Masters Degrees (Policy and Development Studies)

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A Policy analysis of the implementation and regulation of waste management policies in the Msunduzi Municipality.
(2002) Makhanye, Tshepo Given.; Stanton, Anne Sylvie.
This dissertation examines the extent to which the current local government structures are capacitated, in terms of the personnel and resources, in monitoring and ensuring compliance with environmental standards. Consequently, this dissertation is divided into three parts. The first part is the theoretical perspective, it defines and elaborates on some of the characteristics of public policy. It explains the distinction, and conceptual relationship, between public policy and policy implementation The second part is the practical portfolio, this part looks at some of the development oflocal government in the Msunduzi Municipality to date, the Msunduzi Municipality's ability with regard to policy implementation, monitoring, and compliance. It also explores the views of some of the organizations representing a wider spectrum of business and industry interests in and around theMsunduzi Municipal area. The views of non-governmental organizations as well as organized labour unions are also considered in the discussion. Part Three is the final analysis, it argues that the major challenge facing effective environmental governance for under-resourced state institution is to marry the objectives of development and the creation of economic wealth without destroying the country's environmental resources.
An examination of the dynamics of the family systems on the lives of youth awaiting trial at the Excelsior Place of Safety Secure Care Centre.
(2003) Singh, Vanessa.; Mazibuko, Ntombifikile.
The main aim of the study was an examination of the dynamics of family systems on the lives of youth awaiting trial at the Excelsior Place of Safety that functions as a secure care programme. Secure care is a new concept in South Africa and serves as an alternative to the imprisonment of children awaiting trial. The study identifies the family as central in adolescent development and assumes that there are particular dynamics within family systems that may impact on the lives of youth resulting in deviancy and criminality. The study was based on the philosophy of secure care, Erikson's theory of Adolescent Development, Attachment theory, the Ecosystems and Ecological Strengths-Based Approaches. Twenty-five youth awaiting trial were interviewed at Excelsior. The study found that children who offend come from impoverished communities where the household income is less than the Poverty Datum Line (PDL.) High-risk youth come from women-headed households that lack male role models and have little or no source of income. In these instances where the family cannot provide for the youth's needs that the youth is prone to criminality to satisfy them. The study recommended strengthened intervention strategies to be utilised by all service providers in working with youth at risk and their families. It also recommends the strengthening of the secure care programme to address the needs of awaiting trial youth and to divert youth from the prison environment. The study further suggested that secure care centres that have trained personnel in adolescent development, should undertake more community outreach to also target children and youth in communities.
Analysis of hazardous waste management policy and its implementation in South Africa
(2005) Maseko, Zandile Faithful.; Stanton, Anne Sylvie.
The primary aim of the research study was to investigate the regulation and implementation of Hazardous Waste Management policy in South Africa, with particular focus in policy implementation problems in the South Durban Basin of the eThekwini Municipality. The South Durban Basin is a geographical area in the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal where communities live in close proximity to one of South Africa's busiest intense industrial base. The findings revealed that communities in the South Durban Basin face harmful public and environmental health impacts which have been proven to be caused by polluted air as a result of weak hazardous waste management policy implementation. The study demonstrates that the implementation of hazardous waste management policy in the South Durban Basin is characterized by policy gaps, lack of enforcement capacity and resources of local government to effectively implement the policy. The lack of capacity and resources has made compliance on environmental regulations insignificant. Current compliance on hazardous waste management and environmental policy regulations is happening on a purely voluntary and self-regulatory basis and it proven to be ineffective. The study also showed that to realise efficacy in the management of hazardous waste management, a combination of both top-down and bottom-up approaches to policy implementation is crucial. The reason being that a top-down national framework ensures consistency in a national policy framework while the bottom-up approach promotes elements of community participation and empowerment as is evident in the South Durban communities. A key finding of the study is the significance of community activity and pressure in the making and implementation of hazardous waste management policy. It illustrates the significance of networks in the policymaking and implementation process. The involvement and partnerships formed by different environmental justice organizations availed operational capacity and resources to engage the eThekwini Municipality to take action on issues of hazardous air pollution. The challenge remains for the eThekwini Municipality to find methods to attain economic development and simultaneously protect its citizens and the environment. This raises a question, whether sustainable development can be a reality where there is lack of capacity and resources to actualize it. Does economic development have to be achieved at the expense of the general public and the environment?
The experience of service privatization in developing countries : the case of South Africa's PPP prisons.
(2005) Massey, Sarah.; Valodia, Imraan.
Privatization, and particularly privatization of services, is a worldwide trend that has grown tremendously over the past 25 years. This growth has been particularly pronounced in developing countries in recent years. Prison services is one of many sectors that has contracted with the private sector, however, until South Africa outsourced the design, construction, finance, and operation of two maximum security prisons to the private sector for a period of 25 years, private prison companies were only involved in some developed countries. Many argue that the sector's involvement in South Africa signals its intention to expand throughout the developing world, and undoubtedly, South Africa's experience will be influential in the future growth of this sector in such countries. This paper aims to explore the experience of South Africa's public-private partnership (PPP) prisons thus far, within a context of international and domestic service privatization, in order to identify key trends and issues which may be relevant to future private sector involvement in prisons and other service sectors. Research was conducted qualitatively, with a total of 12 interviews carried out telephonically and in person. Respondents included members of the government, PPP prison administrations, and members of civil society in order to gain as wide a perspective as possible. An extensive review of the literature, as well as relevant government sources, was also undertaken. While these prisons have certainly brought benefits to South Africa's correctional service, a number of key concerns about private sector involvement in service provision were identified through this research. Firstly, the whole experience, starting with the initial decision, has lacked transparency and debate. Although contracting with the private sector was supposed to lead to increased efficiency and reduced cost, the prisons have, in fact, led to unexpected high costs and risks for the DCS. Furthermore, private sector involvement has led to a tiering of prison services, with PPP prison services generally much better than the public sector. Finally, the research indicates that there are serious questions to be raised about the effectiveness of the regulation of this sector and whether PPP prison companies are truly being held accountable by government.
A Policy analysis of the implementation of affirmative action and employment equity : a case study of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (2004-2008).
(2008) Marais, Marie-Anna Kathleen Norah.; Stanton, Anne Sylvie.
This study examines public policy and policy implementation with specific reference to affirmative action and employment equity. It shows that the translation of affirmative action into public policy can be controversial, complex, and multifaceted. Public policy is examined in general to provide a better understanding of why and how policy such as affirmative action emerges, how it is drafted, the extent to which the policy is implemented and how and why it is needs to be monitored and evaluated. It examines the effect of the political system known as apartheid that was enforced in 1948 by the National Party that totally divided black and white South Africans. The apartheid policies and laws denied and restricted opportunities to Africans, Indians and Coloureds (commonly referred to as black people). Blatant racial discrimination resulted in widespread inequality within South Africa's population. In 1994, when the first democratically elected government came into power in South Africa, legislation was passed to repeal the apartheid laws. One of these laws was the Employment Equity Act (Act 55 of 1998). The study shows that South Africa's past discriminatory education policies continue to complicate the implementation of employment equity policy and that tertiary institutions are seriously affected by it.
A policy network analysis of the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) in Ethiopia.
(2013) Koma, Geoffrey Paul.; Stanton, Anne Sylvie.
This study is a policy network analysis of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) in Ethiopia. The CAADP is a NEPAD initiative aimed at promoting policy interventions that will address the agricultural crisis in Africa. This dissertation argues that policy networks are regarded as a tool for and a structure of public policy making and implementation, and assume such attributes as exchanges of resources, interdependence among stakeholders that can be formal or informal. Its formation arises from a realisation that single bureaucratic governments are ineffective hence the need to seek mutually beneficial solutions, share information, gain support and legitimacy through association with other agencies. A policy network analysis of the CAADP has revealed that relationships among the CAADP policy network partners are typically collaborative, complex, reciprocal, and trust based. Therefore, the implementation of the CAADP take place through what would be termed „networked governance‟ – where stakeholders share common policy objectives aimed at reducing hunger and starvation as well as increasing economic development through a range of collaborative efforts among government, private and civic organisations.
Participatory development : a case study of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Phase 1.
(2013) Mofokeng, Retšepile Mary-Antoniette.; Rieker, Mark Ivan.
Development stakeholders globally argue that participatory development is the best model of development strategy in achieving sustainable, self-reliant development. This is one of the major tools of democracy used by democratic governments. This type of development strategy asserts that if people decide on their own development and if development becomes personcentred, there is a high possibility of successful and sustainable development projects within communities. It should be understood that participatory development involves people’s participation in development projects from the adoption stage of project to monitoring and evaluation of those projects. In Lesotho, lack of participatory development in development projects is reflected in environmental impact assessment reports by a number of developers. In these reports, participatory development and beneficiary empowerment are not regarded as valuable. It seems empowerment and capacity building is on the margins of the government and developers in Lesotho. This study addresses issues of participatory development with the focus of the Lesotho Highlands water project. It provides a critical examination of the events around the project from its conception, the beginning of the construction of phase one of the project to the end of this phase. The study then provides a critical analysis of the treaty of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project signed in 1986 with much reflection on participatory development and all it entails.
The role of networks in civil society in Lesotho : a case study of World Vision Lesotho.
(2013) Sehloho, Mamosa Elizabeth.; Rieker, Mark Ivan.
This research focuses on civil society’s efforts to reduce poverty in Lesotho. The primary focus is on the networks that are formed in this process through a case study of World Vision International in Lesotho. According to the Millennium Development Goals Report (2008:9), the majority of Basotho live in increasing poverty, deprived, among others, of incomes that cover basic necessities like food, shelter and clothing. Although Lesotho is a relatively small Southern African country, it is faced with challenges that include chronic poverty (Bello, Letete, Rapapa and Chokobane, 2008:2). Both the State and civil society are concerned with alleviating this problem. In efforts to reduce poverty in Lesotho, a number of programmes and strategies have been applied, including the Millennium Development Goals operational artefact: Poverty Reduction Strategies. According to the MDG Report (2008:2), the prospects of Lesotho achieving the goal of reducing hunger and poverty by half by the year 2015 ranges from unlikely to potential. In the efforts of reducing poverty, both civil society and government ministries network to achieve this goal. In the current study, eleven organisations in a network, including government ministries, are discussed. Of the eleven organisations, seven are civil society organisations, while the remaining four are government ministries. This study is of a qualitative nature. Primary data was used in the form of structured in-depth interviews. Furthermore, a social network analysis was used for data analysis. The findings of this paper showed evidence of the role played by ‘networking’, in other words, although there was insufficient information concerning the ways in which World Vision International networks with other organisations in Lesotho, the findings from the interviews pointed at the importance of partnering and ‘networking’ with other organisations, as well as the role played by shared resources in the poverty reduction process. This research hopes to add to the literature on poverty in Lesotho generally and the importance of networking for poverty alleviation specifically. Furthermore, this study examines the networked involvement of World Vision Lesotho in development initiatives and poverty reduction approaches in Lesotho.
A policy analysis of the consequences of the Lesotho highlands water project for rural communities in Lesotho: a case-study of communities affected by the construction of the Katse and Mohale dams.
(2014) Makoro, Frank Tsotetsi.; Francis, Suzanne.
This thesis analyses the policy and implementation of the Treaty reached between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa to construct two dams, the Katse and Mohale dams, to supply water to the Province of Gauteng in South Africa, in 1986. The nature and intention of this study is to contribute to knowledge since these dams were constructed for socio-economic development in Lesotho and in the Republic of South Africa. The main purpose of the thesis is to investigate the extent to which the construction of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project has benefitted resettled and relocated households in the areas where they now live. The study focuses on how seven of the socio-economic development programmes of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, namely Infrastructure, Compensation, Resettlement, Relocation, Capacity Building, Rural Development and Tourism, have been understood and implemented during the construction of the Katse and Mohale dams. In this study a more detailed empirical approach of how the Treaty and Compensation Policy for resettlement and relocation of affected communities in two regions of Katse and Mohale is understood and applied in the Katse area and Maseru District (one urban, in the Maseru suburbs, and the other rural foothills of the Machache mountain range of Ha Theko in Nazareth). The thesis identifies contributions made to social and economic development brought about by the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Political structures that governed this project are interrogated, as well as the management structures that were given the responsibility to supervise the administration and operations of this project. This resulted in more than 50 households resettled in the Katse dam region and more than 80 households resettled in urban areas, the outskirts of Maseru City, and more than 100 households relocated to Ha Theko area. The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority was satisfied with the policy implementation in this regard, but little benefit is seen amongst people affected by the LHWP in their resettled and relocated places. The attempt here is to show how the implementation of seven socio-economic programmes of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority has really contributed to the betterment of affected communities who were involuntarily displaced by LHDA. The thesis also reveals the importance of women in taking household leadership positions, in which issues of resettlement, employment, health, building of healthy relationships with host communities and capacity building, have been their major responsibilities and functions. In the Treaty, the intention of the project was that the resettlement programme should be organized in such a way that the standard of affected communities by the construction of Lesotho Highlands Water Project, in particular those resettled and relocated, should not be below the level they were before their resettlement and relocation. Four main areas of focus, namely the nature of the project, the governance of the project, management and policy implementation, and the situation and current consequent conditions of affected communities, are critically analyzed in this study.
Cooperative governance in South Africa : a case study of intergovernmental relations in the provision of housing.
(2014) Zulu, Thembinkosi Sizo Simo.; Stanton, Anne Sylvie.
The struggle for adequate housing is among the key features of life in South Africa. One of the key questions posed in this dissertation is how does the system of intergovernmental relations and cooperative governance in South Africa enable or hinder the provision of housing. This dissertation considers the challenges facing the respective spheres of government, and considers what cooperative governance entails in a system of intergovernmental relations. It is argued here that an extensive legislative and policy framework for intergovernmental relations and cooperative governance exists. However, the relationship between the three spheres of government do not always promote the constitutional objectives of cooperative governance which impacts on how socio- economic rights such as the provision of adequate housing are implemented. This study identifies some of the systemic and structural aspects of intergovernmental relations that impact on cooperative governance, especially with regards to how other spheres of government relate to local government. It is argued here that the provision of housing is not a basic service delivery function of local government, yet national and provincial governments have delegated many of their responsibilities to local government. This study shows that such delegation of functions adds to the already existing strenuous basic service delivery obligations of local government (such as that of water and sanitation). The study concludes that the successful delegation of functions to other spheres of government in a system of intergovernmental relations requires good cooperative governance.
A policy analysis of the Gautrain public-private partnership in South Africa.
(2014) Chikagwa, Edith Wakondiye.; Stanton, Anne Sylvie.
The emergence of the New Public Management in the 1980s saw the introduction of several forms of governance aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness in government. Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) were such forms. However, the use of PPPs in government has received mixed reactions. In one breath PPPs are touted by some as a means of governance which can reduce costs, improve quality of service as well as enhance efficiency in the delivery of public service and infrastructure. In another, PPPs are criticised for compromising the crucial pillars of governance namely accountability, transparency and public participation. This study into in the Gautrain-Rapid-Rail-Link of South Africa reveals that PPPs may bring about both positive and negative outcomes as propounded by advocates and opponents of PPPs. This study further shows that if properly managed, factors that limit positive outcomes of PPPs may be reduced.
A civil society organisation's engagement in collective action to access basic services: the case of the electricity action group in Pietermaritzburg (EAG).
(2015) Mbanjwa, Nokwanda.; Manicom, Desiree Pushpeganday.
Basic services are defined in the Constitution of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) as services that include the provision of housing, education, health care, social welfare, transport, electricity and energy, water, sanitation, refuse and waste removal. Of these basic services, electricity and energy, water and sanitation, refuse and waste removal are considered to be the most critical in improving the lives of people. The South African national government has committed itself to providing a basic amount of free water, which is 6000L per household (Water Services Act, 108 of 1997), and electricity, which is 50kWh (Electricity Basic Services Support Tariff Policy Framework, 2003) to poor residents, as they are deemed essential basic needs (Dalton, 2000:48). This provision is facilitated by indigent policies which are adopted by each municipality. Each municipal indigent policy is case specific and is thus customised to the specific needs of the municipality concerned. In instances where municipalities do not adopt the Indigent Policy Framework or fail to implement it, indigent citizens have the right to demand the municipality to recognise theirs status as per the provisions of the National Indigent Policy Framework, 2006. This can be done through civil society organisations advocating for the rights of their members and/ those of citizens in general. In a democratic country, civil society may hold government accountable to the electorate, not only during election times, but at all times, thus ensuring that government fulfils its roles, including that of service provision. The aim of the present study was to investigate how the Electricity Action Group (EAG) and other civil society organisations engage the Msunduzi municipality through collective action to gain access to their constitutional right to free basic, affordable and adequate electricity. This study made use of an interpretative research methodology. The researcher collected primary data through semi-structured focus group discussions. Two focus group discussions were conducted with the members of the EAG. A total of 10 members participated in the focus group discussions. A non-probability sampling technique, convenience sampling, was used to identify respondents, because the group was only accessible when they met for their scheduled meetings. Secondary data consisted of data from minutes of meetings, organisational reports, letters, memorandums, media statements and newspaper articles. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data. Thematic analysis was most ideal to this study because it emphasises key points through pinpointing and recording patterns from the data presented. This study used themes such as collective action rationale; aims and objectives of collective action; civil society partnerships; and collective action strategies, to examine the relationship between what must be done according to legislation and what indeed happens, in practice. The findings of the study showed that the EAG, in its engagement with the municipality, had employed various strategies of collective action which included writing letters to the municipality, making written submissions and oral presentations to the municipality, holding marches and pickets where memorandums were handed over and having sit-ins in municipal offices. These actions were informed by: 1) the municipality’s response or lack thereof to the demands of the EAG; 2) the number of people participating in the collective behaviour. The study revealed that the EAG had employed both destructive and non-destructive tactics of collective action in engaging the Msunduzi municipality. The study showed that, although the collective action strategies employed by the EAG did not always yield the desired results, it produced valuable unintended consequences such as to conscientise and educate its members on basic services and constitutional rights. Two important findings which played an important role in explaining the collective behaviour of the EAG were that, firstly, although there were policies in place for the provision of basic services and free basic service provision for the indigent, they have not been provided adequately due to non-implementation. Secondly, the study found that binding decisions taken by the municipality were documented but not implemented.
An evaluation of performance management : a case study of the integrated quality management system (IQMS) implementation in Majuba TVET College in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2016) Mchunu, Lindelani Clement.; Rieker, Mark Ivan.
Firstly, I would like to thank almighty Jesus Christ. I thank you for projection, wisdom and understanding, through the ups and downs of 2016 academic year. Thank you Lord. I would also like to thank my supervisor Mark Rieker whose guidance, professional coaching, continuous help and support regardless of health issues during the year, has been unwavering. You have been a source of strength to me and you made me feel special. To Musawenkosi Francis Mofokeng, I gave thanks for loaning me R5 000, 00 for registration at the University; you have shown me real friendship, thank you. Without you my brother, Simenyiwe Mchunu; I was not going to make it; your support courage and motivation thought the year, when we were broke; hiking on freeway, and eating mealies as our lunch. We have been through a lot together, but let’s hope for the best. I wish almighty God blesses you and your family. Nokuphila Ngcobo, Clifton Wesley Smith, Nokukhanya Zondo, and Tawanda Dundhlu are people I must thank because their support has added value to my life. To my dearest Wife (Mrs Silindile Raquel Mchunu); I am out of words with your support you gave me through my studies, love you always. Lastly, a special thanks to all participants who are my colleagues from Majuba TVET College, Central office (HR, QUALITY AND CURICULUM), which include the IT &B Campus, Centre for People Development campus and Dundee Campus. You contribution is highly appreciated.
State owned enterprises : a policy analysis of South African Airways (SAA).
(2016) Chilenga, Andrew.; Stanton, Anne Sylvie.
It is said that the establishment of SOEs is a governance approach adopted by governments to promote economic growth, in order to increase government’s ability to delivery public services, as well as to help develop the state. Of late however, major State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in South Africa have come under scrutiny, with the media accentuating their shortcomings. Malfeasance, inept leadership and mismanagement have often been cited as some of the issues that the South African State Owned Enterprises are faced with. There exists an extensive set of frameworks that guides the operations of SOEs, this is in order to make them efficient and effective. Of particular pertinence is the New Public Management approach as well as Good Corporate Governance which suggests that the commercialization of state owned enterprises will lead to making them profitable and essentially promote effectiveness and efficiency. The fact that some of South Africa’s major SOEs still fall short of fulfilling their mandate begs the questions and calls for a need for an examination of how the management of SOEs can be improved. Given the above context, this study will adopt a two-pronged approach to examine some of the challenges facing SOEs in South Africa. Using the South African Airways as its case study, mainly because for too long SAA has been a drain on South African taxpayers. Furthermore SAA, has been struggling to keep its fleet in the skies with a crippling debt of $1.5 billion and has had to receive a couple of state sponsored bailouts, including a recent 6.5 billion rands ($560 million) guarantee to keep liquidators off its back. The study will begin by conceptualizing SOEs, then move on to examining the different legislative acts and frameworks put in place to ensure the efficient and effective management of the SAA. The study will maintain that one of the major challenges faced by SAA is a problem of governance. Accordingly, the study will proceed to demonstrate how the different frameworks that exist could be implemented in order to ensure the efficient and effectiveness of SOEs in South Africa.
Delivery of social services through state owned enterprises : the case of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in Pietermaritzburg.
(2016) Ngwenya, Thobeka Nomcebo.; Manicom, Desiree Pushpeganday.
The apartheid regime influenced the high inequality levels, which perpetuated poverty rates particularly amongst black Africans. The democratic government thus inherited a society that consisted of majority of its Black citizens who were labelled as “poor”. It is within this context of discriminatory practices by social welfare services during the apartheid period, that the South African government committed itself to redressing issues of poverty, and restructuring the social security system to be inclusive. This study aimed to investigate the challenges and successes of implementation in the delivery of social services through state-owned enterprises, as a mechanism to deliver services in South Africa. It entails a case study of the South African Social Security Agency as an example of a state owned enterprises, delegated to deliver social services. The study focused on the SASSA office in Pietermaritzburg, which is situated within Mgungundlovu District, in KwaZulu Natal. This study, therefore, proved that SASSA in PMB as a state owned enterprise has successfully been able to deliver social services, effectively and efficiently. The delivery of social services through state owned enterprises has fundamentally improved as compared to before the inception of SASSA. However, it further uncovers that there are still various challenges in the delivery of social services that impede further progress. The challenge of incapacity in the administration of social grants was seen as one of the challenges. Secondly, the biometric system of payment opened up to other corruptive actions, such as illegal deductions of the social grant. This research study took a qualitative study approach by using in-depth structured interviews to collect primary data from respondents (SASSA, Black Sash, CINDI, PADCA, and Youth For Christ). The study also used primary data from official government documents; as well as secondary data. The sample consisted of a total of nine participants for the study, SASSA officials and members of NGO’s, namely Black Sash, PADCA, CINDI and Youth For Christ. Data was analysed using the thematic content analysis, using manual coding according to the themes. The research study used word for word transcription.
Public participation through ward committees: a case study of uMshwathi Municipality.
(2016) Mtshali, Nontobeko.; Manicom, Desiree Pushpeganday.
During apartheid, South Africa was governed by laws which were based on the isolated development of individuals within the country. This meant that the national government was not responsible for the delivery of services and infrastructure to the black people of South Africa. Public participation was limited under the apartheid government. Most of the Blacks, Indian and Coloured people in South African had no political rights and were restricted from participating in the processes of government. The apartheid government wanted to steer the interactions between the state, the market and civil society to best suit the welfare of the white dominant society in South Africa. Due to international pressures and the rise of civil society in the late 20th century, the apartheid government was weakened. In an attempt to address the injustices caused by apartheid, the democratic government was oriented towards finding ways to incorporate the previously disadvantaged groups within society into the decision-making processes and public participation by establishing ward committees. The study on uMshwathi municipality reveals that ward committees are the essential lubricant for public participation but there are challenges that need attention. The study on uMshwathi shows that ward committees have potential to enhance responsiveness of local government. The aim of the study is to investigate the functioning of ward committees in the uMshwathi municipality. The study looks at the issues related to their functioning and to community participation within ward committees with reference to uMshwathi municipality. It explores the conceptualisations of public participation by uMshwathi municipality. It also analyses the organisational structures and institutional mechanisms used by municipalities to promote public participation through ward committees. The researcher collected primary data through focus group discussions and structured in-depth interviews. Three focus group discussions were conducted with the ward committee members of uMshwathi municipality. A total of 24 members participated in these. Four in-depth interviews were conducted: three interviews were conducted with the uMshwathi municipality councillors and one interview was conducted with the uMshwathi municipality official who is responsible for the public participation unit. Secondary data was gathered from published research studies on public participation and ward committees in South Africa. Key points were emphasised through identifying and recording patterns from the presented data. This study used themes such as the conceptualisations of public participation; democracy and participatory governance; challenges of ward committee members; and successes of ward committees.
A policy analysis of state-owned enterprises : the case study of South African national road agency limited (SANRAL).
(2016) Mtshali, Mnqobi Siphosethu.; Stanton, Anne Sylvie.
State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are regarded as essential lubricants for socio-economic advancement not only in developing countries, but developed countries too. In developing countries, their history dates back to the colonial period where the state was essentially perceived to be the only entity with the necessary capacity to engineer development. Since their inception, SOEs have undergone different forms of public sector reforms. The emergence of the New Public Management in the 1980s, for example, saw the introduction of several forms of governance to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in the public sector. The commercialization of SOEs is often seen as a plausible technique to make SOEs more profitable. SOEs are government’s attempt to create state ownership in the economy, mobilizing private sector capital, reducing state debts and enhancing the capacity and competitiveness of the SOEs. On the other hand SOEs are criticized for their lack of accountability, transparency, poor performance and patronage. Research on SANRAL reveals that SOEs have the potential to bring about both positive and negative outcomes. The research on SANRAL further demonstrates that if properly managed, extraneous factors that limit positive outcomes of SOEs can be reduced.
An Implementation analysis of the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Licencing Act (Act No. 6 of 2010) : a case study of uThukela District Area.
(2016) Mchunu, Simenyiwe Alfred.; Rieker, Mark Ivan.
Abstract available in PDF file.
Agenda setting analysis of hydraulic fracturing in South Africa : an application of Kingdon's agenda setting theory.
(2016) Koetlisi, Nthabiseng Gertrude.; Rieker, Mark Ivan.
This dissertation unpacks the agenda setting process of energy as a policy issue from 2008 to 2015. It explores how and why hydraulic fracturing emerged and developed as a policy alternative in this regard. The agenda setting theory of John Kingdon is applied to guide this analysis. Agenda setting examines how problems gain the attention of government so that policy alternatives can be examined and identified. Kingdon explained this process through three analytical streams: the problem stream, the policy stream, and the political stream, and discussed how their convergence can result in a policy window wherein an issue comes to the attention of policy makers and policy alternatives can be developed and decisions can be taken. A qualitative research methodology was employed to explore all the events and the participation of different actors which led to the identification of hydraulic fracturing as a policy alternative. Data was collected through documentary analysis and was analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. The findings of this study have reflected the agenda setting theory of John Kingdon. As Kingdon has argued, when the three streams are coupled together, it is an appropriate time to address the problem and for a policy change. This is applicable in this study: the energy problem was recognised, and a suitable policy solution was attached to problem, accompanied with a change in the political stream. The window opens when the three streams are coupled together. The window opened in 2008 when the energy problem became intense, during the period when the country experienced load shedding. This was when the energy problem was considered a crisis that demanded attention. Policy entrepreneurs advocating for hydraulic fracturing saw the window of opportunity and pushed for their proposals to government decision makers. A change in the political stream was also experienced. Important government decision makers like the President and other administrators were interested in solving the energy crisis and were in support of hydraulic fracturing. They considered hydraulic fracturing as a feasible solution to the energy crisis.
The limits and possibilities of monitoring and evaluation: a case study of the KwaZulu Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KZN CoGTA).
(2016) Nxumalo, Siyabonga I.; Manicom, Desiree Pushpeganday.
As South Africa seeks to consolidate and deepen the country‟s democracy post-1994, subsequently it has had to focus on good governance to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in the conduct and operations of government. The country‟s development efforts towards improving accountability, transparency, efficiency as well as effectiveness of government in service delivery seeks to create and maintain high levels of performance in government departments. As a result monitoring and evaluation (M&E) has developed into a significant practice in guiding the transformation of the South African Public Service. M&E is the systematic assessment of the policy processes as well as the measurement of a policy‟s impact. It can be used to assess whether a policy or program achieves its objectives. M&E practice in South Africa is anchored towards developing an efficient Public Service that delivers on the objectives and mandate of the South African Government as enshrined in the country‟s post-1994 Constitution. In 2005, Cabinet approved a plan for the development of a Government-wide Monitoring and Evaluation System (M&E), which was envisaged as a system in which each department would have a functional M&E system. In 2009 a Ministry of Performance M&E was created in the Presidency, and a Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) in January 2010 was established. Subsequently, monitoring and evaluation has become a subject of interest in public policy implementation. This study seeks to understand the limits and possibilities of monitoring and evaluation using the KwaZulu Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KZN CoGTA) as a case study. It aims to ascertain how M&E as defined in the National Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and the literature is implemented, conceptualised and used. KZN CoGTA is a South African provincial government Department whose legislative mandate according to the South African Constitution is to provide effective, transparent, accountable and coherent intergovernmental system for the Provincial government departments. Evidently, as a relatively new strategic and operational practice in the South African government, M&E exposes some of its own limits and possibilities. Ultimately, not all resources invested into M&E actually get implemented to strengthen transparency, accountability and improvement. The study adopted an interpretative approach whilst using a qualitative methodology to identify and capture meaning that informs the understanding and implementation of monitoring and evaluation, (M&E). Non-probability; purposive sampling was used to select elements for a specific purpose of their unique position and capabilities to provide information on practical and expert knowledge in M&E. Therefore, the data collection method includes interviews with relevant personnel in the M&E practice, as well as the documents about the implementation of monitoring and evaluation in KZN CoGTA, South Africa. The implementation of M&E which is the focus of the study was analysed within the theoretical framework of public policy implementation which involves monitoring and evaluation. The challenges encountered when implementing M&E within the various approaches such as the Results-Based Management are also analysed in order to understand the limits and possibilities of monitoring and evaluation. The results pointed to the importance of an improved and standardised M&E practice with enhanced and standardised coordination between different spheres of government in national, provincial and local government institutions, as responsible for monitoring the process of design, implementation and continuous monitoring and evaluation of the public service, aiming to improve the quality of its services.

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