The power dynamics between traditional leaders and councillors: implications for development at Tyolomnqa- Ncera in the Eastern cape
- Authors: Khowa, Thandeka https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4561-2994
- Date: 2013-12
- Subjects: Tribal government , Political leadership -- Africa , Local government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26775 , vital:66000
- Description: This research study examined the extent to which the Eastern Cape local government has succeeded in integrating the institutions of traditional leadership into the existing structures of local government and the nature of relations between the traditional leaders and ward councillors and its impact on the delivery of development services. The study further examined the allocation of roles and responsibilities between the two categories of authority. The was conducted in the East London village of Tyolomnqa-Ncera in the Eastern Cape Province.The data for study was collected through focus group discussions with community members; in-depth interviews with the two Traditional leaders and the ward Councillor of the studied area; and key informant interviews with the Speaker of the Council and the Deputy Director of (South African Local Government Association (SALGA).The main findings of the study are that there is still a great deal of confusion regarding the different roles and functions of traditional leaders versus those of ward councillors particularly with regard to co-operation in the delivery of development services. The study further reveals that persistent power struggles among the officials of the two institutions are the order of the day as both sides clamor for recognition, relevance and operational space. The underlying factor behind these power struggles tends to be a lack of policy that clearly defines the roles and functions of each institution with the result that development services and processes are hindered. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations are made that concern among others, the development of a policy framework that will clearly outline the roles and functions of each of the two institutions and hopefully bring an end to the destructive competition and hostile relations between the two interest groups. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
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- Date Issued: 2013-12
An assessment of the African Peer Review Mechanism with specific reference to South Africa
- Authors: Sibuyi, Lucas Nkosana
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: African Peer Review Mechanism , Peer review -- South Africa , Peer review -- Political aspects -- Africa , African cooperation , Political leadership -- Africa , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960- , Democratization -- Africa , Civil society -- Africa , Political participation -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8242 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/758 , African Peer Review Mechanism , Peer review -- South Africa , Peer review -- Political aspects -- Africa , African cooperation , Political leadership -- Africa , Africa -- Politics and government -- 1960- , Democratization -- Africa , Civil society -- Africa , Political participation -- Africa
- Description: The Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) acknowledged and recognised the centrality of good governance within the context of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), an innovative mechanism acceded to by member states of the African Union (AU) as a self- monitoring mechanism for good governance. South Africa is one of the countries which acceded to the APRM in 2003. Accordingly, South Africa appointed a National Governing Council (NGC) under the chairpersonship of the Minister of Public Services and Administration as the focal point to develop a strategy to manage the national APRM process. The NGC was constituted of business, the disabled, civil society, churches, trade unions, government and women’s coalitions thus ensuring all relevant stakeholders are represented. As part of South Africa’s country assessment, questionnaires dealing with the four core thematic areas of the APRM were sent through to the public by community development workers. In addition, four technical assessment agencies were appointed to assist in conducting research on the four thematic areas. The primary objective of this study is to examine the theoretical approach to the study and the African Peer Review Mechanism’s contemporary relevance to South Africa, its intended beneficiaries and an assessment of South Africa for the period 2006. The study revealed that Proportional Representation (PR) and floor-crossing have an impact on the sustainability, relevance, long term development, vibrancy and profundity of constitutional democracy in the country. Clearly, since the dawn of the democratic dispensation in South Africa the electoral system introduced is such that it had to take into account the challenges the country faced during the apartheid system of governance. In this context, enough space for free political competition in the country was created. On the basis of the findings of the study, it is patently clear that the time allocated for the CSAR was minimal and the country should have been given at least two years so that the self assessment could have been extensively done. On the issue of HIV and AIDS and its relationship to socio-economic conditions, it was revealed that the country has a lot to do in this regard. The debilitating effect that HIV and AIDS has on the lives of the citizens requires clarity of policy and strategy, consistency in public communication and the need for sustained partnerships amongst all relevant stakeholders. At another level, there was a call for a basic income grant although government does not necessarily support it. Based on the research findings above, a new research area outlined under recommendations can be conceptualized for further research and it requires some attention.
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- Date Issued: 2008