Tambo District Research Articles

Evidence of Factors Hindering Establishment of Viable Rural Development Action in Eastern Cape Municipalities

Efforts aimed at assuaging rural areas in South Africa date back to the post-transition-to-democracy era in 1994. During this era, reforms and policy interventions aimed to enhance rural development, with a focus on economic growth within rural landscapes. The main argument in this article is that implementing viable rural development action requires a collaborative effort to address complex aspects of societal and economic transformation. The article draws from a study that examined factors hindering the successful establishment of viable rural development actions in the O.R. Tambo and Amahlathi District municipalities. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with 19 participants, including local economic development officers, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and councillors. The data were analysed using Atlas ti 9 software. The findings highlight several limitations in addressing local development actions, including malfunctioning leadership, climate change, criminal activity, limited access to reliable markets, and funding and skills deficits. To drive change, collaborative action platforms should be established to facilitate the sharing of traditional and innovative knowledge among rural communities and other non-state agents. Leveraging this knowledge and skills can lead to the adoption of best practices and new technologies. The article contributes to a body of knowledge that informs rural development policies and explores alternative ways of achieving development goals such as the infusion of best practices from exclusive top-down approaches to bottom-up approaches. Keywords: Viable rural development action, Economic growth, Bottom-up approach

Risk factors contributing to tick-acaricide control failure in communal areas of the Oliver Tambo district eastern cape province, South Africa

Application of chemical acaricides in the control of ticks has led to the problem of tick-acaricide control failure. To obtain an understanding of the possible risk factors involved in this tick-acaricide control failure, this study investigated tick control practices on communal farms in the north-eastern part of the Eastern Cape Province (ECP) of South Africa. A semi-structured questionnaire designed to document specific farm attributes and acaricide usage practices was administered at 94 communal farms from the Oliver Tambo District municipality of the ECP. Data collected indicated that the main acaricide chemicals used at plunge dips of inland and coastal areas were synthetic pyrethroid formulations. Most (75%) farmers claimed not to have noticed a significant reduction in numbers of actively feeding and growing ticks on cattle after several acaricide treatments. Based on the farmers’ perceptions, leading factors that could have led to tick-acaricide control failure included: weak strength of the dip solution (76%); poor structural state of dip tanks (42%); and irregular tick control (21%). The rearing of crossbreeds of local and exotic cattle breeds, perceived weak strength of the dip solution and high frequency of acaricide treatment, were statistically associated with proportions of farms reporting tick-acaricide control failure. Furthermore, approximately 50% of farms reported at least four tick control malpractices, which could have resulted in the emergence and spread of tick-acaricide control failure. Other sub-optimal tick control practices encountered included incorrect acaricide rotation, and failure to treat all cattle in a herd. This data will inform and guide the development of management strategies for tick-acaricide control failure and resistance in communal farming areas.

Determinants of Small-Scale Farmers’ Participation in Social Capital Networks to Enhance Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in OR Tambo District, South Africa

Globally, climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges, and it is also an obstacle to the fundamental achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The purpose of the study was to examine the determinants of small-scale farmers’ participation in social capital networks to enhance adoption of climate change adaptation strategies. Multistage and purposive sampling were used to carry out the study. A cross-sectional research design was used to carry out the study and structured questionnaires were used as a data collection tool. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Binary Logit model, and the Ordered Logit model. The findings of the study show that gender, household size, age, marital status, education, and employment status affect a farmer’s participation in social capital networks. The results also show that household size, employment status, and income level affect the extent of participation in social networks. As the paper is the first to look at the determinants of the participation of farmers in social capital networks in Eastern Cape, the results are of paramount importance to policy formulators in order to formulate policies that will encourage farmers to join localized farmer-based social capital networks to adopt climate change adaption measures.

Exposure of Gender Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Among Women in the South African Construction Industry: A Case of or Tambo District Municipality

Exposure of Gender Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Among Women in the South African Construction Industry: A Case of or Tambo District Municipality

Lived experiences of patients and families with decentralised drug-resistant tuberculosis care in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

South Africa adopted the decentralised Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) care model in 2011 with a view of improving clinical outcomes. This study explores the experiences and perceptions of patients and family members on the effectiveness of a decentralised community DR-TB care model in the Oliver Reginald Kaizana (OR) Tambo district municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. In this phenomenological qualitative research design, a semi-structured interview with prompts was conducted on 30 participants (15 patients and 15 family members). Framework approach to thematic content analysis was adopted for qualitative data analysis. Four themes emerged from the patients' interviews: adequate knowledge of DR-TB and its transmission, fear of death and isolation, long travel distances, and exorbitant transportation cost. A 'ready' health system influenced the effectiveness of community DR-TB management, while interviews with family members yielded five themes: misconceptions about DR-TB, rapid diagnosis and adherence counselling, long travel distances, activated healthcare workers, and little role of traditional healer. A perceived effectiveness of a community DR-TB care model in the OR Tambo district was demonstrated through the quality and comprehensiveness of care rendered by a 'ready' health system with activated health care workers (HCWs) who provided robust support and adequate knowledge of DR-TB and its treatment/side effects. However, misconceptions about DR-TB, long travel distances to treatment facilities, high cost of transportation and stigma remained challenging for most patients and family members.Contribution: This study provides insight into the lived experiences of a decentralised community DR-TB care model in the OR Tambo district in 2020.

The victimization of community members in the realm of traditional leaders at OR Tambo District Municipality, South Africa

Within the largely rural OR Tambo District Municipality (ORTDM), a significant number of community members continue to experience victimization annually. Crime continues to be a persistent issue for both individuals and society at large, with no resolution or justice achieved in its wake. The prevalence of crime in society significantly impacts individuals' behavior, residential choices, and decisions regarding their social activities, including the selection of locations and timing. Typically, individuals tend to experience an increase in fear of becoming a victim of crime, rather than a decrease. This article is characterized by its qualitative approach and use non-probability sampling methodologies. The study aimed to investigate the involvement of traditional leaders in safeguarding women, children, and the elderly from being victimized within the ORTDM community, encompassing the local municipalities of KSD, Ingquza Hill, Mhlontlo, Nyandeni, and Port St. Johns. The primary objective of this discussion paper was to ascertain the specific categories of criminal activities occurring within the territories governed by traditional leaders. This study further demonstrates the significance of examining rural crime and uncovers obstacles that hinder crime prevention in the ORDM. Fifty-eight traditional leaders were interviewed as crucial informants and custodians of the customs of different groups. Traditional leaders, research participants, and community members shared accounts of rape and murder during Imbizos. These incidents involved school-going youngsters and older individuals, including those as old as 95 years. A number of individuals in the neighborhood had paralysis, while others were deprived of their retirement benefits. Traditional leaders argue that, despite this circumstance, the criminal justice system does not give priority to the rights of the victims. The findings together indicate that traditional leaders are involved in the creation, implementation, and monitoring of crime prevention strategies. Nevertheless, the absence of financial support from the government hinders the implementation of crime prevention activities within its jurisdiction. The analysis confirms that crime prevention is an enduring objective. Investing in traditional leaders has the potential to enhance the overall societal well-being.

The influence of distance from crushed stone mining on surface-active arthropods and soil properties

ABSTRACT Background: Mining of crushed stone for use in construction is among the various anthropogenic activities in the Eastern Cape province in South Africa that alter natural landscapes. However, little is known about the impact of these activities on arthropods and soil chemical properties. Objectives: We investigated the effect of distance (5, 30, 50 and 70 metres) from the mining sites on species richness, abundance and composition of surface-active arthropods, as well as composition and concentration of soil chemical properties (soil pH, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc). Methods: The study was conducted at two mining sites in Nyandeni Local Municipality within the O.R. Tambo District Municipality that were commissioned in 2014. Arthropods were sampled using pitfall traps and thereafter sorted into morphospecies, while an auger was used to collect soil samples. Permutational multivariate analysis was used to compare the composition of the arthropods and soil chemical properties among distances from the mining activities, while arthropod species richness and abundance, as well as concentrations of soil chemical properties, were analysed using the one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Arthropod species richness, abundance and composition were not influenced by distance from mining activities. Although among soil chemical properties, mining activities altered the concentration of zinc only, we found dissimilarities in soil composition between the sampling point at the edge of the mining activities and sampling points that were away from the mining sites. Conclusion: We found no evidence of the impact of crushed stone mining on surface-active arthropods; however, our study revealed a negative impact of crushed stone mining on soil chemical properties.

The Role of Digital Transformation in Enhancing Communication: A Case Study of OR Tambo District Municipality in South Africa

This investigation delves into the digital communication strategies of the OR Tambo District Municipality in South Africa, a region characterised by its rural nature and high poverty levels. The research endeavours to comprehend the character of the municipality's digital communication strategies, evaluate their efficacy, and propose evidence-based recommendations for enhancement. The study is predicated on the necessity for local governments to align their communication strategies with technological advancements, whilst taking into account the socio-economic realities of their constituents. The research employs a comprehensive examination of the current digital communication tools, platforms, and techniques utilised by the municipality, and assesses their effectiveness based on their reach, accessibility, and impact. The study identifies areas of strength and weakness in the current communication strategies and proposes recommendations for enhancing digital communication within the municipality. The findings underscore the importance of inclusive and effective digital communication strategies in local governments, particularly in rural areas. The research contributes to the burgeoning body of literature on digital communication in local governments and provides a roadmap for other rural municipalities seeking to leverage digital technologies to improve their communication strategies. The study concludes that the OR Tambo District Municipality, akin to other rural municipalities, can enhance communication, improve service delivery, and foster greater engagement with residents by effectively leveraging digital technologies.

Amount and Seasonality of Urban Solid Waste Recovery: A Case Study of O.R Tambo District Municipality, South Africa

Amount and Seasonality of Urban Solid Waste Recovery: A Case Study of O.R Tambo District Municipality, South Africa

Models of integration of TB and HIV services and factors associated with perceived quality of TB-HIV integrated service delivery in O. R Tambo District, South Africa

BackgroundTuberculosis is the leading infectious cause of death among people living with HIV. Reducing morbidity and mortality from HIV-associated TB requires strong collaboration between TB and HIV services at all levels with fully integrated, people-centered models of care.MethodsThis is a qualitative study design using principles of ethnography and the application of aggregate complexity theory. A total of 54 individual interviews with healthcare workers and patients took place in five primary healthcare facilities in the O.R. Tambo district. The participants were purposively selected until the data reached saturation point, and all interviews were tape-recorded. Quantitative analysis of qualitative data was used after coding ethnographic data, looking for emerging patterns, and counting the number of times a qualitative code occurred. A Likert scale was used to assess the perceived quality of TB/HIV integration. Regression models and canonical discriminant analyses were used to explore the associations between the perceived quality of TB and HIV integrated service delivery and independent predictors of interest using SPSS® version 23.0 (Chicago, IL) considering a type I error of 0.05.ResultsOf the 54 participants, 39 (72.2%) reported that TB and HIV services were partially integrated while 15 (27.8%) participants reported that TB/HIV services were fully integrated. Using the Likert scale gradient, 23 (42.6%) participants perceived the quality of integrated TB/HIV services as poor while 13 (24.1%) and 18 (33.3%) perceived the quality of TB/HIV integrated services as moderate and excellent, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that access to healthcare services was significantly and independently associated with the perceived quality of integrated TB/HIV services following the equation: Y = 3.72–0.06X (adjusted R2 = 23%, p-value = 0.001). Canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) showed that in all 5 municipal facilities, long distances to healthcare facilities leading to reduced access to services were significantly more likely to be the most impeding factor, which is negatively influencing the perceived quality of integrated TB/HIV services, with functions’ coefficients ranging from 9.175 in Mhlontlo to 16.514 in KSD (Wilk’s Lambda = 0.750, p = 0.043).ConclusionHIV and TB integration is inadequate with limited access to healthcare services. Full integration (one-stop-shop services) is recommended.

Time-to-Treatment Initiation in a Decentralised Community-Care Model of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Management in the OR Tambo District Municipality of South Africa.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) continues to challenge global efforts toward eradicating and having a tuberculosis-free world. Considering the high early mortality, especially among HIV-infected individuals, early diagnosis and prompt initiation of effective treatment are needed to significantly reduce mortality and halt transmission of DR-TB in the community. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a community DR-TB care model with the specific objective of determining the Time-to-treatment initiation of DR-TB among patients in the OR Tambo district municipality. A prospective cohort study of patients with DR-TB was conducted in the OR Tambo district municipality of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Patients were enrolled as they presented for treatment initiation at the decentralised facilities following a diagnosis of DR-TB and compared with a centralised site. A total of 454 DR-TB patients from six facilities between 2018 and 2020 were included in the analysis. The mean age was 37.54 (SD = 14.94) years. There were slightly more males (56.2%) than females (43.8%). Most of the patients were aged 18-44 years (67.5%), without income (82.3%). Results showed that slightly over thirteen percent (13.4%) of patients initiated treatment the same day they were diagnosed with DR-TB, while 36.3% were on the time-to-treatment target of being initiated within 5 days. However, about a quarter (25.8%) of patients failed to initiate treatment two weeks after diagnosis. Time-to-treatment initiation (TTTI) varied according to the decentralised sites, with progressive improvement with each successive year between 2018 and 2021. No demographic factor was significantly associated with TTTI. Despite rapid diagnosis, only 36% of patients were initiated on treatment promptly. Operational challenges remained, and services needed to be reorganised to maximise the exceptional potentials that a decentralised community DR-TB care model brings.

Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiency among People Living with HIV in Selected Rural Districts of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) leads to immune suppression, and micronutrients play vital roles in human immune responses. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of viral load suppression in adult HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) on micronutrient deficiency and its prevalence in selected rural districts in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2019 to February 2021 among 50 consenting HIV-infected patients attending community health centers within the three selected districts. The data were analysed with ArcGIS v.10.8 to create geospatial maps; the Global Positioning System (GPS) for analysis and presentation; and SPSS version 25 for inferential statistics involving the t-test and Fisher's exact test, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. Of the 50 participants, a significant difference of p = 0.003 was observed in mean age among viral load-suppressed (42.9 ± 8.89 years) and unsuppressed (32 ± 6.3 years). In addition, significant differences in the mean viral load and CD4 counts (p < 0.05) were seen. Only iron micronutrient showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between the viral load-suppressed group (mean 14.8, SD 6.1) and the unsuppressed group (mean 8.1, SD 1.6). Of the 38 individuals from the OR Tambo district, overall micronutrient deficiency was 60.5% (13 (34.2%) deficient for zinc, 9 (23.7%) deficient for iron, 5 (13.2%) for folate, and 1 (2.63%) for vitamin D). In all three study districts, deficiencies in zinc, iron, and folate micronutrients exceeded 25%, particularly in those with an unsuppressed viral load. To address these micronutrient deficiencies, people living with HIV (PLHIV) require robust nutritional supplementation programs.

Exserohilum turcicum (Northern Corn Leaf Blight) Severity on Maize Hybrids and the Associated Crop Performance in O.R. Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa

&lt;i&gt;Exserohilum turcicum&lt;/i&gt; is a fungus that causes northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) and has deleterious effects on maize production globally. Therefore, it is prudent to mitigate the effects of NCLB using genetic diversity. The objective of this research was to assess the severity of NCLB disease on the growth and yield of various maize genotypes. A randomized complete block design field experiment, replicated three times, was conducted to evaluate the effect of &lt;i&gt;E. turcicum&lt;/i&gt; on 10 maize hybrids. Percent disease index, plant height, and leaf area were recorded at the silk stage. Cob weight, grain fresh weight, and grain yields were determined at harvest maturity. All measured parameters were significantly different (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&lt;0.05) between the maize hybrids. Of the 10 genotypes, four (PAN 4R-528R, PAN 4R-728BR, PAN 3R-724BR, and P1788BR) were susceptible, five (DKC74-74BR, PAN 5R-582R, PAN 5R-890R, PAN 5R-854R, and PAN 5R-590R) were moderately susceptible, and one (DKC80-40BR) was moderately resistant. DKC80-40BR exhibited greater cob weight, while DKC74-74BR was superior in all other plant growth and yield components. Interestingly, although not significant (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&gt;0.05) and high, maize growth and yield parameters had negative correlations with disease incidence, except for grain fresh weight. Therefore, DKC80-40BR may be selected for cultivation in areas prone to NCLB to reduce maize susceptibility to the disease, while DKC74-74BR may improve crop performance. These hybrids could be considered as potential sources of resistance or tolerance to NCLB for further validation by plant breeders.

The Role of the OR Tambo District Municipality in Supplying Water in Ngangelizwe Location During the Covid-19 Pandemic

The Role of the OR Tambo District Municipality in Supplying Water in Ngangelizwe Location During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Developing a Model for Integrating of Tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Primary Healthcare Services in Oliver Reginald (O.R) Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Despite the policy, frameworks for integration exist; integration of TB and HIV services is far from ideal in many resource-limited countries, including South Africa. Few studies have examined the advantages and disadvantages of integrated TB and HIV care in public health facilities, and even fewer have proposed conceptual models for proven integration. This study aims to fill this vacuum by describing the development of a paradigm for integrating TB, HIV, and patient services in a single facility and highlights the importance of TB-HIV services for greater accessibility under one roof. Development of the proposed model occurred in several phases that included assessment of the existing integration model for TB-HIV and synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data from the study sites, which were selected public health facilities in rural and peri-urban areas in the Oliver Reginald (O.R.) Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Secondary data on clinical outcomes from 2009-2013 TB-HIV were obtained from various sources for the quantitative analysis of Part 1. Qualitative data included focus group discussions with patients and healthcare workers, which were analyzed thematically in Parts 2 and 3. The development of a potentially better model and the validation of this model shows that the district health system was strengthened by the guiding principles of the model, which placed a strong emphasis on inputs, processes, outcomes, and integration effects. The model is adaptable to different healthcare delivery systems but requires the support of patients, providers (professionals and institutions), payers, and policymakers to be successful.

District analysis of poverty dynamics in rural South Africa

Persistent poverty is a major developmental challenge for South Africa and has multifaceted dimensions. This paper profiled and investigated poverty transitions among rural households in 22 district municipalities in South Africa. Foster-Greer-Thorbecke indices were applied to panel data from the National Income Dynamics Study from 2008 to 2017. Findings indicate that poverty levels varied across districts and poverty was most prevalent in Zululand, OR Tambo and Sisonke districts. Furthermore, districts with high poverty rates also had high poverty gap ratios. Poverty transition analyses revealed that in 82% of the districts, poverty declined between 2008 and 2017, while it increased in 13% of the districts. This transition was not mirrored between waves, with the majority of households remaining in the same poverty status between waves. The study recommends that these traditional rural districts be a major focus of poverty alleviation efforts. The role of the state in providing stability to combat poverty is encouraged through promotion of higher education. Additionally, support for agriculture as a business is also recommended. Collaborations between district municipalities and provincial departments of agriculture could facilitate this. The study adds to existing literature by providing insights from disaggregated profile and analysis of rural poverty in district municipalities.

Voices from the Patients: A Qualitative Study of the Integration of Tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Primary Healthcare Services in O.R. Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Tuberculosis (TB), a disease of poverty and inequality, is a leading cause of severe illness and death among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In South Africa, both TB and HIV epidemics have been closely related and persistent, posing a significant burden for healthcare provision. Studies have observed that TB-HIV integration reduces mortality. The operational implementation of integrated services is still challenging. This study aimed to describe patients' perceptions on barriers to scaling up of TB-HIV integration services at selected health facilities (study sites) in Oliver Reginald (O.R) Tambo Municipality, Eastern Cape province, South Africa. We purposely recruited twenty-nine (29) patients accessing TB and HIV services at the study sites. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and presented as emerging themes. Barriers identified included a lack of health education about TB and HIV; an inadequate counselling for HIV and the antiretroviral drugs (ARVs); and poor quality of services provided by the healthcare facilities. These findings suggest that the O.R. Tambo district needs to strengthen its TB-HIV integration immediately.

A study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial to test the applicability of the South African diabetes prevention program in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

BackgroundConvincing evidence supports the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in preventing the occurrence of diabetes in high-income countries, however little is known about appropriate interventions for use in African countries, where there are higher relative increases in diabetes prevalence. The South African Diabetes Prevention Programme (SA-DPP) was initiated with the aim of preventing or delaying the occurrence of diabetes among South Africans (SAs), through interventions, targeting lifestyle changes related to diet and physical activity. The purpose of the current project is to implement and evaluate the suitability and applicability of the SA-DPP developed and tailored in urban populations in the Western Cape Province, in peri-urban populations in the Eastern Cape Province of SA.MethodsThe SA-DPP, which is an cluster randomized control trial, will be implemented in adults aged 30–65 years residing in the OR Tambo district, Eastern Cape, SA. Participants will be recruited using self-selected sampling techniques and 24 clusters across peri-urban communities will be randomly allocated to participate in the lifestyle intervention, facilitated by non-professional health workers (NPHW). The diabetes risk screening will follow a two-staged approach, including the community-based screening, using the African diabetes risk score (ADRS), followed by a clinic-based risk status assessment by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to exclude unknown diabetes. The lifestyle-change objectives of the current programme relate to, 1) < 30% of total energy intake from fat; 2) < 10% of total energy intake from saturated fat; 3) > 15 g of fibre/1000 kcal; 4) > 4 h/week moderate level of physical activity; and 5) > 2% body mass index (BMI) reduction.DiscussionThe SA-DPP could represent a successful model for the prevention of diabetes and potentially other lifestyle-related diseases in SA and other countries in the region that are confronted with similar challenges.Trial registrationPACTR202205591282906.

Primary health care nurses' knowledge, self-efficacy and performance of diabetes self-management support.

Patients living with diabetes are primarily managed and supported by nurses in primary health care (PHC). Therefore, PHC nurses require knowledge of diabetes and confidence (self-efficacy) to perform diabetes self-management support (SMS). This study evaluated the diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy and performance of diabetes SMS by PHC nurses. Primary health care facilities in King Sabata Dalindyebo subdistrict, O.R. Tambo district, Eastern Cape. A quantitative cross-sectional and simple correlational design was used. Registered nurses (n = 100) completed a validated self-reporting questionnaire to measure diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy and performance of SMS. Participants' diabetes knowledge mean scores were high (mean of 11.9, standard deviation [s.d.] 1.8, out of 14). Self-efficacy scores (mean 18.91, s.d. 3.2 out of 24) were higher than performance of SMS scores (mean 17.81, s.d. 3.3 out of 24). Knowledge was not associated with self-efficacy or performance, but self-efficacy was positively correlated with performance of SMS (r = 0.78, p 0.01). Nurses with a postgraduate qualification in primary care nursing had significantly higher diabetes knowledge scores (mean = 92.9 vs. 83.8; p = 0.03), and years of experience as a nurse were positively correlated with the performance of SMS (r = 0.21, p = 0.05). Diabetes knowledge of PHC nurses in this study does not translate into self-efficacy and the performance of SMS in practice, indicating the need for specific SMS training, support by experienced mentors, appropriate guidelines and comprehensive integrated chronic care systems.Contribution: This is the first study to report on the SMS self-efficacy and performance of PHC nurses in South Africa.

Reimagining training and development programmes in municipalities of South Africa: A qualitative enquiry

Business organizations face more issues due to globalization and continually changing customer expectations. To overcome these challenges, businesses must invest in the training and development of their employees. Training and development are essential nowadays. Employee performance is improved via training and development. A company's personnel determine its efficacy. In this era of globalization, training is crucial for the competitive and challenging corporate environment. The nerve must contribute to raising employees' quality of life at work and expanding the business. This paper aimed to investigate the impact of training and development programs on employee performance and productivity in the selected municipality of OR Tambo District Municipality, South Africa. To conduct this study, the researchers embraced an exploratory qualitative approach. The rationale for implementing qualitative methodology emanates from the need to understand the effectiveness of training programs in the Oliver Tambo district municipality in Eastern cape province, South Africa.The administration of the Nyandeni Local municipality conceded permission. The researchers acquired the letter, which permitted them to gather information from employees from the local municipality. Ethical clearance was affirmed genuinely. Non-probability sampling was used for its convenient strength. Precisely, data was obtained using semi-structured face-to-face interviews for this study. Thirty-five participants were included in this research study. According to the results, poor training and development were seen as a cause for the poor performance of employees. Capacity building was seen as a tool to increase employee commitment. Training programs were only visible to some in the municipality and the present study recommended that the Skills office conduct roadshows so that all employees could understand the office's role in the municipality. The study further recommended that training and development be closely monitored to determine its effectiveness.