Social Policy

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An evaluation of the service delivery efficiency in uMkhanyakude District Municipality in South Africa between the periods of 1996 to 2011.
(2023) Gwala, Nontokozo Noxolo.; Cebekhulu, Elias.
This study is an evaluation of the delivery of services by South African municipalities, through a case study of uMkhanyakude District Municipality after nearly thirty years of democracy and taking into consideration all the inherent apartheid era challenges faced by rural and urban local municipalities. The literature review revealed that following the apartheid era, municipalities in South Africa experienced significant difficulties in providing top-notch services to residents from a variety of social, geographic, and economic backgrounds. In comparing these three municipalities in South Africa: uMkhanyakude (district), uMhlabuyalingana (rural), and uMtubatuba (urban), the data clearly shows that each had their difficulties, with the provision of water being the most serious problem due to the decision that municipal water services should be a competence of the district municipalities themselves. Jozini, False Bay, uMtubatuba, and uMhlabuyalingana are the municipalities that make up this district municipality. A thorough analysis of the literature from each of these municipalities shows that there is some form of service delivery taking place, with some services seeing slight improvement, while others are being severely impacted by service interruptions. The service delivery shortages or interruptions, corruption, political interference, and border crimes appeared to be major challenges in the area and this was evident from the literature, data, and the community responses during the data collection phase. Qualitative research methodologies were employed to collect data on the demographic profiles, and expert opinions garnered from the key informants. Municipal performance issues raised by the municipal officials confirmed that there was still a long way to go in resolving the audit findings, as well as the concerns and needs raised by the community members themselves. The inadequacies in the provision of services defeated the ‘A Better Life for All’ election slogan of the African National Congress and created unrealistic expectations following the elections, that the communities were going to receive adequate municipal services as promised. The findings revealed that the main problem with the South African service delivery model was with its top-down approach, where the national government alone determines the policy frameworks, mechanisms, and budgets, which hinders the voices of ordinary citizens from being heard. This is in direct opposition to the government’s stated goal of bringing government closer to the people through decentralization, which was designed to increase accountability and the responsiveness of government to its citizens by bringing decision-makers closer to the people.
Can recipients of the child social grants in Banana City informal settlement generate an adequate standard of living form the grant?
(2009) Phoku, Mathapelo Lifa.; Cebekhulu, Elias.
The study "Can recipients of the Child Social Grants in Banana City Informal Settlement generate an adequate standard of living from the Grant?" examines whether the child support grants is accessible and sufficient to generate the livelihoods of beneficiaries. The study evaluates the impact of the grant on low income households particularly beneficiaries in Banana City Informal Settlement. The challenges facing the recipients in accessing the grant are identified and recommendations advanced. The lack of proper Identity Documents was identified as the key challenge facing qualifying and intended beneficiaries of the Child Support Grant. The findings of the study reveal that there is a need for continuous synergy between various governmental departments in ensuring that the Millennium Goal of halving poverty by 2015 is achieved. The research draws from international practices of social welfare measures in countries such as Brazil, India and China.
Equipping the youth in KwaZulu-Natal with the necessary skills to create jobs : the case study of Umsobomvu Youth Fund.
(2011) Shezi, Sizwe Theophelus.; Cebekhulu, Elias.
In 2001 the South African government established the Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF) as a national youth development initiative to promote employment opportunities for young people and enhance entrepreneurship amongst them for sustainable livelihoods. The UYF focused on three areas: contact, information and counselling; skills development and transfer, and youth entrepreneurship. This study aimed to explore the relationship between job creation and the UYF's skills development and transfer programme. It investigated the impact of the UYF training programmes in helping youth establish business enterprises and the creation of jobs. Using a nonexperimental approach, qualitative and quantitative data was collected from purposively selected UYF personnel and a sample of UYF beneficiaries. The data was thematically and statistically analysed to determine the programme's role on new firm formation, job creation, and the quality of life of beneficiaries and their families. The study found a positive impact of UYF's entrepreneurship education and training programme on new firm formation (self-employment), disposable income and the quality of life of the beneficiaries and their families. At the same time, there was a negative impact towards reducing unemployment and creating jobs. Also, the entrepreneurship education programme did not attract adequate participation by beneficiaries and its curriculum content did not cover critical entrepreneurship skills. The findings show that more interventions are required to enable to the Umsobomvu Youth Fund to deliver on its skills development and job creation mandate better.
The role played by foreigners from Mozambique in the local economic development (LED) of Kwa-Ngwanase in uMhlabuyalingana.
(2012) Gwala, Nontokozo.; Cebekhulu, Elias.
The movement of people is not a new phenomenon; it has always been associated with economic growth as foreign nationalities play a significant role in the local economic development of the area of destination. The increase in foreign migration from Mozambique is a true reflection of the important role that foreigners play in the local economic development of Kwa-Ngwanase District Municipality, UMhabuyalingana. This study seeks to assess the role played by foreigners from Mozambique towards the local economic development of UMhlabuyalingana, which is situated in the northeastern corner of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In particular, the study investigates the attitude of the local people towards foreign nationals from Mozambique. The main hypothesis advanced in this study is the positive relationship extant between the influx of foreign nationals from Mozambique to Kwa-Ngwanase and the local economic development of the area. The empirical data for this study was generated through the use of questionnaires. The findings of this study reveal that the local people of UMhlabuyalingana believe that the South African government can rely on foreign nationals for economic growth and skills transfer in the LED projects. It was evident from the fieldwork conducted that the majority of the foreign nationals are not employed in the LED projects, but are instead are involved in trading/business ventures for themselves. The study further established that the foreigners spend their financial returns locally rather than at home/area of origin. Finally, the recommendations advanced by the study highlight that the local municipality should strive towards ensuring that foreign nationals are included in the local economic development of the Kwa-Ngwanase District Municipality.

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Browsing Social Policy by Author "Cebekhulu, Elias."