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Faculty of Management Sciences

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/13

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Political participation

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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    The effectiveness of ward committees and community participation in influencing service delivery in eThekwini Municipality
    (2019) Duma, Sikhumbuzo Sikhosiphi; Mabusela, Maria Sewela
    The study focused on evaluating the role of Ward Committees relative to encouraging community participation in the eThekwini Municipality. It must be noted that the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa highlights the importance of public participation as an essential element of successful good governance. The wave of service delivery protests in the country prompted the desire to explore this study. The Municipal Structures Act (Act No. 117 of 1998) provides for the establishment of Ward Committees. The Act provides clear guidelines for Ward Committees hence, Section 72 states that the objective of a Ward Committee is to enhance participatory democracy in local government. The main objective of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of Ward Committees and Community Participation in influencing service delivery in eThekwini Municipality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Ward Committees and community participation in influencing service delivery in eThekwini Municipality. The study used both the qualitative and quantitative research approaches for this research. The interview participants of the study were the Ward Councillors in Wards 95, 96 and 105 and the respondents were from the above wards. The study revealed that the Ward Committee members did not entirely understand their roles. Furthermore, the study revealed that the Ward Councillors tend to overshadow the Ward Committee members to the extent that the general community members end up dealing directly with the Ward Councillor even on issues that otherwise would have been handled by the respective portfolios of the ward committee. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended, amongst other things, that training and development of the residents on when, how and why they should participate in municipal affairs must be provided on a regular basis. Furthermore, the qualitative interviews with participants revealed the need for a review of the system of Ward Committees because the Structures Act contradicts itself at times. For example, the Act requires that, in addition to a fair representation of genders, the Ward Committee must represent a diversity of interests within the ward and limits the number of the Ward Committee to ten. In real life, interests may exceed the limit of ten as prescribed by the Act.
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    Using dialogue to transform youth involvement in political conflict in Zambia
    (2021) Mukunto, Kabale Ignatius; Harris, Geoffrey Thomas; Kaye, Sylvia Blanche
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    Participation of young mothers in peace building : an action research study of Cato Manor, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
    (2019-05-03) Nyamapfene, Gift Tanyaradzwa; Pillay, S.S.
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the participation of young mothers in peace building in Cato Manor, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The research aimed to explain how young mothers in Cato Manor could use peace-building methods to promote non-violence in their community. An investigation into the underlying causes of violence in Cato Manor was carried out in order to understand how young mothers could position themselves in the community to create a non-violent community. The study was qualitative in nature and it employed an action research design. The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) approach was examined to explore its potential as an instrument which young mothers in Cato Manor can use. The study reviewed literature on the history of violence in Cato Manor; the contemporary violence in the community; the peace theories that could be applied to such a community and then detailed the Alternatives to Violence Project and its relevance to this research. Purposive sampling was used to extract 15 young mothers from the total population. The 15 young mothers participated in the Alternatives to Violence Project where data was collected. The data collected was analysed using thematic analysis. The salient findings of the study showed a positive reception by the young mothers to training on non-violence. Findings showed that the young mothers acknowledged that the skills that they learnt from the training would be vital in their daily lives and confirmed that they had gained some foundation to start building a non-violent environment in their community. Recommendations were made including the continuation of broader and inclusive AVP training in Cato Manor.
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    Community participation and tourism development in KwaZulu-Natal : a case study of the Didima Resort and the Umhlwazini community, Drakensberg
    (2017) Ngxongo, Nduduzo Andrias; Chili, Nsizwazikhona Simon
    This thesis discusses the concept of community participation and tourism development in KwaZulu-Natal using a case study of the Didima Resort and Umhlwazini community in Bergville, Drakensberg. In order to examine the research topic, the thesis scrutinizes the following key concepts: community participation in tourism development; tourism development initiatives for the local community of Umhlwazini; and, the contribution of tourism development towards community enhancement. The research was guided by four research objectives: (1) To investigate the level of understanding and awareness that the Umhlwazini community have regarding tourism development and the importance of community participation; (2) To investigate whether there is active community participation and whether there are tourism development initiatives or practices the resort authority is offering to the local community; (3) To ascertain strategies employed by Didima Resort to encourage maximum participation of communities for development of tourism at Umhlwazini; and, (4) To identify problems that hinder the community's participation in tourism development at Umhlwazini. The outcomes from the interviews indicate that the majority of the Umhlwazini community members are willing and interested in participating in the development of the tourism initiatives happening at Didima Resort and within their community. Currently, the community's participation in tourism development in their area is predominantly at the level of temporary jobs which are occasionally offered to unskilled labour. Work opportunities for skilled workers are non-existent so that not even a single member from the community is part of the Didima Resort management team. Recommendations arising from the study include but are not limited to the following: There must be a vigorous, selfless and mutual cooperation between the following role players; Amangwane Traditional Council, Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (Didima), Ingonyama Trust, Okhahlamba local municipality and the community of Umhlwazini. This association will ensure that the interests of the community are taken into account and that the community is part and parcel of any tourism development projects taking place in the Umhlwazini area. There is an obligation for community enhancement programs such as tourism awareness campaigns and tourism seminars in the Umhlwazini community. Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (EKZNW) must put more effort into advertising and promoting community products such as bicycle hire and handcraft work. That effort can increase the visibility and sales of such community products. Community problems appear to be more noticeable than benefits. Some of the problems identified are: the lack of jobs from Didima Resort; no improvement in the infrastructure of the community; local artistic talent is not utilised during mega events happening at Didima. The lack of tourism awareness and education was identified as two main causal factors that impede community participation in tourism development, as well as the breakdown of communication between Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife and Umhlwazini leadership (traditional council and contemporary political councillor). According to the outcomes derived from analysis of the data from interviews, this research study concludes that local community members desire to play an active role in the tourism development process of Didima and Umhlwazini. In general, community members want to see decisions about tourism development in their area made co-operatively by Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, Okhahlamba municipality and local leaders (Amangwane Traditional Council) in consultation with the local community of Umhlwazini. They also want to be recipients of tourism benefits and want transparency regarding the community levy fund which is meant to support community projects. This research study further concludes that there is great potential for community participation in tourism development initiatives at Umhlwazini community and Didima Resort. There are various tourism opportunities for the community which can be explored including a traditional restaurant and a cultural village which would benefit the community immensely. The community of Umhlwazini needs to be empowered with knowledge, business skills and financial assistance to start business ventures. It is only when the local community benefits financially that their participation in tourism development will become meaningful to them.