The efficacy of government strategies towards improving informal settlements in Rustenburg local municipality
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Date
2021
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
It is important to understand the propagation of informal settlements. They do not
only represent the high housing demand but also its effects on the development and
transformation of South Africa if remaining unimproved. Several studies divulge that
informal settlements do not only serve as a solution to the government’s failures to
provide housing to the people, but they serve as a shelter to the homeless and urban
poor. Although certain housing interventions and programmes have been
implemented to improve informal settlements, most informal settlements
(Rustenburg and across South Africa) still lack access to basic services. According
to this study a divergence exists in the literature in determining the efficacy of
strategies to improve informal settlements, regardless of years of studies conducted
in informal settlements. This study aimed to analyse the efficacy of local government
strategies towards improving informal settlements in Rustenburg Local Municipality.
A qualitative approach was employed to conduct this investigation. Semi-structured
in-depth interviews were implemented as an instrument to collect data. This
research, therefore, investigated the settlements demographics, background, and
strategies to improve informal settlements. It also reveals the challenges of informal
settlements encountered by the settlement dwellers and the municipality, community
participation, and the relationship between the municipality and the informal
communities. The study findings indicate that the strategies implemented to improve
informal settlements are ineffective; this was evident from the responses of
participants who indicated that these settlements lack access to basic services. The
lack of access to basic services in these settlements is a reflection of ineffective
strategies. The concluding Chapter 5 comprises study recommendations
Description
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Administration, and Law in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Public Administration in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2021.
Keywords
Informal settlements, Government strategies, Rustenburg local Municipality