Faculty of Management Sciences
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Item Monitoring and evaluation on the performance of local government in South Africa: insight from selected district municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal(2023) Mabizela, Hlengiwe Nomzamo; Zwane, Zwelithini MangetheThe poor quality of service delivery in South African municipalities has been documented in numerous studies. The lack of appropriate monitoring and evaluation and complete disregard of adherence to processes and procedures in terms the provisions of legislations such as the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 are two of the main causes of poor service delivery. Poor performance as a result, has been noted in municipalities across South Africa. UThukela, Amajuba, and uMgungundlovu district municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal were used as case studies in this research to examine the effect of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) on the performance of municipalities in South Africa. Municipal employees within Performance Management Systems unit (PMS) and Corporate Services unit made up the target population of the research study. The sample consisted of 20 participants, with 10 from the uThukela district municipality, 2 from the Amajuba district municipality, and 8 from the uMgungundlovu district municipality. The research adopted a qualitative approach and followed a purposive sampling method to identify key respondents based on their expertise and understanding of the research issue. Data collection involved conducting focus group discussions with the selected participants. The collected data were analysed using the NVivo software programme, wherein data was categorised into themes and coded for the presentation of findings and discussion of the results. Consent was obtained from participants through the gatekeeper letters and the signing of consent forms. The main goal of the research was to contribute to the body of knowledge while identifying alternate M&E methods that the municipalities can adopt in their key functions to improve performance and service delivery. The study analysed the effects of M&E on the performance of local government, and the models and systems utilised by municipalities to conduct M&E. It further interrogated challenges associated with M&E within the identified municipalities and the contributions of M&E towards improving performance and effective service delivery. According to the findings, M&E in local government have been challenging as a result of the absence of comprehensive M&E systems, capacity and resources. This is one of the factors that contribute to lack of service delivery and poor performance. Weak M&E systems and practices add to municipal failure to achieve their constitutional mandate of service delivery and enhanced performance. Thus, the research reveals that M&E is essential to ensure that local government responds to the needs and demands of the people and enhances municipal performance. Admittedly, there is no single approach to resolve these challenges contronting municipalities, however, M&E can provide the conditions for increased and sustained performance. To realise the goal of improving M&E within local government, the research suggests that municipalities should institutionalise M&E through prioritising and embracing M&E as a crucial instrument for facilitating results-based progressive local government. Municipalities should encourage mandatory compliance with the systems and procedures, adopt information technology systems to advance and strengthen the application of M&E, and adopt approaches such as participatory M&E to evaluate the impact of its functions and development initiatives.Item Evaluating the provision of basic services in rural settlements : the case study of Maswazini rural area(2020-05) Mabizela, Hlengiwe Nomzamo; Matsiliza, Noluthando S.The aim of the study was to critically examine the challenges of service delivery experienced by the community of Maswazini in Okhahlamba Local Municipality. The study seeks to explore the impact of isolation from basic services and the challenges faced by the Maswazini community in relation to the provision of basic services. The services that were surveyed at Maswazini rural areas include basic housing, electricity, water and sanitation. Many scholars and rural communities in different areas reported that Municipalities experience challenges in providing adequate services despite the efforts and the support gained from national, provincial government and other external stakeholders (Makale, 2015:1). Thus, the study further seek to determine the methods and strategies used to provide basic services, assess the availability of quality services in Maswazini and ascertain the engagement of the people of Maswazini area in the provision of services, and recommend approaches to improve service delivery. A case study design was employed to plan and conduct this study. A mixed method research was adopted in the collection and analysis of data, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The data was collected using unstructured interviews and questionnaires while the analysis was done utilizing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 25.0. A purposive sampling technique and snowball sampling was followed to select the 235 respondents comprising of 200 Maswazini residents, 20 Okhahlamba Municipal officials and 15 employees from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. The university’s ethics committee ethically cleared the study. Participants’ permission to participate in the study was obtained and they were ensured of their protection from harm, and the confidentiality of the information they provided through signing consent form. This study revealed that the municipality is not complying with various policies that mandate them on how they should provide basic services to communities. The dissatisfaction of community members of Maswazini indicates that there is moral disengagement between them and the municipal officials, and the communities have lost trust in government and municipal officials at Maswazini. Challenges revealed by this study include limited resources, lack of municipal autonomy in decision-making, political interference and insufficient capacity. Therefore, this study recommends that local government review and devise methods and strategies to enforce compliance with its policies and legal requirements while taking into account the needs and interests of the people. Also, to promote the involvement of people in service delivery matters on a regular basis in order to immediately address challenges in rural areas and thereby ensure good governance.