Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Research Articles

The Challenges of Implementing a Health Referral System in South Africa: A Qualitative Study.

Health system strengthening efforts also entails streamlining an existing referral system in a particular context to improve quality of health care offered to people. Conceptually, the referral system in South Africa, is seemingly sound. Nevertheless, gaps exist in its implementation. The aim of this study was toexplorehealth care professionals' perceptions of referral system implementation in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This qualitative study included 12 health care professionals as participants. Each participant was interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide; with their consent, the interviews were audio recorded andtranscribed verbatim. For data analysis, a thematic content analysis was used. The participants identified many impediments to the effective implementation of the referral system in BCCM. The main obstacles were deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate staffing, lack of transportation, and inadequate medical supplies and medications. In mitigation, the participants proposed suggestions such as increasing the capacity of the health workforce, allocating personnel appropriately, increasing the availability of transportation, and providing essential medications to all levels of care. They also suggested involving all stakeholders in the referral process, providing education and training to health professionals on the referral system, and enhancing communication and feedback between the various levels of care. These challenges emphasised in this study highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve the referral system in this setting.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension awareness, knowledge and its risk factors: A cross-sectional study.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) has severe implications for maternal morbidity and mortality; thus, boosting pregnant women's awareness and knowledge of this medical condition is crucial for improving the mother's and foetus's health. This study assessed the awareness and knowledge of PIH and its risk factors among pregnant women in Mdantsane, South Africa. This cross-sectional study involved 249 conveniently selected and consenting pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Mdantsane, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. A self-designed questionnaire was utilised to collect data. Descriptive statistics, chi-square (χ2) test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed. The significance level was 0.05. Over 50% of the women were knowledgeable about PIH and associated risk factors ((χ2=4.92; p = 0.04). The prevalence of PIH was 51.8%, and married women were more aware of the PIH risk factors (71.1%). Women with previous pregnancies were more likely to be aware of PIH (OR = 17.1, 95%; CI = 9.09 to 32.15) compared to first time mothers. Women in age group 36-45 were 2.5 times more likely to be aware of PIH (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.19-3.24) compared to women aged <35 years. Likewise, women aged 36-45 years were two times more likely to be knowledgeable about risk factors for PIH (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.14-2.81) compared to women aged <35 years. Married women were more likely to be aware of PIH risk factors (OR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.35-5.47) than unmarried women. Moreover, pregnancy increases the likelihood (OR=12.8, 95% CI: 6.97-23.58) of being aware of PIH risk factors. There was a significant difference between the mean ages of women who knew about PIH risk factors and those who do not (t=3.49, Mean difference = 3.49, p=0.0001, 95% CI (2.54; 4.44)). The prevalence of PIH was high. Age, history of PIH, previous pregnancy, and marital status were predictors of PIH knowledge/awareness and risk factors for PIH. Context-specific health education programmes during prenatal visits are crucial to improving pregnant women's knowledge of PIH.

Reflecting on the experience of the rationalisation and consolidation of the faculties and campuses at Walter Sisulu University: successes and challenges

One of six comprehensive universities in South Africa, the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) combines the best academic credentials from universities and technikons in an effort to effectively meet the socio-economic development needs of the nation, in the Eastern Cape Province, and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Chris Hani Municipality, King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality. An institution of a new generation, the WSU is more than the sum of its parts. Its goal is to improve community potential through quality academic programs, research, and community engagement projects with a strong emphasis on involvement and sustainable development. This article considers the different successes and difficulties associated with the WSU rationalization and consolidation of faculties. This theoretical article observes that the government started using rationalization and consolidation as a tool to reconfigure and reform the higher education sector. Rationalization and consolidation are nothing new, and several nations have used them to revamp or reorganize their higher education industries. The article provides literature debates and scholarly background on comparing the South African higher education sector's proposed rationalisation and consolidation to those of other nations' higher education sectors, however, would reveal the most ambitious reform program ever launched in recent memory. The conceptual paper adopts a thematic qualitative approach. The primary wave of the mergers mandated by the government that happened in 2004 and 2005 was preceded by the 2002 merger of Walter Sisulu University.

The pitfalls or gaps in monitoring and evaluation tools during Coronavirus disease 2019 era in South African municipalities

The South African municipalities have continued to demonstrate weaknesses or inadequacies in monitoring and evaluation (M&amp;E). A possible barrier in South African municipalities is a lack of M&amp;E expertise. While M&amp;E can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and efficiency of a programme, some potential pitfalls and gaps were discovered during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A case study design was employed to conduct in-depth and detailed examination within two metropolitan municipalities in the Eastern Cape. A mixed methods approach was adopted in a convergent manner for data collection and analysis. In-depth interviews were utilised to collect data from 13 senior municipal managers at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). A total of 191 questionnaires were despatched to municipal employees and 186 were returned, giving a 97% response rate. The findings reflect the weaknesses of M&amp;E policies in the municipalities and paints a picture of M&amp;E not being prioritised in the municipality. The findings also reflect the current situation at the municipalities concerned, which is that there are pitfalls and gaps when it comes to evaluation measures. Thus, the study concludes that accountability for financial and performance management is non-existent. This study attempts to make a valuable contribution by providing technical assistance, capacity building to ensure that municipalities have effective M&amp;E systems in place to monitor and evaluate service delivery and improve the lives of communities.

Transforming economics towards tackling teachers' challenges in teaching economics: A case of selected schools in buffalo city metropolitan South Africa

Introduction/Purpose: Economics is a dynamic subject whose students use the contents to address real-life problems. Therefore, this paper examines the transformation of economics to tackle teachers’ challenges in the teaching of economics. &#x0D; Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper used a qualitative research technique to collect information from teachers based on a phenomenological research design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 12 teachers of economics in 6 selected schools in Buffalo City. A semi-structured interview was used to elicit information from the respondents and the data were analysed using a thematic approach.&#x0D; Findings: The study identifies certain notable issues including imprecise economics curriculum materials and learners' inability to demonstrate interest due to various statistics and data components of the subject. Teachers' participation in professional development activities such as seminars, in-service training and workshops for knowledge updates is one of the solutions offered to overcome these difficulties.&#x0D; Limitation: This paper uses only 12 economics teachers from Buffalo City metropolitan municipality. Larger samples can be used in another municipality. A quantitative approach can be used to accommodate representative samples.&#x0D; Practical Implications: Teachers are expected to be at the forefront of disseminating the contents of the subject appropriately because a teacher can only give what he or she has. Teachers should be proactive and current with the recent developments in the nation and be technologically compliant.&#x0D; Contribution to the Literature: This paper contributes to the literature by highlighting practical solutions to the challenges teachers face during the teaching of economics.

Impact of Urban Expansion on Coastal Vegetation Conservation in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

The ethical clearance certificate number for this research is KUL011SOLA01. This research elucidates the conceptualization of urbanization, urban sustainability, merits of coastal vegetation, and threats to urban expansion. Furthermore, this paper focuses on the analysis of the questionnaire, of which 300 copies were distributed to different categories of individuals in the study area, out of which a total of 254 copies were returned. The results revealed that 197 (80.7%) respondents confirmed the occurrence of environmental challenges, 33 (13.5%) others stated otherwise, while 14 (5.7%) claimed ignorance. Further, the researcher sought to know the causes of coastal vegetation loss; 190 (74.8%) respondents blamed it on urban expansion, 169 (66.8%) respondents stated it was due to deforestation activities. Other views cited by the respondents in this regard and their corresponding frequencies are as follows: bush fires (132/52.0%) and conversion of ecosystem land uses for crop cultivation (112/44.1%).

Investigating the Impact of Social Media Usage on the Mental Health of Young Adults in Buffalo City, South Africa

In South Africa, social media usage has consistently increased over time, with young individuals being the most active users. However, there are concerns about mental illness, such as depression, as a result of the surge in social comparison. This study explored the relationship between social media usage and mental health among young adults in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. This study used a quantitative research approach and was based on the positivism paradigm. Data was collected from 127 young individuals aged 14 to 35 who live in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality through the use of structured questionnaires. The data collected was analysed using a descriptive statistical package for the social sciences. The findings of the study amongst others showed that the young adults spend an average of 6 hours per day on social media platforms. Also, the fear of missing out (FoMO) was identified as another major reason why young adults stay on social media platforms for long hours every day. Based on the results presented in this study, one can convincingly state that the excessive use of social media is negatively contributing to the mental health status of young adults. Some of these detrimental impacts include depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, suicide and other mental health issues. The study recommends amongst others that an urgent and continuous well-structured awareness campaign be made to help sensitise the young adults on the danger of excessive use of social media platforms, both on their mental health status and life in general.

Experiences of migrant mothers attending vaccination services at primary healthcare facilities.

Migration to South Africa is currently dominated by women and children, for socio-economic and refugee reasons or to utilise the healthcare system for various services. Migrants and refugees are at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, and many of their children have an incomplete or unknown immunisation status. This study aimed to explore the experiences of migrant mothers in utilising child immunisation services in primary healthcare facilities. Ten primary healthcare facilities that were providing immunisation services, located in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape province, South Africa. A qualitative research design, making use of in-depth interviews (IDIs) from 18 purposefully selected migrant women, was used for data collection. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the recorded data of the experiences of study participants in their access to immunisation services. From the IDIs, four themes were identified: difficulty in communicating with the healthcare workers because of language barriers, access challenges, interpersonal barriers and interpersonal relationships were identified in this study, which influenced the utilisation of immunisation services by migrant mothers. The findings of this study support and reinforce the duty of the South African government and healthcare facilities to work together to improve migrant women's access to immunisation services. A positive relationship between healthcare workers and migrant mothers while accessing immunisation services should contribute to reducing child mortality in South Africa and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 by the year 2030.

Bridging the disconnection between donor support and democratisation in South Africa: The case of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

Bridging the disconnection between donor support and democratisation in South Africa: The case of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

Assessment of retrained public service employees for effective performance: a professional development myth

The public sector necessitates the development of public service managers’ competencies. However, this need has received far too little attention, particularly in terms of stakeholder management and service delivery. The case study method was used to interview seven public managers from the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Thematic analysis revealed the following findings: insufficient education and training in public institutions, insufficient capacity building, and an insufficient comprehensive professional development mandate to address these issues. The study recommends that the government strengthen the capacity of managers in various departments in order to improve professional development and service delivery.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AS AN ACCELERATOR FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PLANNING IN SOUTH AFRICA

The post-apartheid government in South Africa adopted the democratic model of cooperative governance enabled by the Constitution of 1996 in birthing intergovernmental relations (IGRs). The concept of cooperative governance accepts that all government spheres can collaboratively function together to render quality and efficient services to the citizens. Against this background, this study adopted an interpretive paradigm that draws from an explorative qualitative research approach. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) was identified as a case study, where existing government documents, peer-reviewed articles, and other expansive literature sources were analysed to demonstrate how IGR can be adequately implemented to accelerate local government planning and community service delivery. The analysis of documents unearthed numerous challenges affecting BCMM in implementing IGR to enhance its operational efficiency and public service delivery. The challenges include poor project management and support in integrated development planning. The findings further reflected the absence of hard and soft skills, which triggered poor coordination and implementation of intergovernmental relations in BCMM. The conclusions derived from this study revealed that the leadership of BCMM needs to promote coordination and cooperation among various municipal departments, which is crucial in strengthening intergovernmental relations within the local government planning processes. The study's contribution lies in highlighting the potential of IGR in improving service delivery in South African municipalities and emphasizing the need for improved coordination and project management skills, which are central to advancing local government planning and public service delivery. Keywords: Intergovernmental Relations, Local Government Planning, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa DOI： https://doi.org/10.35741/issn.0258-2724.58.2.71

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Mobile Health Monitoring and Care Systems by the Elderly Living at Home in South Africa

Introduction: Technology can improve the health care outcomes of the elderly. However, there are many barriers to the adoption of mobile monitoring and care systems (MMCs) by the elderly reported in literature. The main purpose of this research was to investigate why elderly people do not adopt MMCs to improve the quality of their health care.&#x0D; &#x0D; Methods: The study made use of semi-structured interviews to collect data in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. The study sample consisted of 15 purposively chosen study participants, representing a diverse racial profile, in order to investigate the adoption of MMCs of the elderly in their home environment. The interviews were analysed thematically.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: The study found that social challenges like technology anxiety, the intrusive nature of the technology and attitude towards the technology will affect adoption of MMCs. Government need to address the standardisation, data governance and interoperability of the systems. The cost of MMCs were seen as an inhibitor, but could be off set against the perceived return on investment of health care. While the elderly acknowledged that MMCs can improve their independence, the design of the MMCs and training to use it was identified as barriers to the adoption.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: The study, therefore, recommends collaborative engagements amongst government, business and the elderly to facilitate the adoption of MMCs in the elderly community to improve the quality of health care.

Understanding the Service delivery protests in South Africa: A case study of Duncan Village

Background: In the years since the first democratic election in 1994, South Africa has experienced mass violent demonstrations in townships, which include the Duncan village massacre in 1985. The phenomenon of violent service delivery protests has become a norm in South Africa. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) protests constitute the key focus of this study.Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the key challenges that relate to service delivery protests in Duncan village.Setting: This study was conducted in Duncan village, one of the townships in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), which is located approximately 5 km from East London’s central business district in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with community leaders from Duncan village, including the ward councillor, in the data collection process.Results: The findings of the study revealed that housing shortages, an unhygienic living environment, poverty and unemployment were identified as major challenges facing residents in Duncan village.Conclusion: The BCMM should regulate community clean-ups in order to ensure better living conditions. Develop electronic database to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of houses. Also, community meetings should be monitored and evaluated on a regular basis not only during election or protest time. Moreover, the ward councillor should be available and easily accessible to Duncan Village residents.Contribution: The article sought to investigate the challenges that relate to service delivery protests in Duncan Village and concludes that lack of housing, poverty, dirty location, and lack of communication were the main causes of violent service delivery protests.

Performance management in South Africa’s municipalities: A case study of Buffalo City Metro

Background: The performance management system (PMS) allows employees and employers to clearly state the objectives and ways through which those objectives must be accomplished in an organisation. Against this background, this study investigated the challenges facing PMS at Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM).Aim: This study examined performance management and organisational success in local government administration in South Africa.Setting: The study was conducted in the BCMM, located in the central business district of the Eastern Cape province in South Africa.Method: In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with a sample of 20 participants from BCMM. The participants were selected using the purposive sampling technique. The target population of the study was the employees of BCMM.Results: Based on the analysis of data, the study found that the municipality did not have an electronic system; they were using a manual system in their performance management. Furthermore, the participants also highlighted that there was no approved PMS policy framework that had been endorsed by the council of the municipality.Conclusion: This study recommended that the municipality must have an approved PMS policy framework, and it should be implemented at all levels of employment within the organisation.

Social Enterprises as Drivers of Community Development in South Africa: The Case of Buffalo City Municipality

In many societies of the world, accumulation of material wealth through profit-orientated investments does not necessarily advance constructive social and community transformation. Recognising this development gap has led to an emergence of innovative approaches that enable entrepreneurs to create and facilitate wealth sharing in communities. Community development is an important component of social work practice that attempts to deal with diverse social challenges. Indeed, this makes continuous research on emerging practices to enhance community development extremely important. Through a qualitative case study research design, I investigated the ways in which social enterprises contribute to community development in South Africa. Twelve participants were sampled and interviewed. The study revealed that the principles and operations of social enterprises facilitate and enhance community development in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. This is because they embrace social investment to redress social development deficits by providing alternative and innovative services. The social enterprises also empower and capacitate vulnerable groups such as women and youths to promote socio-economic emancipation. Through these facilitative operations, jobs are created, inequality is reduced, and inclusion and participation in the communities are effectuated. These findings indicate the crucial role played by social enterprises when dealing with social challenges related to poverty, unemployment, inequality and participation in economic prosperity of the community. Social work practitioners can therefore draw lessons from the operations of social enterprise to design socio-economic programmes for sustainable interventions in rural communities.

The significance of public space governance in enhancing the quality of public space delivery and management in South Africa

ABSTRACT The role of public space governance in delivering and managing qualitative public space in South African cities is inadequately documented from a municipal governance perspective. The article focuses on the governance of public space delivery and management in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality to unlock the best urban design practices concerning creating and sustaining high-quality public space as an essential element of urban infrastructure. The paper argues that the delivery and management of high-quality public spaces in South African cities are underpinned by several essential governance prerequisites that influence the significance, nature and role of public space within these cities.

Перешкоди та причини для занять фізичними вправами сільським і міським населенням із надмірною вагою в Буффало-Cіті (Східна Капська провінція)

This study explored factors and barriers to exercise for rural and urban obese populations in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape. A purposive sample of 80 members from the two selected communities completed the questionnaire. A factor analysis was performed to identify factors that motivate physical activity and barriers to physical activity. Constructive motivating factors included increasing their self-image, enhancing their wellbeing, and getting highly involved in active and regular exercise. Negative motivators included finding it challenging to fit into old clothes and the worry of developing obesity-related diseases. Respondents noted the following impediments to regular exercises and physical activities; African cultural values, limited operational hours of physical activity facilities, insufficient time, and a lack of enthusiasm.

Promoting Youth Empowerment through Business Mentorship in South Africa

One of the setbacks in youth entrepreneurship is the unavailability of proper business knowledge and mentorship. In rural municipalities of South Africa, the absence of youth mentorship has widened the inequality gap and triggered deep youth poverty. This article reinforces the importance of youth mentoring in crucial business aspects such as writing business plans for entrepreneurial success. This study is premised on a positivist paradigm that uses a quantitative research design. The researchers administered twenty questionnaires to youth entrepreneurs in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa to examine whether mentoring the writing of business plans plays an essential role in their entrepreneurial ventures. The results for this article reveal that most youth entrepreneurs do not receive mentoring to boost their entrepreneurial ventures, even though mentoring has been identified as necessary. The report recommends that youth entrepreneurs be mentored to promote their businesses, which will create youth economic development and employment creation in BCMM.

An exploration of public accountability and service delivery at the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Background: The South African public sector still faces numerous challenges of public accountability and corruption 26 years post the establishment of a democratic government and a free society. These challenges are mainly found in the local sphere of government which is the heart of where service delivery takes place.Aim: This article aimed to examine the public accountability strategies and mechanisms being used at the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape province whilst giving a conceptual view of how corruption and maladministration adversely affected the municipality and province.Setting: This study was conducted at the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa.Method: The study adopted an explanatory sequential design based on a mixed-methods approach where data was collected through questionnaires and secondary documents. Data was analysed through a comparative lens and thematic analysis. A total sample of 47 participants was chosen through a purposive sampling technique.Results: The key findings of the study revealed that there is a lack of communication between local government and the residents. As well as poor implementation of accountability mechanisms and capacity issues, that is, lack of training and resources amongst others contributed to the ailing public accountability and service delivery issues.Conclusions: Conclusions drawn reflect a municipality that is struggling with huge backlogs on service delivery. Furthermore, public accountability mechanisms exist but implementation is a challenge. Recommendations included enhanced community engagement and participation, capacity building and skills development, the promotion of individual independence of the community, enhancement of resources and infrastructure and the enhancement of the Public Participation Unit.

Factors influencing commercialisation among smallholder cabbage farmers of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of South Africa: A Cragg Double-Hurdle model approach

Literature suggests that there are high levels of commercialisation by even the poorest and smallest landholders within the horticulture subsector in most rural Africa. Thus, the notion of poor commercialisation among smallholder farmers is now being challenged. Against this background,this paper estimated factors that influence commercialisation by smallholder cabbage farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study used a cross-sectional survey of120 smallholder cabbage farmers obtained through a multistage sampling procedure. A Cragg double-hurdle model was applied to analyse the factors that influence the commercialisation decision and intensity of commercialisation. In the first stage, the result of the probit regression model revealed that gender, age, access to informal credit and area planted were significant factors towards influencing smallholder cabbage farmers’ commercialisation decisions. In the second stage, the results of the truncated regression model revealed that family size and area planted were the key factors determining the intensity of commercialisation. Hence, the attempts to improve smallholder farmers’ cabbage commercialisation should be guided by these significant explanatory variables in the study area, given the low commercialisation index revealed.