Political Studies and Governance

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Browsing Political Studies and Governance by Subject "Accountability"

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    Accountability within the governance of intergovernmental relations in South Africa
    (University of the Free State, 2020) Pholo, Goitsione Moses Pholo; Coetzee, T.
    This study intended to investigate accountability, as advanced by public officials, elected officials, public and private sectors, stakeholders and the citizenry within the framework of governance and intergovernmental relations (IGR) in South Africa. In the process of the investigation, the study as guide solely by addressing the indicators outlined in its problem statement, and the aims and objectives as the frame of reference for the investigation. Accordingly, the study was of the view that there were basic and key concepts of accountability within the governance of intergovernmental Relations (IGR) that needed to develop the public officials, elected officials, stakeholders and the citizenry in order to deliver an accountable state and governance to the electorate. These basic and key concepts of accountability as indicated in paragraph designed and simplified user-friendly integrated governance model (IGM) to guide the intended users. In order to attain the maximum targets set by the study, the abovementioned indicators were adopted for the implementation and monitoring by the intended users to ensure optimum accountability measures within the governance of intergovernmental Relations (IGR). The study set out four indicators to guide the investigation as the means of the frame of reference, and they (i) Demonstrated accountable governance perspectives, which included the intensity of relations, governmental distance, power dependence and bargaining power within the three spheres of government, (ii) Conducted the analysis on the intergovernmental governance and determined the outcomes to live up to the standards, as well as expectations for executed functions, as outlined by the Constitution (1996), (iii) Developed the new integrated governance model (IGM) as an instrument, to guide the intended users towards ensuring the maximum implementation of the accountability measures within the intergovernmental governance, and (iv) Developed the set of practical enforceable findings, conclusions and recommendations for public officials, elected officials, stakeholders and the citizenry within the intergovernmental governance. The outcomes of the findings and recommendations supplemented the intended integrated governance model IGM) for ease of reference to the users. Therefore, the findings, conclusions, recommendations, as well as the integrated governance model (IGM) are the profound solution and the pillar of the study. Hence, the integrated governance model (IGM) of the study made the unique contribution and significance of this investigation.
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    Examining the role of community media in promoting Accountability and good governance in local government: a case study of Chris Hani District Municipality
    (University of the Free State, 2024) Gqeba, Samkelo; Monyane, Chetele
    This study focused on the role of community media in promoting accountability in local government with specific reference to Chris Hani District Municipality. The lack of accountability and good governance in municipalities is a major contributing factor in the deterioration of governance. Local citizens especially the poor are the most affected, as they rely on government services. An effective accountability and citizen participation ecosystem is an essential factor that give local communities assurance that local governance and resources are used efficiently and not abused. This study investigated whether Chris Hani District Municipality is promoting accountability and good governance using community media outlets. The study utilised a desktop approach data collection method in which existing pre-published information from secondary sources, such as municipal reports, local government legislations, community media legislations, relevant books, academic reports, news articles and statutory reports. The findings of the study revealed that Chris Hani District Municipality is utilising community media to communicate and engage local communities on municipal programmes and activities. The findings also revealed that Chris Hani District Municipality’s Communication and Public Participation Strategy was not effective in achieving its objective of fostering a culture of transparency and accountability and to promote effective access to information. The findings further revealed that the strategy lacks coherence as most of the municipal communication activities were reactive and centred around municipal leadership. The findings have shown that Chris Hani District Municipality’s public participation and communications programmes are not effective as local community citizens regularly embark on service protests to air their frustration on the mismanagement of the municipality. Lastly the study investigated challenges faced by community media in Chris Hani District Municipality in their quest to promote accountability and good governance. It is evident from the literature review that an effective community media can make a meaningful contribution in fostering a culture of good governance to curb corruption and maladministration. However, the study found that Vukani Community Radio Station and The Rep community Newspaper are facing several challenges that hampered their ability to perform their watchdog mandate. The study concluded that community media outlets are a vital tool that can contribute to increase transparency and accountability in decision-making processes and to communicate the principles of good governance in local government. Lastly, several recommendations have been made regarding the enhancement of the role of community media in promoting good governance in local government. They range from reviewing local government legislation, community media capacity building mechanisms and revenue generative methods.
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    Exploring the governance benefits and pitfalls of collaboration between Non-Governmental Organisations in South-Africa
    (University of the Free State, 2023) Ngxiya, Siphokazi; Gouws, Ina
    This study presents an overview of the state of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector in South Africa based on a review of collaboration with governance in available literature. The traces the robust growth of South Africa’s NGO sector from the apartheid period through the post-apartheid era and up to the country’s current status. Understanding why NGOs choose to work with the government is a crucial but frequently ignored issue. Collaboration with NGOs has been associated with an increase in failing states and their inherent inability to address the pitfalls, hence NGOs are left to close the gap. Edwards and Hulme (2013) argue on the differences in organisational structures, culture, forms, work style, and actor incentives are to blame for the mistrust and suspicion. The document highlights the legal framework under which the sector operates; explores philanthropic giving and volunteering patterns; identifies some broad issues the sector is facing including the regulatory framework, governance, transparency and accountability, resource mobilisation and strategic growth; and highlights opportunities for growth. Some similarities in the growth patterns, barriers, and prospects of collaboration between the NGO sectors and the governance of South Africa will also be explored. Collaborations must cross power views, values, resources, norms, and cultural boundaries to be successful, (Abdul-Hade, 2012). Despite the potential and advantages of NGO and government cooperation in developing nations, the factors that influence NGO-government collaboration have received very little attention. This study aims to respond to the question: What are the pitfalls and the benefits of NGOs and governance collaborating?
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    The role and place of citizens in South Africa: a governance perspective
    (University of the Free State, 2023) Nyathi, Mandla Comfort; Coetzee, Tania
    This research’s focus is on examining the role and place of South African citizens from a governance perspective. The role and place of citizens can be defined as “a process wherein the common amateurs of a community exercise power over decisions related to the general affairs of a community” (Bekker, 1998). The Constitution of South Africa (1996) recognises a citizen as a legal member of the nation who is either born or neutralised in South Africa. Being a citizen means that there are both obligations and responsibilities that must be met, to maintain representative democracy and the proper role of government. An obligation is an action that a citizen is required to fulfil by law, while a responsibility is an action a citizen should take for the sake of the good common. Obligations of citizens include the paying of taxes, obeying laws, defending the nation, registering for elections and responsibilities include voting, attending civic meetings, and petitioning the government (Christopher, 2018:117). The role and place of citizens from a governance perspective is further solidified by the Bill of Rights. Chapter 2 of the Constitution (1996) provides that citizenry have the right to life, equality, freedom of association, political rights, citizenship, housing and parenthood for children. Citizens have the right to vote in which they play a role by participating in the democratic process of choosing people who will represent their interests in the Parliament (Green, 2008:55). According to Santoro and Kumar (2018:199), by choosing their own leaders, citizens are making use of their space in a constitutional democracy to make a positive contribution towards good governance. Green (2008:170) reiterates that voting is a constitutional and democratic process in which the citizens can hold the government to account. Since Members of Parliament (MPs) are chosen representatives, they must be accountable to the South African people and must act in the interest of the public. Christopher (2018:31) indicates that parties are elected based on what they stand for and MPs should be able to explain what they have been doing to execute their duties. Since the mandates of political parties are temporary, MPs are accountable in the sense that they may not be re-elected if they did not represent the public well or they do not deliver on the promises they made. It is vital to keep politicians accountable, as it is key to democracy and good governance. Accountability will compel the state to concentrate on outcomes and to assess and report on performance (Bekker, 1998:64). According to Galvin (2017:78), accountability has three elements, namely financial accountability, political accountability, and administrative accountability. The Institute for Democracy in South Africa considers accountability as a vital part of safeguarding public rights. In Shah’s point of view (2005:35) there are two types of accountability: vertical accountability (to citizens directly through the ballot box) and horizontal accountability (to public institutions of accountability). The institutions of horizontal accountability include the legislature, the judiciary, electoral commissions, auditing agencies, anticorruption bodies, ombudsmen, human rights commissions, and central banks. Institutions of horizontal and vertical accountability are fundamentally interconnected in that horizontal accountability is not likely to exist in the absence of vertical accountability: governments will bind themselves with institutions of horizontal accountability only when they will be punished by citizens for failing to do so. Civil society is believed to be another influential factor in the development of institutions of horizontal accountability (Shah, 2005). If competent governments are thought to be able to control the economy, then economic voting seems eminently sensible and the impact of economic conditions on election outcomes seems to provide powerful evidence of democratic accountability. In addition, if citizens are systematically biased in their perceptions of economic conditions, retrospective accountability will suffer (Achen & Bartels, 2016:147). Contrary to the roles and responsibilities, as mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, citizens demonstrate acts of irresponsibility, which in turn affect governance in general. During the 2021 local government elections, many South Africans voted, not with an X on a ballot paper, but by staying away (Independent Electoral Commission, 2021). This was a decision that was likely to leave a patchwork of coalition-run municipalities across the country that could have a detrimental effect on the future of South Africa’s democracy (Matias, 2016:56).