Masters in Public Administration - MPA

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The role of the City of Cape Town in promoting a safe and healthy environment: a case study of Manenberg
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Companie, Benjamin
The Constitution of South Africa, adopted in 1996, outlines the objectives of local government in Section 152. Specifically, subsection (d) of this section mandates that municipalities must "promote a safe and healthy environment" for their residents. Furthermore, in section 24 of the Constitution, specifically subsection (a) everyone is guaranteed the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being. This constitutional mandate obligates the City of Cape Town to implement measures that protect and promote environmental health. These constitutional imperatives place a clear responsibility on local authorities to implement policies and initiatives that safeguard public health and safety within their jurisdictions. The City must therefore ensure that policies and practices align with this constitutional provision, thereby safeguarding the health and well-being of its citizens. By enshrining these obligations in the country's supreme law, South Africa has emphasised the critical role that local governments play in ensuring the well-being of their communities through environmental protection, public health measures, and safety initiative. These mandates require municipalities to actively work towards creating living conditions that are conducive to both physical and mental health, while also addressing potential hazards that could compromise the safety of their inhabitants. However, the City of Cape Town has been grappling with high levels of crime for many years, with certain areas experiencing particularly alarming rates. Cape Town is among the provinces with the highest level of crime and concerns about crime. One of the highest rates of violent, property, and commercial crime in the nation is in Cape Town, which is located in the Western Cape. The apartheid government left both physical and social legacies unique to South Africa that complicate questions of crime patterns and make current literature on crime inadequate to explain in Cape Town. Although the new government has implemented different crime prevention strategies, the crime situation in the country is unabated, particularly in poor communities and townships.
Representative bureaucracy and the merit principle in the South African public service
(University of the Western Cape, 2001) Cloete Niven
There has been an increasing awareness of the need for representativeness in the public sector in recent years. This has been motivated by the need to redress the inequalities and imbalances of the apartheid bureaucracy. Since the inception of the Government of National Unity in 1994, a number of steps were taken to redress the imbalances of the past within the legal framework laid out in the constitution and various government White Papers. The National Department of Justice and the Provincial Department of Social Services are studied in this mini-thesis to ascertain how effectively change was undertaken in these departments towards making them more representative. By comparing these two departments , it is anticipated that interesting insights will be revealed, especially given the fact that the two departments have been controlled by two different parties over the past few years. The study reveals that within the department of Social Services in the Western Cape, several barriers were identified that hinder the process of achieving representativeness. These barriers include, among others, the classification and grading, the working environment and performance management. The department has developed an Employment Equity Plan to address these problems. One of the recommendations in the plan is the introduction of a more effective job grading system. This will be done once comprehensive job descriptions for each post have been established. Minimum standards for departmental buildings will also be set to create a more environmentally friendly environment for people with disabilities. The Department of Justice has a policy document (Representivity and Employment Equity) to be used in parallel with other government documentation such as the White Paper on Affirmative Action, the employment Equity Act, and the White Paper on Transformation of the Public Service. It has also put in place a Planning Unit to strategize around transformation within the department. It has also established linkages with other organisations such as Disabled People of South Africa and the Women 's League. Despite these attempts, however, the department still experiences problems. Communication between the Gender offices at national and provincial/regional level were found to be troublesome. Also in attempts to attract the best suitable candidate for a job , the department found that many of the short-listed candidates did not demonstrate the anticipated potential. This was problematic in the sense that they had to re-advertise the posts. Based on the findings of this research, the study offers recommendations for improvement. It commends , among other things, that proper steps be taken to implement policies with greater commitment and efficiency than in the past. Staff must be provided with the required tools and skills to perform their tasks effectively and proficiently. It also provides ways of dealing with resistance to change which include education and training, communication, participation , facilitation and support.
Exploring employment equity in leadership positions in the public sector: a case study of the Western Cape Education Department
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Seboka, Thandiwe
South Africa continues to grapple with the legacy of apartheid, facing significant challenges in restructuring institutional frameworks and promoting equity in development. Despite various efforts, the advancement of black professionals and the achievement of racial equality in the workplace remain significant obstacles, with under-representation persisting in many sectors (Coovadia, Jewkes, Barron, Sanders, and McIntyre, 2009). This study aimed to explore the role of Employment Equity in facilitating leadership positions within the public sector, using a case study of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). A qualitative research approach, incorporating both exploratory and descriptive designs, was employed to gain insights into these dynamics. The participants consisted of public servants from four district offices within the WCED’s metropolitan area. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select ten participants for the study. The primary data was collected through semi-structured, in-depth hybrid interviews (conducted both face-to-face and virtually), utilizing open-ended questions. The objectives of the research informed the interview guide. The primary data were analysed using thematic data analysis to ensure that the findings were credible and were presented as direct quotes from participants. Ethical considerations were upheld throughout the research process.
Exploring factors affecting public housing allocation in Bitou municipality between 2010 – 2020: a document analysis
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Preissex, Bronico
Public housing allocation represents one of the most ambitious state-led housing programmes in South Africa. This is because public housing allocation is a shared competence of national, provincial and local governments. The national government's role in policy formation and funding allocation often conflicts with provincial governments' oversight responsibilities and municipalities' implementation duties. This has resulted in coordination failures, duplicated efforts, and accountability gaps that directly impact the effectiveness of housing delivery. While the Constitution of South Africa establishes housing as a concurrent function, the practical implementation of this shared responsibility has created significant confusion and operational inefficiencies. Literature shows that poor intergovernmental coordination has particularly affected low-income housing projects, where unclear decision-making hierarchies have hampered efficient resource allocation and project execution. Furthermore, these challenges are further exacerbated by capacity constraints at the local government level, where municipalities struggle to navigate complex intergovernmental relationships while managing immediate housing delivery demands. The geographical area selected for this research is Bitou Municipality in Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa. This municipality consists of seven wards, each represented by a ward councillor. Municipalities have a critical role to play in the allocation of public housing.
Exploring customer satisfaction of the South African Police Service through secondary data.
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Mavumengwana-Soldaat, Khanyiswa
The purpose of this study is to explore customer satisfaction of the South African Police Service through secondary data. Customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of effective policing, as it influences public trust and cooperation. This study aims to explore the customer satisfaction levels regarding the South African Police Service (SAPS) by analyzing secondary data sources. The primary objective of this research is to assess the perceptions and expectations of communities regarding South African Police Service (SAPS) service delivery, identify key factors influencing satisfaction, and highlight areas for improvement. This study uses a comprehensive analysis of secondary data collected from various sources, including Statistics South Africa's Victims of Crime Surveys, Annual crime statistics reports, and independent research studies. The data was analyzed to identify trends in customer satisfaction, associations with service delivery factors, and public perceptions of police effectiveness.
The role of the City of Cape Town in promoting a safe and healthy environment: A case study of Manenberg
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Companie, Benjamin
The Constitution of South Africa, adopted in 1996, outlines the objectives of local government in Section 152. Specifically, subsection (d) of this section mandates that municipalities must "promote a safe and healthy environment" for their residents. Furthermore, in section 24 of the Constitution, specifically subsection (a) everyone is guaranteed the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being. This constitutional mandate obligates the City of Cape Town to implement measures that protect and promote environmental health. These constitutional imperatives place a clear responsibility on local authorities to implement policies and initiatives that safeguard public health and safety within their jurisdictions. The City must therefore ensure that policies and practices align with this constitutional provision, thereby safeguarding the health and well-being of its citizens. By enshrining these obligations in the country's supreme law, South Africa has emphasised the critical role that local governments play in ensuring the wellbeing the wel1-being of their communities through environmental protection, public health measures, and safety initiative.
The South African Small Business Programme, 1994- 2001: An Evaluation of the dti Family Institutions
(University of the Western Cape, 2003) Van Wyk Rhian
The study focussed on and identified the role of the South African Government's policies in the development and promotion of an SMME strategy that would benefit the majority of the inhabitants of this country. This strategy took into consideration South Africa's entry into the global market and the concomitant constraints that this posed for the development of the said strategy. The study also tried to analyse the role of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) pro-actively and objectively within the scope of the study.
Unit management in correctional services: A socio-economic perspective on programme delivery
(University of the Western Cape, 2000) Coetzee Jacobus
1998 saw the promulgation of the Correctional Services Act, Act 111 of 1998, which represented a total break from the 1959 Act, Act 8 of 1959. The Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998 is embedded in the framework of the new Constitution of a democratic South Africa with its emphasis on human rights. Within the framework of the Constitution of South Africa, the Department of Correctional Services is moving from a quasi-military institution to a civic power which is publicly accountable for its actions regarding the manner in which it manages its prisons and inmate population. It is evident that policy development in Correctional Services is aimed at improved control, better management, more humane conditions and normality behind prison walls. As part of a strategy to deal with the daunting task of managing an increasing inmate population1 the Executive Management Board of the South African Department of Correctional Services granted approval, through decision 26/95, to develop and apply unit management in South African prisons. The South African Department of Correctional Services refers to unit management as an approach to inmate and prison management, designed to improve control and relationships by dividing the larger prison population into smaller, more manageable groups and to improve the delivery of correctional services. Through the implementation of unit management, the South African Department of Correctional Services is seeking to create a significant realignment in the way in which it manages its correctional facilities and inmate population. This realignment is a long-term process and derives from a fundamental reappraisal of policy.
Gender mainstreaming in local government in South Africa: a study of the City of Cape Town
(University of the Western Cape, 2015) Sinden, Elain Dorothy
This study is an examination of gender mainstreaming in local government in South Africa. with specific reference to the City of Cape Town. The thesis situates gender mainstreaming in broader discourses and policy making about equal rights and equal employment opportunities for women. particularly pertaining to the discussion of gender mainstreaming. that was adopted after the 1995 United nations World Conference on Women (referred to as the Beijing Platform for Action). The study places the gender mainstreaming discussions in the South African context, pointing out that while legislation and policy measures have been introduced to promote gender mainstreaming as a way of advancing equal rights and equal opportunities. this has not exceeded to the extent intended. The study found discrepancy in the employment and participation between men and women in almost all sectors. including local government and specifically the City of Cape Town.
Assessment of the implementation of business process e-engineering in the public sector in Ethiopia: the cases of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and The Ministry of Works and Urban Development
(University of the Western Cape, 2009) Hussein, Ibrahim Mamma
The modem public sector and system of administration in Ethiopia began at the time of the imperial period, in the early 1960s. But this sector and the tradition of administration itself, compared with other countries, is not yet strong enough to play its role as a catalyst in the development and growth of the country. This study explores the wide array of public sector administration and reform practices in other countries and compares them with Ethiopia. More specifically, it looks into Business Process Re-engineering, a recently adopted type of reform, which originated in the private sector. Commonly termed BPR, Business Process Re-Engineering is a reform mechanism to uproot age-old systems of thinking and functioning in any organization and replace them with new paradigms and more efficient and lean systems that will lead to visible results. The literature reveals that it has had mixed results of improvement, both in the private sector and in the public sector in many countries. This study sets out to analyse whether this is just another fad of reform being adopted in order to fulfil a completely different objective of political reform, or whether it is a real effort to bring about changes in the way the public sector conducts its business. From its wide application in the country, two varying sectors have been chosen for this analysis. One is a service-giving institution in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which has frequent interaction with citizens and, most importantly, investors and business organizations.
Human resource capacity building and retention: a challenge for the Rwandan public sector
(University of the Western Cape, 2011) Ingabire Valerie N
In Rwanda, there is a serious concern that the human resource capacities to formulate and implement policies and programmes and deliver quality services to meet the Government's development priorities are not only limited but are eroding as well, despite efforts to the contrary. The purpose of this study is to examine the challenges of Human Resource capacity building and retention in the Rwandan Public Sector. Specific objectives are (i) to identify the civil servants' perceived reasons that make them quit the public sector after acquiring the desired skills by their working institutions; (ii) to identify the civil servants' perceptions on the measures to improve capacity retention in Rwandan public sector; (iii) to review the capacity building and retention challenges facing the Rwandan public sector; (iv) to contextualize problems of capacity building and capacity retention within the broader literature; and (v) to make recommendations regarding the specific strategies the Rwandan Public Sector should adopt to retain civil servants. The study was carried out in Western Cape Province, at the Universities of University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), University of Cape Town (UCT) and University of Stellenbosch (US). The eligible study participants were postgraduate Rwandan students pursuing masters and doctoral studies in various fields. A descriptive quantitative study design was used to collect data on the participants' perceived reasons as to why, after training, civil servants are likely to quit the public sector, together with the measures participants feel the Rwanda Public sector could put in place to retain the employees after training, as well as the human resource challenges facing Rwandan public sector.
Local government and housing development: challenges and prospects facing the Tygerberg municipality
(University of the Western Cape, 1998) Khan, Suleman
During the apartheid era, local government was based on principles that were in conflict with the tenets of democracy . As a result of apartheid policies, the majority of South Africans were either homeless or inadequately housed. In several instances, racially-based municipalities such as the Black Local Authorities (BLAs) failed to embark on an effective programme geared toward the delivery of services in general, and housing in particular. While 2 February marked the beginning of the democratisation process in South Africa , the majority of people living in Black townships experienced a total collapse of services. It was expected that the formation of new local authorities in terms of the Local Government Transition Act (LGTA) will materially and fundamentally change the conditions under which the majority of people lived. However, the compromises reached at the Local Government Negotiating Forum (LGNF) continue to perpetuate and broaden old organisational forms, which in turn have retarded social and economic development by sustaining spatial arrangements .The focus of this study is located in the Western Cape Province, and in particular the sprawling township of Khayelitsha. This study will consider the effectiveness of local authority structures before and after 1994. In this regard, an assessment will be made of housing policy during the apartheid era as well as that of the Government of National Unity (GNU). Moreover, the study will critique the Tygerberg municipality with regard to housing delivery in Khayelitsha. For the successful implementation of an integrated housing policy this study will trace the function of local authority institutions through a literature review.
Political transformation and the budget process: issues and considerations from the Western Cape Provincial Government - 1997198 budget
(University of the Western Cape, 1998) Wort Logan
This research report is a study of political transformation and the budget process, with specific reference to the Western Cape provincial budget of 1997/98. The study considers the macroeconomic framework, constitutional and institutional parameters within which the budget process takes place at both a national and provincial level. The study places the Western Cape provincial budget process within the same context and, in particular. considers how it measures against the requirements of national transformation as envisaged in the Reconstruction and Development programme (RDP) and the Growth Employment and Redistribution Strategy Gear) amongst others. The study makes extensive use of primary source documents, secondary source documents and in-depth interviews. The author was involved in direct participant observation to enable him to gain a thorough understanding of the concepts and issues of budgets and transformation. In essence the study offers issues and considerations for improved budgetary processes within the Western Cape Provincial Government.
Outsourcing in then Namibian public sector: a case study of Namwater
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Freyer Ulrich
Prior to 01 April 1997, the Department of Water Affairs in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development was responsible for the provision of water to the entire Consumers of Namibia. All the processes involved in the provision of potable water to the citizenry were provided by the state. These processes were funded from state coffers. On 01 April 1997, the Namibian Parliament decided to outsource the provision of bulk water supply to a commercialized entity, which resulted in the enactment of the Namibia Water Corporation Act, 12 of 1997. This Act provided the legal framework, which guides the provision of bulk water to the citizens of Namibia and gave birth to the Namibia Water Corporation Limited, officially known as Narnwater. Namwater's core responsibility is to manage the water resources of the country, and the provision of bulk water on a full cost- recovery basis as outlined by the Act. The government's decision to outsource this service brought about diverse reactions from various stakeholders. The trade unions, consumers, municipalities and the government were all participants in the debates that emanated from the outsourcing decision.
Challenges and prospects of public-private partnerships in municipal infrastructure service delivery: a case study of the Oostenberg administration (previously municipality)
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Tom, Nosiphiwo Faith
This study looks at the challenges and prospects of public-private partnerships in municipal infrastructure service delivery: The study uses Oostenberg administration (previously municipality) as a case study. The collection of data was based on reviewing existing literature about public private partnerships, structured interviews and questionnaires. Evidence from literature shows that most of the municipalities in South Africa are under pressure to deliver better services to their constituencies within a context of limited time as well as financial and other resources. The ultimate goal of these municipalities is to deliver better quality services at the cheapest price on a sustainable basis to its entire people. They are thus, looking for the alternative ways (as provided by the Local Government White Paper, 1998) of delivering higher quality services to many residents. One of the alternative ways is the private sector participation in the delivery of services. This study looks at the impact of the involvement of the private sector in municipal service delivery. In doing so, the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. From the SWOT analysis, the advantages as well as the disadvantages of the are identified. By citing the Oostenberg case study, the study demonstrates that public private partnerships are not privatisation and they can have positive impact to the poor municipalities who can not deliver basic services to their people.
Demilitarization in the department of correctional services: an analysis of the issues and attitudes
(University of the Western Cape, 1999) Tile, Lungelo
The Department of Prison Services as it was known then, was militarized. Members at their employment were required to undergo a basic training course of nine months, which was later reduced to six months. They were also classified into ranks and were also wearing uniform. They were used to call each other by rank which signified hierarchy. These ranks were being used to enforce instructions and inculcate "discipline'· for both officers and prisoners. The seniors were only talking of commands but never consultation, which demanded complete obedience. Communication was only the top-down approach and there was a strict, and " iron'· discipline like in the army. The purpose of this study was to find out how they (functional members) felt about the demi litarization process, currently taking place and assess the impact of loss of their military ranks on their attitudes and performance at work. The study has examined the claim by some functional members which stated that. the reason why there was much confusion and chaos, especially in the prison was the result of the process of demilitarization. To also examine the claim that members on the other hand do not know how to address each other and prisoners saw members as worthless.
An analysis of factors that impacts electricity security in South Africa. The case of city of Johannesburg municipality
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Sekhokho, Sello; Davids, Gregory
Post-apartheid South Africa placed priority on the transformation of society to address the apartheid inherited social economic imbalances. A key priority was to ensure electricity provision for all in promoting economic and social transformation. This research focussed on the challenges and obstacles that impacted on electricity security within South Africa with a particular focus on the City of Johannesburg. The aim of the study were to examine the root causes of power supply challenges in South Africa using the Johannesburg municipality as the locus of study. A number of objectives were set amongst these to determine the effects of power outages on the lives of people of Johannesburg municipality and to analyse the initiatives undertaken in order to minimise power supply challenges in Johannesburg municipality. The study was qualitative in nature and a non-probability method of purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 20 participants from Johannesburg municipality workers and residents. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data which was thematically analysed. The study found that various factors such as illegal power connections, lack of political will, and constant breakdowns due to old equipment, obsolete power generation, institutional financial problems, increasing population, and exorbitant electricity prices caused inefficient power supply.
An analysis of the administrative and regulatory framework of non-profit organizations in post-apartheid South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Majola, Xolile; Pretorius, Leon Gilbert
The study analyzes the current legislative framework and administrative regulatory framework in order to assess how it has assisted non-profit organizations (NPOs) to flourish. The research findings reflect that significant work has been done by NPOs both in terms of complying with the law, regulatory framework, as well as being strategic service delivery partners in contemporary South Africa. Despite the significant strides NPOs have made on governance and accountability functions, there is still some work that needs to be done with regards to enforcement, recourse, and consequences. The primary objectives of the study are as follows: To examine the provision of the Fund-Raising Act of 1978 legislation as a background to policy attempts at regulating the activities of non-profit organizations. To examine the provisions of the Non-Profit Organisations Act of 1997 with the view to highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. To discuss the theoretical perspective, the research findings of the study and the role that can be played by NPOs in post-apartheid South Africa. To suggest ways in which the legislation might be improved in order to enhance the activities of non-profit organizations in local economic development in contemporary South Africa.
Rethinking administration of the legal profession in Addis Ababa: Exploring the untapped potential of paralegals
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Tesfaye, Hileleule Getachew; Ile, Isioma
This thesis provides a critical analysis of the legal profession regulation in Addis Ababa, with a specific focus on the role of paralegals in addressing existing barriers. Through an extensive literature review, the study first explores the multifaceted nature of access to justice, emphasizing the significance of legal assistance while addressing issues related to its availability and affordability. As further foundation, the research evaluates various theoretical frameworks, highlighting the limitations of the conventional rule of law paradigm and the promise of a human rights-based approach. The potential of paralegals as alternative legal service providers to overcome these barriers is also discussed in this regard. Subsequently, the study investigates the current state of access to justice in Ethiopia, examining the constitutional basis, justice sector policies, legislative framework, and the institutions and human resources involved in delivering legal services. The main discussion of the paper is comparative analysis of the human rights legal framework and experience of foreign jurisdictions. Drawing upon international and regional human rights instruments, the research advocates for the integration of paralegals into the justice system.
The city-region food system approach: lessons for food governance in South Africa.
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Furnival, Nailah; Karriem, Abdulrazak
Food insecurity is a global challenge, so significant that its elimination ranks second on the list of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Global estimates are that between 720 and 811 million people were affected by hunger in 2020. In Sub-Saharan Africa the number of severely and moderately food insecure people rose from 572.5 million in 2018, to 605.4 million in 2019. In South Africa, the combination of internal and external structural mechanisms, like apartheid’s racial-spatial segregation and the globalization of the neoliberal corporate food system, have had reprehensible consequences for the poor in their ability to access affordable, nutritious food. The South African food system is a paradox, in that the country is nationally food secure, is categorised as an upper-middle income country, has a highly developed social welfare programme and is globally competitive in science and innovation research, yet, it continues to experience very poor food system outcomes. As a response, the state has designed many strategies and public policies to improve the outcomes of the food system, but with limited success. Because of these poor food system results from existing food and nutrition security policies in South Africa and the recurring food system governance problems, it is essential to look for alternative approaches to food system governance.

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