Browsing by Author "Davids, Gregory"

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
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    ASSESSING THE STATE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE WESTERN CAPE: THE CASE OF BEAUFORT WEST MUNICIPALITY (2016 – 2019)
    (University of the Western Cape, 2019) Phendu, Sipho; Davids, Gregory
    It is often argued that public participation is the cornerstone of constitutional democracy especially in countries such as South Africa with the history of segregation which was characterised by the exclusion of the majority of citizens from the decision-making processes of the state based on race, class and gender. As such, following the introduction of the various pieces of legislation in 1994, the dominant narrative was that the progressive laws that were passed would serve as a ‘panacea’ to the challenges of participatory governance in South Africa. It was inconceivable that 25 years into democracy, South Africa would still be grappling with the concept of public participation and the extent to which citizens could influence, direct and own decisions made by and with government especially at a local level. This study assessed the state of public participation in the Western Cape focusing on Beaufort Municipality in the Central Karoo District. It argued that public participation is a prerequisite for democratic governance and that the state could be deemed illegitimate if it does not prioritize the involvement of communities in its affairs. In this context, a particular focus was placed on the effectiveness of the ward committee system (as state sponsored mechanisms of public participation) in enhancing participatory democracy in Beaufort West Municipality. It refuted assumptions on the institutional arrangements made in the legislative framework governing public participation and ward committees – identifying and outlining some of the unanticipated consequences of these pieces of legislation. The study used qualitative research methods to collect data. Primary and secondary data was gathered to assess the state of public participation in the Western Cape with specific reference on the effectiveness of the ward committee system and the role of legislative and regulatory framework governing public participation, the institutional architecture and the roles of various stakeholders involved in public participation. The primary data was gathered through structured interviews and questionnaires while the secondary data was collected the analysis of the literature on public participation and ward committees including municipal reports, guidelines on public participation, legislation and policy frameworks. The research found that it is precisely the state sanctioned ward committee system that has contributed to the collapse of public participation in South Africa. The ward committee system was identified as a ‘poisoned chalice’ - so compromised that it has become an instrument to legitimise predetermined decisions of the politically connected elite, a rubber v stamp platform to comply with the policy and legislative framework. To address this problem, the study recommended a number of measures and interventions that could be introduced which entails the reconfiguration and overhaul of the legislative framework governing public participation and ward committees including the review of the role of politicians in public participation, training and capacity building, allocation of dedicated budget for public participation etc.
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    Human resource planning challenges - a case study of the Department of Library and Information Services in the City of Cape Town
    (University of the Western Cape, 2012) September, Charl J.; Davids, Gregory
    This study focuses on the human resource planning challenges of the Department of Library and Information Services in the City of Cape Town. In line with this focus the study seeks to determine the way in which the human resource planning strategies of the City of Cape Town impacts on departmental effectiveness and service delivery output of the Department of Library and Information Services. The study further endeavours to determine what the human resource planning processes in the Department of Library and Information Services entails as well as whether human resource planning in the Department of library and Information Services takes the external environment into account. The study is qualitative and employs a case study approach in order to reveal the reality of the situation. Structured questionnaires and the researcher’s observations were utilised to gather the research data whilst books, journal articles and government policies and documents were extensively consulted during the course of the study. The research findings indicated that the Department of Library and Information Services lacks a comprehensive human resource plan. Talent management and succession planning is not formally practised in the department and the work place skills plan of the department is not run optimally. The fact that the department is classified as an unfunded mandate also contributes to the current human resource environment in the department. It is recommended that the COCT involves the DLIS in its human resources policy formulation processes.
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    Local government as an enabler of local economic development: A case study of the Bulawayo city council
    (University of Western Cape, 2021) Moyo, Langton; Davids, Gregory
    Local economic development approaches are increasingly being adopted in Africa to address spatial and territorial inequalities in development. Local economic development prioritises grassroots, bottom-up, regional people-centred approaches, and local partnerships to make communities self-reliant. Amidst this approach, the local government sector is encouraged to facilitate this local development process as outlined as the tier of government that supports participatory democracy. As such, most post-independence African countries embarked on a decentralisation drive to position the local government system to play a key role in local communities' development process. This study focused on understanding the part of the local government sector in enabling local economic development. This dissertation sought to investigate how local governments in Zimbabwe can play a role in supporting the process for achieving a local developmental state. The analysis focuses on the local economic development initiatives implemented by the Bulawayo City Council, with specific attention given to the diversification of their economy through the small and medium business enterprises. The theoretical framework of the study was based on the endogenous development approach. This approach is relevant to local economic development and the role of local government in creating local institutions of the process as it emphasises the local determination of choices, control over the planning process, and the local retention of the benefits within the locale. For the field research, a case study of the Bulawayo City Council was necessary to understand and have insights into economic development, local government structures and process in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Area.
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    Organization management challenges of national heritage institutions in South Africa: a case study of the Robben Island museum (RIM)
    (University of the Western Cape, 2012) Blacky, Nosipho; Davids, Gregory
    In January 1997, Robben Island Museum (RIM) opened its doors to the public as a tourist destination. This was done without any formal management structure or strategic planning, to cope not only with its mandate as the first National Museum of the new democratic South Africa, but also to meet the demand of the great interest of visitors to see this prison where the icon of the liberation struggle, Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years. This operational take-off without formal administrative management structure and strategic planning was understandable given the social and political transitional climate in the country. The effect thereof as the old adage states ‘failure to plan is planning for failure’ seems to hold true for RIM who is struggling to become a well-managed national heritage site. RIM over the years have been beset with governance and management challenges and enjoyed continual bad publicity. The study’s aim was to bring an understanding of what the major governance and managerial challenges were and to make recommendations to address those. The study was guided by a central research question namely What were the administrative and management challenges of RIM and in what ways did it impact on the operational effectiveness of RIM as a national museum and World heritage site. A number of findings emanated from the study. A key one was that clarity of roles and responsibilities of the council and the management is required. Furthermore, the vision and mission of RIM must inform the formulation of strategies to give effect thereto. This in turn must be the base for the development of an appropriate organisational structure to implement the strategies. A number of recommendation stems from the research. An important one was that appointment must be on the basis of ‘fit for purpose’. This means that staff with the right skills and capacity should be appointed as a matter of priority. In conclusion, the findings of the study could be used by other heritage organisations faced with similar organisational challenges.
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    Provision of education in an abnormal society: Impact of gangsterism and violence in Cape Flat schools
    (University of the Western Cape, 2022) Qwetha-Daza, Zimkhitha; Davids, Gregory
    The research focus on, understanding the impact of gangsterism and factors of violence on education within the Cape Flats schools. Security at schools is beginning to obtain consideration in South Africa as expressed in various media reports. Schools are places of teaching and learning and can only deliver their educational mandate in safe and secure conditions, free from injuries, crime, and violence South African Schools Act, (No. 84 of 1996). Basic school safety and security features are therefore essential at schools. This is not the situation and schools are functioning within a dysfunctional society, which has a direct impact on the provision of education. The Cape flats in particular, had been in the news of late, because of reported and unreported incidents of deaths, injuries, crime, gangsterism and violence that seem most prevalent in township schools (De Wet, 2016). By understanding and analysing nature and factors of violence in Cape flats schools, could result in educational policy change and approaches on teaching and learning methodologies.
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    The responsibility of government and society towards social cohesion: A family perspective
    (University of Pretoria, 2021) Bidandi, Fred; Roman, Nicolette; Davids, Gregory
    Social cohesion, the foundation that keeps society together, is influenced by various inter-related factors such as education social, cultural, religious, and business, among others. Current debates indicates that unless social cohesion in its various dimensions is addressed, be it through reconciliation, tackling inequality, crafting a national identity, or bridging rural-urban divides, the implementation of any Southern African Development Plan will be challenging. In this paper, social cohesion is viewed as an intervention for coexistence; as an invitation to find common ground and allowing the sharing of social spaces; and to forge a common identity whilst recognising societal diversity. This paper postulates that although social cohesion is intended to contribute towards nation-building and national unity, government policies are fundamental to the advancement thereof.
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    A retrospective financial sustainability assessment of local municipalities in Overberg district (2009 - 2019)
    (University of the Western Cape, 2024) O'neill, Dean; Davids, Gregory
    The future existence of municipalities will be determined by their ability to remain financially sustainable in an increasingly constrained economic and politically volatile environment in their quest to provide and maintain quality and affordable services to all the residents within their jurisdiction. The State of Local Government Report (SLGR) as far back as 2009, states that financial management in municipalities is extremely challenging. It identifies poor governance, a weak skills base, inadequate provincial support, abuse of power, fraudulent activities, and weak revenue bases as well as the increasing reliance on government grants and poor debt collection as issues that negatively influence sustainable service delivery. The above statement remains true about sustainability within most municipalities currently in South Africa, taking the findings of the latest report on the State of Local Government Finances and Financial Management (SoLGF) into account. The main purpose of this study was to do a financial assessment with specific reference to the sustainability of the four local municipalities within the Overberg District Municipality (ODM), namely Cape Agulhas (CAM), Overstrand (OM), Swellendam, and Theewaterskloof (TWK) from 2012 to 2019. This was done by measuring the actual performance of these municipalities against the financial health measures identified by National Treasury (NT) for municipalities over the period under review. The results of this assessment together with that of the financial ratios used by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) and NT in their assessment of municipal finances allowed the researcher to reach a cognisant conclusion. The study was augmented with the analysis of the information gained from the interviews conducted with the political and administrative leadership of each municipality
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    Water provision within Sub-Saharan Africa: A case study of Namibia
    (University of the Western Cape, 2024) Amutenya, Tekla; Davids, Gregory
    This study addresses the global imperative of sustainable water provision, focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly two-thirds of the population faces severe water scarcity, and insufficient water supplies affect over two billion people. It recognises the elusive nature of achieving sustainable water provision in Africa, emphasizing the under studied domain of public service delivery, particularly within local government responsible for critical services like drinking water, wastewater treatment, sanitation, and waste management. Centered on Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically Namibia, this qualitative study investigated the impact of internal decision-making processes, self-interest, financing models, and monitoring and evaluation practices on water provision within urban local authorities. The overarching goal is to develop and enhance a comprehensive framework for policy adoption and implementation, promoting sustainable water and sanitation service delivery in developing countries. The study adopted a qualitative research paradigm and it utilised various data collection techniques, including in-depth interviews with council members, open-ended questionnaires to employees of key water institutions, and observations.