Assessment of local economic development in the O.R. Tambo District Municipality: agriculture and food production

Local economic development (LED) is a government policy tool that seeks to build the economic capacity of a local area to improve its economic future and the quality of life for all. Partnerships between the public sector and the private sector are considered to be an important foundation for successful LED planning and implementation. The aim of the study was to assess whether the LED interventions, with specific emphasis on agriculture and food production programmes, are improving the livelihoods of the poor communities within the OR Tambo District Municipality. The researcher used the qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect the data through interviews and questionnaires respectively. Probability and non-probability sampling techniques were employed to identify the research sample from the target population. The researcher sampled the OR Tambo District Municipality as well as all the local municipalities therein. The target population consisted of LED directors, LED and IDP managers as well as LED councillors as respondents. Furthermore, the researcher also sampled other stakeholders that are crucial in LED, namely the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform and Transformation, the Eastern Cape Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, the Department of Social Development and Special Programmes as well as the Ntinga OR Tambo Development Agency. Budgetary constraints and agricultural infrastructure backlogs were identified as the main challenges facing the district. These challenges hinder the effectiveness of implementing sound LED programmes. Consequently, LED benefits are minimal. It is recommended that the municipality develop strategies for income generation to boost its financial viability in order to strengthen its financial capacity, embark on vigorous infrastructure rollout which will have a positive economic impact and open employment opportunities for the local communities. This can be achieved by the strengthening of partnerships and the attraction of private investors in order for the municipality to implement the LED programmes effectively and change the lives of the people in the local area

Agriculture land abandonment and rural development in South Africa

Vast amounts of agriculture lands have been abandoned over the last decades, worldwide – phenomenally in rural areas (Filho et al., 2016). In South Africa, Agriculture Land Abandonment (ALA) is apparent even to the human eye, but little or nothing is known about it, especially regarding its causes and implications for rural socio-economic development. Agriculture Land Abandonment is critical and highly topical given the ongoing debate on the land issue in South Africa (Friedman, 2018; Maromo, 2018). Moreover, the National Development Plan (NDP) identifies agriculture as the main economic activity in rural areas, with the potential to create nearly 1 million new jobs and as a primary means to achieve rural development by 2030 (National Planning Commission (NPC), 2011). To this end, the land must be cultivated to provide work and to banish poverty. This research focuses on Julukuqu, a rural village in the former Transkei homeland, within the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape province. This research intends to indent and propose a solution for rural development by understanding the causes and consequences of Agriculture Land Abandonment and identifying measures to address this issue. By analysing satellite imagery of the study area over a 15-year period, we are able to establish the extent of Agriculture Land Abandonment. Individual interviews and a focus group discussion were conducted and analysed to provide an understanding of the official positions and grassroots lived experiences. Altogether, the data that was collected yielded 17 usable interviews, which were subjected to thematic analyses. The findings of this research are that: the croplands of Julukuqu were once totally cultivated, but they are now almost (all) totally abandoned with only one person still cultivating their now reduced cropland. The causes of ALA in Julukuqu are socio-economic, environmental and political in nature. Due to schooling, children are no longer herding the livestock and it is free-ranging and grazing within the people’s croplands – in season and out of season. Coupled with an irrigation system, because of drought, fencing has thus become a principal determinant of cultivation of the croplands. The abandonment of the croplands has left the households insecure and depending mainly on social grants for income and food, including the very maize they once produced and sold a surplus. Hunger has become a rural denominator – striking both the people and their livestock, and crime has risen with unemployment. Moreover, child schooling and youth reluctance, threaten the succession and sustainability of agriculture as a rural livelihood and business. Despite the abandonment of the croplands, agriculture is still seen as a key to poverty alleviation and socio-economic development in Julukuqu. Given the experienced consequences of ALA, there exists a strong desire and will among the people of Julukuqu to cultivate their abandoned croplands once again. Fundamentally, for the people to meet their common socio-economic needs and challenges, they need to address ALA in Julukuqu through the development of an agricultural co-operative, which needs financial and non-financial support to develop and succeed

Learning commercial beekeeping: two cases of social learning in southern African community natural resources management contexts

Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) in southern Africa has gained an important role in alleviating poverty and conserving natural resources. The attention and funding CBNRM is receiving from governments, non-governmental organisations and donors is seen as one way to strengthen civil society‟s involvement in decision-making and participating in activities that contribute to a sustainable livelihood, whilst at the same time learning in their social contexts to adapt and care for the ever changing environment characterised by constraints, challenges, contradictions, new opportunities for learning and change. This study focuses on social learning in commercialisation of natural resource products in two case studies of commercial beekeeping in rural southern African contexts. In this study social learning entails a process of qualitative change taking place in a social context for the purpose of personal and social adaptation. This perspective is useful in this study as learning in the two cases, Hluleka in South Africa and Buhera in Zimbabwe involved the transition beekeeping.from traditional honey harvesting practices and subsistence beekeeping to commercial beekeeping. This study is informed by two related theoretical perspectives namely Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) and Social Learning Theory. CHAT was used as conceptual and methodological framework to inform the first phase of data gathering and analysis processes; as well as second phase data gathering. In the first phase, I gathered data through semistructured interviews, document reviews and observations to identify problems, challenges and critical incidents in learning commercial beekeeping, technically known as tensions and contradictions within the CHAT framework. These tensions and contradictions, surfaced through analysis of first phase data were used as "mirror data‟ in Intervention Workshops within CHAT's process of Developmental Work Research, which supports social learning in response to tensions and contradictions in workplace activity. Use of mirror data provided a basis for dialogue and the modelling of new solutions to identified contradictions. To interpret the social learning processes resulting from these interactions, I drew on Wals' (2007) analytical lenses, through which I was able to monitor social learning processes that emerged from the Intervention Workshop dialogues while beekeepers modelled new solutions to contradictions in learning commercial beekeeping. The findings of the study revealed that social learning in commercial beekeeping is internally and externally influenced by socio-cultural, political and economic complexities. Social learning in Intervention Workshops was supported by different knowledge bases of participants, in this study these are beekeepers, extension officers, trainers and development facilitators. Such knowledge bases were the source of information for learning and constructing model solutions. The study also revealed that learning in CBNRM workplaces can be observed across the development processes, and CHAT as a methodological tool and Wals‟ (2007) analytical tool are complementary and can be used in researching social learning in other CBNRM workplaces. The study contributes in-depth insight into participatory research and learning processes, especially within the context of CBRM in southern Africa. It gives some empirical and explanatory insight into how change-oriented social learning can emerge and be expanded in Education for Sustainable Development. It also provides learning and extension tools to work with contradictions that arise from socio-cultural and historical dimensions of learning commercialisation of natural resources in southern African context. Its other key contribution is that it provides further insight into the mobilisation of human agency and reflexivity in change oriented social learning processes of commercialisation of sustainable natural resources products and poverty alleviation processes that are critical for responding to socioecological issues and risks and development challenges in southern Africa

Government policies aimed at combating land degradation in Alfred Nzo District

Land degradation is a serious problem in communal district of Alfred Nzo, Eastern Cape in South Africa. The root causes of land degradation and soil erosion differ. The causes of land degradation in Alfred Nzo district communal areas are due to soil erosion by wind, water and poor agricultural practices. Rainfall is one of the most important climatic factor that contributed a lot in land degradation in the Alfred Nzo District. Other main factors contributing to land degradation include: Socio-economic factors related to historical land policies and inappropriate land uses, Poor land use planning, Drought and rainfall variability .Land use and management and sand mining. This study tried to pay more focus on the assessment of government policies which aimed at combating land degradation in South Africa in their nature but the area of focus will be Ntabankulu Local Municipality area in the project called Ematolweni Agricultural Co-operative Project. The reason to focus in this project is because they are currently practising crop production under electrified irrigation system but the main obstacle in this project are the dongas which are seemed to be a serious threat to the project site. During rainy seasons the project site is not easily accessible, that hampers access to market. There is also direct and serious effect of land degradation which is food insecurity which is emanating from loss of biodiversity and ground cover, loss of soil productivity, loss of income, decreased yield, and decline in economic productivity and national development. Lastly it is wisely recommended that to reduce the effect of land degradation in Alfred Nzo enlarge, government should strengthen the intervention programmes and provide more support to the LandCare programme which was the concept introduced in Australian and adopted in South Africa in 2001. This programme is assisting at restoring sustainability and productivity to land and water management in both rural and urban areas. It is holistic in nature, encompassing integrated sustainable natural resource management

Local economic development agencies and place-based development: Evidence from South Africa

Local economic development agencies (LEDAs) are increasingly important actors in place-based local economic development particularly in the global South. In South Africa there has been an expanded role for LEDAs in terms of the policy significance of local economic development. Although considerable research has been undertaken concerning the merits, challenges and contributions of LED in South Africa only limited material is available concerning the institutional and organisational arrangements to support the implementation of LED. Using policy documents, close engagement with the key national policy-making government departments and a national survey of the activities, operational challenges, and institutional constraints facing LEDAs, the findings from this investigation provide new insight into their role in place-based development. From the unfolding South African experience the strategic establishment of LEDAs potentially can contribute to maximizing the efficiency of place-based strategies. Arguably, key findings confirm the important contribution that LEDAs can make to locality development in the global South albeit that contribution is influenced by context realities

Enterprise development trends : a case study of Mthatha, King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality.

Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2009.Local Economic Development (LED) in South Africa has grown in significance since the 1994 democratic transition. This study investigates and analyses enterprise development trends in and around Mthatha, in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality (KSDM) for the period 1995 to 2006. The study briefly examines the local economic development in the context of developmental local government with reference to enterprise developments. For the purpose of the study, a case study research method was adopted. Yin (1984:23) defines the case study research method as an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context; when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident; and in which multiple sources of evidence are used. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques were used in a complementary way. A thorough literature review was conducted to lay a theoretical foundation for the study. Secondary data was used from publicly available sources. Primary data was gathered by means of face-to-face structured interviews and questionnaires. The findings indicated that a number of factors have been identified as contributing to the retarded development and economic growth in the area, namely limited skills base, high levels of poverty, high unemployment rate, lack of co-ordination and integration of development initiatives. These lead to ineffective use of resources and a poor condition of the roads. Such factors, coupled with inadequate maintenance, may have also resulted in the failure to maximise the economic potential of the area and poor infrastructure provision that cannot support business or industrial development. The study further reveals that there are local government policies and legislative frameworks in KSDM to address municipal developments, although some of these are still in their draft phases. The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) emerged as the most popular local development plan and strategy, particularly, because it provides a holistic and participatory approach to planning at a local government level. The government also emphasises IDP in its strategic planning and development frameworks. The study undertaken will contribute to policy development in the critical area of local economic development and, more specifically, enterprise development. The study recommends that KSDM needs to plan and ensure that the developments that take place are within stipulated Spatial Development Framework (SDF) Guidelines, and Land Use Management Guidelines

The role of SMMEs in poverty alleviation : the case of Richmond Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal.

Master of Commerce. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2019.The Apartheid era in South Africa can be agreeably noted as a system of the past, but unfortunately its effects still find access to the South African communities to this day. It is the legacy of this era that still shackles the majority to poverty, due to the economic, political and social distortions. Thus, poverty in the Richmond local municipality was the focus of the study. The aim of the study was to discover the role that Small Medium and Micro Enterprises of this municipality play in alleviating poverty. Small Medium and Micro Enterprises are recognised across the globe as engines of economic growth, as they are key in the economic development and job creation which are critical in poverty alleviation. These types of business establishments have been the strength of economic development in South Africa, as the country is confronted with a challenge of poverty and unemployment which is reported at a high of 28.7% in the first quarter of 2018. The South African government recognises the importance of this sector of business activity, so much so that a ministry of Small Business Development was established in early 2014. This study condenses poverty that arises from economic, political and social distortions to absolute and relative poverty concepts and as a way of determining the role played by the Small Medium and Micro Enterprises in the Richmond local municipality. Moreover, Business Social Responsibility initiatives that focused on the employees, customers, environment and community were also ascertained. A quantitative data collection method was used to collect data from a sample of fifty-one (51) Small Medium and Micro Enterprises; and a complete enumeration survey was utilised. Questionnaires with closed-ended questions were used to collect data from the Small Medium and Micro Enterprises, and the response rate of the Small Medium and Micro Enterprises was 94.44%. Data was then analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0. The data was further analysed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study largely revealed that Small Medium and Micro Enterprises play a significant role in the alleviation of poverty in the Richmond local municipality. Furthermore, the study established the age group 41 – 50 years to be the most active age group in these Small Medium and Micro Enterprises and most of the respondents have secondary education. Additionally, the results reveal that most of the Small Medium and Micro Enterprises have been in operation for over 6 years and general dealers are the leading nature of Small Medium and Micro Enterprises. Of the study recommendations, is that the Municipality works hand in hand with Small Medium and Micro Enterprises in the pursuit of alleviating poverty; Small Medium and Micro Enterprises seek alternative streams of funding and that they continue exhaustively partaking in the non-monetary dependent Business Social Responsibility initiatives

Rural development agency support to emerging farmers in the Eastern Cape Province

The objective of the study is to analyze the impact of the ECRDA in projects managed by Eastern Cape emerging farmers. In this study, emerging farmers are farmers that are participating in the market and have intentions to produce and sell at a large scale. The study also investigates the challenges facing the emerging farmers supported by ECRDA as well as the support given to these farmers by ECRDA. The study is based on randomly selected farmers around Eastern Cape Province that are supported by ECRDA with finance to buy production inputs. Six interviews have been conducted around Eastern Cape, one in each of the six district municipalities. The information was transcribed and verbatim text was produced. From the verbatim text about 8 themes and sub- themes were identified and were analysed using qualitative content analysis method. The themes that were identified are: The first theme was the lack of infrastructure make a conducive farming environment. The second was the insufficient service from ECRDA officers, as well as those from the department of agriculture. The third theme that emerged was the availability of farming land from which the clients plough, and also use as a grazing land for their livestock. The fourth one focuses on the access to capital, and the challenges that are encountered when applying for loan at ECRDA. The fifth theme is the concern about the safety of the maize they plant, not only from the unattended livestock, but as well as thieves, when the maize is ready. The sixth theme is the availability of market, where the farmers are able to sell their produce when it is ready. The seventh theme was skills development, and whether farmers are trained in order to be effective and efficient farmers. The last theme focuses on loan repayment, how the farmers repay the loan from the ECRDA. These themes constitute the main challenges that hinder the sustainability of emerging farmers’ projects

The role of expansive learning in the potential development of rural youth as value creators: a case study of youth farming activity in the Amahlathi Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape

Environmental sustainability and agriculture are key development and transformational concerns in South Africa while rural development and youth unemployment are key national issues pertinent in the Eastern Cape which ranks in the top three provinces for both concerns. As a formative interventionist researcher, working in a singular case study with youth in Lenye village located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, I sought to investigate the following: Can, and if so, how can expansive learning facilitated by a change laboratory intervention contribute to the development of youth as potential value creators for rural development? This was investigated through the following sub questions: 1) What value is created at each point of the expansive learning process of the change laboratory process and for who? 2) What value can still be created at each point of the expansive learning process of the change laboratory? 3) How is that value created via an expansive learning process? I collected data as I participated as a youth member through: extended contextual profiling via a focus group interview, individual interviews, note taking and document analysis. Furthermore, I attended village meetings, youth meetings and emergent youth development/youth in agriculture/agriculture opportunities. Additionally, change laboratory workshops were conducted and I used audio recordings and notes to capture data. The data collected was then analysed through second generation Cultural Historical Activity Theory using the concepts of immediate, potential, applied, realised and reframing value. In conclusion, the expansive learning process may contribute to the development of rural youth as value creators for sustainable development through youth development, agriculture and community development. All forms of value were created along the expansive learning process for the formative interventionist researcher, the Lenye youth and the greater Lenye youth community. All forms of value may still be created for the Lenye youth, the formative interventionist researcher and the greater Lenye youth community

A critical analysis of the implementation of performance management system in the local government, with specific reference to O. R. Tambo District Municipality

Masters in Public Administration - MPAThe provision of quality services is important for the overall welfare of South Africans. However, the Apartheid legacy appears to have long lasting effects on the provision of quality services at local level, with a range of undesirable effects, especially for ordinary people at grassroots level. Nevertheless, this concern has been made possible the legacy of apartheid, which makes it practically impossible to address the immediate needs of ordinary South Africans. For over a decade, South African local government has been condemned for poor service delivery, which is as a result of inefficiency, unproductiveness and incompetency of the public servants. These factors have hindered the prospect of delivering quality services at the most efficient and effective level, hence the introduction of a long- term plan by the South African government to improve the productiveness of the local government, and this plan is known as Performance Management System (PMS). The introduction of performance management system is critical because it ensures that plans are being implemented, that they are having the desired development impact and that resources are being used efficiently.This thesis critically analyzes the implementation processes of Performance Management System at O.R. Tambo District Municipality. Its principal aims is to investigate the factors that hinder the effective implementation of performance management system at local government in South Africa, to assess the effectiveness of PMS at ORTDM, to identify and explore different theories on performance management system. This thesis also seeks to be a guide to effective public policy implementation and provide recommendation and clear analysis of the municipal activities which can help improve the current state of affairs at O.R Tambo District Municipality. This thesis therefore looks at the challenges that are faced by the Section 57 employees (i.e. Municipal manager, directors and assistant directors) in the implementation of Performance Management System within the O.R. Tambo District Municipality. It uses qualitative research methods to assess patterns of PMS in ORTDM. This enquiry produces descriptive data, based on the written and spoken words of the interviewees. This method allows the researcher to see the world from participant‟s point of view.This thesis begins by introducing the subject of Performance Management, giving the historical background of performance management, as well as the current state of O.R. Tambo District. The introduction of the topic is followed by a theoretical overview of the subject of performance management. This is followed by the research methodology used in this study. The findings are presented in the chapter following the research methodology chapter, giving a synopsis of what the interviewees disclosed during the interview process. The last chapter provides conclusions and recommendations on how do the municipality ensure that performance management is effectively implemented and it has desired outcomes