The Creation of Competitive Cities in South Africa: the Case of the West Rand Vision 2016
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THE CREATION OF COMPETITIVE CITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE CASE OF THE WEST RAND VISION 2016 Nompumelelo Q. Thwala A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Development Planning. Johannesburg, 2014 1 DECLARATION I declare that this research report is my own original and independent work. This research report has not been submitted previously for any degree or examination in any other university. It is being submitted for the degree of Master of Science in Development Planning at the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Signature: _______________________________ Nompumelelo Q. Thwala MSc Development Planning Candidate Date: ________________________________ Place: ________________________________ 2 ABSTRACT The advent of democracy opened avenues for South Africa’s integration into the global economy. The international influences of governance and political economy have since transcended into the South African public management and its economic policies. The implications of this approach have led to the transformation of the local government sphere as an interfacing agent for service delivery, economic development and promoting democracy. Therefore, consolidation of municipalities towards becoming competitive cities lies on the justification that amalgamation can yield improvement in service delivery, redressing socio- economic and spatial disparities as well as improving economic growth. Using the West Rand district case study, it emerges that competitive cities require certain features of competitiveness ranging from sound infrastructure development, inclination to innovation, efficient governance, the ability to attract relevant labour, indigenous markets and the quality of life. However, the upsurge of creating competitive cities in South Africa are not purely for economic reasons but also political and developmental. Against these features, the West Rand district possesses strategic strengths in natural endowments, governance, and a potential human capital. However, an innovation agenda for varied economic sectors, information technology and in building strategic networks must be heightened in order to meet the long term vision. The consideration of planning theories is incorporated in the findings to assist the process of creating a competitive city in West Rand as envisioned. Collaborative planning theory can be useful in building consensus and bringing on board the marginalised groups into decision making. Equity planning theory is considered as a guide for implementing redistributive justice as one of the objectives for amalgamation. The spatial reform towards a competitive region is facilitated through strategic spatial planning approach that upholds the democratic principles in forward spatial planning and also provide clear implementation phases that can be periodically reviewed. The analysis leads to the conclusion that the amalgamation process is geared towards establishing a competitive West Rand region as a means of galvanising economic growth. However, the realities of service delivery challenges and fragile economic base lead to the conclusion that the mergers are also with the aim of social justice and for redistributive developmental agenda. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To my adorable daughter Aphile Majola, this is for you. I hope that my zeal and unwavering dedication to completing my studies will inspire you in the course of your own life – to stay committed to the goals you have set for yourself. To Noxolo Mabuza, my sister, my friend and my confidante – thank you for always lending an ear and for always cheering me on. May the Almighty return to you all that you plough to others selflessly. To Pratrick Mlangeni – I cannot forget your compassion by propelling me intellectually and spiritually until you ensured that I too reached the finish line. Thank you. Nomthandazo Sibiya, the late Clive Polile, Cynthia Hlatshwayo, Dikeledi Rapodile, Nachi Majoe, my colleagues in local government and many friends I met through this journey – you are an amazing circle of good influence. As promised “The Lord will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11-12. To my parents Mr Mandlenkosi and Mrs Nomakhosi Thwala – my legends, I thank you for breaking the barriers of being born black in South Africa and instilling the value of education. I’m thankful to my siblings for also being my support base and seeing me through the worst and best of times of my life. eMsinga, eMzweni kwaBhaza – the stony mountains, the Ndaka River and the ululation of women and the chanting of male regiments, the discipline yakwa Thwala, amaNyamande is all embedded in me. I am of my people. To all esteemed leadership, lecturers and staff under MSc Development Planning, thank you for your dedication to your calling. As Mark Twain says “… the really great people make you feel that you too, can become great”. Professor Mfaniseni Sihlongonyane, you have done well. Not only do you continue to produce Development Planners, but you also mould commendable characters. I have total praise for the Almighty for all the marvels, the provision, protection and seeing me through this vision, though the enemy is ever ready to strike. (Habakkuk 2:3) 4 List of Acronyms ANC African National Congress BRICS Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa CBD Central Business District COPE Congress of the People DA Democratic Alliance DLG&H Department of Local Government and Housing GCIS Government Communication and Information Systems GCR Gauteng City Region GCRO Gauteng City Region Observatory GDP Growth Domestic Product GPDS Gauteng Provincial Development Strategy GVA Gross Value Add ICT Information and Communication Technology IDP Integrated Development Planning IFP Inkatha Freedom Party MDGs Millennium Development Goals MEC Member of the Executive Committee MMC Member of the Mayoral Committee MSA Municipal Systems Act of 2000 NSDP National Spatial Development Perspective PUR Polycentrism R/ SDFs Regional/ Spatial Development Framework SALGA South African Local Government Association SCM Supply Chain Management SMS Short Message System TCC Trans-National Capitalist Class TNCs Trans-National Culture TNPs Trans-National Practices VF+ Freedom Front Plus WCY World Competitive Yearbook WRDM West Rand District Municipality WTO World Trade Organisation 5 List of Figures Figure 1: Location Map of West Rand District in the Context of Neighbouring Gauteng Cities and Provinces. .............................................................................................................. 20 Figure 2: A Diagram Illustrating the Conceptual Framework ............................................... 28 Figure 3: Vision 2016 Strategic Review Session held in August, 2011. ............................... 66 Figure 4: An Illustration of Common Features for Competitive Cities ................................. 86 List of Tables Table 1: A Table Illustrating the Selection of Respondents .................................................. 21 Table 2: Graph Illustrating the Poverty Lines in the West Rand District .............................. 54 Table 3: A Table Indicating the Proportions of Waste not Collected by a Municipality in Gauteng ....................................................................................................................... 56 Table 4: West Rand District 2011 Local Government Election Results ................................ 58 Table 5: The Established Structures to Coordinate the Planning Process for Vision 2016 .... 70 6 Table of Contents Chapter One: 1. The Creation of Competitive City-Setting the Scene 10 1.1. The Problem Statement for the West Rand District Municipality 12 1.2. Research Questions and Purpose of the Study 16 1.3. Rationale of the Research 16 1.4. Research Methods 17 1.4.1 Library Research 17 1.4.2 Content Analysis/ Policy/ Strategy Documents 18 1.4.3 Case Study: The West Rand Vision 2016 18 1.4.4 In-depth Interviews 20 1.4.5 Location Maps 22 1.4.6 Photographs 22 1.5. Limitations to the Research 23 1.6. Ethical Considerations 23 1.7. Chapter Outline 24 Chapter Two: 2. Theoretical Overview on the Creation of Competitive Cities 27 2.1. Introduction to the Conceptual Framework 27 2.2. Neoliberalism 29 2.3. Globalisation 31 2.4. Regional Competitiveness 35 2.5. Comparative Advantages 49 2.6. Competitive Advantages 40 2.7. Unicities 41 2.8. Contestations of Concepts in the Development Framework 43 2.9. Local Government Consolidation for Socio-Economic and Spatial Redistribution 47 2.10 Conclusion 48 Chapter Three: 3. The West Rand District Municipality and its Quest for Competitiveness 51 3.1. Introduction 51 3.2. Situational Location of the West Rand District 52 3.3. The Socio-Economic Overview 53 7 3.4. The Service Delivery Status Quo 55 3.5. The Political Landscape on the West Rand District 58 3.6. Considerations for a Local Governance Model 59 3.7. Conclusion 62 Chapter Four: 4. Towards the Vision 2016 64 4.1. Introduction 64 4.2. Why Vision 2016? 64 4.3. The Conception of Vision 2016 65 4.4. The Transformation Aspirations within the Legislative Framework 67 4.5. The Structures and Processes Established to Drive Vision 2016 68 4.6. The Intentions and Objectives of the Vision 2016 71 4.6.1.