scholarly journals Cooperative Governance and Local Economic Development in Selected Small Towns: A Case Study of the Western Cape Province, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-422
Author(s):  
Richard D. Kamara
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
The Body ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Governance Mechanism ◽  
Western Cape Province ◽  
Local Municipalities ◽  
Document Review ◽  
Cooperative Governance

This article reports on a study based on cooperative governance and Local Economic Development (LED) in selected small towns in the Western Cape Province. The dearth of an integrative institutional framework to promote collaborative participation negatively influences local municipalities ability to successfully manage LED cooperatively with relevant stakeholders. Promoting such inclusive representation and participation of all relevant stakeholders provides a viable and complementary alternative to the traditional bureaucratic governance mechanism. The study investigated the specific factors involved in designing and implementing cooperative governance for LED in selected, comparable municipalities in the Western Cape. Specifically, the study aims to determine the push and pull factors for the successful functioning of cooperative governance aimed at promoting LED in those municipalities. Data were collected through three data collection instruments, namely, document review, interviews, and focus group discussions. The document review is complemented by data from interviews and focus groups discussion. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on cooperative governance by identifying the specific cooperative governance factors, enabling the efficacy and governance of LED in small towns, aimed at positively influencing municipalities ability to successfully manage LED cooperatively with relevant stakeholders. An in-depth understanding of the relationship and dynamics of these variables helps to offer recommendations as to how to improve the management and responsiveness to socio-economic concerns within the municipalities through improved LED governance.

scholarly journals The Efficacy of Policy and Legal Framework for Cooperative Governance and Local Economic Development (LED) in Small Towns in a Selected Region in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 7-26
Author(s):  
Richard Douglas Kamara ◽  
Babette Rabie
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Local Municipalities ◽  
Under Performing ◽  
Cooperative Governance

The paper reports on a study investigating the efficacy of policy and legal framework for coop­erative governance and LED to facilitate and coordinate responses to socio-economic concerns in the selected small towns in South Africa. The policy and legal framework place the onus for development on the local municipalities and urge the municipalities to partner with other stakeholders such as the business and the civil society to manage and respond to socio-economic concerns within the municipalities. The purpose of this paper is to review the ‘efficacy of the policy and legal framework’ to facilitate ‘cooperative governance’ and ‘LED’, specifically in six municipalities in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Data were collected from government officials, private and civil sector through three data collection instruments, namely, document review, interviews and focus group discussions. The key findings from the study are mixed. The policy design and implementation were established problematic in multifarious ways. However, the findings also provide a glimpse of hopes in matters of public accountability by providing policy guidelines aimed at promoting accountability amongst government role-players. Given the backdrop, some recommendations are provided in this paper. This paper provides feedbacks for policy makers and implementers on the performance of policy and legal framework that informs the cooperative governance of local economies, specifically in small towns, to establish as to what is effective to replicate in form of good practice and what is under-performing for possible review. This assist in improving the understanding of the context that may inhibit or enable stakeholders in taking full advantage of collaborative-led developmental interventions to further peoples’ lives and to enhance their opportunities to partake in matters of development in their municipalities.

scholarly journals Accountability in the context of cooperative governance and local economic development (LED) in South African local government

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-42
Author(s):  
Richard Kamara
Keyword(s):  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Policy Outcomes ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
Design Paradigm ◽  
Role Players ◽  
Document Review ◽  
Cooperative Governance

Provided the tensions and challenges found in different types of governance systems for developing clear objectives, effective policy implementation strategies, as well as monitoring and reporting mechanisms aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability of initiatives, this paper seeks to contribute to both theoretical and practical debates surrounding cooperative governance and LED. Whilst better policy outcomes that fit with local and differentiated needs among stakeholders may be one of the drivers for moving towards cooperative governance, there is a normative question of accountability. Does the common feature of flexible and adaptable arrangements in cooperative governance create accountability deficit, specifically promoting laissez-faire approach commonly associated with the implementation among role-players? This paper considers this question and the extent to which accountability may be ensured. To address these concerns data were collected from six municipalities in Western Cape, South Africa. A qualitative research design paradigm based on Interpretivists/Constructivists philosophy was employed. Data were collected through three data collection instruments, namely, document review, interviews and focus group discussions. This paper argues that employing Key Performance Indicators as commonly used in the public service to promote accountability is difficult to enforce specifically in collaborative endeavors where participatory is voluntary. The paper recommends some accountability promotion enhancers. This will assist in improving the understanding of the context that may inhibit or enable stakeholders in taking full advantage of collaborative-led developmental interventions to further peoples' lives and to enhance their opportunities to partake in matters of development in their municipalities.

Bridging the urban–rural gap in facilitating Local Economic Development: The case study of uMgungundlovu District Municipality in KwaZulu–Natal, South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 026909422110363
Author(s):  
Ayanda C Makhaye ◽  
Mogie Subban ◽  
Cecile N Gerwel Proches
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
South African ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Resource Planning ◽  
Local Municipalities ◽  
Infrastructure Provision ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
South African Constitution ◽  
Rural Service Delivery

Municipalities are faced with poverty, unemployment and inequality, to the detriment of growth and development. As specified in the South African Constitution (1996), municipalities are obligated to advance Local Economic Development (LED). Municipalities cannot accomplish this task alone; therefore, participation of all stakeholders is required. The aim of this study is to investigate bridging the urban–rural gap in facilitating LED within uMgungundlovu District Municipality in KwaZulu–Natal in understanding this phenomenon. The district is made up of seven urban and rural local municipalities. Using a qualitative research method through an interpretive paradigm, data were collected from purposely selected participants through in-depth open-ended interviews. Collected data were analysed through induction using thematic and content analysis. Results revealed gaps in understanding LED planning, facilitation and implementation, including gaps in resource planning and provision. The study revealed numerous stakeholders were relevant in facilitating LED within the District. It is recommended that the District improves rural service delivery and infrastructure provision enabling access of opportunities and creating platforms for stakeholder engagement, with inclusion of traditional leaders driving LED facilitation. Priority areas for enhancing LED initiatives are suggested, with LED viewed as a good initiative in achieving sustainable development in district municipalities.

Taking responsibility for entrepreneurship development in South Africa: The role of local municipalities

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-268
Author(s):  
Thanyani S Madzivhandila ◽  
Mazanai Musara
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
National Development ◽  
Academic Journal ◽  
Entrepreneurship Development ◽  
Local Municipalities ◽  
Poverty And Inequality ◽  
Entrepreneurial Development

Local economic development policies around the world increasingly emphasise entrepreneurship as a tool to mobilise local and indigenous economic potential. This paper explores the role of local municipalities in entrepreneurship development in South Africa. In particular, it provides a critical review of local economic development strategies and their effect on entrepreneurial development. Special attention is placed on deeply rural municipalities, primarily because of their marginalisation from national development efforts and the acute need for entrepreneurial development to tackle the triple challenges, which are unemployment, poverty and inequality. The paper argues that local municipalities should play a pivotal role in enhancing the development and upliftment of entrepreneurs in their areas of jurisdiction. The paper uses an integrative literature review method in which sources such as academic journal articles, reports and books are analysed, critiqued and synthesised. Lessons are drawn from other developed and developing nations, combined with the observations and thorough review of literature, to develop a framework that can inform South African Local Municipalities in mobilising entrepreneurship development in their communities. The paper concludes that for entrepreneurship development to be strengthened and for local economic development to be accomplished, local municipalities should invest in the development of entrepreneurship within their municipalities.

Towards generic interventions to stimulate growth potential in small towns of the Western Cape Province, South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronnie Donaldson ◽  
Manfred Spocter ◽  
Danie du Plessis ◽  
Adriaan van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Western Cape Province

scholarly journals THE CHALLENGE OF SUSTAINABLE LAND-BASED LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN POOR COMMUNITIES OF SOUTH AFRICA: THE CASE OF GROBLERSHOOP, NORTHERN CAPE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail Denise Parker
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Development Interventions ◽  
Local Municipalities ◽  
Northern Cape ◽  
African Context ◽  
Institutional Capacity Building ◽  
Poor Communities

Since the advent of South Africa’s democracy, there have been many pressing questions; one of which has been: ‘to what extent has the newly found political and civil freedoms, which is guaranteed for all South Africans, translated into an a more economically-viable life?’ This research investigates whether local economic development (LED) interventions necessarily improve the livelihoods of poor communities. More specifically, the goal of this thesis is to explore some of the reasons why land-based economic development interventions often struggle to meet their main objective of improving the livelihoods of local poor people. It is hoped that the findings of this research will assist policymakers and local economic development planners in making more informed decisions.Using a qualitative research methodology, a three- pronged approach is adopted to address the key goal of this thesis. First, a review of the literature on LED was conducted: a comparative study into its origins in wealthy, developed countries; and the experiences on the successes and failures of LED as a developmental tool. Secondly, a review was made of the experiences of the application on LED approaches in a South African context, with special reference to the policy and support of LED strategy. Thirdly, a case study of Groblershoop, which is in the Northern Cape, is presented. It focuses on LED that is based on land, and the role that it plays in the livelihood approaches of poor people. In conclusion, it is posited that while the potential of land-based LED is not disputed, the implementation of such strategies are often inconsistent with the overall objective of poverty alleviation and economic development. For this reason, local municipalities will not be able to do this without clear policy guidance; institutional capacity-building; inter-sectoral collaboration of political ‘champions’ to drive the process; and real empowerment of the beneficiaries whom the projects are supposed to assist.

scholarly journals Cultural Clusters as a Local Economic Development Strategy in Rural Small-Town Areas: Sarah Baartman District in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (43) ◽  
pp. 107-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Drummond ◽  
Jen Snowball
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Threshold Level ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Creative Industries ◽  
Gis Mapping ◽  
Socio Economic Development

AbstractTheory suggests that cultural and creative industries (CCIs) cluster in cities where levels of socio-economic development are higher and where they can take advantage of the city’s hard and soft infrastructure. However, some South African rural areas and small towns have identified CCIs as potential economic drivers. This paper investigates the relationship between the presence of CCIs in non-metropolitan spaces and levels of socio-economic development using a municipal level socio-economic status index and GIS mapping. The results show a positive relationship between larger numbers of CCIs and higher levels of development. It is suggested that a threshold level of development must be met before CCIs will cluster in an area and become a viable option for promoting local economic development.

A Comparison of Security in City and Small-Town Gated Developments in the Western Cape province, South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 002190962110067
Author(s):  
Manfred Spocter
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Small Town ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Western Cape Province ◽  
Theory Of Crime ◽  
Urban Settlements ◽  
Security Levels ◽  
Gated Developments

Gated developments are a defining feature of the post-apartheid residential landscape. The fortification practices witnessed in gated developments are part of a wider securitisation of the South African urban- and ruralscapes. This research resides in the ambit of the theory of crime and violence as a precursor to the growth in gated developments. Research on gated developments has tended to focus on their proliferation in larger urban settlements, with scant attention being paid to gated developments in smaller settlements and in rural areas. However, non-metropolitan gated developments are a reality, and they display similar security features as those found in metropolitan areas. This paper compares the security levels of gated developments in a suburb of Cape Town with those in small towns in the Western Cape province. Security features are quantified to determine whether differences in securitisation levels exist between the locales. The gated developments in the city display higher levels of security than those in small towns. However, a closer analysis of small-town gated developments reveals high security levels in towns where tourism is the mainstay of the local economy. As the technology of security migrates from military applications to residential applications, a securified small-town future is a real possibility.

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