A review of the water service development plan and service delivery budget and implementation plan (SDBIP) alignment with performance management system in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Sali, Bongani Zandisile
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Sustainable urban development Environmental management Municipal services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12755 , vital:39358
- Description: In South Africa, the Constitution, 1996, the Municipal Structures Act,1998 (Act 117 of 1998), the Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) and the Municipal Finance Management, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003) place municipalities at the forefront for providing basic services such as waste management, electricity, water, sanitation, roads and transport to the communities. The journey that the local government sphere in South Africa has taken over the last 22 years has not gone smoothly, in some respects it has been a bumpy ride one. A single, unified local government had to be established from the fragmented, undemocratic, unaccountable and racially divided local government system that was inherited. The constitutional and political structure of local government, its promise of democratic accountability, and the delivery of services to improve the lives of citizens has proven to be challenging in their implementation. Performance management was introduced in the local government sphere to improve performance by establishing a rational planning process based on the assumption that “business methods” would be more effective than traditional public administration approaches. There is a problem with municipalities such as the BCMM; the problem is that they operate their WSDP, SDBIP, IDP, budget and PMS in silos. The WSDP, SDBIP, IDP, budget and PMS must be aligned so that BCMM can be able to deliver basic services like water and sanitation. The study sought to review the Water Services Development Plan and Service Budget Implementation Plan Alignment with the Performance Management System in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Data was collected using interviews from a sample of participants comprising mainly of managers of the BCMM, revealed that most of the performance targets set in the financial years 2009 to 2015 were not achieved. The study came up with the following recommendations that there should be regular workshops, training of BCMM officials in the importance of the alignment of the WSDP and SDBIP with the performance management system in the BCMM. The PMS should contribute in the improvement of productivity, through achieving set targets and goals as planned. The processes must be fully integrated. Challenges facing BCMM in terms of alignment must be addressed. There is also a need for sound annual plans with targets (quarterly) that show how the annual targets will be achieved.
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Oversight for accountable governance in selected municipalities in the Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Gashi, Kayaletu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Political corruption -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1973 , vital:27589
- Description: There is a surge in service delivery protests and a litany of negative reports on
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An assessment of financial accountability on social grants at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), 2011-2012
- Authors: Gcaza, Xolile
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1206 , vital:26535
- Description: This research assesses the nature and extent of financial accountability on social grants at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). With respect to public funds, strategies and mechanisms, including the effectiveness of these strategies, were analysed to ensure whether SASSA was accountable to both the people and the government. Rabrenovic (2009:22) describes financial accountability as an obligation of the government to assure the citizens that money is spent in the best possible and most effective way. The government has to provide answers and justification for its action and regularly inform the public on how it spends the public funds. The extent to which the public-private partnership model adopted by SASSA for social grant management has enhanced financial accountability and yielded the desired outcome has also been tested. Some of the findings were that the problems facing SASSA were the financial constraints that entailed reduction in new programmes, halting infrastructures and the acquisition and filling only of funded posts from the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) and the high costs of administering social grants. This study used the qualitative research approach. The researcher used official document reviews because of the sensitivity of the research problem and opted for a desktop research. The documentary sources include SASSA’s annual reports for the period 2011/12. The recommendations were that people should be trained in financial and performance skills and in terms of accountability the accounting officers should account for lack of transgressions and poor performance.
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Electronic Governance (E-Governance) as a Public Sector Management Tool for service provision in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Moyo, Thokozani P
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11714 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015268
- Description: The study explores the use of Electronic governance (E-governance) as a Public Sector management tool for service provision in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The main research question being pursued sought to find out the extent to which E-governance can be an effective tool for public sector management and service provision in the municipality. The study used both quantitative data (obtained through questionnaire survey) and qualitative data (through in-depth responses from municipality employees). The findings of the study seem to indicate that electronic governance is being utilised by a lesser percentage of citizens although it seems to be slowly gaining popularity with the highly educated and younger members of the public. Some members of the communities were still adamant to using online resources for different reasons. The study also reveals some challenges such as poverty, inequality and illiteracy as some of the hindrances to e-government. However, there is a degree of success of electronic governance in the municipality as evidenced by the percentage of the population now using the online transactions. A lot needs to be done in order to view e-governance as a true success in this municipality of Buffalo City Metropolitan if services are to be delivered effectively and efficiently to the people. It is therefore strongly recommended that there is a need to put in place good educational measures to ensure that the citizens are informed about various ways of doing online transactions with the municipality other than physically going there.
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Provincial monitoring and support for accountability in municipal finance: the case of Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Bongco, Mlami
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11699 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015136
- Description: The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, section 154(1) states that the national government and provincial governments, by legislative and other measures, must support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to manage their own affairs, to exercise their powers and to perform their functions. The study sought to identify the monitoring and support rendered to Nkonkobe local municipality by the province in achieving clean audit; and assessing the impact of the provincial monitoring and support to Nkonkobe local municipality in achieving clean audit. In addition to this the study sought to come up with recommendations on how to address the challenges and problems experienced in the rendering of provincial monitoring and support to Nkonkobe local municipality. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Twenty (20) respondents comprised of Nkonkobe local municipal officials, Eastern Cape Provincial government officials and South African Local Government Association’s officials were given questionnaires to complete. Furthermore face-to-face interviews and document analysis were also used as data collection methods. The study findings suggest that the monitoring and support provided to Nkonkobe local municipality by the province is insufficient in achieving clean audit, as it faces capacity and budgetary constraints, and above all, is not well coordinated between the Provincial Treasury and Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs. Improvement in audit outcome (from a disclaimer to a qualified audit opinion) has been noted, but in general, there has been insignificant impact noted in Nkonkobe local municipality. The study recommended that sufficient resources must be provided by the province in monitoring and supporting Nkonkobe local municipality to achieve clean audit. It was also recommended that coordination of support activities between and within the national and provincial governments was critically important.
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The efficacy of revenue collection strategies in local government: the case of Yei River County, South Sudan
- Authors: Logoro, John Mogga Ezekiel
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1092 , vital:26526
- Description: The study explores the Efficacy of Revenue Collection Strategies in Local Government as a Public Sector management tool for service provision in Yei River County – Republic of South Sudan. The main research question being pursued sought to find out the extent to which Revenue collection strategies can be an effective tool for public sector management and service provision in Yei River County. The study used both quantitative data (obtained through questionnaire survey) and qualitative data (through in-depth responses from County staff). The findings of the study seem to indicate that ineffective revenue collection strategies are being utilised by the local government officials. Some members of the communities and traders were still ignorant as to why they should be paying taxes which makes many of them to evade paying taxes. The study also reveals some challenges such as corrupt practices, poverty and illiteracy as some of the hindrances to effective revenue collection. However, there is a degree of success in revenue collection in the County as evidenced by the ongoing development activities such as urban road repairs which were financed by local taxes. A lot needs to be done in order to improve revenue collection in this County of Yei River County if services are to be delivered effectively and efficiently to the people. It is therefore strongly recommended that there is a need to put in place good educative measures to ensure that the citizens are informed about why they should be paying taxes to the County other than evading taxes and above all, the County need to strengthen the County Revenue Authority for better revenue collection.
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A review of Tribal Armed Conflict Resolution in selected counties in Lakes State, South Sudan
- Authors: Zakaria, John Lat
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015247
- Description: This mini-dissertation, aims to review tribal armed conflict resolution in selected Counties in Lakes State, South Sudan. The objectives of the study were to find out the consequences of the tribal armed conflicts on governance and service delivery and strategies to mitigate peace and tribal armed conflict resolution in order to enable development in the selected counties of Lakes state. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected from a sample of three hundred and ten (310) respondents who included the County Commissioners, Judges and Magistrates, Law enforcement officers, local government officers and traditional leaders through questionnaires and interviews. The study sought to review the effects of tribal armed conflicts on service delivery in the selected communities. It further examined conflict resolutions mechanisms and strategies that have been used by various actors and stakeholder to ameliorate tribal armed conflict in Lakes State, South Sudan. The results of the study showed that ethnicity in conflicts in South Sudan has played a significant role and has posed many challenges to scholars, political leaders, appointed public officials and communities alike. Some of the challenges include; tribalism, ethnic conflicts, and struggle over scarce resources. This has often led to rampant underdevelopment, under-representation in governance; unemployment and poverty, among administrative perils and dysfunctions that have subsequently been major drivers of tribal armed conflicts. Many youth who are unemployed are often involved in cattle raiding, hence revenge attacks often lead to frequent tribal armed conflicts. The study recommends that effective and sustainable peace building can be achieved through empowerment of the communities and use of traditional strategies in tribal armed conflict resolution in Lakes State. This is because external players often attempt to engage in peace building activities without seeking sustainable solutions at the grassroots level. Very often conflict resolution has been the preserve of NGOs and diplomats, who have no intimate acquaintance with local contexts. The study suggests that provision of services to the people through sustainable development of the rural areas and through the creation of alternative forms of livelihood, such as jobs, has to engage with and include the youth in economic development, so that tribal armed conflicts are ameliorated.
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An appraisal of Human Resource Management Practices in the Ministry of Public Service, Central Equatoria State, South Sudan
- Authors: Maka, Mustafa Fataki Kila
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11705 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015203
- Description: The primary objective was to assess Human Resource Management Practices in the Ministry of Public Service, Central Equatoria State-South Sudan. The objectives of the study were: Identify the key Practices used by the Ministry of Public Service in human resources management in Central Equatoria State. It also sought to establish the challenges faced by the Ministry of Public Service in human resources management practices in Central Equatoria State and to identify employees‟ perceptions on human resources management practices in Ministry of the Public Service in Central Equatoria State and lastly, to determine how and to what extent the Ministry of the Public Service can further improve on human resources management practices in Central Equatoria State. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methodology of data collection. Interviews and questionnaires were used as qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection respectively. The study used twenty five (25) respondents starting from Director General, Department of Administration and Finance, Department of General List of Clerks, Department of Establishments, Department of Pensions, Department of Budgets, and Department of Labour. The results revealed that; the human resource management practices by Ministry of Public Service in Central Equatoria State in the different departments need to ensure efficient and effective human resource management practices reforms, and the recommendations were put forward to assist the public civil servants in different human resource departments in the State.
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Assessing the impact of shifting traditional leadership roles on local government in service delivery: a case study of the Bor County, Jonglei State, South Sudan
- Authors: Bior, Ajang Duot
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11694 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015046
- Description: The local level of government plays a pivotal role in the delivering of service in Bor county of Jonglei State in South Sudan. As the world‟s newest nation attained independence in July 2011, the republic of South Sudan face a huge mountain to climb in terms of service delivery for socio – economic transformation. A country which has ransacked by civil wars and economic exclusion of its people in the past, South Sudan needs to pool resources together for the sustainable betterment of its citizens. Service is solely dependent on leadership and effective and efficient service rendering, requires a people – centred, accountable and professional leadership. Traditional leaders have played a key role in the welfare of their subjects in South Sudan beginning long back, they have led, counselled, mediated disputes, allocated and managed land as well as preservation of customs and cultures. The study sought to assess shifting roles of traditional leaders in local government services delivery. It comprises of six chapters which are chronologically arranged. The main objectives of the study were to establish role which were played by Bor traditional leadership to promote service delivery at the local government level before independence, after independence, the extent to which the roles shifted, challenges they face currently and ways of solving them. The research question which guided the sought to find the answers to what roles traditional leaders played before and after independence, the shifting of roles, challenges and ways of addressing them. The paradigm used in the study is the qualitative research approach where empirical data was collected from a representative sample of 9 respondents. Data was collected using the non-random sampling techniques of purposely sampling. The researcher observed strict ethical guideline which includes informed consent, privacy and confidentiality. The study found out that traditional leaders played various roles under various governments. There were shifts in traditional leadership roles leaders can play and did not completely divert the roles leaders can play in service delivery. The study further established that Bor traditional leaders were willing service at the local government level but that they faced challenges particularly that of insecurity and war – related problems. The study therefore, recommended that government should pay attention to security in Bor County and the county at large. It was also recommended that government should train traditional leadership roles such as those applied in Ghana, Uganda, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Despite the said shift in roles, traditional leaders remain a key asset to the development of South Sudan.
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Assessing the implementation of gender equity policies in education in Bor County, South Sudan
- Authors: Duot, Kulang Mayen Kulang
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11698 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015134
- Description: Education is a fundamental human right, a vital resource in overcoming poverty and inequality globally. All children have the right to quality basic education, the bedrock for a productive life. But key to this success is ensuring that girls, as well as boys, have full, equal access to a good quality education system, which gives them knowledge and skills (Fast-tracking, 2011:2). This research study explores the main challenges in the implementation of policies on gender equity in the education in Bor County in South Sudan. An exploratory research design was applied to explain to what extent policies on gender equity in the education system in Bor County, has been achieved and implemented. Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were applied through questionnaire administration and focus group discussion interviews. Of the sampled respondents about ninety percent (90%) of the respondents were males, while only ten percent (10%) were females, seventy-three percent (73%) were in the middle aged group of 26-45 years. Forty-six percent (46%) had secondary level of education, while about fifty-four (54%) had a tertiary level education. About eighty-four percent (84%) of the respondents reported the existence of policies on gender equity in the education system in Bor County. Ninety-eight percent, (98%) of the respondents were of the perceptions that it was critically important that policies on gender equity in the education system in Bor County be effectively implemented. About seventy-four percent (74%) of them reported that the institutions responsible for formulating or contributing to policy making include among others: the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology National government and Jonglei State Ministry of Education, National and State Parliaments, Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Jonglei state and South Sudan transitional Constitutions, with the support from United Nations agencies such as World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF, IOM and UNMIISS, also other NGOs for example, Hold the Child, CRS, Save the Children Sweden, JAM and fifty-six percent (56%) reported that these policies did not address the gender equity in education system in Bor County. Respondents pointed to some of the challenges related to implementation of policies on gender equity in the education in Bor County. These challenges entail: lack of financial support to implement gender policies in education, rigid communal traditions and customs, long distance of schools from homes which impact on girls accessing education, illiteracy among the communities which makes them resist enrolling girls in schools, early and forced marriages by the parents, lack of clear gender equity policies in the state Ministry of Education in Jonglei state and Bor County Department of Education, parents who regard their daughters as sources of wealth through marriages, lack of commitment and dedication from the concerned authorities on the implementation of gender policies in education and lack of sensitisation of the community on gender policies in education by the County department of education. The study findings also suggest lack of monitoring and evaluation during the implementation of gender policies in education. Further to this, domestic chores by the girl child as well as poor road network to facilitate movement from one point to another to sensitise people on gender policies in education impede efforts to implement gender equity policies in education. Furthermore some parents regarded schools as places for unlimited freedom for girls. The findings of this study indicated that policies on gender equity in education system in Bor County were formulated and not implemented. The stakeholders in implementing these policies were experiencing challenges that hampered their individual initiative to implement the policies. This was as a result of many factors that have affected the efforts and the roles of stakeholders involving in the implementation of gender equity policies in education in Bor County in South Sudan.
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