A model for the implementation of Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in selected Eastern Cape schools
- Authors: Sambumbu, Antony Matemba
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11703 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015152
- Description: The main purpose of this research was to evaluate the processes for IQMS implementation in the selected Eastern Cape schools so as to determine the model that can be postulated for improving the IQMS implementation in the South African schools. While mainly deriving from the fact that so far, empirical research reveals that the process for IQMS implementation has been marred with a significant number of challenges. The study star begins with the formulation of a thought-process in its overriding hypothesis. The hypothesis is that the application of a five constructs’ IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 would signficantly influence the successful IQMS implementation in South African schools. The five constructs that are outlined in the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 include: (1) Considering the Notion of “Quality” and Whole School Evaluation, (2) Performance Management and Developmental Appraisals, (3) Considering Key Success Factors for IQMS Implementation, (4) the Use of Appropriate Implementation Processes, Systems and Methods, and (5) Constant Monitoring, and Evaluations and Applications of the Improvement Actions. Despite the fact that the integrated quality management theories strongly support this hypothesis, the study, in line with these five constructs which were also aligned with the five research questions and hypotheses that guided this research applies exploratory factor analysis. This has been done in order to further define the structure of the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 prior to applying confirmatory factor analysis in order to determine whether the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 would perfectly reproduce the 53 observed sample data which was used in the study. The results confirmed the overriding hypothesis in the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 which is that effectiveness of the IQMS implementation processes in the South African schools can be significantly influenced by the application of the five constructs. These include: Considering the Notion of “Quality” and Whole School Evaluation, Performance Management and Developmental Appraisals, Considering Key Success Factors for IQMS Implementation, the Use of the Appropriate Implementation Processes, Systems and Methods, and Undertaking Constant Monitoring, Evaluations and Improvement Action. In effect, it was recommended that the Eastern Cape Department of Education must adopt the IQMS implementation Model in Figure 1.1 in order to effectively implement its integrated quality management systems. Despite examining the limitations of the study, the recommendations chapter also discussed the area for further research in which it was suggested that the area for further research would be: Evaluating the impact of appropriate standards’ setting on the successful IQMS implementation in the schools in the Eastern Cape schools.
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An appraisal of support services to students with disabilities: the case of Walter Sisulu University
- Authors: Makiwane, Nonzwakazi Beauty
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1220 , vital:26537
- Description: The provision of effective support services in an efficient manner is a critical part of any university’s role to ensure that students with disabilities achieve academic outcomes. In South Africa universities are categorized into three types, namely traditional universities (offer theoretically-oriented degrees); universities of technology (offer vocational-oriented diplomas and degrees) and comprehensive universities (offer a combination of the other two). With their constitutional and policy framework obligations, universities are responsible for accommodating students with all types of disabilities. Pertaining to the awareness of social disparities, the quality of support services to students with disabilities still remains a concern. From various platforms it is evident that quality of support services to students with disabilities in South African universities is poor and in some instances crucial support devices do not exist at all. The pressures being felt by universities from external forces and the problems encountered in the extent of quality of support services has created the need for an appraisal. The purpose of this study, then, is to investigate and describe the quality of the support services provided to students with disabilities in a university context.
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An appraisal of the South African Government Macroeconomic Policies and Strategies (1994-2012)
- Authors: Zuma, Siziwe Monica
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11687 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013582
- Description: This study sought to do an overview and the role of Public Administration both as an academic discipline and as a discipline in practice. It sought to do a literature analysis of the macroeconomic policies and strategies that the democratic from 1994- 2012 particularly with regards to lowering unemployment and meeting public needs. The literature review on the Freedom Charter and the South African democratic government’s macroeconomic policies namely the RDP, GEAR, ASGISA, New Growth Plan, and the National Development Plan were studied in great detail in this study. Public Finance in terms of the tax revenues collected and public debt servicing costs have contributed to the capacity of the SA government to meet its public needs and social needs including poverty eradication. It identified that the NDP because of its longer term plan approach its goals could be realizable. It identified that the South African democratic government macroeconomic policy has been consistent since 1994 that of belt tightening or fiscal policy that is tight on fiscal spending and monetary policy also has remained the same although different names have been used over the period 1994-2012. The South African democratic government since 1994 has been pursuing austere fiscal policy. This is because it inherited a government that had high public debt and therefore had to prioritise of servicing that debt. That meant that there has been less funds available to spend on public needs as the aspirations of the people when they drafted and adopted in a congress of the ANC the freedom charter in 1955. The South African democratic government through its macroeconomic policy has created a number of positive changes in the country economically and socially that have benefited a lot of the previously marginalized people of South Africa however the macroeconomic objectives of reducing unemployment, growing the economy, increasing exports and lowering inflation still remain a huge challenge in this country. This study concludes that in order to increase revenues to meet public needs government needs to look at increasing its revenue base rather than borrowing the money as that will create the same challenge that it is currently facing hence it adopted the austere fiscal policy.
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An investigation into social exclusion in the implementation of social grants: the case study of the child support grant in the Nkonkobe local municipality (Eastern Cape)
- Authors: Boniswa, Mashibini
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: National Congress -- Child Support Grant -- Eastern Cape Province , Means-testing -- Nkonkobe municipality -- Poverty , Social exclusion -- Social Security -- South African Social Security Agency
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11737 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018220 , National Congress -- Child Support Grant -- Eastern Cape Province , Means-testing -- Nkonkobe municipality -- Poverty , Social exclusion -- Social Security -- South African Social Security Agency
- Description: South Africa is faced by a huge problem of inequality, twenty years after the dawn of independence. Such inequalities have been addressed by policy intervention such as the social security and assistance of citizens through various classes of grants. One of the grants targeting children under the age of 18 years is the child support grant. However there are deserving children who have been left-out of mainstream social security through social exclusion. The study sought to investigate the problem of the social exclusion of children from the child support grant in the Nkonkobe municipality. Through the use of the Basic Needs Approach (BNA) to understand the need for any state/government to promote the social welfare of its citizens, the study took a triangulated research paradigm which used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches to collect data from forty respondents by way of a questionnaire survey. The study found out that, inter alia, poverty remains high in the Nkonkobe municipal area, there is rampant social exclusion in the area, the amount paid for the child support grant is little and that the effects of the withdrawal of the grant when the child reaches the age of 18 are unbearable to the child. Some of the recommendations which the study made in line with improved mainstream social security in relation to the child support grant are that, the government needs to improve information dissemination about grants to the populace, there should be mandatory policies to make sure all citizens have identification particulars, the government should be mobile and take services to the people and there should a consideration to review the amount paid for the child support grant upwards. The researcher is quite optimistic that the study will play a part in improving policy implementation.
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An investigation of public participation in municipal planning and performance evaluation: a case study of Mnquma Local Municipality
- Authors: Mkentane, Benjamin Zolile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Performance -- Evaluation , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11671 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007119 , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Performance -- Evaluation , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The participation of communities and community organizations in Municipal governance is set in terms of the law as a mechanism to deepen democracy. Municipalities are required to develop a culture of governance that complements representative democracy with community participation. However the participation of communities in local governance has not translated to the strengthening of governance and the deepening of democracy as municipalities have not done enough to involve communities in municipal affaires. Lack of human resources, and financial capacity have been cited as some of the reasons that beset municipalities and undermine citizen participation. Municipalities have taken steps to encourage community participation and these include establishment of structures to enable participation, however without the guidance and financial support of the municipalities these structures are not able to perform their functions. In spite of all the efforts made by municipalities to encourage participation, a culture of community participation has not yet taken root in local government. While the legislative framework provides for communities to participate, practice shows that the implementation of legislation is complex and requires dedicated capacities within the councils to be effective. This can be achieved when municipalities develop their own community participation policies which address their special circumstances, which must be reviewed on a regular basis. Unless communities are empowered with knowledge on the available participation mechanisms, the dream of a culture of participation will remain just that, a dream. Thus civic education coupled with capacity building of officials will assist in ensuring the development of a culture of participation. Council must also develop mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of community participation processes and procedures, to avoid a one size fits all approach. It is imperative that councils as the legislative arm of municipalities must lead the process and not leave everything to the executive arm.
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Electricity generation, transmission and distribution policy: a comparative study of Nigeria (1960-2011) and South Africa (1960-2011)
- Authors: Okafor, Chukwuemeka
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Electric power distribution -- Nigeria , Electric power distribution -- South Africa , Electric power consumption -- Nigeria , Electric power consumption -- South Africa , Electric power production -- Nigeria , Electric power production -- South Africa , Electric power transmission -- Nigeria , Electric power transmission -- South Africa , Electricity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11660 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007049 , Electric power distribution -- Nigeria , Electric power distribution -- South Africa , Electric power consumption -- Nigeria , Electric power consumption -- South Africa , Electric power production -- Nigeria , Electric power production -- South Africa , Electric power transmission -- Nigeria , Electric power transmission -- South Africa , Electricity
- Description: The electric power policies in Nigeria and South Africa are considered the governments’ intention to provide quality and affordable electricity to the people. A comparative study on the electric power policies focuses on the similarities and differences in the policy approaches, the policy issues that affect electrification, and the impact of the policy issues in achieving the goal of universal access to quality and affordable electricity power in both countries. The methodological approach allows for an in depth textual study on the electric power policy documents in both countries. In Nigeria, the government intends to address the massive demand-supply imbalance and achieve the goal of electrification through reforms that focus on private sector-led growth in the sub-sector. In South Africa, the identification of electrification as a public problem by the post apartheid government leads to an integrated policy framework that focuses on balancing economic concerns with social and environmental considerations. The study identifies electricity provision as a social welfare responsibility of the governments in both countries and examines the policy issues in the context of public welfare. In Nigeria, the policy issues are found to be self serving and not in line with sustainable public interest, given the socio-economic challenges. As a result they, exert less impact on achieving the goal of universal access to quality and affordable electricity in the country. In South Africa, good governance in the sub-sector has enabled the identification of policy issues in line with sustainable public interests of social equity, poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability; and government using public administration agencies to play a key role in service delivery. Recommendations of the study mainly derive from the South African experience on electrification, and are intended to offer some policy-lessons to Nigeria in the sub-sector. The study contributes to new knowledge in the discipline of public administration by opening up new vistas for a comparative analysis of electric power policy issues in both countries in the context of public welfare. Besides, a comparative study on electrification in Nigeria and South Africa from a policy angle contributes to the existing knowledge base in the discipline.
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Evaluation of the Performance Management Systems (PMS): a case study of the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasure
- Authors: Baxana, Mandilakhe
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11693 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015045
- Description: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Performance Managements System (PMS) policy by looking at the implementation of the PMS in line with provincial and national policies. The purpose is to achieve sustainable improvement in organizational performance whilst examining the value of PMS in assessing performance of the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury employees. The questionnaire was personally delivered to potential respondents. The study showed that the performance management system used by the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury was on track with clear objectives, and was largely integrated with the departments' planning process, primarily through the use of divisional planning objectives as a basis for employee performance agreements. However, the general findings were qualified by the need to address. Several key issues, and to make some improvements to the process. It was also concluded that the revised performance management system should have a stronger emphasis on effective managing, monitoring, reporting and rewarding high performance and correcting low performance respectively. Key recommendations are made to assist this department in its quest to achieve maximum return on the investment from its human capital. The recommendations are: The Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury needs to establish clear organizational objectives and the performance management tool should be negotiated and agreed with the union councils and management. The performance measures or key performance indicators should be agreed upfront with all employees, irrespective of their level in the organization.
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Implementation of Public Participation Policy approach in Mbombela Local Municipality of Mpumalanga Province of South Africa: an evaluation
- Authors: Ndlovu, Derick
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013597
- Description: Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, South Africa has promulgated a number of progressive legislation and programmes in an effort to improve the well-being of its citizens. There is legislation and prescripts designed to provide policy and legal basis for a concerted and coherent pursuit of public participation in South Africa. There are various pieces of legislation that provide overarching principles and norms to guide the concerted enhancement of public participation in the local sphere of government. In spite of the plethora of policies and programmes, communities in various places continue to engage in service delivery protests. This study critically analyzed the implementation of public participation policy as a legislative core value for local government, with specific reference to Mbombela local municipality. In doing so, it critically explored the extent to which Mbombela local municipality involves the local communities in matters of local government such as in strategic decision making, the development of the IDP, performance management and in service delivery processes. The study employed a qualitative research methodology, relying mainly on secondary written sources of data, which reported on public participation and public administration. These sources include books, journals, internet sources, government legislation and policies. Data was also collected from Mbombela local municipality through interviews with municipal officials, members of ward committees, community development workers and the public. This study has found that Mbombela local municipality (MLM) relies primarily on ward committees, ward- based meetings and the Speakers outreach as mechanisms to facilitate public participation. The municipality seems to regard public participation as a crucial aspect in that a public participation unit was established; however the municipality is using a low level of participation, with limited power by citizens to influence strategic decisions. This means that communities and community organizations are involved on matters of the municipality only through attending community meetings therefore such meetings are not sufficient for effective public participation as communities should also be involved in more strategic and influential means such as participating in steering committees, development and economic forums. This study further found that some of the ward committees are not effectively functional as a result of lack of commitment from ward committee members, unavailability of some ard committee members due to their permanent job commitments and due to the difficulty that is caused by the vastness of some of the wards. This study also revealed hat there is no feedback provided to ward committees by the municipality on the ward committee reports that are submitted to the municipality on monthly bases, as a results some ward committee members are demotivated. This research study concludes that Mbombela local municipality is not effectively implementing local government legislation in respect to public participation.
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Performance monitoring and evaluation for sustainable low-cost housing delivery: the case of Lukhanji and Malahleni local Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province South Africa
- Authors: Gomomo, Mzwakhe Gugu
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11747 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018529
- Description: One of the serious problems facing South Africa is that of the provision of adequate low-cost housing for the poorest of poor. Only about 56% lived in fully-owned formal dwellings in 2009. (Stats SA: 2009). The problem is not only about the inability of the government to decrease backlogs in the provision of adequate low-cost houses. These contributory factors include the standard of construction, land as well as continuous urbanisation. International commitments such as the UN’s Millennium Goals put further pressure on government to permanently resolve the issue. Adequate housing is recognised globally as a basic human right. This includes access to running water and sanitation and electricity. The aim of the study is not to investigate construction techniques or methods, specific choices of location or any other planning-related issues, but to find an approach that is more appealing to the challenge of the provision of housing as per the afore-mentioned challenges combined with, amongst others, the provision of the necessary resources and relevant political processes as well as monitoring and evaluation. The provision of low-cost housing is unique in nature as it can never be fully resolved. To assist the process because of its nature, future studies suggest systems theory as a best recognised and more successful way to address wicked problems. By investigating low-cost housing programmes in Chile and Australia, identifying the elements of systems theory used, it was possible to find pointers to help formulate a set of steps (or actions) to use to address South Africa’s low-cost housing challenge. This research report proposes that, while the challenge of housing provision in a country like South Africa will most probably always be present, it can be alleviated by applying systems thinking to the problem. The study therefore puts forth Participatory Housing Delivery Monitoring Model (PHDMM). The model will assist in providing the beneficiaries of low-cost houses space to participate in the housing process and projects. It will also necessitate accountability by various participants in housing development. Capacity building will also be part of the package.
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