INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
1.5 FRAMEWORK OF CHAPTERS
• To what extent are the principles and foundations of governance understood and applied in the KwaZulu-Natal
Provincial Authority?
• What policies and management approaches have been developed to promote governance?
• What factors promote and hinder good governance?
• How do South African principles of governance and practice compare and contrast with other African states?
The nature and characteristics of good governance is the leading theme of Chapter 3. The chapter highlights the meaning of good governance, objectives, principles, characteristics, and indicators of good governance. There is also a discussion on measures to enhance good governance, the relationship between Batho Pele principles and good governance and a discussion on institutions developed to enhance good governance.
SECTION B
Chapter 4 deals with the historical development of national, provincial and local authorities in South Africa. Governance and good governance is practiced at these levels of government.
Chapter 5 describes the objectives of the study, the research design and the research methodology used in this research ~tudy,
questionnaire structure and design, research instruments used to collect data and the sampling procedure.
SECTION C
Chapter 6 deals with the empirical study, data analysis and the interpretation of results. All the data collected is analysed
Chapter 7 concludes this research study by making recommendations for improving and promoting good governance in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Authority. There are general .::nd specific recommendations proposed.
1.6 RESEARCH APPROACH AND METHODS
Two research methods were used in this study, namely qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Methodology, according to Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias (1992:
554), is a system of explicit rules and procedures on which research is based and against which claims of knowledge are evaluated.
Qualitative research is used to answer questions about the complex nature of phenomena, often with the purpose of describing and understanding the phenomena from the participants' point of "ilew
(Leedy & Ormrod, 2001: 101).
Quantitative research is typically used to answer questions about relationships among measured variables with the purpose of explaining, predicting, and controlling phenomena (Leedy & Ormrod, 2001: 101).
1.7 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
The glossary of terms is provided to clarify some of the terminology used in governance in South Africa.
BATHO PELE and UMPHAKATHI PHAMBILI
The White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery is also known as the Batho Pele White Paper of 1995. "Batho Pele" is Sesotho for "people first". In Kwazulu-Natal with its predominantly Zulu speaking population, Batho Pele is often referred to as "Umphakathi Phambili" meaning "community first".
PRINCIPLES OF SERVICE DELIVERY (BATHO PELE PRINCIPLES)
The Batho Pele White Paper contains eight principles of service delivery which describe the way in which services need to be provided to the community. The eight principles cover consultation, service standards, access, courtesy, information, openness and transparency, redress and value for money.
PROVINCIAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (PGDS)
This strategy was compiled jointly by all stakeholders, including government, business, labour and the communities. The Strategy articulates the Kwazulu-Natal 2020 Vision and focuses on the following areas: trade and tourism, local economic development, advancing the industrial sector, enhancing human resources, formulation of an appropriate spatial framework, addressing the needs of the poor and ensuring that the three tiers of government facilitate the implementation of this strategy.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS PREMIER'S GOOD GOVERNANCE AWARDS
This is a prestigious non-monetary awards scheme introduced in the Kwazulu-Natal Provincial Administration and is aimed at recognising service excellence. These awards are based on the achievement of certain minimum standards in service delivery. The minimum standards are, in turn, based on the Batho Pele principles as contained in the White Paper of 1995.
ROGRAMME FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE
This Programme was launched in 1995 under the leadership of the Premier and Cabinet of KwaZulu-Natal as the vehicle through which transformation of the Provincial Administration would be achieved.
As the Chief Executive of the Provincial Administration, the Director- General is responsible for driving the transformation programme. The Programme for Good Governance has become the overarching programme under which all the various transformation initiatives in the Province are carried out and is completely aligned with all aspects of the public service regulatory framework.
1.8 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
There will always be limitations in any research undertaken. In this study the difficulties were experienced during the empirical study.
The sensitive nature of the study resulted in difficulty with getting information/ responses from the respondents.
Personal interviews and questionnaires were administered to different samples. The following problems were encountered:
• Some of the legislators did not co-operate during the administration of questionnaires.
• Some of the public officials did not fully understand the concept of governance as is practiced in this province.
• People in the private sector were reluctant to answer questions as they thought governance matters were only the concern of legislators (politicians).
1.9 SUMMARY
Governance has emerged as a key focus worldwide. Governing and governance are not considered by public administration scholr.u's'?:ls a relation or process between a governing actor (the state) on the one hand and a to-be governed object (society) on the other. This is rather considered as a relation or interaction between two or more acting subjects.
The issue of governance deserves to be debated rigorously. This is because it relates to the institutions of political power and raises the whole matter of the political condition for environmentally sustainable economic development. If the government machinery is not commanded by competent people, it is not going to be e;:..sy to ensure good governance. Competent people and an incentive framework should be recognised as important elements of governance.
The South African government has committed itself to participatory democracy. This allows for the maximum degree of citizen participation in the governance and administration of the country.
Such an arrangement affords inhabitants a say in South Africa's governance and administration. An important feature of this is what is known as co-operative governance. Co-operative governance sc~ks
to establish new ways in which institutions and structures of government at all tiers deal with, and relate to, one another and to the citizens they serve. This is intended to be a means of enhancing governance. This also enhances the efficiency of government structures in the context of the political, social and economic realities.
The aim of this chapter was to discuss the aims and objectives of the study, background of the study, hypothesis and the framework of chapters. The next chapter discusses the concept of governance, looking at the nature, meaning and characteristics of governance.