Academic literature on the topic 'Ekurhuleni Municipality'

This article explores the challenges for the development of manufacturing through a case study of the foundry industry in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. Ekurhuleni Metro covers the largest concentration in South Africa, but the industry’s performance has been poor over the past decade. The findings reported here highlight the need to understand firm decisions around investment, technology and skills, and the role of local economic linkages in this regard. The differing performance of foundries strongly supports the need to develop concrete action plans and effective institutions at local level to support the development of local agglomerations.

The aim of this paper is to propose solutions that could ameliorate the housing delivery obstacles frequently confronting the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The study, which is exploratory in nature and adopted an interpretive research philosophy, used informed knowledge and the qualitative method to validate housing delivery challenges in South Africa that could be linked to some housing challenges in other parts of Africa. This was done using two analytical tools - input and output mechanisms that have made delivery of housing in EMM a difficult task. The study contends that a combination of land unavailability, stringent government policies, heightened by escalating population growth, political vs. administration interference, and poor economic viability have resulted in the epileptic delivery of housing in the EMM.

Abstract In the interest of developing relevant information services for ECD practitioners in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), as ECD is one of the national priorities, a study was conducted to ascertain their information needs and information-seeking behaviour. Using Leckie, Pettigrew and Sylvain’s General Model of the Information Seeking of Professionals (GMISP) as the theoretical framework, and situated within interpretivist paradigm, the study took a qualitative approach to collect data, with the results based on group discussions and an interview with a key informant. The research focused on establishing Grade R practitioners’ information needs, with information sources they often consulted, actions and strategies used when seeking information, as well as challenges they face when seeking information. Grade R practitioners need information to increase their knowledge for optimum performance of their duties. To satisfy the demand for information, it is recommended that the EMM libraries and Gauteng Department of Education school libraries should consider a coordinated and accessible library and information service (LIS) that supports ECD practitioners. The plans and design of LIS in the EMM should accommodate the information needs expressed by the Grade R practitioners.

The right to adequate housing is a constitutional imperative which is contained in section 26 of the Constitution. The state is tasked with the progressive realisation of this right. The allocation of housing has been plagued with challenges which impact negatively on the allocation process. This note analyses Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality v Various Occupiers, Eden Park Extension 51 which dealt with a situation where one of the main reasons provided by the Supreme Court of Appeal for refusing the eviction order was because the appellants subjected the unlawful occupiers to defective waiting lists and failed to engage with the community regarding the compilation of the lists and the criteria used to identify beneficiaries. This case brings to the fore the importance of a coherent (reasonable) waiting list in eviction proceedings. This note further analyses the impact of the waiting list system in eviction proceedings and makes recommendations regarding what would constitute a coherent (reasonable) waiting list for the purpose of section 26(2) of the Constitution.

Upgrading and relocating people in informal settlements requires consistent commitment, good strategies and systems so as to improve the lives of those who live in them. In South Africa, in order to allocate subsidised housing to beneficiaries of an informal settlement, beneficiary administration needs to be completed to determine the number of people who qualify for a subsidised house. Conventional methods of occupancy audits are often unreliable, cumbersome and non-spatial. Accordingly, this study proposes the use of mobile GIS to conduct these audits to provide up-to-date, accurate, comprehensive and real-time data so as to facilitate the development of integrated human settlements. An occupancy audit was subsequently completed for one of the communities in the Ekurhuleni municipality, Gauteng province, using web-based mobile GIS as a solution to providing smart information through evidence based decision making. Fieldworkers accessed the off-line capturing module on a mobile device recording GPS coordinates, socio-economic information and photographs. The results of this audit indicated that only 56.86% of the households residing within the community could potentially benefit from receiving a subsidised house. Integrated residential development, which includes fully and partially subsidised housing, serviced stands and some fully bonded housing opportunities, would then be key to adequately providing access to suitable housing options within a project in a post-colonial South Africa, creating new post-1994 neighbourhoods, in line with policy. The use of mobile GIS therefore needs to be extended to other informal settlement upgrading projects in South Africa.

The housing delivery topic is frequently dredged to the surface of media focus by tragic phenomena such as the destruction of lives and properties by storms and fires and also at the hands of the police during demonstrations. This study which is exploratory in nature and adopted an interpretive research philosophy aimed at investigating the housing delivery challenges encountered by Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) with the objectives of illuminating the challenges, establishing the role EMM play in housing delivery and providing recommendations that would assist in ameliorating the challenges. It utilised a qualitative methodology involving indirect observation which included the use of questionnaires and interviews and a purposive sampling method where fifty eight participants comprising employees of EMM, Councillors, Community leaders and Community members were selected. The data were analysed in Microsoft word using thematic analysis and a pilot study was used to pre-test the objectivity, reliability and validity of the data and also to improve the success and effectiveness of the investigation. Overall, the results suggested the main causes of the housing delivery challenges to be predominantly a combination of population growth, the unavailability of land, corruption and government policies. The key findings that emerged for the amelioration of the challenges were the formulation of a coherent housing strategy, the need for the government to pursue housing policies that are comprehensive and effectively integrated with broader socioeconomic objectives and also the need for the government to be fully attuned to the necessity of reconfiguring housing policy as part of its mechanism for managing the economy. The general focus of the recommendations was on overcoming the housing delivery hurdles. In recommending future research, the existence of a vast amount of new knowledge that still need to be discovered on the housing delivery arena was established and avenues were indicated through which the knowledge can directly illuminate issues central to the theme of this study [housing delivery challenges]. The study will become a landmark and a standard reference in future studies wherein it will also serve as a barometer to test new and contentious ideas and theories encapsulated in issues surrounding the study.

In most instances people tend to think of the public sector as monopolistic entities facing captive demand, enjoying guaranteed source and levels of financing, and being relatively immune from voters, stakeholders, and political institutions such as legislatures and courts (Morris & Kuratko, 2003: 305). Entrepreneurship or intrapreneurial behaviour is commonly discussed in the context of private business. However, government departments and other organs of state have a pressing need to think entrepreneurially (Rwigema & Venter, 2005:10). Against the backdrop of legacy of apartheid in South Africa, municipalities are still faced with the challenge of extending the fundamental benefits of basic water supply and sanitation, electricity and housing to all people. It is therefore imperative in the light of these challenges for a municipality like Ekurhuleni to operate as business does, by adopting an innovative or intrapreneurial approach. The primary objective of this study was to assess intrapreneurial climate in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and to make recommendations to foster intrapreneurship within the organisation. The literature review was instrumental to gather secondary data on corporate entrepreneurship (intrapreneurship) and to understand its dynamics. In order to gain primary data, quantitative research was carried out. The study population comprised lower, middle and top management participants, who were requested to complete questionnaires. This was followed by statistical analysis. The empirical results indicate no practical significance in respondents' perception of their entrepreneurial characteristics in relation to their superiors. However, the results do indicate practical significant differences between the relationship between the groups of top/middle and lower management level and entrepreneurial climate. The respondents did not fully agree with the statements that the Ekurhuleni Municipality climate is conducive to foster entrepreneurial behaviour. However, it was revealed that practical significant differences were found on the relationship between management level variable and intrapreneurial climate constructs. The results of the study indicate that the respondents have divergent views of the intrapreneurial climate in the Ekurhuleni Municipality and that these views are based on the following constructs: management support, sponsor (champions), tolerance for risks, mistakes and failure, appropriate rewards, discretionary time and work, empowered teams and multi-disciplinary teams and diversity, resources availability and accessibility, and flat organisational structure with open communication and strong sense of belonging. It can thus be concluded that lower level managers are of the opinion that the climate is not conducive for a spirit of innovation to prosper. The purpose of this research was to assess the intrapreneurial climate in the Ekurhuleni Municipality. Empirical evidence shows that there is a pressing need for a shift from the current top down approach to a future of entrepreneurism and innovation among the workforce. In light of the above-mentioned empirical findings, a practical action plan was recommended to the Ekurhuleni Municipality management in order to foster an intrapreneurial climate (see Table 5.1). Subsequent to the findings, a practical action plan was proposed to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality's management to enhance a culture of innovation and entrepreneurial behaviour.<br>Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

In this study, the information-seeking behaviour of Grade R practitioners in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng Province, South Africa was investigated. The investigation included determining information needs, information sources often consulted, actions and strategies used when seeking information and challenges faced by these practitioners when seeking information. Early Child Development practitioners need information to increase their knowledge for optimum performance of their duties. Literature points to a possibility that if the Grade R practitioners can have access to relevant, accurate and timeous information and gain essential information retrieval skills, they might develop capacity for innovation, creativity and ultimately improve their teaching. Currently, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality libraries do not have any service dedicated to Early Child Development practitioners, yet Early Child Development is a national government priority stipulated in the National Development Plan. In the interest of developing relevant information services for Early Child Development practitioners, as Early Child Development is one of the national priorities, the researcher needed to ascertain their information needs and information-seeking behaviour. Using Leckie, Pettigrew and Sylvain's General Model of the Information Seeking of Professionals as the theoretical framework; and situated within interpretivist paradigm, the study took a qualitative approach to collect data through group discussions and an interview with a key informant. The results are based on seven focus group discussions with the practitioners from public schools, independent schools and community-based Early Child Development centres. These show that the practitioners' most popular information sources are Google, social media, especially Pinterest, and their colleagues. The major barriers to information access are time restraints and language. The nature of information needed to perform their tasks ranges from curriculum-related information, various child development oriented topics, legislation and information related to their personal and professional development. A few participants who claimed to use libraries indicated that they use neither the library catalogue nor the online databases in the library. In fact, they preferred to browse the shelves to find books and had never asked the library staff for any assistance. The majority of the participants do not use libraries, even though they appreciated the importance of information and library services in providing critical information for execution of their duties. To satisfy the demand for information, it is recommended that the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality libraries and the Gauteng Department of Education school libraries should consider a coordinated and accessible library and information service that supports Early Child Development practitioners. The plans and design of library and information service in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality should accommodate the information needs expressed by the Grade R practitioners. Keywords: Early childhood practitioner, Grade R, pre-preparatory, pre-school, pre-primary, information-seeking behaviour, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, early childhood development, library and information service(s).

Within the South African framework of transition, constitutional development and of the Municipal Systems Act of 2000, the Integrated Development Planning and budgeting processes represent a significant shift away from past planning approaches in South Africa. Hitherto, planning systems were largely technocratic,sectoral and failed to incorporate the views of local people. The current aim is to create Effective and efficient government systems and to integrate the various administrations of the constituent local governments into the new consolidated local governments. Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), one of the largest metropolitan municipalities in the country was a case study to examine this shift away from the past planning approaches to the new integrated approach. For the purpose of this study, integrated approach to service delivery is described as a process to ensure that the objectives and policies determined by the legislature will be uniformly interpreted and applied by all departments in municipal entity. Integrated development planning, budget reviews and performance monitoring systems focus on alleviating poverty and addressing past injustices and inequities through identification of programmes and projects that respond to the needs and priorities of local communities. There is a strong move towards a more integrated and participatory approach to local planning with varying success at incorporating sustainability principles throughout the process. The Municipal Systems Act makes it mandatory that all sectors and interested parties be consulted, and that has led to improved communication and cooperation between different spheres of government and the newly established local authority structures. Along with IDPs as the primary planning tool, Systems Act signify the deepening of democracy and good governance as it is mandatory for the participation of communities and various stakeholders through the ward committees. For the purpose of this study, a hypothesis was formulated that: IDP, Budgetary Planning and SDBIP are mutually dependent and key strategic thrusts in realizing the objectives of public finance within the local government context and yet, ineffective service delivery in EMM results from the inability to integrate its development plan, budget and service delivery budget implementation plans. To validate the hypothesis, theoretical exposition of concepts IDP, budget and service delivery budget implementation plan were explained. Empirical study was conducted which showed that, at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality: • There is an understanding of the importance of aligning planning systems, • Processes, systems and mechanisms to integrate all the planning systems are established, these are not effective because they are partially or not fully implemented, • Departments function independently. Communication systems and plans are developed; they are not effective, because new procedures are not communicated. Where these are, there is no guideline documentation. • There is much interference in the administrative functions by politicians. Officials who are responsible for budgets are not given space to perform their duties effectively without the influence of external or political thrust. The study concludes with recommendations for action to be taken by the Municipality towards the improvement of service delivery.<br>Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.<br>Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) play an important role in the economic growth and development of any economy. They contribute to the goals of growth, equity, job creation and poverty reduction in different ways. Given the importance of the SMME sector, governments throughout the world including the South African government, have focused their attention on the development of this sector to promote economic growth, income distribution and employment opportunities. Most SMMEs in South Africa fail due to a variety of reasons, including a lack of access to markets, which is one of the critical factors for the survival and growth of SMMEs. The government of South Africa has introduced the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (Act 5 of 2000) to address the challenge of market access for SMMEs. The Act is aimed at utilising the purchasing power of government as an instrument of SMME development. SMMEs, especially those owned by historically disadvantaged individuals, are afforded an opportunity to access markets they would otherwise find difficult to penetrate. Given the importance of access to markets to SMMES, the study seeks to analyse the role of preferential procurement in Local Government with specific reference to Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), as an instrument of promoting the development of historically disadvantaged SMMEs in South Africa.

This study examines oversight and accountability in relation to good governance in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. It also explores the implementation of the separation of powers governance model since its inception in August 2011. The study accentuated the significance of legislative mechanisms to foster greater oversight and separation of powers within the municipality’s governance structures. It demonstrates that the relevance of the available mechanisms in current legislation can lead to the practical separation of executive and legislative powers as well as sound oversight within the municipality. The study acknowledges the conflation of executive and legislative functions in the municipal council as stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 section 151(2) that resulted in a lack of clarity of the roles of office bearers causing an oversight deficit. The literature review acknowledged that the concept of good governance is conducted through a policy approach that highlights the roles of the political, organisational and economic standards of lawfulness and efficacy in the daily operations of the public sector. The study illustrates the significance of the section 79 committees as an oversight mechanism established in respect of Section 43 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (Act 117 of 1998) of the municipal council in relation to the separation of powers governance model. The study applied qualitative research methods, which included open-ended questionnaires and secondary sources to comprehend the separation of powers governance model in local government. Triangulation of data was fundamental to ensure that the case study provided the correct interpretation of the participants’ perceptions. The case study concludes with recommendations as informed by the research to improve the functionality of the separation of powers governance model in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The commendations could assist policy makers to institute municipal systems of governance separating the executive functions from the legislative functions to create meaningful oversight to stimulate good governance. The implementation of separation of powers governance model provides an opportunity within local government to contribute towards the attainment of good governance. Ultimately, this study contributes to the knowledge and modernisation in local government within metropolitan municipalities in South Africa.<br>Dissertation (MAdmin)--University of Pretoria, 2018.<br>School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA)<br>MAdmin<br>Unrestricted

In recent years growing attention of international and local water research was directed to greywater as a potential water source, as well as its significance as a possible health risk to humans and as a source of pollution. Owing to a general lack of waterborne sewage infrastructure, health risks and pollution associated with greywater generation in informal settlements are of particular concern to municipal managers. However, so far only limited information on the greywater generation, use and disposal in informal settlements is available. Using four different informal settlements in the highly urbanised eastern region of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng (also known as East Rand) this study aims to characterise selected aspects of the greywater situation as a first step towards future improvements through appropriate interventions and greywater management. Following consultations with representatives of the local municipality (colleagues of the author) the following four informal settlements with distinctly different greywater appearance were selected as study sites: • Benoni - Harry Gwala • Springs - Gugulethu • Brakpan - Mkhanca • Nigel- Soul City As part of the reconnaissance phase of the study, each site was visited and field observations on infrastructure, habits and other greywater related aspects were made and suitable households for subsequent interviews were identified. In each settlement a total of 25 households were chosen and a representative interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire comprising eight sections, four sections covering the following aspects: access to and sources of water, general sanitary situation, water use and associated generation as well as disposal of greywater. Interviews were conducted between November 2006 and August 2007 and varied in duration between 20 and 30 minutes per interviewee totalling close to 48 hours. They were either conducted in Zulu or South Sotho, the most widely spoken languages of the interviewed residents. Answers were recorded in English on site. Results were subsequently captured in EXCEL and statistically evaluated. The average volume of greywater generated by the four different water usages, Le. bathing, cleaning, laundry washing and dish washing varies from 35 to 60 /household/day. With each household comprising an average of four people (two children and two adults) this equals a greywater generation rate of approx. 9 to 15 l/person/day and is somewhat lower than reported in comparable studies in South Africa. Owing to the fact that all volume data are estimates, a comparatively large margin of error is to be expected, explaining why in some cases more water was estimated to be used than was actually fetched. Water use volume was found to be influenced by the availability of stand pipes and in one case was supplemented by collected rain water. Generally, however, water was not perceived to be a problematic issue compared to more pressing needs such as housing, unemployment etc. Washing of cloths in all settlements was found to be the single most important source of greywater generation accounting for a third to almost half of all greywater generated. The smallest contribution comes from water used for cleaning (approx. 10%) while bathing and washing dishes accounts for equal proportions of the reminder. Chemical and microbiological analyses of greywater, sampled at selected sites across the four study areas, revealed significant variations in quality between the different sites, without allowing for clear distinctions between the impacts of different brands of detergents such as soaps, washing powder and dish washing liquids. Contrary to literature E-coli contamination was found not be confined to bath and kitchen waste water only, but also appeared in laundry water, frequently exceeding values stipulated in the general standards of waste water or effluent in South Africa This is of particular concerns since some of the greywater is disposed of into stormwater canals and in other non-formal ways, that allow for subsequent exposure of humans to the contaminated waste water. In order to facilitate rapid drainage in some instances respondents created their own greywater disposal infrastructure e.g. by digging open waste water trenches across backyard borders. Regarding potential health risks it is to be noted that at least one respondent reported the use of the water resource (Blesbokspruit) as toilet facility. Apart from the actual findings the study also revealed the importance of an appropriate research design and conduct that addresses the peculiarities of an informal setting. This includes overcoming logistic challenges such as limited accessibility of the study sites during wet seasons owing to flooded and muddy roads, safety and security issues as well as difficulties to conduct indoor interviews owing to a lack of light (no windows, no electricity) leading to low temperatures in winter limiting interview duration. In addition to this socio-cultural aspects and attitudes of respondents have to be taken into account in order to obtain true reflections of facts through interviewing. In this regard it was helpful that the author, as a black female, was familiar with certain customs and perceptions regarding sensitive issues such as use of toilets, connotations of muti (= a traditional medicine that may be included in bathwater as a constituent) etc. Being aware of these peculiarities allowed the author to detect and explain differences between statements obtained from the respondents and her own observations.<br>Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the transformation process that has taken place in the local government sphere over the past sixteen years. This process is based on the Constitution, Act 108 of 1996. Transformation applies to all areas of society, including the disabled – the focus point of this study. More specifically the focus of the study is on the effect of the transformation process on the disabled. The study was done within Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, taking into consideration the Constitution of 1996, as well as internal policies. The main focus during this study is to emphasize the position of the disabled, focusing on recognition, basic needs, funding, promotion, careers, and the incorporation of the disabled into the Municipality.<br>Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Over the past few years there has been an explosion of appetite for entrepreneurship, more particularly from women. Given the numerous barriers faced especially by women entrepreneurs today, there is a pressing need to initiate empowerment programmes to enable them to succeed in their endeavours. There is a need to empower women economically and to create employment opportunities and income generating activities to enable them to survive, prosper and provide support for their families. For the development of women–to–women business potential, women entrepreneurs require support in the form of training in strategic business development, access to credit funds, assistance with marketing skills and product design and development. Starting a firm of one's own may be one way for women to avoid the 'glass ceiling' that has sometimes been argued to exist in established organisations, providing one attractive way for entrepreneurial women to realise their full potential. Small business owners have more freedom to plan their personal schedules and to jungle them to suit their work and family demands which is often an important consideration for women. Entrepreneurs must be flexible and creative to meet the challenges which come along with running their businesses. The importance of a strong, entrepreneurial vision that can lead towards a successful enterprise is often underestimated. Women are disadvantaged by their lower levels of financial literacy and awareness. Access barriers are significant. Opportunities for financial services companies who can provide affordable, appropriate and accessible products to meet the needs of self–employed women are thus limited. Women entrepreneurs are still to overcome key challenges like access to training in international trade issues, operations management and marketing, as well as access to good mentors and mentorship programs. The study concludes that women confront barriers because of their gender and the author or investigator cites previous research that argues that these barriers are a result of socialisation practices, educational experiences, family roles, and networking. Government and all other relevant stakeholders should promote public awareness and ensure that resources for programs to foster entrepreneurship are decentralised. Women entrepreneurs should examine the role that the education system could play in developing entrepreneurial skills and attitudes. In Ekurhuleni region there is an increasing number of women who are required to steer their own businesses, and many are struggling to achieve success. This paper explores women entrepreneurship in the construction and engineering sectors. According to the responses obtained from the study, there are specific skills that entrepreneurs must posses in order to operate and succeed in construction and engineering industries within the Ekurhuleni region and these are communication skills, administration skills, financial skills and interpersonal skills.<br>Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

OBJECTIVE/ METHOD The study examined implementation challenges faced by primary health care workers within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng South Africa. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews carried out on a purposive sample (n=19) of frontline clinicians working within the district as primary health care practitioners. RESULTS Participants confirmed that work within the primary health care service disproportionately focussed on curative and rehabilitative functions of their roles with little prioritisation of preventive and promotive interventions. Primary identified reasons included, institutional culture that prioritised short-term curative approaches. Clinicians also cited a range of other organisational barriers, such as – poor strategic planning, and a lack of understanding of health promotion and illness prevention. CONCLUSIONS Although the challenges that exist in implementing primary health care are clearly understood, clinicians perceive the solutions for these as being within the control of policy makers and those with power within the organisation.<br>Health Studies<br>M.A. (Public Health)