-governance in development : a case study of the Gauteng Department of e-Government’s contribution to the realisation of the goals of the National Development Plan.
(2026) Mlotshwa, Harriet Thembalethu.; Rieker, Mark Ivan.
This study examines how e-governance contributes to South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, using the case study of the Gauteng Department of e-Government as a case study. As digital transformation becomes essential for modern public administration, South Africa has made notable progress in strengthening ICT-enabled governance, yet continues to face challenges such as uneven digital access, fragmented systems, skills shortages, and implementation constraints. The study adopts a qualitative desktop research design, drawing on academic literature, policy frameworks, government reports, and provincial media releases to assess how Gauteng’s digital initiatives support developmental outcomes. Guided by the 5C Protocol and the EGOV4SD framework, the analysis evaluates policy content, institutional capacity, implementation context, and the extent to which digital programmes generate public value. Findings show that the Gauteng Department of e-Government has implemented initiatives such as the Gauteng Broadband Network, digital skills programmes, e-services platforms, and safety technologies that align with NDP goals relating to building a capable and developmental state. These initiatives enhance administrative efficiency, expand digital access, promote citizen participation, and support socio-economic inclusion. However, persistent barriers including slow infrastructure rollout, limited interoperability, digital literacy gaps, financial constraints, and inconsistent coordination across departments continue to hinder the full realisation of e-governance benefits. The study concludes that while e-governance significantly supports NDP priorities by improving service delivery, governance quality, and developmental impact, stronger institutional capacity, sustainable investment, and inclusive digital strategies remain necessary to maximise long-term developmental outcomes in Gauteng and South Africa more broadly.
An implementation analysis of the Arts in Schools Programme in South African public schools : a case study of selected schools in Ugu District, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2026) Daniels, Nonjabulo.; Rieker, Mark Ivan.
South Africa has undergone significant transformation over the past three decades and continues to experience profound political, social, and institutional change across all levels of government and society. Education remains central to this transformative agenda, serving as a vehicle for redressing past inequalities and promoting social cohesion in a diverse nation. Within this context, the Creative Arts subject was conceptualised as a strategic mechanism to support nation-building and foster social and cultural cohesion in public schools (Department of Basic Education, 2011). The Creative Arts curriculum—encompassing visual arts, music, drama, and dance—offers learners opportunities to engage with multiple modes of expression, develop aesthetic awareness, and encounter diverse cultural narratives. Through these diverse art forms, the Creative Arts subject has the potential to shape learners’ perceptions, enhance cross-cultural understanding, and strengthen social unity within school environments. Research suggests that arts education cultivates empathy, collaboration, and respect for diversity, making it an essential contributor to social cohesion in multicultural contexts (UNESCO, 2006; Bamford, 2009). This study investigates the implementation of the Arts in Schools programme in South African public schools, with the aim of examining its alignment with the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) and exploring the factors influencing effective programme delivery. The study further seeks to understand how policy intentions are translated into practice by teachers, arts practitioners and district-level officials, and to identify the institutional and contextual constraints shaping implementation. A qualitative research approach was adopted, employing a case study design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with teachers, arts practitioners and district officials, supported by document analysis of relevant policy frameworks. The data were analyzed thematically and interpreted using the 5C Protocol and Street-Level Bureaucracy framework to provide insight into policy design, implementation capacity and frontline decision-making. The findings indicate that the Arts in Schools Programme is largely aligned with CAPS and is positively received by teachers for enhancing practical arts instruction and learner engagement. However, variations in arts practitioners’ understanding of programme objectives, coupled with a disconnect between strategic policy intentions and operational practice, resulted in inconsistent implementation. Structural and resource-related challenges, including inadequate funding, limited human capacity, insufficient teaching materials and infrastructural constraints, further undermined programme effectiveness. These challenges necessitated discretionary decision-making by frontline actors, shaping how the programme was implemented at school level. The study concludes that while the Arts in Schools Programme holds significant potential to strengthen arts education, learner development and cultural participation, its impact is constrained by capacity, coordination and resource limitations. Strengthening interdepartmental collaboration, clarifying implementation guidelines and investing in targeted capacity-building initiatives are essential to improving policy coherence and ensuring sustainable programme implementation.
Reducing inorganic nitrogen inputs for small-scale sugarcane growers in KwaZulu-Natal using legume species (Vigna unguiculata and Cajanus cajan).
(2025) Motaung, Mncedisi Lebu.; Ramdhani, Syd.; Magadlela, Anathi.
Declining soil fertility and health pose a significant threat to food security and agricultural sustainability. In South Africa, sugarcane production plays a crucial role in the economy, contributing significantly to gross domestic product (GDP) through exports and providing income for many smallholder growers. However, between 2007 and 2017, sugarcane production in the country declined by 52%. Despite being among the largest sugarcane163 producing provinces, smallholder growers in KwaZulu-Natal have experienced substantial reductions in yield, threatening both their livelihoods and the broader economic stability of the sector. One of the primary causes of declining sugarcane production is the widespread practice of continuous monoculture, which depletes soil nutrients, reduces microbial diversity, and increases soil acidity. Monoculture selects for crop-specific microbes, leading to a decline in beneficial bacterial populations and their associated enzyme activities, which are essential for nutrient cycling. This degradation in soil health underscores the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices, such as the integration of leguminous cover crops, to restore soil fertility and improve sugarcane productivity. The use of legumes as cover crops has been widely recognised for enhancing soil organic carbon, improving nutrient cycling, and increasing microbial activity. Among leguminous species, Cajanus cajan and Vigna unguiculata are particularly valuable due to their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, improve soil nutrient dynamics, and enhance microbial diversity. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of C. cajan and V. unguiculata as sustainable cover crops on soil nutrient dynamics in sugarcane plantations managed by smallholder growers in KwaZulu-Natal. The study was conducted under greenhouse conditions, with temperature ranging from 13–16 °C at night to 28–35 °C during day, with humidity levels between 70% 180 and 80%. Soil samples were collected from sugarcane plantations in Gingindlovu, Mvutshini, Mpembeni, Hibberdene, and Mzinto to serve as the growth substrates. 181 Pre-planting and post182 harvest soil sample were analysed for nutrient concentrations, nutrient cycling bacteria, along with associated extracellular enzyme activities. The results demonstrated that both legume species contributed to improvements in soil health. Post-harvest, soil pH slightly increased across all plantation sites, counteracting the acidity induced by continuous sugarcane monoculture. The abundance of plant growth-promoting bacteria, including Arthrobacter, Agrobacterium, Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, Caulobacter, and Pseudomonas, increased significantly. Plants grown in Hibberdene and Mzinto showed a high reliance on nitrogen derived from the atmosphere. Furthermore, C. cajan and V. unguiculata accumulated high shoot biomass despite low soil nutrition in the sampled soils. The growth of C. cajan and V. unguiculata in the sampled soils indicates that microbial activity and soil enzyme functions facilitated nutrient mineralisation and solubilisation, making essential nutrients more available for plant uptake and leading to increased total plant biomass. Overall, this study highlights the potential of leguminous cover crops in mitigating soil degradation caused by sugarcane monoculture. The incorporation of C. cajan and V. unguiculata into sugarcane production systems can enhance soil microbial diversity, improve nutrient cycling, increase soil pH, and ultimately contribute to the long-term sustainability of 198 smallholder sugarcane farming in KwaZulu-Natal.