University of Kwazulu-Natal Developmental Local
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UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL DEVELOPMENTAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN A RURAL CONTEXT: A CASE STUDY OF JOZINI MUNICIPALITY 2005 SITHEMBISO LINDELIHLE MYENI Developmental local government in a rural context: A case study of J ozini Municipality Sithembiso Lindelihle Myeni Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES School of Development Studies University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban June 2005 ABSTRACT South Africa is facing a backlog with regard to service delivery in rural areas. Therefore, local government reform has been one of the pertinent issues which has occupied the political landscape since the early 1990s. Key to this transitional period to democracy was a realization that different communities have diverse experiences with traditional leadership depending on their geographical location in South Africa. But to a large extent the changes that took place in traditional leadership were imposed on the local structures by the national government. Thus, most traditional leaders and their advisers found themselves implementing policies which they did not necessarily support. This study seeks to explore developmental local government in a rural context through the use of the case study of 10zini Municipality. A key issue in this study is to look at the nature of the relationship that exists between the modem and traditional structures and the impact thereof on development. This study draws from the development literature, lengthy discussions with different experts in local government in conferences, seminars, and interviews with different stakeholders such as traditional leaders, elected councillors, community members, and municipal officials regarding the relationship between traditional leaders and elected councillors in the implementation of developmental local government. The findings of this study are revealing. After ten years of democracy in South Africa, there is still no consensus among different stakeholders on the roles and functions traditional leaders should play in mainstream politics in general, and in local government service delivery in particular. The findings show that the majority of participants felt that there is a need for traditional leaders and elected councillors to work together for the implementation of developmental local government in rural local government. Officials find themselves in a dilemma in rural local government as a result of what they perceive to be the silence of most local government policies on the roles and functions of traditional leaders. Some local government officials and councillors believe that the role of traditional leaders in local government is important. In the 10zini municipality they work with traditional leaders because of the mandate from the IFP political leadership but this does not mean that tensions do not exist. There are institutional and political implications emanating from the findings as analysis shows that there is a need for a closer look at the two-tier model that currently exists in rural local government. This study revealed that tensions exist between traditional leaders and elected councillors. This study also demonstrates that a confluence of factors and tensions affect the nature of relationship and the implementation of developmental local government starting from the national government to the communities at local level. As reflected in the study, lack of co operation at each level has detrimental effects on the overall implementation of developmental local government in the rural context. Therefore, it is clear that all stakeholders have a role to play in ensuring that there is proper implementation of local government policies in rural areas. However, the government must take a vanguard position because it has got all the powers and resources as compared to other stakeholders. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Brij Maharaj, under whose scholarly and excellent guidance this dissertation was researched and completed. His critical inputs helped in giving my research proposal and dissertation a better shape. Also, his unconditional support carried me throughout my dissertation. Professor Maharaj guided me when my steps faltered and helped in steering the vessel through the ragging tempest of academia. His efforts were more valuable than words can express to my academic development. I will always be indebted to him. All my lectures at my former institution where I studied (M.L. Sultan Technikon, currently known as Durban Institute of Technology, at the Department of Governmental Studies) who taught me and developed my insights about local government issues and played a key role in my career development. I will always be indebted to Mr James Motha who encouraged and gave me all the necessary support I needed to join the School of Development Studies at Natal. All my lecturers at the School of Development Studies who taught me: for creating a conducive and vibrant learning environment in which I was able to develop intellectually. All my colleagues and friends from different parts of the world with whom I studied at the School of Development Studies (Natal): for sharing ideas and discussing issues at the seminars, which became a nerve center of knowledge sharing through dialogue. I am indebted to friends Isaac Nkuna, Nomagugu Ndlela, Thami Bulose and Lekani Lebani. Lesley Anderson for giving me administrative support without which it would have been impossible for the dissertation to be submitted. Dr Bheki Mngomezulu who contributed to my studies through brotherly advice and extended support which was more valuable than words can express, for his insights and for being available every time I needed help and academic support. Muzi Mthembu, for assisting with free transport and accommodation during the data collection process. All Councillors, Traditional Leaders, Municipal Officials, Community Members and Community Structures in the Jozini Municipality, for participating in the study despite their very tight schedules. I am indebted to Jaconia Mngomezulu who was able to give me each and every document I requested. This study wouldn't have been possible without their assistance. Canon Collins Educational Trust for Southern Africa, for the funding which made it possible for me to continue with my studies and career. The financial support of the Canon Collins Educational Trust for Southern Africa (CCETSA) towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at, are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the Canon Collins Educational Trust for Southern Africa. The Myeni family for their support, particularly my sisters (Bongekile, Thobekile, Nompumelelo, Charity, Joy, Zodwa, Nompilo, Khombi and Noxolo) who provided me with moral support and had to endure my absence during the holidays in the process of my studies. I am indebted to my father Mr Paulos Caluza Myeni who has also been helpful by connecting 11 me with elders in the local traditional authority and with his friends in other traditional authorities during the data collection process. 111 DECLARATION This dissertation is the author's original work and has not been submitted in any other form in another University. All sources used have been duly acknowledged through referencing in the text. The findings and conclusions reached are entirely those of the author. Full name .... .S . I. 7l!f:!t:.¥:~..f..~ ...... .... .. .... .. ... .. Date ... ~.~./~ ? /?-.~.c;~ ........ .... ... Signed .......... .&v.v. ....... .... .. .... ...... ..... ...... ... .... ... ...... ..... ... .......... .. IV DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to the Myeni Family [my late grandmother Mrs Martha Myeni, my late sister Phethile Myeni, my mother Mrs Nester Myeni for her motherly support, to my sisters and to all those involved in the struggle for rural development]. v LIST OF TABLES Table 4.1: Water projects provided by Uthungulu Regional Council under Uphongolo Sub- Region 74 Table 4.2: Local economic development projects provided by Jozini municipality 74 Table 4.3: Mayoral fund projects provided by Jozini municipality 75 Table 4.4: Traditional authorities under Uphongolo Sub-Region 78 Table 4.5: Categories of people interviewed 87 Table 5.1: Are tensions between elected representatives and traditional leaders impacting on the IDP 104 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 4.1: The Zulu Kingdom was divided into 13 'chiefdoms' 71 Figure 4.2: Uphongolo Sub-Region bordered north by Mozambique, Swaziland and the Zululand Regional Council (DC 26) 73 Figure 4.3: Local Municipalities under Umkhanyakude District municipality 79 Figure 4.4: Traditional authorities under Jozini Municipality 80 Figure 5.1: Are traditional leaders forced into party politics? 94 Figure 5.2: Is there any need for traditional leaders to involve themselves in party politics?96 Figure 5.3: Hierarchy of traditional leadership ? 99 Figure 5.4: Role of traditional leaders in relation to land under Jozini municipality 109 Figure 5.5: Preferred ways of dialogue between traditional leaders and councillors 112 Figure 5.6: Preferred structure to lead development projects in the Jozini municipality 116 VI TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Page Abstract Acknowledgements 11 Declaration IV Dedication V List of tables VI List of figures VI List of acronyms X CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1.1 Study context 1 1.2 Rationale for the research project 5 1.3 Aim and objectives 6 1.4 Major research questions 6 1.5 Minor research questions