The role of management in implementing service delivery initiatives for community development in Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province

Abstract

In 1997, the South African Government introduced a White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service. This was to re-emphasis on the performance enhancing role of management in the implementation of service delivery mandates. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of management in implanting service delivery initiatives for community development in Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province South Africa. The methodology of this study was largely a qualitative case study and the quantitative approach was also used to augment the qualitative findings. The study was undertaken in the Vhembe District Municipality by engaging various administrative managers, ward councillors and traditional leaders. In sourcing the information for this research, semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 administrative managers, ten traditional leaders and ten ward councillors. The research findings identified the need for the management to take the leading role in service delivery initiatives in order to address the service delivery challenges in local government. Traditional leaders and ward councillors need to enhance the public participation process to ensure the community is on board regarding the progress of their respective projects and planning processes.