The causes of poor infrastructure management and maintenance in South African municipalities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Odwa Mazele ◽  
Christopher Amoah
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
South African ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Infrastructure Management ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Property ◽  
The Government ◽  
Development And Management

PurposeInfrastructure development and management form the central part of the government's commitment and responsibility to deliver essential services to the communities. However, much focus has been placed on the development aspect, with very little focus on the management and maintenance aspects, causing service delivery problems. This study explores the causes of poor management of immovable municipal infrastructure in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach was adopted; thus, a sample of 15 participants consisting of senior municipal workers, local organizations and forums in Ngqushwa Municipality in Eastern Cape were identified and interviewed. The interview data were analyzed using thematic content analysis to determine the common themes and the frequencies.FindingsThe study's findings indicate numerous causes of poor municipal infrastructure management, including lack of funding, lack of capacity, poor planning and oversight, lack of By-laws, grant dependency and corruption. The municipality's failure to address these issues has resulted in increased service protests, destruction of public property, interruption of services and loss of confidence in municipal administrations.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the study concentrated on one municipality, the findings may be applicable to other South African municipalities.Practical implicationsTo provide efficient services for the inhabitants to curtail aggravated service delivery protests, there is an urgent need for the municipalities to institute effective measures to manage and maintain the infrastructure that serves the communities.Originality/valueThe study has identified the factors underpinning ineffective management of the municipalities' facilities and the resultant's effects. Thus, the findings will guide the government and the authorities on the infrastructural management strategies for effective service delivery.

South African government’s GBV plans may disappoint

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
South African ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Structure ◽  
National Strategic Plan ◽  
The Government ◽  
Gender Based

Significance Although President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly committed to increase funding to combat what he calls South Africa’s “second pandemic”, there is a lack of transparency in how the government disburses funds linked to its National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-based Violence and Femicide. Impacts Civil society groups will increase pressure on the government to make expenditure on GBV programmes more transparent. A new private-sector fund to contribute to the NSP has received strong early support, but its management structure is opaque. High levels of GBV will not only have significant humanitarian and social costs but may deter much-needed foreign investment.

The South African public service wage bill deadlock in 2021: living on the edge

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Marianne Matthee ◽  
Albert Wöcke
Keyword(s):  
Fiscal Policy ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
South African ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Finance Minister ◽  
The Government

Subject area Macro-Economics. Study level/applicability Undergraduate and MBA. Case overview The COVID 19 pandemic-related restrictions devastated South Africa’s economy in 2020 and although the restrictions were generally less damaging than in 2020, the government had to budget for vaccinations and rebuild the economy. Public service unions had just announced that they were demanding an increase of 4% above inflation for their members and that they were preparing for a strike. They were bitter about the fact that the South African Government had withdrawn from the last year of a three-year wage agreement in February 2020 and their members had not received an increase for the two years. These demands and Finance Minister Mboweni’s response to them had to consider the structural and cyclical impact on the fiscus and economy. Expected learning outcomes The learning outcomes are as follows: understand the general objectives of fiscal policy and stakeholders’ interests; understand the tradeoffs in fiscal policy and the implications of taking a position; and make recommendations based on reasoned judgements about those recommendations. Complexity academic level Undergraduate and MBA level courses on Macro Economics. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 10: Public Sector Management.

Minimisation and management strategies for refurbishment and renovation waste in Hong Kong

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann T.W. Yu ◽  
Kelvin S.H. Mok ◽  
Irene Wong
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Construction And Demolition Waste ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Demolition Waste ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

PurposeThe capacity of landfills will reach saturation in the 2020s. There are more than 50,000 buildings in Hong Kong over 30 years old and which may require extensive refurbishment under the Mandatory Building Scheme. Additionally, most new owners/tenants tend to renovate their premises before moving in. Hence, there is an urgent need in Hong Kong, to explore strategies and measures to enable the development of effective refurbishment and renovation (R&R) waste management for such projects. The objectives of this paper are to investigate the process of R&R for identifying the perceived barriers and thereby the strategies for minimisation and management of R&R waste in Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approachDesktop study, semi-structured interviews, site observations and document reviews were used as the data collection methods to achieve the objectives of this research. Considering the nature and characteristics of the industry structure, the snowball sampling process was deployed for data collection. Thematic analysis and content analysis were used for data analysis. Waste minimisation and management strategies for R&R projects were then discussed and developed by the research team and a focus group meeting was held to validate the research findings. Six strategies were then proposed to the government.FindingsR&R projects contribute 10–20% of the construction and demolition waste. The barriers to recycling of R&R waste can be grouped into six major categories: (1) lack of sorting and storage spaces, (2) high cost, (3) insufficient government supporting policy, (4) complicated recycling processes, (5) immature recycling market and (6) insufficient public education. Also, six strategies are proposed in this study, which include (1) pre-refurbishment audit, (2) development of recycling market, (3) sea reclamation, (4) incineration, (5) government support and (6) education and research.Originality/valueThe strategies and measures proposed in this research could most adequately serve as reference for the government officials, building professionals and academic researchers. Such knowledge would make possible the development of effective strategies and measures for minimising and managing R&R waste.

Social innovation and service delivery in Belgium and South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maréve Inge Biljohn ◽  
Liezel Lues
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
South African ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Value Proposition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Sector Service ◽  
Sector Service

Purpose Social innovation (SI) remains a latent area in the South African local government (LG) sphere despite its growing use in public-sector service delivery globally. This paper aims to investigate the use of SI in the service delivery of LG through a comparison between the City of Ghent (CoG) (Belgium) and the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) (South Africa). Design/methodology/approach Through a comparative case study approach, qualitative research methods were used to both collect and analyze the data. Data collection instruments included document analysis (naturally occurring data), semi-structured interviews (generated data) and focus group discussions (generated data). Findings Although LG is obliged to collaborate with citizens, various factors influence citizens’ ability to make contributions, even when platforms are created. Collaborative initiatives aid in the realization of collective development visions and enhance citizen participation in a more responsive and inclusive approach to service delivery. Collaborations would require citizens and LG officials to be empowered by finding new ways of working together, as well as developing skills. Practical implications Citizens’ participation when SI is used to enhance service delivery should be meticulously planned. Co-producing services require a conducive internal organizational context that advances citizen participation in the governance and decision-making of service delivery, which is likewise optimal for enhancing the use of SI during the respective co-production service delivery stages. Achieving a conducive internal organizational context is influenced by the role of LG officials and politicians in understanding the value proposition of participation in service delivery to citizens. This value proposition is crucial to building and establishing a trust relationship between citizens, LG officials and politicians. Finally, consensus concerning the concept of SI and its use and implementation is important to ensure its consistent use and application by a municipality, and thus calls for further in-depth investigation. Originality/value SI is a nascent area for which the discourse is still under development, and it is a concept that is often the subject of debate in literature. This paper is justified by the fact that the use of SI in the South African LG sphere lags behind the growing use thereof in public-sector service delivery by LGs globally. In addition, the study presents novel insights regarding similarities and differences in the use of SI through a comparison between two LGs, namely, the MMM and the CoG.

scholarly journals Cultural innovation, aspirations and success among smallholders in former homelands of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 404-422
Author(s):  
Siphe Zantsi ◽  
Gabriele Mack ◽  
Stefan Mann
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
South African ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Innovation ◽  
Commercial Farms

PurposeAfter unsuccessful attempts of South African governments to carry out a land reform that distributes farmland more justly, this study aims to undertake a stronger segmentation of potential beneficiaries for a better targeting of future reforms.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model has been developed along the axes of cultural innovation and aspirations that identifies the segment of current smallholders who would most likely relocate to become commercial farmers in the future. A survey among smallholders in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa confirms the approach.FindingsA number of indicators can be identified, particularly for cultural innovation, that predict willingness to relocate to a region where commercial farms can be managed.Originality/valueThe importance of cultural innovation has been neglected both in theoretical frameworks and in practical concepts of land reform.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-05-2018-0226

Economic gloom portends instability in Zimbabwe

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
World Bank ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regional Market ◽  
The World Bank ◽  
The World ◽  
The Government ◽  
South African Rand

Significance Mawarire is the founder of the 'This Flag' movement, which has been a driving force behind a wave of demonstrations and strikes earlier this month against graft, unemployment and economic mismanagement by President Robert Mugabe's government. Impacts Import bans will adversely affect South African exporters, for whom Zimbabwe is a key regional market. Use of the South African rand in Zimbabwe will remain unpopular, due to concerns about its weakness against the dollar. The government will prioritise cash for paying the salaries of the security forces, since these underpin the regime's survival. Loans from the African Export-Import Bank will help Harare to begin paying the World Bank some of its arrears.

Skills gap will hinder South African growth plans

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Historically Black ◽  
South African ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Education Spending ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Protests ◽  
Black Universities ◽  
Historically Black Universities ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Working Class Students

Significance Last month, the budget increased education spending from 296 billion rand (22.8 billion dollars) to 321 billion rand (24.7 billion dollars), remaining constant at 6.8% of GDP and over 20% of total budgeted expenditure. Despite the increase, significant funding and upskilling shortfalls persist. Quality problems at all education levels constrain economic growth and development. Impacts Historically black universities (HBUs) will likely suffer most from any resumption of student protests. University students may push for further measures to ‘decolonise’ curricula. A ‘missing middle’ of poorer middle- and working-class students will have to rely on private-sector funding to attend university. The gap between second-level education provision in the richest (Gauteng) and poorest (Eastern Cape) provinces could widen further.

South African labour movement will fracture further

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Communist Party ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Democratic Movement ◽  
Labour Movement ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Inkatha Freedom Party ◽  
Do So

Significance COSATU is part of the longstanding tripartite alliance with the ruling ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP). Relations between Zuma and COSATU are irreparably damaged: the union has endorsed South Africa's deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, to succeed Zuma as ANC head at December's national conference. Impacts Whoever wins the ANC presidency will struggle to end party divisions, although Ramaphosa looks best placed to do so. The United Democratic Movement and Inkatha Freedom Party could make electoral gains in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, respectively. The ANC's control of economically vital Gauteng province could be in jeopardy in 2019.

South African lockdown easing will only do so much

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Do So ◽  
Alcohol Sales

Significance President Cyril Ramaphosa, who had been under escalating pressure from business and organised labour to reopen the economy fully, justified the relaxation by citing reductions in new case figures. There are indications that all provinces may have reached their peak of infections by end-July. Impacts Despite the scale of the crisis, the government appears still to lack urgency in formulating a substantive economic response. Government's withdrawal of an appeal to a 2018 declaratory order will raise hopes for greater flexibility with miners in the short term. Lockdown-related drops in reported crimes will likely prove short-lived, given renewed alcohol sales, growing joblessness and hardship.

South African mining could ride out lockdown period

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Power Supply ◽  
Economic Impacts ◽  
Policy Uncertainty ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Position ◽  
Cast Doubt ◽  
The Government

Subject South African post-lockdown mining. Significance Three weeks into its COVID-19-related lockdown, the government allowed certain mines to ramp up to 100% capacity (coal and opencast operations) and others to 50% (underground operations), making it the first non-essential industry allowed to resume full or partial operations. This particularly benefits smaller, more marginal mines, as larger ones were already in a relatively resilient financial position. However, more fundamental issues continue to weigh on the industry, such as costly and erratic power supply and ongoing policy uncertainty. Impacts An extended lockdown and the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis could see a rise in community-based protests interrupting operations. A surge in COVID-19 infections at mines and subsequent closures will cast doubt over the feasibility of the industry's short-term strategy. The growing financial stress on workers may prompt more militant demands during scheduled coal wage negotiations later this year.

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