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This article analyses the Shambe Sonke Programme (SSP) in South Africa, a poverty alleviation initiative aimed at generating income and fostering economic independence through infrastructure maintenance and community engagement in rural regions. This paper employs qualitative research methodology to examine communication practices, challenges, and regional implementation disparities within the SSP, concentrating on three provinces: KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Eastern Cape. Data were collected via interviews with officials from the Department of Transport (DoT) and focus groups involving SSP contractors, predominantly African men and women, utilising content analysis based on Giddens’ Structuration Theory. The findings indicate substantial communication deficiencies between the Department of Transportation and SSP contractors, impeding the contractors' comprehension of program objectives, eligibility criteria, and accessible economic opportunities. The absence of communication hinders contractors' capacity to leverage SSP resources for income generation, thereby limiting the program's efficacy in poverty alleviation. The study identifies regional disparities in the impact of SSP, noting that KwaZulu-Natal’s Zibambele sub-program demonstrates superior outcomes attributed to proactive support systems and robust public-private partnerships (PPPs), which furnish contractors with resources for small-scale farming and business initiatives. Delayed payments and insufficient training in Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape hinder contractors' economic mobility. The study advocates for the enhancement of communication channels, the development of localised implementation strategies, and the improvement of public-private partnerships across provinces to achieve more consistent outcomes in the SSP. The findings highlight the necessity for flexible, community-focused strategies in public programs and collaborative partnerships as essential avenues for effective poverty alleviation.

The complications that arise during policy implementation frequently stand in stark contrast to the principles of simplicity in policy formation within public administration. This gap stems from the distinctions between the practical difficulties of implementing a policy, such as unexpected variables, stakeholder resistance, and resource restrictions, and the conceptual clarity, broad goals, and explicit directions involved in its formulation. South Africa has introduced many promising policies to address socio-economic inequalities, boost economic growth, and improve public services. However, despite strong policy frameworks, the country often struggles to implement these policies effectively. This paper seeks to explore the challenges associated with policy implementation in the South African government. In addressing these difficulties, a qualitative method was employed, wherein case studies related to policy implementation failures in South Africa were unpacked and discussed as points of reference. There are significant challenges regarding policy implementation in South Africa. For the basis of this study, justice theory is applicable. There is also a strong tendency for political involvement in policy implementation, as party members are awarded tenders and contracts to implement various programs for stated policies; as a result, these policies often fail. This paper proposes the use of the 7-C protocol as a tool for monitoring policy implementation and limiting political interference. The distinctiveness of the 7-C Protocol in the policy setting lies in its ability to reconcile communication efficiency with public accountability.

Despite notable progress since the end of apartheid, South Africa continues to experience deficiencies in peace, social justice, and institutional strength. This phenomenon is primarily observed in local government, characterised by complex and nuanced issues pertaining to insufficient service delivery and governance.  Municipalities nationwide exhibit significant unethical leadership, inadequate governance, and excessive expenditure, thereby eroding public trust and accountability. These challenges may deplete public resources and hinder the efficient implementation of policies designed to improve public living conditions.  The disparity between governmental statements and actual service delivery increases, leading to considerable public dissatisfaction. This has affected the effective execution of SDG 16. This study analysed the advancements and obstacles in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16 within local government, focussing on the identification of key lessons to enhance service delivery and promote improved governance practices. The research employed a desktop methodology, focussing on the analysis of secondary data to meet its objectives. The findings indicate that, despite significant advancements in delivering basic services to municipalities, the country has not fully achieved its potential, as evidenced by ongoing public dissatisfaction and major protests regarding inadequate service provision. The ongoing outcry and clear dissatisfaction underscore the necessity for policymakers to urgently address these gaps. Municipalities have advanced in achieving SDG 16 by establishing legislative frameworks, such as Municipal Finance Management, to enhance governance. Notwithstanding these accomplishments, significant reforms are still necessary, and the attainment of SDG 16 by 2030 remains uncertain.

The implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in developing countries, particularly Tanzania, requires strong government intervention to achieve sustainable agricultural outcomes in line with both national and international standards. Given the high costs and institutional demands associated with GAP implementation, the central–local government interface plays a critical role in facilitating, coordinating, and overseeing this process. This formal interface comprises key dimensions, including the transfer of authority, interaction channels, adherence to existing legislation, and resource-sharing mechanisms. However, limited understanding of how these institutional arrangements influence the effective implementation of GAPs has contributed to persistent inconsistencies and inefficiencies. This study investigated the extent to which Tanzania’s formal central–local government interactions affect GAP implementation. A total of 228 respondents were surveyed across Local Government Authorities in the Morogoro, Mbeya, and Shinyanga regions, and data were analysed using multiple linear regression. The results demonstrate that the transfer of authority (? = 0.124, p < 0.05), interaction channels (? = 0.540, p < 0.001), and resource-sharing mechanisms (? = 0.134, p < 0.001) significantly influence the implementation of GAPs. In contrast, adherence to existing laws and regulations showed no statistically significant effect (? = 0.018, p = 0.587). These findings underscore the importance of decentralised authority, effective intergovernmental communication, and coordinated resource allocation in strengthening agricultural governance. The study recommends more targeted policy reforms that empower local governments and foster institutional synergy to enhance GAP implementation, thereby contributing to Tanzania’s agricultural transformation and broader development objectives. It is therefore, the study reinforce the need for integrated governance as a pathway to achieving agricultural modernisation and food security goals in line with SDG 2.

This integrative review examines the persistent governance challenge between meritocracy and cadre deployment within public administration in the Global South. Meritocracy focuses on the selection and advancement of individuals based on their qualifications, skills, and performance, while cadre deployment pertains to politically motivated appointments within the civil service, often rationalized in post-liberation or dominant-party environments. The review integrates empirical research, policy analyses, and comparative case studies to evaluate the effects of these competing approaches on state capacity, public service delivery, institutional integrity, and governance outcomes. The findings suggest that meritocratic systems, as demonstrated by countries such as Botswana and Rwanda, are positively correlated with administrative efficiency, professional ethics, and developmental progress. Conversely, cadre deployment, prevalent in contexts like South Africa and Zimbabwe, is typically associated with diminished institutional autonomy, corruption, and state capture. Grounded in the Developmental State Theory, this review highlights the significance of capable, independent, and professional bureaucracies for sustainable development. The study concludes that incorporating meritocratic principles into governance frameworks is vital for fostering long-term institutional resilience and public trust in the Global South.

Capacity-building is a multifaceted strategy for developing competencies within entities, crucial for enhancing current skill sets.  Moreover, capacity-building is the intervention that all organisations must consolidate necessary resources to enhance effectiveness and productivity.  Consequently, South African towns must enhance their capabilities to implement superior public service delivery models.  The paper intends to examine the importance of capacity-building interventions in South African municipalities.  The primary inquiry posed in the study is, 'What factors impede the efficient implementation of service delivery in South African municipalities?'  The research is qualitative and collects data from secondary sources.  The literature indicates that capacity-building is successful only when all forms of capacity—institutional, network, and organizational—receive equal consideration, akin to the approach traditional organisations take with individual employee performance.  It is essential to recognise the connection between capacity-building and service delivery, with the former deemed a critical necessity for municipalities in the Republic.  Consequently, the study underscored the significant necessity for capacity-building within municipalities.  The data was evaluated by content analysis.  The findings indicate that potential exist in adopting 4IR-based service delivery within the broader context and specifically in municipal governance.  This is essential as the capacity-building activities for enhanced smart governance depend on the many tools and practices defining the Fourth Industrial Revolution.  

This paper seeks to evaluate the progress that has been made towards achieving the NDP in post COVID-19 era. By bringing South Africans together, unleashing their energies, developing an inclusive economy, and strengthening the state's and leaders' capacity to collaborate on solving complex issues, the National Development Plan (NDP) aims to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. The Plan's strategy centers on citizens taking an active role in their own development, a strong leadership across society that collaborates to solve issues, and a capable and developing state that can step in to address historical injustices. The Plan tackles the need to improve the state's capacity to grow more quickly, attract more workers, and boost living standards for everyone, especially the poor, as well as to improve the people's capacity to live the lifestyles they want. The COVID-19 epidemic has severely damaged an already damaged economy, which has impacted the NDP 2030's implementation. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed in this study's mixed research technique. The mixed approach was chosen because it may be blended in a way that preserves the original procedures and structures of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Purposive sampling, a kind of non-probability sampling, was employed to obtain a suitable sample to accomplish the study's goal. Questionnaires and interviews were the two methods of data collecting that the researcher employed. The International Business Machinery (IBM): Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) version 28.0 computer program was used to perform statistical analysis on the data gathered from the questionnaires. The results were displayed using graphical tabular form, frequencies, and percentages. The data collected through interviews were analysed through thematic analysis and presented in narrative form.

This study aimed to analyze the challenge of consultocracy in the administration of local government in South Africa, and to further identify its triggering factors and related consequences. Data collection was guided by qualitative research approach whereby 20 officials responsible for the management of different municipal internal units were interviewed. The data were thematically analysed. Among other things, the study identified skills deficit, corruption and absolute or geographical impossibility as key triggering factors behind consultocracy in municipal governments. Firstly, the study raises alarm to the emerging practices of consultocratic managerialism in the administration of local government. Secondly, it adds to the body of literature ways in which consultocracy manifests and the municipal vulnerabilities, as well as practical ways to overcome this problem.   

The purpose of this paper is to call for an intensified research practices and institutionalisation within municipal governments in South Africa, and the contextual focus includes typical municipalities in the Ngaka-Moridi Molema district of the North-West province. Research as a public management tool has been largely negated in municipal governance decision-making processes and this is linkable to the general deterioration of municipal governance systems in the local sphere. This paper found that the majority of municipalities in South Africa, including the ones in NMMD do not have a full appreciation of research in that very few to none have established research components to support municipal decision-making processes.  Insights were further drawn from certain theories of governance to complement the suggestions made in the paper pertaining to ways in which municipalities can inculcate not only the spirit of research but its embedding with the governance [council] system.

This research aims to identify and analyze the influence of strategic planning, organizational culture, and organizational performance, with transformational leadership as a mediating variable. The research was conducted in Madiun City, East Java, Indonesia, within the municipal government led by Mayor Drs. H. Maidi, S.H., M.M., M.Pd. despite budget constraints and the failure to meet the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) targets, Madiun City achieved significant economic growth, a high Human Development Index (HDI), and numerous awards for excellence in governance. This study employs a quantitative approach, utilizing survey data from civil service officials (echelon II, echelon III, and echelon IV) within the Madiun City Government to analyze both the direct and indirect effects of strategic planning and organizational culture on organizational performance. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistical analysis to examine data characteristics and inferential statistical analysis through SEM-PLS to test the contextual relationships between variables. The findings of this research confirm that both strategic planning and organizational culture have a significant positive impact on organizational performance, with transformational leadership acting as a mediating variable, resulting in a complementary (partial mediation) effect. Based on these findings, this study offers recommendations to enhance public sector performance, emphasizing the need for integrated strategic planning, robust leadership development programs, and adaptive governance strategies. The government must strengthen leadership competencies to drive improvements in public service performance. Future research can be conducted at various levels of government organizations, both at the regional level, at the regency and city, provincial or ministry levels. Additionally, while this study explores the root causes of recurring problems, it is a rare and unique empirical study that examines the effect of strategic planning and organizational culture on organizational performance a lot of research conduct this on private sector not a public sector.

Recent trends on local government points to a growing public discontent concerning the performance and the capability of municipalities as the service delivery agents and contact points between citizens and government. Greater-Taung Municipality, which is contextual setting in the current study, is one municipality in the North West province that has a demonstrable record of service delivery failures. Despite record service provision falures, Greater-Taung Municipality has previously returned grants allocations, reasons to which remain unknown. To find out, this study employed qualitative methods to investigate the impediments to effective service provision, with the purpose being to suggest workable and practical solutions to improve service provision. Data collection was chieved through key informants purposively selected from the municipality and documentary analysis. Although the study confirmed some of the findings from literature, especially on skills shortages and political inference in administrative work, other key findings pointed to the constant misalignments between service delivery plans and budget allocations. This problem is affecting organisational performance and service provision. Meanwhile political interference ought to be discouraged, a strong performance management system is needed as this will give effect to service provision and improved accountability culture in the municipality. More recommendations are provided towards the end of the article.

Reports indicate that the South African government is failing to maintain its infrastructure adequately. This has been a persistent issue, especially considering the state of the roads in regions like King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality (KSDLM). The study aimed to elucidate the challenges of road infrastructure in KSDLM and propose strategies for the Municipality to address the identified issues. The research utilised a mixed methods technique to examine the obstacles related to road infrastructure in Mqanduli hamlet. The primary findings indicate that (i) the roads in Mganduli village have deteriorated due to a lack of maintenance, leading to an escalation of community protests, (ii) neglecting road maintenance poses a danger to public safety, as many individuals have been adversely affected by the substandard road conditions, and (iii) KSDLM is failing to adhere to the principles of open system theory in utilising public-private partnerships to address pressing service delivery requirements that the Municipality cannot fulfil effectively and efficiently due to financial limitations.

This study's objective was to investigate the relationship amongst the local government employees and their performances towards the distribution of services. Many employees face different challenges in their workplaces, however in a situation like service delivery it’s important for employees to be able to work well together and have a positive relationship amongst each other and avoid political conflict that may end up affecting the citizens as they are their priority. The researcher acknowledges that there are many challenges faced by local government which affect the effective service delivery, these include toxic work relationships among employees, corruption and mismanagement of funds, red tape etc. The study was based on the current legal, theoretical and conceptual perspective that applies to the protocol of the working relationship amongst employees and service provision. Diverse perspectives were used to determine whether the employees of UMhlathuze Local Municipality have the positive relationship amongst each other without the interference of the political conflict, also for the community members under UMhlathuze Local Municipality to have a voice on whether the employees are distributing services rightfully or not. This study has adopted qualitative methods for getting in-depth and interactive information from the participants. The recommendations are also made for UMhlathuze Municipality, including the theoretical framework of service delivery and the working protocol of employees within an organization.

South Africa's governance structure follows a three-tier system, emphasizing co-operative governance among the national, provincial, and local authorities. The responsibility for crucial service delivery lies primarily with local governments, specifically municipalities. This research delves into the problems and deficiencies associated with service delivery in the Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality, exploring the perspectives of stakeholders impacted by and responsible for service delivery at strategic, political, and administrative levels. The study employs qualitative methods, utilizing questionnaires and interviews to gather diverse insights. The research reveals a pervasive sense of apathy towards government service delivery, with a majority of local residents perceiving the municipality as unresponsive to community needs. This contributes to a trust deficit, hindering effective collaboration between residents and local authorities. Divergent perspectives on the reasons for inadequate service provision highlight the complexity of the issue. While municipal officials acknowledge their limitations, some residents resort to extreme measures, such as vandalism and criminal activities, to express their frustrations. The findings emphasize the necessity of a mediating factor to foster understanding and cooperation between local authorities and residents. Motivated by the recurrent violent confrontations and protests stemming from service delivery disputes, this research underscores the significance of addressing these issues for the well-being of citizens and the overall quality of life. Effective communication, responsiveness, accountability, and transparency emerge as essential elements to tackle the challenges identified in the study.

This article presents a comparative analysis of selected political party manifestos in South Africa, examining both convergences and differences in their approaches to service delivery. With a focus on understanding the underlying principles and priorities outlined in these manifestos, the study aims to shed light on the potential implications for governance and public service effectiveness. Drawing upon a comprehensive review of political party manifestos and policy documents, the analysis identifies common themes such as access to basic services, infrastructure development, and socio-economic empowerment. However, significant variations emerge in terms of the strategies proposed to address these challenges, reflecting diverse ideological orientations and policy priorities among political parties. By employing a qualitative content analysis approach, the study highlights the nuanced differences in the proposed policy frameworks and implementation mechanisms, as well as the underlying assumptions and values embedded within each manifesto. Furthermore, the analysis explores the potential implications of these variations for public administration practices, governance structures, and service delivery outcomes. Through this comparative lens, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities and dynamics shaping public administration in South Africa's multi-party democracy. Moreover, it offers insights into the challenges and opportunities for enhancing service delivery effectiveness, fostering accountability, and promoting inclusive development. Ultimately, the findings underscore the importance of informed policy debates and evidence-based decision-making in addressing the diverse needs and aspirations of South Africa's citizens, while also emphasizing the critical role of public administration in translating political commitments into tangible outcomes on the ground.

This paper examines the critical role of youth participation in planning and implementation with the purpose of improving the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). Local governments in South Africa are legally mandated to foster participatory development through IDP, which aim to address imbalances from the predemocratic era and improve socioeconomic conditions. Despite the democratic foundation of these policies, youth participation in IDP formulation remains markedly low. This discrepancy is particularly troubling given the substantial role that youth played in achieving democracy and the proverb that today's youth are tomorrow's leaders. The paper argues that the absence of effective mechanisms for youth participation has led to significant social deficiencies. The paper is conceptual and is grounded in social capital theory. The study uses a qualitative desktop research method, relying on existing literature. The findings reveal that the lack of youth participation in IDP contributes to various problems, including inadequate service delivery, violent protests, substance abuse, and social delinquency. It recommends the establishment of practical and inclusive mechanisms to better engage young people in the IDP process, thus addressing the current gaps and promoting more equitable development outcomes.  Young people's ignorance and the lack of efficient and inclusive mechanisms to promote participation of youth have produced numerous social deficiencies. These problems hinder community development and social transformation. Therefore, this paper concludes that training programs, youth dialogues, and political education should be developed to improve youth understanding of local government processes.

The aim of this article was to explore the role of Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) in promoting good governance, with the contextual setting being Blouberg Local Municipality. There is general consensus among academics, practitioners and policy makers alike in South Africa that the allocation of functions and responsibilities of municipal council and that of executives are often not clear, thus creating confusion in the officialdom and weakening oversight structures including MPAC. Hence the qualified audit reports in four consecutive years in Blouberg Municipality (see Auditor General, 2016-2021), signals internal failure not only to improve the municipal financial health status but to promote good governance generally. Methodologically, the study adopted qualitative designs and used interviews as instrument to collect data from key members of the committee. Consequently, the study revealed many underlying weaknesses, but the critical one was the demonstrable poor capacity within the committee which is twofold; (1) lack of expertise to facilitate oversight and (2) insufficient budget to enable performance of the Committee. Essentially, these challenges affect the proper functioning of MPAC which is constitutionally bestowed the responsibility of holding the executive accountable and guard against any misappropriation of municipal funds. The study recommended a number of solutions to improve the state of MPAC in the municipality, amongst them were that, council should develop an integrated reporting mechanism framework to conduct an oversight role which can be done with the assistance from experts in governance. The committee’s programme of action must also be funded, sufficiently. 

This study investigates the impact of communication modes on enhancing public participation in Laikipia County, Kenya. The objective of the study was to examine how different communication channels affect citizen involvement in government-led development processes. Public participation is crucial for fostering democratic governance and equitable development. However, in Kenya, achieving substantial public engagement has been challenging, partly due to the use of ineffective communication channels. This study hypothesizes that such channels hinder meaningful public participation. To explore this, a hybrid analytics method was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, to assess how various communication modes influence public engagement. The research utilized a dataset comprising 384 respondents collected between June and July 2024. Data analysis, completed in July 2024, revealed several that different modes of communication significantly affect the level of public participation, influencing how well citizens receive and comprehend information about development initiatives. Channels that facilitate clearer, more direct communication leads to higher levels of understanding and engagement among the public. Effective communication channels are essential for fostering meaningful public involvement, as they impact citizens' responses and behaviours towards development activities. These findings underscore the importance of utilizing effective communication strategies to enhance public participation in development processes. The study contributes to a better understanding of how communication methods can be optimized to support democratic engagement and improve development outcomes in Kenya.

The aim of this paper is to assess intergovernmental relations in the implementation of social housing policy in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Despite all mechanisms, efforts and resources, the pace of social housing delivery is not at a point where it is measurably satisfactory across all spheres of government. The performance of government shows a lack of institutionalised arrangements, coordination, and alignment in implementing social housing policy. A mixed-methods research approach was implemented. Interviews were conducted with senior managers and research questionnaires were administered with operational staff within the national, provincial government and the three metropolitan municipalities in Gauteng Province which included City of Tshwane, City of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, state agencies involved in the delivery of social housing units and municipal social housing institutions, private and non-governmental social housing entities. The data were complemented by documentary content analysis pertaining to the provision of human settlements and social housing. The paper acknowledges the role played by government in implementing social housing policy, however, it proposes a model to fast track social housing delivery in Gauteng Province.

The Jakarta City Government organization as a service instrument in order to meet the needs of the organization is currently considered no longer in accordance with the demands of the growing and increasing needs of the community. The overlapping main tasks of several organizational units and the long span of control became the reason for conducting research so that an efficient organizational format of the Jakarta City Government was found in serving the needs of Jakarta citizens The research method used was qualitative descriptive with 16 informants taken by purposive sampling. Data was taken by interviews, observations, focus group discussions and documentation which was then analyzed using NVIVO software. The novelty of this research is the majority of previous research examining organizational redesign in business enterprises, although some studies have also discussed the redesign of government organizations but not specific to the problems of the City of Jakarta. From the results of research that has been carried out with reference to five organizational points including strategic apex, operating core, middle line, technostructure, support staff, it was found that several changes need to be made starting at the strategic apex stage, it is necessary to restructure through the abolition of positions at the City Level such as the position of Vice Mayor. The operating core stage found that there are still overlapping authorities, uneven workloads, lack of facilities, lack of human resources and the need for service acceleration. The middel line stage found that the lack of sub-district role was proposed to be removed and needed to strengthen the authority of the sub-district. The stage of staff support was found that the official tribe had inappropriate duties and functions so that it was more effective and efficient when it was under the coordination and responsibility of the mayor. Keywords: Redesign of Government Organization, Adaptation and Innovation, Sustainable City