{"title":"Local Government’s Existential Challenge: 25 Years of the White Paper on Local Government (1998–2023)","authors":"O. Nzewi, M. Sibanda","doi":"10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.168","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.168","url":null,"abstract":"No abstract available.","PeriodicalId":34771,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139211519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Municipalities’ non-performance in terms of service delivery is often considered to be a significant concern that affects the community. Municipalities constitute the most important sphere of government as they operate at grassroot level and are mandated to provide essential services to communities. A lack of governance, poor financial management reporting, poor supply chain and asset management processes are some impediments that affect the service delivery.Aim: This study aimed to identify performance enhancing measures that non-performing municipalities in South Africa could apply.Setting: The article focused on all 44 district municipalities and identified the best performing ones from the period 2017 to 2020 financial years before examining measures that assisted well-performing municipalities.Method: A sequential exploratory research design was used in the study. The municipal performance measures were identified from the literature, confirmed, and validated through the content analysis of performing municipalities’ annual reports. The performance of these municipalities was based on the audit outcomes from the Auditor General South Africa (AGSA).Results: Forty-two measures were recommended to enhance non-performing municipalities’ performance.Conclusion: The overall view of all district municipalities and the identification of measures to focus on may assist municipalities in reflecting and implementing the suggested measures.Contribution: Most of the available literature focuses on metropolitan municipalities and tends to focus on corporate governance. This study examined change drivers in district municipalities and focuses on governance, financial management, supply chain management, and asset management. Areas for improvement were flagged and improvement measurements were put in place to enhance performance.
{"title":"Measures that may assist non-performing municipalities in improving their performance","authors":"Lethiwe Nzama, Tankiso Moloi, Benjamin Marx","doi":"10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.136","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.136","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Municipalities’ non-performance in terms of service delivery is often considered to be a significant concern that affects the community. Municipalities constitute the most important sphere of government as they operate at grassroot level and are mandated to provide essential services to communities. A lack of governance, poor financial management reporting, poor supply chain and asset management processes are some impediments that affect the service delivery.Aim: This study aimed to identify performance enhancing measures that non-performing municipalities in South Africa could apply.Setting: The article focused on all 44 district municipalities and identified the best performing ones from the period 2017 to 2020 financial years before examining measures that assisted well-performing municipalities.Method: A sequential exploratory research design was used in the study. The municipal performance measures were identified from the literature, confirmed, and validated through the content analysis of performing municipalities’ annual reports. The performance of these municipalities was based on the audit outcomes from the Auditor General South Africa (AGSA).Results: Forty-two measures were recommended to enhance non-performing municipalities’ performance.Conclusion: The overall view of all district municipalities and the identification of measures to focus on may assist municipalities in reflecting and implementing the suggested measures.Contribution: Most of the available literature focuses on metropolitan municipalities and tends to focus on corporate governance. This study examined change drivers in district municipalities and focuses on governance, financial management, supply chain management, and asset management. Areas for improvement were flagged and improvement measurements were put in place to enhance performance.","PeriodicalId":34771,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139266061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Section 139 interventions invoked against failing municipalities in South Africa are becoming prevalent and causing considerable apprehension among stakeholders in local government. Though previous studies have highlighted that Section 139 interventions have generally failed to address governance challenges in municipalities, their effectiveness in strengthening municipal financial accountability has not been examined.Aim: This article investigates the effectiveness of Section 139 interventions in strengthening municipal financial accountability architecture.Methods: This article utilised qualitative document analysis to assess the effectiveness of a Section 139 intervention in strengthening municipal financial accountability. Furthermore, the study utilised audit outcomes as qualitative proxy indicators to assess the effectiveness of Section 139 interventions to strengthen municipal financial accountability. The study focussed on municipalities from Limpopo, North West, and the Free State that have been placed under Section 139 intervention.Results: The findings from the analysis of data showed that a year after interventions, municipalities from Limpopo achieved a notable improvement in their audit outcomes, while municipalities from North West and the Free State did not improve. Though there was a notable improvement from municipalities in Limpopo, the improvement did not result in clean audit outcomes.Conclusion: The poor audit outcomes are indicators that Section 139 interventions are ineffective in strengthening municipal financial accountability.Contribution: This article contributes towards the debates and potential measures to strengthen Section 139 interventions to address the accountability challenges in South African municipalities.
{"title":"The effectiveness of Section 139 interventions in strengthening municipal accountability in South Africa","authors":"Thabo Khaile","doi":"10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.146","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.146","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Section 139 interventions invoked against failing municipalities in South Africa are becoming prevalent and causing considerable apprehension among stakeholders in local government. Though previous studies have highlighted that Section 139 interventions have generally failed to address governance challenges in municipalities, their effectiveness in strengthening municipal financial accountability has not been examined.Aim: This article investigates the effectiveness of Section 139 interventions in strengthening municipal financial accountability architecture.Methods: This article utilised qualitative document analysis to assess the effectiveness of a Section 139 intervention in strengthening municipal financial accountability. Furthermore, the study utilised audit outcomes as qualitative proxy indicators to assess the effectiveness of Section 139 interventions to strengthen municipal financial accountability. The study focussed on municipalities from Limpopo, North West, and the Free State that have been placed under Section 139 intervention.Results: The findings from the analysis of data showed that a year after interventions, municipalities from Limpopo achieved a notable improvement in their audit outcomes, while municipalities from North West and the Free State did not improve. Though there was a notable improvement from municipalities in Limpopo, the improvement did not result in clean audit outcomes.Conclusion: The poor audit outcomes are indicators that Section 139 interventions are ineffective in strengthening municipal financial accountability.Contribution: This article contributes towards the debates and potential measures to strengthen Section 139 interventions to address the accountability challenges in South African municipalities.","PeriodicalId":34771,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139270439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Municipal councillors have a statutory and moral obligation to perform an oversight function over all municipal functions and ensure that suitable corrective measures are taken to deepen local democracy.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether municipal councillors succeed in their oversight role to deepen democracy in the local sphere of government.Setting: The study was conducted among a sample of local, district, and metropolitan municipalities in South Africa.Methods: An online-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from four target groups, namely chairpersons of Section 79 oversight committees (T1), chairpersons of standing and/or portfolio committees (T2), chairpersons of provincial Standing Committees on Public Accounts (T3) and local government experts (T4).Results: It was found that councillors are relatively ill-prepared to conduct their oversight responsibilities although adequate statutory prescripts and oversight mechanisms and structures are in place.Conclusion: Focused capacity-building programmes are required to enhance the competencies of councillors in conducting their oversight role and thereby to deepen democracy in the local sphere of government.Contribution: The research shows that municipal councillors do not have the necessary capacity and tools to perform their oversight role and recommends appropriate strategies and practices to improve the effectiveness of councillors in conducting oversight roles.
{"title":"Enhancing municipal councillors’ oversight in local, district, and metropolitan municipalities","authors":"David J. Fourie, Gerrit Van der Waldt","doi":"10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.145","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.145","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Municipal councillors have a statutory and moral obligation to perform an oversight function over all municipal functions and ensure that suitable corrective measures are taken to deepen local democracy.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether municipal councillors succeed in their oversight role to deepen democracy in the local sphere of government.Setting: The study was conducted among a sample of local, district, and metropolitan municipalities in South Africa.Methods: An online-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from four target groups, namely chairpersons of Section 79 oversight committees (T1), chairpersons of standing and/or portfolio committees (T2), chairpersons of provincial Standing Committees on Public Accounts (T3) and local government experts (T4).Results: It was found that councillors are relatively ill-prepared to conduct their oversight responsibilities although adequate statutory prescripts and oversight mechanisms and structures are in place.Conclusion: Focused capacity-building programmes are required to enhance the competencies of councillors in conducting their oversight role and thereby to deepen democracy in the local sphere of government.Contribution: The research shows that municipal councillors do not have the necessary capacity and tools to perform their oversight role and recommends appropriate strategies and practices to improve the effectiveness of councillors in conducting oversight roles.","PeriodicalId":34771,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135634792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Human resource development implementation faces several challenges that prevent organisational optimisation as defined in the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority Skills Development Handbook and related regulatory framework. The assumption is that skills development facilitators (SDFs) do not have the functional competencies to effectively implement human resource development projects and programmes. Aim: The aim of the research was to present and reflect on the results of a survey conducted in selected South African municipalities to ascertain the factors influencing human resource development implementation and to assess the competence levels of SDFs to determine whether there are lessons to be learned. It also aimed to recommend how the identified challenges faced by municipalities can be resolved. Methods: The mixed-methods research approach involved the analysis of primary data obtained from a qualitative perspective, including semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. Questionnaires were completed by 239 line managers, 66 human resource development staff , 357 other municipal employees and 34 SDFs. Results: The study concluded that SDFs are experienced and qualified but that human resource development is poorly managed in municipalities on six levels (ethical values, policy, practice, organisation, internal democracy and stakeholders), which affects the overall human resource development performance of municipalities. Conclusion: Municipalities must follow an integrated management approach to manage HRD that includes a collaborative approach involving line managers, HRD professionals and employees. Contribution: Specific implementation recommendations are made to ensure that municipalities are equipped to manage HRD and thus ensure effective service delivery in municipalities.
{"title":"Contextualising the factors influencing human resource development in municipalities","authors":"Harlan C.A. Cloete","doi":"10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.119","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Human resource development implementation faces several challenges that prevent organisational optimisation as defined in the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority Skills Development Handbook and related regulatory framework. The assumption is that skills development facilitators (SDFs) do not have the functional competencies to effectively implement human resource development projects and programmes. Aim: The aim of the research was to present and reflect on the results of a survey conducted in selected South African municipalities to ascertain the factors influencing human resource development implementation and to assess the competence levels of SDFs to determine whether there are lessons to be learned. It also aimed to recommend how the identified challenges faced by municipalities can be resolved. Methods: The mixed-methods research approach involved the analysis of primary data obtained from a qualitative perspective, including semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. Questionnaires were completed by 239 line managers, 66 human resource development staff , 357 other municipal employees and 34 SDFs. Results: The study concluded that SDFs are experienced and qualified but that human resource development is poorly managed in municipalities on six levels (ethical values, policy, practice, organisation, internal democracy and stakeholders), which affects the overall human resource development performance of municipalities. Conclusion: Municipalities must follow an integrated management approach to manage HRD that includes a collaborative approach involving line managers, HRD professionals and employees. Contribution: Specific implementation recommendations are made to ensure that municipalities are equipped to manage HRD and thus ensure effective service delivery in municipalities.","PeriodicalId":34771,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135247738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluating the implementation of a municipal credit management policy","authors":"Abba W. Masungini, G. J. Maseko, Natasha Robbetze","doi":"10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.101","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.101","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":34771,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46651997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Municipal amalgamations and the feasibility of economies of scale in local government","authors":"S. Tshabalala, A. Gunter","doi":"10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.126","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.126","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":34771,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47425573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Corrigendum: Communication and governance in a linguistically diverse human settlement in South Africa","authors":"Sandiso Ngcobo, Bongekile Y.C. Mvuyana","doi":"10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.122","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.122","url":null,"abstract":"No abstract available.","PeriodicalId":34771,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135380586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: For an economy to live up to expectation in the committee of nations, Information Communication Technology (ICT) entrepreneurship training for employment generation has become a viable intervention.Aim: The purpose of the study is to interrogate the role of ICT entrepreneurship training on employment generation in post-COVID-19 pandemic in Ikeja Local Government, Lagos State.Setting: The study was conducted in Ikeja Local government area of Lagos of Nigeria.Methods: A survey design was adopted for the study. Data were collected from secondary sources, such as extant literature, journal articles, books, government records and newspapers. Primary data were collected from face-to-face interview from six key informants and structured questionnaires distributed. One hundred and eight respondents were randomly sampled. Out of 108 questionnaires administered, 104 questionnaires were returned (96%), while four non-responses were discarded. Frequency distribution method was used for exploratory analysis, while chi-square statistic was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 significance level, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 17) to analyse and interpret results. Secondary data analysis was adopted to complement empirical analysis.Results: Findings showed that ICT Entrepreneurship training has promoted job creation and reduction of youths’ unemployment in Ikeja Local Government of Lagos State.Conclusion: The study concluded that ICT entrepreneurship training promotes job creation and reduction of youths’ unemployment in Lagos State.Contribution: The study has contributed to a body of knowledge on ICT youths’ entrepreneurship education in Ikeja Local government.
{"title":"ICT entrepreneurship training and job creation in post-COVID-19 in Ikeja Local government, Lagos State, Nigeria","authors":"A. N. Eneanya","doi":"10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.92","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.92","url":null,"abstract":"Background: For an economy to live up to expectation in the committee of nations, Information Communication Technology (ICT) entrepreneurship training for employment generation has become a viable intervention.Aim: The purpose of the study is to interrogate the role of ICT entrepreneurship training on employment generation in post-COVID-19 pandemic in Ikeja Local Government, Lagos State.Setting: The study was conducted in Ikeja Local government area of Lagos of Nigeria.Methods: A survey design was adopted for the study. Data were collected from secondary sources, such as extant literature, journal articles, books, government records and newspapers. Primary data were collected from face-to-face interview from six key informants and structured questionnaires distributed. One hundred and eight respondents were randomly sampled. Out of 108 questionnaires administered, 104 questionnaires were returned (96%), while four non-responses were discarded. Frequency distribution method was used for exploratory analysis, while chi-square statistic was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 significance level, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 17) to analyse and interpret results. Secondary data analysis was adopted to complement empirical analysis.Results: Findings showed that ICT Entrepreneurship training has promoted job creation and reduction of youths’ unemployment in Ikeja Local Government of Lagos State.Conclusion: The study concluded that ICT entrepreneurship training promotes job creation and reduction of youths’ unemployment in Lagos State.Contribution: The study has contributed to a body of knowledge on ICT youths’ entrepreneurship education in Ikeja Local government.","PeriodicalId":34771,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46638367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The dynamics of traditional leaders’ relationship with municipal councillors and service delivery","authors":"Kutu S. Ramolobe","doi":"10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.95","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/jolgri.v4i0.95","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":34771,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47844607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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