4.7 A detailed description of the study area
4.7.1 Target population
There are three different categories of municipalities in South Africa. These categories are explained in Chapter 7 of the Constitution of Republic of South Africa (1996) and the Local Government Municipal Structures Act (1998). Category A is a metropolitan municipality which is a municipality that executes all the functions of local government for a city. This is different in areas which are primarily rural, where the local government is divided into district municipalities and local municipalities. This type of local government is to be used for conurbations, "centres of economic activity", and areas with
"strong interdependent social and economic linkages" (Cloete and Thornhill, 2014).They must be established in densely populated areas where there is an intense and extensive
123 development of businesses. A category C municipality is a municipality which executes some of the functions of local government for a district. The district municipality in turn comprises several local municipalities, with which it shares the functions of local government, and powers and functions may be shifted from district to local level and vice versa.
These categories (C&B) may share the responsibility to make by-laws since category B municipalities share municipal executive and legislative authority in their areas of jurisdiction with category C municipalities whereas category C (King Cetshwayo District Municipality) municipalities have municipal executive and legislative authority in the areas that include more than one Category B municipality (uMhlathuze Local Municipality and uMfolozi Local Municipality). Within the study area the target population for this study was LED officials, LED managers, the mayor, the municipal manager, community members and community organisations of the uMhlathuze and uMfolozi Local Municipalities under King Cetshwayo District Municipality.
UMhlathuze Local Municipality covers Richards Bay, Empangeni, eSikhaleni, Ngwelezane, eNseleni, Felixton and Vulindlela. It also covers the rural areas under traditional authorities such as the Dube, Mkhwanazi, Khoza and Zungu traditional leaders. On the other side, the uMfolozi municipality covers the kwaMbonambi, kwaSokhulu, Mapelane and Mhlana areas. Therefore, this study used semi-urban areas which include the Ngwelezana, Vulindlela, and eNseleni townships and also used rural areas which include the KwaMbonambi and KwaSokhulu areas.
4.8 Sampling strategies
According to Unrau, Gabor and Grinnell (2007) in Strydom (2011) a sample comprises elements, or a subset, of the population considered for actual inclusion in the study, or it can be viewed as a subset of measurements drawn from a population in which we are interested. In quantitative descriptive and explanatory studies, a key issue is whether the sampling procedures used are likely to yield a study sample that is really representative of the larger population to which the study seeks to generalize (Rubin and Babbie, 2011).
However, the researcher is of the view that the ultimate purpose of sampling is to select a set of elements from a target population to such an extent that descriptions of those elements precisely depict the total population from which the elements are selected.
124 Sampling is also defined as a technique employed to select a small group with a view to determining the characteristics of a larger group (Brynard, Hanekom and Brynard, 2014).
Sampling is a small part or a representative part selected for inspection or analysis (Kateman and Buydens, 1993). Forman et al. (2008) state that sampling in qualitative studies is typically purposeful. Participants are selected for in-depth study because they are considered to be the best available, and to provide information that is rich and is an analytically useful source for answering research questions (Forman et al., 2008:767).
There are two types of sampling methods, namely, the probability and non-probability methods. Under probability methods the following are the most commonly used methods:
Simple Random Sampling: In the simplest case of random sampling each member of the population has the same chance of being included in the sample.
For example, in a sample of 50 multimillionaires from the population of all multimillionaires in South Africa, each multimillionaire, irrespective of sex, race, age, religion and so on, will have an equal chance of being included.
Stratified Random Sampling: This method involves dividing your population into homogenous subgroups and then taking a simple random sampling in that group. It ensures that key subgroups of the population are represented. Each subpopulation is a stratum. The division into groups may be based on a single variable such as gender (so that there are two strata: men and women). It may also involve a combination of more than one variable, for example, gender and age (so that there are strata such as young adult males, young adult females and so on).
Systematic Random Sampling: There are specific steps that need to be followed to achieve systematic random sampling. For example, suppose we need to obtain a sample of n members from a population of N elements that are numbered from 1 to N. In systematic random sampling we would include every N/nth element.
Cluster Random Sampling: In large-scale surveys it is difficult if not impossible to obtain a list of all the members of the population, therefore sampling can be divided into clusters or areas.
The difference between non-probability and probability sampling is that non-probability sampling does not involve random selection and probability sampling does. In some instances, certain members may have no chance at all of being included in a non- probability sample. For non-probability sampling the following methods are commonly used:
125
Purposive/Judgemental sampling: the researcher selects a sample with a purpose in mind. The researcher usually has one or two predefined groups he/she is looking for.
Snowball Sampling: is when the researcher approaches a few individuals from the relevant population; these individuals then act as informants and identify other members from the same population for inclusion in the sample and those members then identify further relevant individuals ─ therefore the sample rolls or snowballs.
Accidental/Convenience sampling: is the most convenient method of collecting members of the population that are nearby and readily available for the research purpose. However, researchers should consider using accidental samples only if they have no other option.
Haphazard Sampling: this involves selecting haphazardly those cases that are easiest to obtain for the sample such as persons interviewed in a shopping centre for a television programme or for a new product on the market
Non-probability sampling was employed in this study. The study used purposive sampling, which means the members of the sample were selected with a specific purpose in mind which was to represent a particular location, and people’s relation to key issues (Maruster, 2013). Qualitative research involves non-probability sampling methods which are often referred to as theoretical and judgmental sampling methods. Theoretical sampling is concerned with constructing a sample which is theoretically meaningful, because it builds in certain characteristics which help to develop and test the researcher’s theory and explanation (Mason, 2006).
The researcher employed purposive sampling and this constitutes the non-probability sampling technique which was used for municipality officials selected for theoretical reasons to provide the researcher with information on how they ensure effective implementation and sustainability of pro-poor LED initiatives. The purposive sampling assisted the researcher to generate rich and insightful information from the targeted group with regard to the research topic. The study purposively targeted five areas which include the Ngwelezana, Vulindlela, eNseleni, kwaMbonambi and KwaSokhulu areas. In these areas groups that are involved in community projects such as cooperatives and non- governmental organisations and community-based organisations in the area of the study
126 were interviewed and they provided insightful data since they were working on different projects and they indicated how those projects were enhancing pro-poor Local Economic Development. The research topic targeted people who work and have experience in pro- poor LED programmes/projects and people located where LED projects are promoted, implemented and experienced. Participants in this study have knowledge of the current situation of pro-poor LED initiatives. Samples were drawn from the existing list of co- operatives and 10 co-operatives were interviewed as a group. Furthermore, four focus group discussions with community members were also conducted to get their perspectives on the implementation and sustainability of pro-poor LED projects and to enquire about what make them succeed or fail.
Table 4.3: King Cetshwayo District Municipality
Targeted Municipalities Informants/ Population Nos
Umhlathuze local municipality Mayor 12
Municipal manager LED Manager LED official
Community organizations in three areas (six focus groups) Community members in three areas (two focus groups per area equal to six focus group discussions)
uMfolozi municipality Mayor 10
Municipal manager LED manager LED official
Community organizations in two areas (four focus groups) Community members in two areas (two focus group per each area equal to four focus group discussions)
TOTAL Eight municipal officials + 14 focus group discussions 22
The researcher conducted eight in-depth interviews with municipal officials and interviewed fourteen (14) focus groups selected from community organisations and community members. Focus group discussions were conducted from the cooperatives and semi structured/in-depth interviews from the municipal officials. Table 4.3 below indicates municipalities that were targeted, participants and the number of participants
127 who participated in this study. It indicates the number of municipal officials that were interviewed and the number of focus group discussions that were undertaken during the data collection period.
4.9 Accuracy and trustworthiness
In a qualitative study, validating the findings refers to the researcher determining the accuracy or credibility of the findings. Assessing trustworthiness is the acid test of data analysis, findings and conclusions. Guba (1981) indicates four criteria that should be considered by qualitative researchers in pursuit of a trustworthy study namely: credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability.
Credibility: Deals with the question as to how the findings correspond with the reality. Why should the reader believe my findings? In this study credibility was ensured though a well-defined research method, a research design that fitted the research question and theoretical perspectives that spoke to the study objectives.
Furthermore, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to ensure the use of detailed in-depth descriptions about the implementation and sustainability of pro-poor LED initiatives in the King Cetshwayo District Municipality.
Transferability: Qualitative research discards generalisation as a goal as it hardly aims to draw probability or randomly selected samples. Denzin (1983) highlights that every instance of human interaction represents a “slice from life-world carrying layered meaning”, applicable to that slice of the life-world. To ensure transferability the researcher focused on the careful selection of the participants and the context of the study by ensuring that the participants were people who were involved in pro-poor LED initiatives and they had understanding, experience and vast knowledge with regard to the topic of this study. This was also supported by the instruments, sampling method and research documents that were used to elicit detailed descriptions relating to the study.
Dependability: This concept is used in qualitative research in preference to reliability. The researcher checked the accuracy and the dependability of the findings by checking the content of the instruments; and the way in-depth interview and focus group discussions questions were constructed was tested to ensure that they collected the required information. Since this study was
128 qualitative in nature it also ensured dependability by collecting a fair, credible, honest and balanced account of social life experiences from the people being studied. The researcher also ensured that the researcher’s approach and findings spoke to the research questions and the research problem pertaining to this particular research project. The researcher used different data collection techniques to collect authentic data from relevant participants, and those tools were focused group discussions and in-depth interviews. Preliminary investigation was used to check whether participants understood the questions, and whether they provided the information that was required. Moreover, data that was collected during the preliminary stage was not used for the presentation of actual findings; it purpose was to check the appropriateness of the instruments and correct mistakes, if there were any, before the actual data collection began.
This ensured the dependability, accuracy and trustworthiness of the research design and its implementation.
Confirmability: This is described as the degree of objectivity and the extent to which the findings of the study are informed by the participants and not by researcher bias, motivation or interest (Lincoln and Guba, 1985). Researchers develop relationships with the research participants and they are tempted to see what they want to see and genuinely miss things that do not conform to their expectations. The researcher ensures confirmability by being honest and keeping information confidential when the research report is written up.