Political Science & Public Administration
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- ItemInvestigating the congruency of vision, mission and motto statements on strategic intent and allegiance of national departments in South Africa(University of Zululand, 2021) Radzilani, Tshililo ThomasStrategic management begins with identifying a bigger picture by formulating mission and vision statements that provide a clear definition of statements that express the overall reason for business. This study was about strategic management concepts in South Africa's national departments primarily championed by leaders. Accordingly, the study addressed the formulation of meaningful mission and vision statements with the inclusion of motto. Working together through government departments to achieve collective outcome has been a challenge as could be witnessed through white elephant structures. The vision, mission and motto statements of cluster departments seemed not pulling into the same strategic outcomes. The study’s objectives was to determine congruence, convergence or divergence, and alignment on the strategic intent of visions, missions and mottos (slogans or tagline) in national departments in South Africa. Further whether the themes from the statements align to National Development Plan 2030 and to their universal characteristics. While bringing the three statements together had to give single dimensional view of the statements, to determine awareness and allegiance by public service leadership and staff to their national departments' strategic statements was also important. Pragmatism and descripto-explanatory approach was applied by collecting quantitative and qualitative data using survey questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. In addition, archival data on websites published strategic documents. The research was based on 39 national departments, 123 respondents to questionnaires, and 21 interviewees. The statements were abstracted from the departmental websites to determine themes by Voyant tool and alignment to the characteristics. Finally, the study applied descriptive statistics and inferential statistics by using the t-test and Chi-square test for conclusive results. To determine congruence, convergence or divergence, and alignment on the strategic intent of visions, missions and mottos (slogans or tagline) in national departments, regression analysis was applied to assess the relationship level of relationship and finally apply structural analysis equation to present the results. Results showed that the majority of the public sector were aware of the vision, mission, but partially motto statements. There was a disagreement that these statements were solely meant for management. There was a general knowledge from majority of participants that the statements have a strategic purpose and are necessary to influence behavior and attitude. The public sector highly ranked the Constitution of South Africa and legal mandate for their strategic delivery than vision mission and motto statements. Most participants presented poor readability on missions (89%) followed by 71% in poor readability of vision statements. No clear vertical linkage of the statements with National Development Plan (NDP) 2030. The strength of statements were moderately aligned to defined characteristics. Actionability and foresight of visions were visible in almost half of the departments, while uniqueness is non-existent in the public sector. Half of the nine mission characteristics were in more than 59% of public sector departments while self-concept and concern for employees were non-existence in national departments. Only 8% of departments had between 7 to 8 characteristics of statements alignment. Results further show that 41% of departments had a motto, but only 50% of those departments with mottos had all five alignment characteristics, and the remainder had more than 60% alignment. Convergence and alignment on missions and visions were in four of seven cluster departments. The study recommends that the position and placement of vision, mission and motto statements should be made considering strategic positions for visibility as they influence their use, awareness, and allegiance. Employees within government departments should be considered to be factored in mission statements. It will enhance the stewardship role of the preamble of the SA’s Constitution. An outcome of the research as a contribution to the body of knowledge is the theoretical strategic intent model. Public-sector strategic planning and management framework should depict the constitution and legal mandate preceding vision, mission, values, and motto statements. Vertical alignment in the vision, mission, and motto should be infused from macro policies to assist horizontal alignment congruence and convergence in sector and cluster departments.
- ItemExploring the effectiveness of local government strategic initiatives to eradicate poverty and inequality: perceptions of Salamanga community in Mozambique(2022-03) Mthembu, MaryThe study's primary objective was to examine the efficacy of local government's strategic measures utilized to combat poverty and inequality in Salamanga, Mozambique. It has come to light that the government of Mozambique's strategic initiatives are ineffective and fall short of their claimed goals. The report offers proof that the Salamanga community in Mozambique is still in need of help even after decades of gaining freedom. The community's distance from hospitals and schools continues to increase the population's lack of education. The majority of those who were able to pursue education at lower levels failed to reach tertiary level. The study also found that a lack of key financial resources, critical infrastructure, and educational opportunities correlates to community distress and enduring poverty. The study concluded from the discussion of the data that strategic measures to reduce poverty and inequality in Mozambique are ineffective and occasionally fail at implementation phase with no beneficial outcomes. However, the study found that, from the perspectives of the local authorities, Mozambique's local government's strategic efforts are effective and have a good impact on eradicating poverty and inequality. Government policy makers were advised to make sure that their plans are supported by enough and other pertinent resources in addition to looking good on paper. The research also recommended that the government of Mozambique make sure that any tactical actions aimed at reducing inequality and poverty be maintained for next generations. According to the survey, some community members aren't even aware of the government's strategic plans or programs used to combat poverty and inequality. This raises questions about the community's participation in and decision-making over matters that affect the community. It was suggested that the government must include the community to offer them an opportunity to voice their own ideas and opinions on measures for eradicating poverty and inequality
- ItemAnalysing the function of public participation in promoting local economic development at Jozini Local Municipality(University of Zululand, 2021) Zondo, Nomvuselelo TholaniThe study focused on the insights of municipal officials and community members concerning the significance of public participation in promoting local economic development at Jozini Local Municipality. The study aimed to determine the challenges hindering the function of public participation in the uplifting of the local community and how these challenges influence community development. This study adopted a mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) research method to collect and analyse the data. Both methods ensured various data collection techniques, indicating questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaires were presented to community members because several people could be reached at a brief time as numerous community members were targeted. Interviews also served to collect data from the municipality staff, since they were not that many. The study identified the challenges hindering public participation in community development; it also revealed politics as the bearer of public participation between the municipality and the community. The findings also revealed municipal officials struggle with financial resources during their course of work. Corruption and maladministration among municipalities were identified, hampering community development through public participation. The study suggests that the municipality should improve communication between the officials and the residents, enabling them to raise their opinions. The study also suggests providing adequate funding to be effective in development that will satisfy the community
- ItemThe role of social entrepreneurship as a strategic tool in implementing and sustaining local economic development at UMfolozi Local Municipality(University of Zululand, 2020) Ngema, Kholokuhle SimangeleThe study analysed the role of social entrepreneurship as a strategic tool in implementing and sustaining local economic development at uMfolozi Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal: South Africa.The study examined the implementation of the Local Economic Development (LED) policy and the strategies used to sustain it. It further determined the challenges that the municipal officials are faced with when implementing the LED programmes. It then determined the strategies and measures for the formulation and implementation of effective social entrepreneurship initiatives for the sustainability of LED through encapsulating the Participatory Democracy Theory and the Social Entrepreneurship Theory and Sustainable Social Impact. Using the qualitative research approach, the study concluded that social entrepreneurship can be used as a strategic tool to implement and sustain local economic development.
- ItemEvaluating the effectiveness of the provision of low-cost housing within the KwaDukuza Municipality a case study of Ntshawini and Ethethe area(University of Zululand, 2020) Ntombela, Jabulisiwe NomathamsanqaThe study focused on evaluating the effectiveness of the provision of low-cost housing within the KwaDukuza Municipality (KwaZulu-Natal Province), using Ntshawini and eThethe as areas of study. The main aim of the study was to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of the processes and procedures utilised in the provision of low-cost housing, as well as understand the perception of the general public regarding the provision of low-cost housing. The departure of the study was mainly centred on the increasing number of concerns and violent protests taking place in the various parts of South Africa emphasising the inadequacy or rather lack of proper delivery of government housing to its beneficiaries encompassed with the right to housing found in section 26 of the South African constitution. Thereafter, the researcher took cognisance of the increasing number of protests and petitions which demanded low-cost housing within the KwaDukuza Municipal jurisdiction and opted to conduct an original research highlighting the processes and procedures involved, the role of local government (the Municipality itself) in the provision of low-cost houses, the barriers affecting the distribution of human settlements/ low-cost housing as well as the ill effects imposed on the community members due to the lack of the provision of adequate low-cost houses/human settlements. The researcher then proceeded with the investigation using a qualitative method for the analysis upon which conclusions were drawn to sample 50 participants inclusive of Municipal officials, ward councillors and the general public from two identified areas (Entshawini and eThethe) of interest which were areas that have been reported numerous times of having housing related protests. The main findings convey the public being highly unsatisfied and antagonised by the KwaDukuza Municipality for the lack of and untimely delivery, lack of involvement, lack of communication and an incomprehensible housing allocations policy for the already built houses. The findings also show the efforts made by the Municipality in ascertaining the efficient and effective delivery of these houses while addressing the challenges, barriers and difficulties that come with the provision of housing. The study articulated the perceptions of the public as well as the information regarding the processes and procedures involved obtained from the Municipality to draw unbiased conclusions with amicable and viable recommendations.