Municipalities In South Africa Research Articles

The Value of Decentralizing Water Service Authority to Local Municipalities from the District Municipalities in South Africa

The decentralization of Water Service Authority (WSA) from District Municipalities to Local Municipalities in South Africa aims to enhance service delivery, improve efficiency, and foster local accountability. This study investigates the potential benefits and challenges associated with this decentralization process. Through a comprehensive review of policy documents, case studies, and stakeholder interviews, this research explores the impact on water service quality, financial management, and community engagement. The findings suggest that decentralization can lead to more responsive and context-specific water management practices, although it also poses significant challenges in terms of capacity building and resource allocation.

Analyzing spatiotemporal variations and dynamics of vegetation over Amathole district municipality in South Africa

AbstractGlobal biodiversity loss and ecosystem services are significantly impacted by vegetation stress and environmental degradation. The study evaluates vegetation dynamics and long-term meteorological variables in Amathole District Municipality, South Africa, using satellite-derived vegetation indices from 2001 to 2022. The study utilised Terra MODIS and Landsat time series data to evaluate vegetation cover variation using the seasonal Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) and Landsat Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). A MODIS-specific compositing algorithm was used to acquire and extract data from the Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) using the study area extent. Pearson correlation and non-parametric trend analysis were used to assess the long-term vegetation cover characteristics and the influence of temperature, precipitation, and potential evapotranspiration (ETo) on vegetation cover. The results reveal a significant decline (<10%) in the quality of green vegetation condition index from moderate to low due to prolonged dryness in autumn and winter, affecting seasonal VCI trends. In certain years, the western region has experienced browning trends and increased vegetation. Spring and summer months experienced high vegetation greenness (50-100%), with inter-annual and decadal NDVI trends shifting, causing high drought sensitivity in the east. The study found a significant positive correlation (P < 0.001) between precipitation and simulated evapotranspiration anomalies with vegetation dynamics, contrasting with inter-annual and decadal changes in NDVI trends. The changes were primarily observed in small areas, with a greening trend resulting from an increased rate of ETo, which in turn affects temperature change. The approach is suitable for semi-arid environments and can be adopted by stakeholders due to its geospatial implications for vegetation monitoring and evaluation.

Climate smart agricultural policy in sub-Saharan Africa: a case study of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality of North West Province, South Africa

ABSTRACT This paper analyses climate-smart agricultural (CSA) policies and strategies in sub-Saharan Africa, using a case study of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in South Africa. It is argued that the development and implementation of coherent policies is one of the approaches to offering effective responses to adaptation and to mitigating the influences of climate change. The results of the study, which drew on qualitative data gathered through participatory research, showed that 30%, 70%, 50%, and 60% of the community members, farmers, NGOs, and government participants were unaware of or did not understand climate-smart agriculture practices. Additionally, this study highlighted the absence of awareness and knowledge of CSA policies across all participants, indicating a significant gap in information dissemination and education on sustainable agricultural practices. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted education and awareness initiatives to promote climate-smart agriculture in the region. Without a proper understanding and implementation of CSA practices, communities in Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality struggle to adapt to the changing climate and its impacts on agriculture. The results emphasise the necessity of raising awareness among different stakeholders in order to enhance the efficacy of agricultural practices’ adaptations to climate change. In order to ensure sustainable agricultural practices in Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, it is imperative that practices like collaboration, CSA technology, integration, financing, increased private sector involvement in CSA promotion, and sector-specific policies foster an environment that is favourable to CSA practices.

Traditional taboos: informal and invisible protection of remaining patches of forest in Vhembe District in Limpopo, South Africa

IntroductionSince 1990, there has been a global decline in forest areas. Between 2010 and 2020, the greatest annual net loss of forests was on the African continent. Despite South African indigenous forests and trees being protected under the National Forests Act of 1998 (Act No. 84 of 1998), the country has also shown an increased annual net loss of forests. Although the Vhembe District Municipality in South Africa has lost forest owing to human-induced deforestation and other land use activities, sacred forests have not been affected. According to traditional beliefs, exploitation of such indigenous patches of sacred forests is taboo. This study aims to explore the role of taboos in the protection of the remaining patches of sacred forest.MethodsThe study relies on data collected between December 2022 and December 2023. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants (n = 61) and local communities in Tshidzivhe and Duthuni villages (n = 60). Observations were used as a further data collection tool. The interview questions were prepared to assess the role of taboos in the protection and management of sacred forests. Data collected through interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis, while field observations helped to corroborate the results from the interviews. Results and discussionThe study identified two main taboos – one that restricts entry into the sacred forests (i.e. preventing entry into the sacred forests, and harvesting, hunting and hiking in these areas), and another that prohibits noise or activities that disrespect sacred forests. The study found that believers and non-believers alike, for fear of retribution by the spirits, still obey these taboos and their related myths. This has allowed these areas to develop dense stands of closed-canopy evergreen forest that support more diverse flora and fauna than found in surrounding areas. Although sacred forests are not meant for biodiversity conservation, they offer opportunities to be integrated into global conservation targets of “30x30” and “Half-Earth” by 2030. They also offer the opportunity of serving as carbon sinks which is key to climate change mitigation. Recommendations for protecting sacred forests and associated taboos are drawn up based on these results.

An analysis of the relative importance of healthcare services indicators in South Africa: Utilities Analysis Approach

Background: There is a wide gap in healthcare access between the poor and the rich in South Africa. The government has implemented several policies to address this gap; nonetheless the complaints about poor healthcare delivery exist. Aims: The objective of this study is to examine the relative importance of healthcare service indicators in Tshwane Municipality, South Africa. Methods: This research uses a utility approach to analyse the relative importance of healthcare service indicators in the context of the Tshwane Municipality in South Africa. The study applies conjoint analysis to better understand healthcare users' preferences for several factors such as service range, waiting time for medications and consultations, waiting time for elective operations, and location. Questionnaire was administered on 280 respondents, comprising the following: Black – 130, Whites – 70, Indians – 40, and Coloured – 40. The data was collected from both public and private healthcare users, and the results were compared using an independent t-test. Results: The study found that there were no statistically significant variations in the mean utilities of public and private healthcare users. The finding suggests that healthcare users' preferences, whether they utilize public or private services, are largely comparable and can be addressed by utilizing unified techniques. The result also demonstrates the most favoured levels for each metric, providing insights into patient preferences and their social impacts. The study further highlights various healthcare preferences of users. Conclusion: This finding emphasises that healthcare users have unique expectations, requiring personalised healthcare delivery. The findings have several recommendations for policymakers and healthcare practitioners to improve service delivery and patient satisfaction. Received: 01 May 2024 | Reviewed: 03 June 2024 | Revised: 12 July 2024 | Accepted: 21 July 2024.

Beaufort-Wes: 'n Oorsig van die geskiedenis van die dorp en distrik

The expansion of the settlement to the north-east in the course of the eighteenth century led to the proclamation of the Beaufort district in 1818. The principal town of the district, the present Beaufort West, was established on the farm Hooyvlakte and was the first municipality in South Africa (1837). From the beginning it was the centre of the educational, church and commercial life of this district, where sheep-farming was the most prominent activity. Today it is the largest town in the central Karoo and is also an important railway centre.

Bulk water services delivery challenges in the Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district municipality in South Africa's North West Province

AbstractThis study thoroughly examines the difficulties in providing bulk water services in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district municipality in the North West Province, with the end goal of giving comprehensive suggestions for operational and strategic improvements. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, employing semistructured interviews for gathering data from officials of various municipalities responsible for overseeing infrastructure within the geographical confines of the municipalities they serve. The findings identified themes indicative of the focus areas contributing to the bulk water services delivery challenges. These emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative work environment, thus promoting organizational learning, and implementing effective change management to elevate service delivery standards. It identifies the necessity for heightened operational efficiency and advocates for a cultural shift within municipal operations. Strategic planning, marked by the creation and regular refinement of master plans, is highlighted alongside the implementation of robust project management practices. The study emphasizes the critical need for synchronizing municipal planning processes with statutory requirements and the changing demands of the local community. The research advocates for a flexible and responsive approach to master planning, which is indispensable for adapting to shifts in administrative frameworks and community needs. The study recommends the development of a dynamic master plan for water services, one that is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the evolving legislative landscape and community priorities. It also suggests that municipal authorities should ensure that the planning process remains inclusive and responsive to the residents' needs. Furthermore, training and capacity‐building initiatives for municipal officials could be instrumental in enhancing their ability to adapt to these changing demands and legislative environments.

Interventions at the Local Spheres of Government in South Africa: An Assessment of Monitoring and Evaluation

The post-1994 landscape in South Africa presented millions of individuals—especially the majority Black population who had been subjected to many apartheid policies—with renewed hope for better and improved development opportunities. This stemmed from the fact that the first democratically elected administration of the African National Congress (ANC) promised immense socioeconomic change when they assumed office. These promises became evident from the many socioeconomic policies and Chapter 9 institutions that came to the fore over the last two decades, as well as the mapping of new legislation and policies for local government as enshrined in the Constitution of 1996. These actions were viewed to further the envisioned development trajectories of government, especially as the local government is the government closest to the people. However, post-1994, some municipalities in South Africa have endured massive challenges that have needed numerous involvements from the government through various interventions. This has been a continuous phenomenon, irrespective of the many policies at play to oversee the smooth operation of municipalities. This article delves into the failure of some municipalities in South Africa and interventions of local government in post-apartheid South Africa by scrutinising what drives this phenomenon. Furthermore, it dwells on the impact and challenges of effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) policies at the local government level.

Functional or Neglected Border Regions? Analysis of the Integrated Development Plans of Borderland Municipalities in South Africa

The mainstream approach of regional integration impact assessments is mainly limited to assessing cross-border development projects/programmes. There is still a lack of critical assessment of how stakeholders at different institutional levels conceptualise the border. Local (municipal) strategic plans provide a reflection of the spatial imaginaries of stakeholders, perception planners, institutional power structures, and, to some extent meaning of the border to the local people. Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) in South Africa were adopted as an important development planning strategy in the post-apartheid era. IDPs of 49 borderland municipalities were systematically reviewed using the Key-Word-in-Context (KWIC) content analysis technique of the keyword ‘border’ to determine the importance of state borders in light of regional integration. Border security and management is one of the most common themes associated with the border. This suggested that borders were mainly perceived as threats and barely considered as a potential resource for cross-border cooperation or integration.

THE FACTORS INFLUENCING BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY OF FOOD TRUCK ENTREPRENEURS: A CASE OF NELSON MANDELA BAY, SOUTH AFRICA

Purpose: Within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa, no record of factors that inhibit the successful pursuit of the food truck business exists. This study closes this gap, as its chief goal was to ascertain the factors influencing the sustainability of food truck entrepreneurs in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). Theoretical Framework: The study used a conceptual framework developed from previous studies on factors that affect food truck entrepreneurs and business sustainability. Design/Methodology/Approach: Data for the study was collected through semi-structured interviews with seven food truck entrepreneurs from NMB. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Reviewing the factors that have been highlighted in this study, it is evident that several factors are most important for a food truck business to remain sustainable and profitable. It was established that both internal and external factors play an important role in the success of a food truck business. A framework that highlights the factors influencing a food truck business in NMB has been created for ease of use by entrepreneurs in the food truck industry. Research, Practical & Social Implications: Prospective and current practitioners in the field can predict the long-term success of their endeavours by understanding the factors. The framework can also be used by metro officials and local governments to determine where support might be needed to promote and support entrepreneurs in their business ventures by reviewing policies and regulations. Originality/Value: Improved regulations could help food truck owners grow their businesses, employ more people, and upskill others.

A regulatory framework for bottled water quality monitoring: A case of Emfuleni local municipality

BackgroundThe quality of drinking water has recently become of utmost concern to consumers worldwide, especially in areas where Water Service Authorities (WSAs) failed to provide safe water. To combat this challenge, government entities regulate water to ensure that safe water is provided. The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has experienced cases of water contamination by human excretion, whereby communities were affected. As a result, there was a sharp increase in bottled water (BW) use, which however gave rise to unregulated and counterfeit versions of popular brands. This situation poses threats to public health. AimThis study sought to determine the regulation of drinking water and to assess whether environmental health practitioners (EHPs) monitor the quality of water sources (BW and tap water) in ELM as outlined by the National Environmental Health Norms and Standards (NEHNS). SettingsThe study was conducted in the Emfuleni Local Municipality in South Africa. MethodsA quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed in this research. Fifteen online questionnaires using a Google Forms survey were distributed amongst all EHPs servicing ELM. Secondary data that included the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Service Delivery Budget Implentation Plan (SDBIP) for the 2017–2020 financial years were also evaluated, specifically for water quality monitoring (tap and bottled water). The dataset was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. ResultsDue to complexity in the legislation and NEHNS in relation to Municipal Health Services (MHS), bottled water was not sampled at all. A number of EHPs were also not conversant with the regulations governing BW. Moreover, NEHNS consider bottled water as food, which does not fall under the MHS. ConclusionThere should be clarity in the legislation to ensure that bottled water monitoring is intensified to protect public health within the WSAs. ContributionThe findings of this study could assist policy-makers to make informed decisions on water quality monitoring, as well as clarify legislative issues on bottled water.

The efficiency of public expenditures on basic services: The case of South African municipalities

AbstractThis paper examines the efficiency of service delivery across 213 local and metropolitan municipalities in South Africa, focusing on four critical areas: electricity, water, sewerage and waste removal. Utilising a order‐ partial frontier efficiency analysis (PFEA), the study calculates output‐oriented efficiency scores for each municipality, incorporating adjustments for service quality based on an ‘infrastructure quality‐index’. Our empirical findings indicate marked variations in efficiency, with electricity services exhibiting the highest efficiency rate at 35%, while waste removal lags behind at 22%. Additionally, municipalities centred around small urban towns are found to be more efficient, challenging the widely held view that larger municipalities are better equipped for efficient service delivery. The analysis offers empirical insights into local government performance in South Africa, underscoring the need for targeted policy interventions to address efficiency gaps. These results not only inform fiscal and administrative decentralisation strategies but also set the groundwork for future research exploring the underlying factors affecting municipal efficiency.

The Influence of Infrastructure Financing on Rural Municipalities in Limpopo Province, South Africa: Issue for Consideration

Infrastructure financing in an important source of funding for rural municipalities. The introduction of private financing in the South African region is a significant paradigm from which the rural municipalities pursue infrastructure investments. However, rural municipalities find it increasingly complicated to secure infrastructure funding from the private sector. Infrastructure financing constraints, including those exacerbated by economic, educational, social and political factors, are some of the many accelerating challenges facing rural municipalities in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. This analysis aims to identify and investigate the root cause of the lack of infrastructure financing and the challenges related to infrastructure financing at rural municipalities in South Africa. The challenge is to design ways to manage these constraints with infrastructure development effectively. Rural municipalities in South Africa face a significant infrastructure finance and investment gap. The study adopted a conceptual approach to analyse the effects of infrastructure financing on rural municipalities in the Limpopo Province. A literature study revealed that some of the challenges were linked to infrastructure development and financing mechanisms. Specific constraints include issues of transparency and autonomy and key provincial transitions. This study concludes with the mechanisms that can be applied to raise external funding for infrastructure development.

Impact of land restitution benefits on Water, Energy and Food (WEF) misgovernance and social injustice

Land restitution has been used to achieve redistributive justice. However, such social justice has been compromised by the misgovernance of water, energy, and food (WEF) which has resulted in distributive injustices and compromised welfare outcomes. The objective of the study was to ascertain the land restitution benefactor impacts on WEF misgovernance in lieu of offsetting social injustice. The study was carried out in Matatiele, Magareng and Greater Taung Local Municipalities in South Africa. A purposively selected sample of 1184 households was obtained through a cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured questionnaire. Vulnerability indices, independent sample t-tests and Propensity Score Matching were used to analyze the data. The results showed that land restitution beneficiaries were vulnerable to WEF misgovernance relative to social injustice. In addition, becoming a land restitution benefactor had a significant impact and increased the level of vulnerability to WEF misgovernance. This was mainly through increased exposure and sensitivity to WEF misgovernance. Benefiting from land restitution did not have an impact on vulnerability to WEF social injustice, even though exposure and adaptive capacity to social injustice were increased. The study concludes that benefiting from land restitution increased vulnerability to WEF misgovernance while having no impact on social injustice. The study recommends improving access and fixing dilapidated WEF infrastructure in land-restituted areas. Furthermore, there is a need to implement livelihood-improving programs in addition to social protection support to enhance access to WEF resources. Water, energy, and food (WEF) decision-making should be decentralized to improve participation, governance, and procedural justice.

Traditional Leadership and Rural Municipalities in South Africa: Conflicts and Alliances in Water Governance

Traditional Leadership and Rural Municipalities in South Africa: Conflicts and Alliances in Water Governance

The struggle within dual systems of government: dealing with conflict between traditional leaders and ward councilors in the greater Giyani Municipality in South Africa

IntroductionCurrent frameworks of conflict resolution have shown only partial success, particularly in the context of local municipalities where conflicts persist. There is a pressing need for context-specific framework that address leadership conflicts while fostering peace.MethodsTo address the lack of progress in resolving conflicts, this study identifies major challenges undermining the assimilation and implementation of objectively informed conflict resolution strategies. A purposive sampling method was employed to select 33 respondents from the Greater Giyani Municipality. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using statistically established matrix scoring procedures. ATLAS.ti software was utilized for data analysis.ResultsWithout claiming to be exhaustive, this paper highlights examples of externalities that threaten the coexistence of the dual system of governance in South African communities, with a focus on leadership conflict and unsustainable peace. Factors contributing to conflict escalation include capacity constraints, lack of inclusive, bias, divisive decision-making and contested court decisions.DiscussionThe study underscores the importance of addressing these challenges to foster effective conflict resolution. It emphasizes the need for the scientific community to provide critical information necessary for responding effectively to these challenges.ConclusionTo enhance conflict resolution in local municipalities, it is imperative to develop context-specific frameworks that address underlying challenges and promote sustainable peace. This requires concerted efforts from both researchers and practitioners to provide the necessary insights and strategies for resolution.

A Review and Reformation of Municipal Indigent Policies Towards Sustainable Service Delivery in Selected Rural Municipalities in South Africa

A Review and Reformation of Municipal Indigent Policies Towards Sustainable Service Delivery in Selected Rural Municipalities in South Africa

The Role of E-Government in the Promotion of Municipal Service Delivery in South Africa

The advent of the fourth industrial revolution necessitates that government institutions move away from the traditional paper-based system to an electronic system. Many countries in Africa, including South Africa, have adopted the e-government system as one of the main delivery channels for municipal services and information to society (Mafunisa Consulting, 2021). However, despite the government's ability to establish a new public service model where all government agencies provide their constituents with modern, streamlined, and seamless services (Norris and Moon, 2005). Municipalities in South Africa are regarded as entities that provide direct services to the citizens, however are not financially self-sufficient and often lack the necessary infrastructure such as ICT infrastructure to carry out their duties to deliver e-services to the society at large (Development Bank of South Africa, 2023). Many people in rural areas are affected by the lack of ICT infrastructures and basic digital literacy to enable the participation and accessibility of digital services. Therefore, for the society to participate in e-government, it should be proficient with ICT skills, assisted by the availability of ICT infrastructure within their area. As a result, these people are left out of the participation of e-government services due to the complexities associated with the lack of ICT infrastructure. Because the ICT infrastructure is the backbone and a critical component for implementing the e-government system to ensure digital public administration. Therefore, the study examines the role of e-government in the promotion of municipal service delivery within the South African public sector environment. The main objective of the study is to establish the best electronic government mechanisms that will help the South African government in delivering sustainable services. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology with specific reference to a conceptual approach based extensively on secondary data.

The administrative effects of political killings of officials in South African Municipalities

Background: Politically motivated killings have been an increasing concern in South Africa since the dawn of democracy in 1994. Over the years, various municipalities have seen a rise in the killing of local government officials. While there are records of the number of incidences of killings in provinces such as Kwazulu-Natal, Gauteng and Limpopo, it remains unclear how these occurrences affect local government administration.Aim: This study seeks to explore the administrative effects of politically motivated killings of officials in South African municipalities.Methods: Using the adversarial and politicised bureaucratic models, the study relied on secondary sources of data from accredited journal articles, books, conference proceedings, official reports and academic theses. A desktop qualitative review of data was used.Results: The research found that politically motivated killings of municipal officials have detrimental effects on good governance and service delivery such as staff rotations, destabilisation of the councils, skills erosion and continued political tensions.Conclusion: This study finds that the killings are part of the deeper crisis of politics and administration dynamics in the public service with detrimental effects on the governance of municipalities in South Africa. The study recommends that local governments introduce stringent minimum requirements for appointing officials to minimise the contestation between politicians and government administrators.Contribution: This study seeks to stimulate further research interest in the anatomy of political killings, specifically the diagnosis and specific measures to help curb this phenomenon for better governance within local government.

Drivers of Learner Aggression in Selected Schools in the Amathole District Municipality in South Africa

In the pursuit of an environment conducive to effective teaching and learning, schools are universally regarded as sanctuaries of nonviolence for all stakeholders. However, the South African education landscape has witnessed a distressing trend as schools have increasingly transformed into arenas of criminal activity and violence. Against this background, the present study sought to explore the drivers of learner aggression in selected schools situated in the Amathole District Municipality. The study followed a phenomenological research design that enabled the researchers to explore the lived experiences of the participants and unearth insights into learner aggression. Using a purposive sampling technique, twenty-five participants were purposively selected from five separate schools and data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that the overarching influence of violent communities and dysfunctional family structures and teacher favouritism, particularly directed towards academically proficient students, were drivers of aggressive behaviour. Among others, the study recommends the urgent need for teacher training programmes that focus on dealing with learner aggression. By equipping teachers with enhanced tools to discern, prevent, and effectively respond to instances of learner aggression, the education system can foster an atmosphere of safety and inclusivity.