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SERVICE DELIVERY, THE STATE AND NGO'S - THE

CASE OF PEDDIE EXTENSION, EASTERN CAPE.

Q.Q NGCAYI

2013

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SERVICE DELIVERY, THE STATE AND NGO'S - THE CASE OF

PEDDIE EXTENSION, EASTERN CAPE.

by

QAQAMBILE QUINTIN NGCAYI

Submitted in accordance with requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

in the subject

Business & Economic Sciences

at the

NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

SUPERVISOR: Dr. S.C. ZIEHL

2013

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DECLARATION

I, Qaqambile Quintin Ngcayi, student number 203060903, do hereby declare

that the thesis for the fulfilment of the degree

MASTERS IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

to be awarded

is entirely my own work and that it has not previously been submitted for

assessment or completion of any postgraduate qualification to another

University .

SIGNATURE …………………………………….DATE……………………

Q.Q NGCAYI

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Port Elizabeth

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank my God, Almighty for strength and encourage He gave me

to make it possible.

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my supervisor, Doctor Susan

Ziehl for guidence, patience and support.

A big thank you goes to my ever-encouraging family and friends for their

motivation and support during all the highs and lows.

My most sincere thanks and appreciation go to Bulelwa Mjila, for her significant

contribution to this thesis. She not only provided emotional support and

encouragement, but also spent many hours assisting with the editing, reading

and structuring of this document.

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ABSTRACT

This study intends to assess the roles of the State and non-governmental

organisation in community development with regard to housing provision. Peddie

Extension in Ngqushwa Municipality was chosen and used as an area of study.

The study is based on the assumption that the State has not been performing or

has performed poorly in its role as provider of houses in the rural areas of

Ngqushwa Local Municipality in Peddie Extension. The study comprises of five

chapters.

The study was designed to assess whether the community members from the

Peddie Extension are satisfied with the housing delivery process and how they

have benefitted from the process. Additionally, it was designed to understand,

and analyse the roles played by the State and non-governmental organisations

in housing delivery for the poor people in rural Peddie Extension.

The study tried to review the available literature regarding the role of State and

non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in community development in an effort

to have a broader understanding of their role in housing delivery in the rural area

in Peddie Extension.

This study adopted a qualitative approach and took the form of exploratory

research. The researcher selected purposively the participants for interviews

namely, residents of Peddie Extension in the Ngqushwa Municipality, a

Municipality official and non-governmental organisation (NGO) official. The

research methodology and the interpretation of the research findings are

described. The research findings of the qualitative research were analysed and

reported on. Finally, plenty of conclusions that were arrived at during the study,

followed by specific recommendations were made.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1:

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1. Introduction 8

2. The background of the study 8

3. Problem statement 11

4. Research question 11

5. Aims and objectives of the study 11

6. Focus study area 11

7. Outlines of the study 12

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction 14

2.2 Housing provision in South Africa after 1994 14

2.2.1 The Reconstruction and Development Programme(RDP) 15

2.3 Legal and policy framework of housing delivery in South Africa 16

2.3.1 Constitution 16

2.3.2 National Housing Policy 17

2.3.3 Housing Strategies 18

2.3.4 Breaking New Ground(BNG) 19

2.3.5 People’s Housing Process(PHP 20

2.3.6 National Department of Housing 20

2.3.7 Provincial Department of Housing 21

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2.3.8 Developmental local government 21

2.4 Theories about role of state and NGO’s in development 22

2.4.1 The Neo-Marxist 22

2.4.2 The Neo-liberalism in housing 23

2.4.3 Castell’s Information Age theory 23

2.5 The role of NGO’s 25

2.5.1 Service Delivery 26

2.5.2 Development of Infrastructure and Pilot Projects 26

2.5.3 Facilitating community 26

2.5.4 Technical Assistance 27

2.6 Role of Housing in Economic Development 27

2.7 Conclusion 28

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction 29

3.2 Research design 29

3.3 Qualitative Research method 29

3.4 Population 30

3.5 Data collection and methods 30

3.5.1 Semi-structured interviews 30

3.5.2 Focus Group 31

3.5.3 Observations 31

3.6 Ethical consideration 32

3.7 Conclusion 33

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CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

4.1 Introduction 34

4.2 Data Analysis 34

4.2.1 Focus Group: Community members 35

4.2.2 The Municipality Official 35

4.2.3 The NGO official 35

4.3 Presentation and discussion of key themes 36

4.3.1 Housing Policy Implementation 36

4.3.2 Benefits from housing delivery programme 38

4.3.3 Community Participation 39

4.3.4 Community Empowerment 40

4.3.5 Housing Design and Satisfaction of the Households 42

4.4 Conclusion 43

CHAPTER 5 RESEARCH FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction 44

5.2 General Findings 44

5.3 Recommendations 47

5.4 Conclusion 50

5.5 List of References

5.6 Appendix 54-58

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CHAPTER 1

1. INTRODUCTION

There are researchers who have conceptualized development such as the

sociologist Manuel Castells, who has theorised about the information age. His

emphasis on development is mainly on the economic, political and cultural

aspects. His major claim relevant to this study is that, because of the rise of the

information age, individual states are no longer able to do what is needed to

develop the citizens of their individual countries. Recent findings suggest that

many people in developing countries especially those who are living in rural

areas require a range of public goods and services including affordable housing

and better quality service in health, education, water, sanitation, and electricity

(Lloyd, Dick, and Howells, 2004).

Therefore, South Africa as one of the developing countries which, cannot be not

exempted from what it said from the above statements since is also experiencing

the same problems in housing provision, which needs to be addressed urgently.

This chapter is an introduction to the study of the roles of State and non-

governmental organisations (NGOs) concerning housing provision in Peddie

Extension within the Ngqushwa Municipality of Eastern Cape Province. It

provides amongst others, a background of the study; problem statement;

objectives of the study; research questions; brief literature review and research

methodology.

2. THE BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In an attempt to improve the quality of life of South African citizens, the

democratic government realised that housing is one of the most basic human

needs that is important for human existence. As it stated in Chapter 2, Section

26 of the Constitution, housing is a fundamental human right for all citizens in

South Africa. Moreover, the document states that every citizen of the country has

a right to have access to adequate housing. In response to the above-mentioned

provision of the constitution, the Government is therefore, under an obligation to

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apply measures of an administrative, financial, technical, educational and social

nature to fulfil its housing obligations, within its available economic resources.

Recently, there seems to be new challenges, which deteriorate the adequate and

affordable housing provision faced by the South African Government

(Chikwanha, 2005; Tonkin, 2008). These challenges include the high level of

unemployment, massive poverty, financial constraints by potential beneficiaries,

inadequate capacity and limited access to suitable land, mal-administration,

politics to name a few, which would influence this daunting task. In light of the

obvious problems facing the newly elected government, the South African

housing policy did not produce the results that were hoped for. According to

Jacobs (2011:11), it was clear that the State had failed to provide the target

number of houses they promised to build in urban and rural areas. Citing the

above statements indicates that the State is not good at providing houses in

general and in rural area in particular.

The Eastern Cape, to date, has been unable to realize the fiscal policy, effective

communication, managerial and bureaucratic channels and various inefficiencies

within housing provision have subsequently arisen (Townshend, 2009:2). The

poor quality of housing has been frequently highlighted as one of the key barriers

to the achievement of this right (Nobrega, 2007:6).The Eastern Cape housing

department has various challenges relating to the lack of rural housing delivery

to its rural populace since it is predominantly rural and serviced by small towns.

The fact that it is a predominantly rural area indicates that housing delivery is not

a priority in terms of the municipality planning in the province (Nobrega, 2007:9).

The Housing Code provides some information on the national norms and

standards that must be adhered to by housing developers, in order for state-

subsidised housing to comply with the Constitutional right to adequate housing.

Despite the stipulated standards and norms of the Housing Code, there

allegations regarding the slow housing delivery and the poor quality of houses

built through the State’s projects have surfaced in this province. These housing

projects produce different results, which are in no way near the anticipated

products of meeting the demand for habitable quality houses by using the

available budget in the shortest possible time (Eastern Cape Government

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Department of Human Settlement). Consequently, some houses stand empty for

a long time, or have not been taken up by beneficiaries for a variety of reasons,

such as being poorly placed geographically.

The other factor in this regard is a significant under-spending on budget for low-

income housing by responsible housing departments, due to the lack of capacity

particularly in municipalities, the sluggish transfer of State land to municipalities,

a lack of collaboration from traditional leaders and the recent implementation of

new housing policy measures (Department of Housing, 2004:4). In addition,

Nobrega (2007:8) argues that the local government has had severe staff and

skills shortages for some time, which are the major impediments to the housing

delivery and are the primary cause of the high housing backlog and slow delivery.

In the context of the welfare state, new organizational forms are being explored

for the delivery of services and for participation in the democratic process

(Casey1999:43). Casey further indicates that NGOs appear to offer acceptable

solutions to the majority of the sectors in our society, and no single ideology

dominates the discussions in favour of furthering their activities. Additionally,

NGOs can assist the marginalised communities to develop alternative strategies

and acquire new skills and capabilities in order to facilitate the access to housing

and basic services.

Miraftab (2003:227) advocates that community participation in decision-making

may indeed improve the communities’ immediate problems in local governance.

Thus, according to Casey (199:43), NGOs should not be seen only as a growth

in involvement and public participation or as the result of the structural changes

leading to the increased activity of interest groups and social movements, but

also as the consequence of deliberate developmental policies by governments

who see them as instruments for achieving their own objectives. Partnerships

between municipalities and other governmental or non-profit organisations are

also significant means of developing capacity mechanisms for forming

partnerships with communities and NGOs need to be examined as competitive

tendering processes are inappropriate mechanisms for setting up these

partnerships (Department of Local Government and Housing 2005:16).

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3. THE PROBLEM STATEMENT

The purpose of this study is to show that the State has not been performing or

has performed poorly in its role as provider of houses in the rural areas of

Ngqushwa Local Municipality in Peddie Extension. After the advent of the new

dispensation, the government brought about substantial social, economic and

political changes but the poor in rural areas have often been neglected and there

is a great increase in homelessness and mass poverty. Castells (2009:1) argues

that in developing countries, people are not able to survive economically in the

rural areas. However, concerns have been raised about the State’s quality of

service delivery in rural areas. This includes the role of the State and NGOs in

housing programmes to create a better life for the citizens of Peddie Extension

who have been leaving in their houses built of mud.

4. RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the community developments programmes the State and non-

governmental organisations have implemented for the Peddie Extension with

regard to the housing delivery service?

5. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

To assess whether the community members from the Peddie Extension are

satisfied with the housing delivery process and how they have benefitted from

the process.

Understand, and analyse the roles played by the State and non-governmental

organisations in housing delivery for the poor people in rural Peddie Extension.

6. FOCUS STUDY AREA

The population of the Eastern Cape is largely non-urban, poor, and with an

inadequate infrastructure. Rural communities of the Eastern Cape of both

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scattered villages and subsistence farmers, and formalised towns serving

subsistence farmers. The Ngqushwa Local Municipality is a Category B

municipality and is one of the eight municipalities that falls within the jurisdiction

of the Amathole District Municipality, which is situated within the Eastern Cape

Province. The Great Fish River to the west and the Keiskamma River to the east

border it. The southern boundary comprises part of the coastline of the Indian

Ocean. The municipality has a predominantly rural population and has only one

small town. The municipality intends to address the housing backlog for both low-

income and middle-income earners in this area.

The citizens live in traditional dwellings made of wattle and mud bricks. A large

number of citizens build their own dwellings using their own labour and local

materials. The most common houses or brick structures are on separate stand

or yard, which applies to rural settings. High levels of poverty and difficulties

prevails throughout the country, in urban and rural areas alike, due to high levels

of unemployment and severe shortages of formal housing. Most members in

rural communities would not have access to credit for the construction of

dwellings in communal or informal tenure areas.

7. OUTLINES OF CHAPTERS

Chapter 1 has provided an introduction to the study which describes and explains

the background, problem statement, research questions, objectives, focus study

area and limitations of the study, and the definition of words and terms used in

the study.

Chapter 2 provides a literature review and study of the legal and policy

framework, which are concerned with housing delivery in South Africa and

information on research on housing provision in South Africa as well as the theory

about the role the State and NGO’s play in housing development in South Africa.

Chapter 3 outlines the research methodology; defines the research techniques,

data collecting instruments, and the analysis techniques.

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Chapter 4 presents the data from the study as well as it’s, analysis and

interpretation and provides the criteria for analysis and the actual analysis.

Chapter 5 deals with the conclusion and summarises the findings and deductions

made in the preceding chapters. Specific inadequacies and problem areas in the

role of State and NGOs in community development services will be explained

and recommendations to remedy such situations and future actions will be

provided.

CHAPTER 2

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LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this chapter is to review the available literature regarding the role

of State and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in community

development in an effort to have a broader understanding of their role in housing

delivery in the rural area in Peddie Extension. This chapter includes housing

provision in South Africa after 1994, legal and policies framework, theoretical

perspectives of housing and the role of NGOs on housing.

2.2 HOUSING PROVISION IN SOUTH AFRICA AFTER 1994.

One of the highlights of the South African housing change can be drawn back to

the years of the birth of democracy after the release of Nelson Mandela. One

form of the change that was envisaged includes the principles that everyone was

entitled to housing and that the State was responsible for providing such housing.

In its attempt to address homelessness and other housing related issues, the

government established a National Housing Forum (NHF) in 1992. This Housing

forum was to look at the country’s State of housing in general, and with particular

emphasis on the evolution of housing (Mkuzo, 2011:23).

South Africa has implemented housing policies to enhance development thus

improving the welfare of the marginalized people. In South Africa the housing

problem has been tackled from different angles with public housing market

oriented housing provision and a combination of these two being preferred from

time to time. In addition, finance mechanisms have been suggested to overcome

the housing problem.

Despite the stated intentions to create housing for all, the pace of housing

delivery has not proceeded as planned and the housing backlog around the

country has accumulated. In an attempt to address the inherited imbalances and

inequality of the Apartheid legacy, the newly elected democratic government

established the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP).

2.2.1 The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP)

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Initially, RDP was to build a target number of houses within a certain period. As

a result, in a way, that would create jobs in the building of housing. Arguably,

the RDP was committed to promote economic, social development and to meet

the basic needs of all South Africans. These basic needs included, among others,

land, houses, water and sanitation and jobs.

It was the State’s hope that the housing provision process was going to enhance

other sectors’ financial growth. The basic principles of the RDP (1995) was aimed

at an integrated and sustainable programme initiative, a people driven process,

which implies that people must be active to shape their future with their

aspirations and collective determination. Whilst the government wanted to help

the poor through RDP projects, the government also hoped that people could

meet it halfway rather than to expect everything to be done by the government.

The RDP (1994:23) also states that, the democratic government is ultimately

responsible for ensuring that housing is provided to all. The other main purpose

of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) was to rebuild,

renew, and transform the disregarded and fragmented areas. It focused on low-

income households particularly the relocation of informal dwellers to new sites

and thus increasing home ownership.

The RDP was also tasked with the restructuring of local government in order to

address these needs, as local governments were to become central in

overcoming the backlogs. The government chose RDP as a means to analyse

rural housing development within the societal structure and it was essential since

the country has been dominated by racism, poverty and degradation.

Mkuzo (2011:24) suggests that although beneficiaries do feel that there has been

an overall improvement in their quality of life but do feel certain aspects, such

inability of government to provide services and infrastructure within the housing

developments need to be improved.

Clearly, people's expectations were raised by the government promise, which it

failed to honour. It should be considered that due to South Africa's low economic

growth, the government does not possess the essential muscle to provide

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housing alone without assistance from the private sector and civil society.

Govender (2011:212) ascribes the disappointment to the planning of the low

quality of housing provided in terms of RDP. Govender goes on to say, the

apparent failure of planning to deal with the spatial fragmentation created by

Apartheid, the slow and bureaucratic process of land reform and restitution,

national government's inability to implement effective integrated development

planning, and the difficulties that the planning profession has in responding to

change. However, it became known that the RDP had many loopholes, which

hindered its progress. Because of this, it was essential for government to come

up with various pieces of legislation to address the problem of housing delivery.

2.3 LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK

This section attempts to provide a brief review of the formulation of the South

African National Housing Policy framework. The main strategies underpinning

the housing policy will be discussed.

2.3.1 Constitution

In 1996, the current Constitution of South Africa was adopted. This Constitution

includes the principle of the right to housing. Therefore, all housing delivery

activities takes place within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of

South Africa, 1996, as amended (section 26:2), which states that people shall

have the right to shelter and proper houses. According to the constitution, all

people shall have access to adequate housing and that land has to be made

available together with all other services like the provision of water and sewerage

removal. The constitution further indicates that no one may be evicted from their

home, or have their home demolished, without an order of court made after

considering the relevant circumstances (RSA, 1996). Furthermore, section 26

highlights the fact that housing finance is a basic right and the state has the

responsibility to exercise reasonable legislative procedures to realize that right

in a progressive manner.

2.3.2 National Housing policy

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The State has facilitated this process by introducing a National Housing Policy

(NHP), which makes provision for the allocation of a capital subsidy grant to low-

income households. The value of the abovementioned grant varies and is

dependent on the gross household income of the beneficiary. In terms of the

policy framework, the quality and affordability of the housing delivered is of

central importance.

The Housing Act (Act 107 of 1997)

The statement of the Housing Act, 1997 (Act no. 107 of 1997) forms the

legislative framework for the NHP and seeks to ensure the provision of houses

on a sustainable basis and at a price that is affordable. In addition, what is

important in this regard for the development of housing is to address the inherited

patterns of racial and spatial inequalities and to promote and educate the

integration at socio-economic, physical and institutional level. Furthermore, it

promotes the expression of cultural identity and diversity and provides the

community development with recreational facilities. Apart from the above, the

Housing Act specifies the functions to be performed by all the spheres of

government.

White Paper on Housing-1994

The White Paper on Housing (1994) states that the Government attempts to

establish viable, socially and economically integrated communities that are

situated in well-located areas, thus allowing convenient access to economic

opportunities as well as health, educational and social amenities, to all South

Africans. It also ensures access to a permanent residential structure with secure

tenure, it ensures privacy and provides suitable protection against the elements,

and potable water, and adequate sanitary facilities including waste disposal and

domestic electricity supply are included. The policy and programme commit

government to service delivery with special priority to the needs of poor and

vulnerable groups such as women, youth and the disabled, and the delivery of a

decent standard product with access to public services and amenities

In the light of the above plans, it is expected that equal priorities could be

delivered to all in order to have a rapid and efficient housing sector. The situation

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is however, different due to the lack of awareness in terms of principles and

processes involved in co-operative housing between both the public and

government officials, thereby creating a huge gap in the rate at which the various

delivery options have been providing houses.

2.3.3 Housing Strategies

People-centred approach

The Housing White Paper outlines the concept of a people centred approach

which encourages a process that is driven by the people. Community

participation and the forming of partnerships with beneficiaries is intended to

foster the sustainability of human settlements by means of a bottom-up

approach, as stated in the White Paper (Government S. A., 1994). As a result,

through HWP housing policies and strategies people are empowered to drive

their own economic empowerment development programmes. It is noted from

the HWP that community involvement may promote a positive attitude towards

the decision making process.

Williams (2006:32) agrees with the fact that community participation is one of the

most important components of sustainable community development and an

element of democracy. Consequently, one could argue that community

participation can be aligned with important contributions of citizens to their

community affairs by sharing knowledge about social economic change and

development. Therefore, as already mentioned the rural community needs to be

actively participating in ensuring the required standards of housing service

delivery.

Additionally, the state is responsible to presenting democratic processes of

consultation with communities about the actual basic delivery to develop

communities. At the same time, the state is responsible for community

development process-driven within communities. Thus, the concept of a people-

centred approach clearly indicates that the state needs to move away from

imposing development on people. Nevertheless, it must attempt to exercise

democratic stances of consultation prior to the actual execution of development

processes.

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2.3.4 Breaking New Ground (BNG)

In response to the flaws and loopholes presented by the delivery of houses in

the first ten years of the housing policy. The democratic government adopted the

BNG policy in 2004, as a comprehensive plan to be implemented for the

development of sustainable housing delivery. Apart from continuing scaling up

housing in terms of the quality and location through a variety of housing

programmes and projects, the revised policy was a method to change from the

earlier supply-centred approach to demand-centred approach necessitated by

the needs of the beneficiaries (Department of Local Government and Housing,

2005: 8).

Specific objectives set out by the BNG (2004) are many, and include accelerating

the delivery of housing as a key strategy for poverty alleviation, making housing

markets work better for poor people, utilising provision of housing as a major job

creation strategy, all as an asset for wealth creation and empowerment can

access ensuring property.

Furthermore, BNG has the potential of leveraging growth in the economy,

combating crime, promoting social cohesion and improving quality of life for the

poor. It continues supporting the functioning of the entire single residential

property market to reduce duality within the sector by breaking the barriers

between the first economy residential property boom and the second economy

slump and utilizing housing as an instrument for the development of sustainable

human settlements, in support of spatial restructuring(Department of Local

Government and Housing, 2005: 8).

Another benefit inherent to this approach was not only to encourage the greater

participation and commitment by the residents themselves, but also the

involvement of NGOs, Community Based-Organisations (CBOs) and the private

sector in the delivery of houses was encouraged. The NGOs contribute to the

reduction of human suffering and to the development of a poor community in

various ways, such as funding projects, engaging in service provision and

capacity building, contributing to awareness, and promoting the self-organization

of various groups. This has been shown to result in housing initiatives that are

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better adjusted to the real needs of the beneficiaries and are inclusive of a greater

satisfaction level among the population.

2.3.5 People’s Housing Process (PHP)

The People’s Housing Process can be defined as a housing-delivery mechanism

whereby beneficiary households build or organise, among themselves, the

building of their own homes, make ‘sweat equity’ contributions through their

labour, and exercise a greater choice in the application of their housing subsidy

through their direct involvement in the entire process (Department of Housing,

2005).

The PHP was adopted as a pilot programme and an addition to the policy which

aimed at supporting people who want to build their houses. Furthermore, the

PHP offers training and support to poor families who are poor and want to apply

for subsidy to build their homes. It is important to note that PHP was used to

address the inadequacies of the housing subsidy scheme for poor and low-

income citizens who could not get loans or credit from the financial institutions.

The PHP facilitates housing delivery by promoting participatory processes to rely

on self-help processes, resources and empowerment. Thus, the inclusion of the

NGOs in the PHP programme may assist communities to deliver housing on their

own without outside intervention either from the public or private sectors.

Housing delivery project that is not driven by the people on the ground will not

be successful. Another benefit inherent to PHP is that ordinary people get access

to top-level consultation without going through channels that hinder the housing

delivery process in the training centres.

2.3.6 National Department of Housing

The state has a responsibility to implement policies and strategies that will

redress the imbalanced distribution of wealth in South Africa, where a number of

people are not able to afford access to secure tenure and basic services

(Department of Housing, 1995). The role of National Housing Department is to

carry out the responsibility to determine national policy by consulting national and

provincial departments. Furthermore, the Housing Department has a

responsibility to allow land title and registration methods, determine minimum

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national norms and standards, administer national subsidy programmes, and

allocate funds for housing to provinces. It makes sense that the National Housing

Department has put a policy in place.

2.3.7 Provincial Department of Housing

The new Constitution clearly outlines the responsibility of provincial government

to determine a provincial housing policy within national guidelines; monitor

housing delivery; and liaise and negotiate with national departments on issues of

financial transfers, provincial main concerns and national housing programmes

(RSA, 1996; Department of Housing, 1995).

2.3.8 Developmental Local Government

Section 156 of the Constitution further states that municipalities must perform

roles assigned to them by national or provincial legislation. Municipalities may be

required to administer housing programmes within provincial and national

frameworks. They may need to align by-laws with national or provincial

legislation. If a municipality has sufficient capacity, it may be given the right to

administer housing programmes directly.

The local government operates closer to people and can therefore, easily

facilitate community participation and thus, serves as the service delivery point.

This means that either a rural or a metropolitan government has key roles of

physical planning, implementation and the delivery of housing through the IDP

process, with participating members from different communities in the region.

Thus, local government is responsible for promoting and facilitating the provision

of housing to enable access to all groups of society (Department of Housing,

1995).

2.4 THEORETICALPERSPECTIVEOF HOUSING

There is a need for balanced roles and activities within the function of the State,

market and society in order to provide an effective and equitable housing delivery

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system. These systems need to interact and complement each other. This

section of this study will critically engage different theoretical viewpoints and

approaches to housing provision that are the Neo-Marxism approach and Neo-

liberalism.

2.4.1 The neo-Marxist in housing

The Marxism core viewpoint appears to be the most appropriate analysis that

exposes the weaknesses of a capitalist society. Thus, this analysis revolves

around the assumption that capitalism is concerned with the generation of profit

and that profits can only be acquired through economic exploitation, conflict and

capital domination over labour.

Capitalism could be seen as a way of promoting inequality within the society.

According to Mnguni (2010:14) and Penderis (1996:27), the Marxist tradition

draws attention to the structured inequalities in the distribution of housing due to

the pursuit of capital accumulation, maintaining that housing reproduces ‘the

relationship between labour and capital’. This tradition has provided valuable

insights into the relationship between housing and the wider society and has

drawn attention to the outcomes of the housing system or policy. Thus, this

housing policy should be seen as the product of a class struggle.

Furthermore, Neo-Marxists blame the capitalists system for allowing residential

separation or segregation for their own purpose. It could be argued that due to

segregation, people are placed far from places where they need and equally

access goods and services. This view is also shared by (Ntema, 2011:28) when

suggesting that the absence of independence, especially amongst the low-

income people, can be attributed to a lack of most of the freedoms to which rich

people usually have access to.

2.4.2 Neo-liberalism and the World Bank theory in housing

The Neo-classical approaches housing as a function of market mechanisms

(Mnguni, 2010:15). The precepts of Neo-liberalism are to instil a market society

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and to thrust the nation towards becoming a business firm. Mnguni further attests

that the neoclassical economics perspective on housing is built on the

assumption that human beings are profit maximising agents.

Neo-liberalism does not only perpetuate inequalities in a society but encourages

the rich to be richer and the poor becomes poorer. Neo-liberal economic policies

are considered to be responsible to further marginalization and poverty of the

already poor (Jacobs, 2011:29). These Neo-liberal policies resulted in limited

funds being made available for public and welfare-oriented programmes. This

includes the Neo-liberal macro-economic policy known as Growth, Employment

and Redistribution (GEAR) that restricted governments the ability to provide

housing. GEAR committed the State to a conservative monetary and fiscal policy.

This policy did not only focus at reducing the housing budget or eliminating it all

together, but with the hope that the market shall be significantly play a vital role

in assisting people to buy their own houses.

The involvement of the World Bank in Neo-liberalism approach was revealed on

the economics of housing with the view of reducing labour costs and to maximise

profit (Ntema, 2011:5). The State needs to ensure macroeconomic stability,

development of capital financial markets and development of policies to enable

the private sector and the NGOs to take part in development. In the context of

neo-liberalism Casey(1999:51) argues that NGOs are regarded as an efficient

form of organisation which combines the best knowledge of business within the

public interest, responsibility and a wide spread of government.

2.4.3 Castells’ information age theory

Manuel Castells has theorised about information age. His emphasis on

development is mainly on the economic, political and cultural aspects. His focus

and ideas about development contradicts with those of neo-liberals and neo-

Marxists. Castells theory indicates that the State has the developmental muscle

to understand and sustain the economic systems of the country. Castells (2000)

argues that the information age is the period of information technology and the

ability to adapt to it and use it. He also points out that more of the worldwide

communication is happening through the electronic media, like social networks,

electronic- mails, cellular phone and so forth. The information society is also

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synonymous with other concepts, for example the knowledge society and the

network.

The term “information society” therefore, refers to how society has become

knowledge based due to the systematic use of information in almost every facet

of human existence (Sachikonye, 2010:73).Castells sees the information society

as the critical factor in generating and accessing wealth, power and knowledge.

According to Castells the information society has an influence on how

governments function as well as on every aspect of people’s lives including

strategic ways of attaining information and knowledge as well as the study of

public service delivery administration.

Networks constitute the new social morphology of our societies, and the diffusion

of networking logic substantially modifies the operation and outcomes in

processes of production, experience, power and culture’ (Castells1996: 469).

Masuda in (Sachikonye, 2010: 74) explains that the products usually available

within the information society are related to information and technology;

examples include personal computers, cell phones and multimedia software. For

Castells, the use of information technology improves public service delivery in a

country. When technology is properly used, it is characterised by a better life for

all the citizens of the country since it has an influence on the public service in

general. Furthermore, he is also referring to the fact that governmental

connections with the public are often about regulations to benefit the community

rather than services to benefit the individual directly involved. According to

Castells, information sharing raises issues about the balance of power between

the grass root individual and the State.

One of the consequences of the rise of the information age, according to Castells,

is that the government can involve NGO’s to exercise accountability and control

as well as to lead and ascend revenues for various development activities, which

are traditionally government’s responsibilities. On the other hand, Castells coined

this term “The Fourth World”, meaning some areas of the country which are

excluded from or do not have access to the usage of technology such as rural

areas. Manuel Castells (1998: 162) argues further that widespread poor or no

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service delivery is encouraged by the creation of ‘black holes of informational

capitalism’ in areas.

2.5 THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION(NGOS)

The establishment of NGO’s is a relatively independent stance with the

objectives of rendering assistance, relief and of transferring resources to

promote, directly or indirectly, development at the grassroots level. Because of

their relatively state of independency NGOs are not only established with the

objectives of rendering assistance and relief, but also of transferring resources

to promote, directly or indirectly, development at the grassroots level.

In their role as service providers, NGOs offer a broad field of services across

multiple fields, ranging from livelihood interventions and health and education

services to more specific areas, such as emergency response, democracy

building, conflict resolution, human rights, finance, environmental management,

and policy analysis (Banks and Hulme 2012:8). They further state that, interests

in the contribution of NGOs to service delivery did not rise only because of the

enforced rollback of State services, but also because of their perceived

comparative advantages in service provision. Additionally, NGOs have the ability

to innovate and experiment, their flexibility to adopt new programmes quickly,

and most importantly, their linkages with the grassroots that offer participation in

programme design and implementation, thereby fostering self-reliance and

sustainability.

The contribution of NGOs does not only rely on reduction of human suffering but

to the development of poor communities in various ways such as funding

projects, engaging in service provision and capacity building, contributing to

awareness, and promoting the self-organization of various groups. The main role

of NGOs involvement in housing is to facilitate the development of housing

delivery and support community development especially in areas that were

denied and neglected of both the urban and rural poor has subsisted.

The role and contributions of NGOs in supporting and empowering the

community is defined by their efforts along a broad spectrum of development.

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For this and other reasons that NGOs can offer projects to educate and train

communities because of their unique positioning at local level. It is therefore,

apparent to note that what NGOs offer are the facilitation and support of housing

development by equipping the community with knowledge and training them with

the necessary skills to facilitate their participation in the housing process. Among

the wide variety of roles that NGOs play, the following can be identified as

important, and which form the basis of housing provision by NGOs in South

Africa.

2.5.1 Service delivery

Within the whole range of public goods and services, the work of NGOs is

concentrated in those services considered ”quality of life" such as education,

welfare, culture, environment and leisure (Casey, 1999:52). In contrast, other

areas have been maintained as strictly the responsibility of the State such as

defence, public order, and foreign relations communication.

2.5.2 Development of infrastructure and pilot projects

Community-based organisations (CBOs) and cooperatives can acquire,

subdivide and develop land, construct housing, provide infrastructure and

operate and maintain infrastructure such as, public toilets and solid waste

collection services. NGOs can also be pilots for larger government projects by

virtue of their ability to act more quickly than the government bureaucracy can.

2.5.3 Facilitating communication

NGOs use interpersonal methods of communication, and study the right entry

points whereby they gain the trust of the community they seek to benefit. The

significance of this role to the government is that NGOs can communicate to the

policy-making levels of government, information about the lives, capabilities,

attitudes and cultural characteristics of people at the local level. NGOs can

facilitate communication upward from the people to the government and

downward from the government to the people.

2.5.4 Technical assistance

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The role that NGOs could play meaningfully in assisting the poorest of the poor

should also revolve around their orientation. These include service, participation

and empowering orientations. Participation orientation is characterised by self-

help projects where local people are involved particularly in the implementation

of a project by contributing cash, tools, land, materials, labour etc. In the

traditional community development project, participation begins with the need

definition and continues into the planning and implementation stages.

2.6 ROLE OF HOUSING IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

As stated above that housing plays a vital role in meeting people’s basic needs

(Swart, 1981:72). Burgoyne (2008:15) argues that State regards the housing

delivery as a starting point to development. According to Mamba (2011:23)

housing can be considered as the process taken steps back from broader

objectives of empowerment which recognise that while poverty reduction is an

important goal in itself, it is also a condition within the broader goal of

empowerment action to provide both environmental and locational services.

Scholars (Stewart, 1997: 3; Marais, 1998: 237-239) in Mamba mention the fact

that environmental services include the supply of clean water, energy and waste

disposal, while locational services include access to jobs and social

infrastructures. This means that accessibility of housing is the most important

sign of people’s standard of living and the level of economic and social

development. Hassen (2003: 117) summarises the economic multipliers

associated with housing as:

The demand for materials used in the construction of houses would increase.

Therefore, greater employment in building material supply industries is created.

As the construction of houses increases, the employment in the construction

industry also increases.

Homeowners would add value to their properties in many different ways leading

to the wider motivation of the economy.

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Through business development and through benefits associated with

accumulation of the provision of housing would provide income-generating

opportunities.

Considering the above-mentioned economic multipliers, it can be deduced that

housing provision is essential for human development and can be seen as the

process of poverty alleviation. Therefore, housing contributes to a wide spectrum

of benefits to the individual household, communities, businesses, as well as

national economy (Zhang, 2006:117)

2.7 CONCLUSION

In summary, this chapter discusses the housing policy and guidelines, which

steer housing process by national government, provincial government and local

municipalities in ensuring housing delivery improvement.

It is clear that the housing legislation provides an outstanding opportunity for

those who are new in government such as; newly elected councillors and

appointed officials to deliver the goods in terms of adequate quality houses to

improve the social well-being of poor South African citizens. It is important to note

that the legislation provide the guidance to the State about the proper methods

of conducting financial activities to the departments for the smooth

implementation of housing delivery programmes. If housing delivery is not as it

should be, it is because those very good policies are not being implemented.

Because of the above-mentioned statement, Castells associates that kind of an

area as “black hole” since there is a lack of or poor service delivery.

CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

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This chapter provides the Research Methodology, which outlines the methods

employed by the researcher to gather in-depth knowledge about the

phenomenon under study. In this chapter, the research methods employed,

when the study was conducted, are explained and their choice justified. In

addition, descriptions of the chosen research design, target population, sampling

techniques, data collection methods and procedures as well as the delimitation

of the study are explained. This chapter further covers qualitative research

method, research design, and sampling, data collection methods and finally

ethical considerations.

3.2 Research design

Leedy (1997) states that the design process is the planning of the research and

includes visualization of the data and problems associated with the use of those

data in achieving the results of the research project. The nature of this study was

exploratory and descriptive. The research problem of this study has required an

exploratory review of opinions and perceptions concerning the phenomenon of

interest. The researcher pursues the qualitative approach using interviews with

the interview schedules. The researcher was guided by the research design,

which provides the manner, and procedure in which the study should be

conducted. Qualitative research methods were most relevant to achieve the

objectives of this study. By obtaining information from the participants through

the qualitative approach, the researcher will be able to propose possible

solutions and recommendations to overcome possible challenges that might be

available.

3.3 Qualitative research method

This study adopted a qualitative approach. Qualitative research, according to

Merriam (1998:6) is based on the assumption that ‘reality is constructed by

individuals interacting with their social worlds’. One might argue that qualitative

research emphasizes multiple meanings and interpretations rather than imposing

one dominant interpretation.

Qualitative research seeks to study people in their everyday life and attempts to

make sense out of a phenomenon or interpret it in terms of the meaning people

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attach to it. These qualitative methodologies explore the feelings, understanding

and knowledge of others and through these methods; we gain a deeper insight

into the processes shaping the social worlds. According to Leedy (1993:106), a

qualitative research design is regarded as the process of getting to understand

and interpret how various participants in a social setting construct the world

around them.

3.4 Population

For the purpose of this study, the researcher conducted a few interviews with a

few people selected purposively under investigation. The intentions were to study

in-depth the perceptions and life experiences of the sample group. Knowledge is

thus, seen to be contextual and limited by how it is understood, perceived and

interpreted. The researcher selected purposively the participants for interviews

namely, residents of Peddie Extension in the Ngqushwa Municipality, a

Municipality official and non-governmental organisation (NGO) official.

3.5 Data collection methods

Interactive primary research methods and tools, such as semi-structured

interviews, questionnaires analysis were utilised to gather more information to

answer research question. Moreover, focus group discussions were used as an

exploratory method of research to supplement the semi-structured personal

interviews and the literature review.

3.5.1 Semi-structured interview

Mitchell (2005:166) argues that interviews are considered an effective method of

collecting data during a research since interviews demand real interaction

between the researcher and the respondent. For this study, the researcher

preferred to use semi-structured interviews since interviews enable the

respondents to express their feelings and experience with greater depth than a

fully structured interview schedule could possible do.

Questionnaires were used as a guide related to the question and to collect data.

Therefore, semi-structured questionnaires with open-ended and closed

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questions were used in this study to encourage the respondent to express views

fully, thus encouraging a more reliable outcome of the study. The researcher was

interested in the participants’ opinions about the specific issue of community

development programmes that the State and non-governmental organisations

have implemented for the Peddie Extension in the housing delivery provision.

3.5.2 Focus group interviews

To gather data from the selected community members, the researcher employed

focus group interviews. At present, the community members are from Peddie

Extension area, therefore, it was easy to secure a group interview with some

members of the same place. In addition, the method accommodated interviewing

several people together. By using this kind of interview, the researcher has an

obvious practical advantage of interviewing several people at the same time. It

is useful in that it allows participants to share their thoughts, new ideas in each

other and considering a variety of views before responding to the questions of

the researcher (Bless and Higson-Smith, 1995:113).

All the five respondents in the focus group were helpful in providing responses

to the subject under investigation.

3.5.3 Observations

Mitchell (2005:170) argues that the results of observation can be recorded and

analysed qualitatively, as they can be done by means of the naked eye or with

the help of sophisticated equipment. Observation therefore, involves sight or

visual data collection and can be conducted as a preliminary strategy to

interviews. The researcher visited Ngqushwa Local Municipality to arrange

appointments for interviews housing department official. Moreover, the

researcher visited the community of Peddie Extension to observe what service

delivery has the State and NGO’s implemented as community development in

this area. The intentions of the researcher was to observe and to record issues

of interest, to gain the understanding of context, cross checking information and

possible differences between what people say and what they do.

3.6 Ethical considerations

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Mitchell (2005:181) argues that it is very important that in research and in any

other field of human activity, which certain ethical consideration should be

adhered to. It stands to reason that, the researcher preserves the right to dignity

and privacy of the respondent and protect the confidentiality of the information

provided.

Devlin (2006:155) puts more emphasis on the importance of confidentiality and

trying to avoid promising what is going to be impossible to deliver. The researcher

ensured that the issue of confidentiality is kept in mind throughout the process of

gathering data (Babbie & Mouton, 2001:523). The researcher ensured that

informed consent was obtained from the informants meaning that the researcher

informed the participants about the nature of the study and the potential harm or

risks that the study might cause (Babbie & Mouton, 2001:522).

The researcher and the respondent both needed to engage in a kind of contract,

not necessarily a written document. This type of agreement could be explicit or

implicit by which the researcher is bound. For this reason, the researcher kept

the vow to keep the informant’s anonymity. This refers to where researchers

protect privacy by not disclosing the participant’s identity after information has

been gathered (Babbie & Mouton, 2001:523).

It was the researcher’s onus to request permission to conduct the research from

the Ngqushwa Local Municipality and to invite the informants to participate in the

study. Importantly, the participants need to be informed of their rights to

participate voluntarily and anonymity is guaranteed. For the betterment of this

study, the principle of respect was taken into consideration and the participant

possesses the right to self-determination and freedom to participate in the study

without coercions or fear of being penalized. The researcher is always abided by

the ethical code of conduct pertaining to research at Nelson Mandela

Metropolitan University.

3.7 Conclusion

In conclusion, in this chapter appropriate research methods and data collection

procedures were employed to gather necessary information from the community

members of Peddie Extension, local government and NGO officials. Ethical

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standards to be considered when conducting this study were carefully discussed.

The researcher employed a qualitative method to gather information and data

analysis. In the next chapter, a careful analysis, and interpreting the data will be

reflected employing the techniques alluded to in this chapter.

CHAPTER 4

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS

4.1 INTRODUCTION

In Chapter three, an elaboration regarding the research design and methodology

was undertaken to justify the manner in which data collection was handled in this

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study. This intended to ensure that Chapter five provides the necessary details

regarding how data will be analysed and interpreted through various steps as

outlined on the next section. Semi-structured interviews were employed as the

main data collection methods, which are supplemented by the literature reviews

in Chapters two and three. Three sets of data gatherings through these semi-

structured interviews are provided for in this chapter. The first set of data was

collected among members of the community in Peddie Extension. The second

set comprises of an official of the Ngqushwa Local Municipality. The third and

last set of data was collected from a non-government organisation official in

Ngqushwa Municipality. An attempt was also made to keep the semi-structured

personal interviews in line with the objectives of this study as outlined in Chapter

one.

4.2 DATA ANALYSIS

To investigate the problem meaningfully the data must be processed and

analysed in an orderly, coherent manner so that patterns and relationships be

discerned (Polit and Hungler, 1993:41). It is highly important to analyse the

transcribed interviews with the aim of identifying common themes as well as to

analyse the experiential world and experiences of the respondents

(stakeholders) (Ladikos and Kruger, 2006: 161). Therefore, for easy

interpretation, data was packaged into manageable themes. An analysis of the

data gathered from the semi-structured interviews revealed six themes:

Housing policy implementation,

Benefits from housing programme,

Community participation,

Community empowerment,

Housing design and satisfaction, and

Housing provision services

Where the words of the participants are quoted, no attempt has been made to

correct language usage. The municipality and NGO participants were

interviewed in their offices whilst the members of the community (focus group)

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were interviewed in ward councillor’s office. The researcher will be liable to

make the descriptions.

4.2.1 Community members (Focus group) of Peddie Extension in

Ngqushwa Municipality.

Five community members participated in the semi-structured interviews and

focus group discussions within in Peddie Extension. The respondents are

ordinary members of the community. However, it is necessary to indicate that,

while five respondents may not be sufficient to make a proper scientific

conclusion on focus group, it should be understood as a starting point for

research activities. The proof of authorisation to conduct semi-structured

interviews and administer the questionnaire from the ward councillor is attached

as Appendix.

4.2.2 The municipality official in Peddie Extension in Ngqushwa

Municipality.

The participant that was interviewed was Zara. She is 49 years old in middle

management position of assistant director for 5 years. She is a married African

woman with two children. She is the employee in Housing in Ngqushwa Local

Municipality for 15 years. Zara has a Teacher’s diploma and couple of small

courses for management. She has been working as a field worker in the same

community for past 10 years.

4.2.3 The non-governmental organisation (NGO) official in Ngqushwa Local

Municipality.

Since Peddie Extension does not have an NGO involved in housing, views were

taken of an NGO from another low cost housing settlement called Hamburg. It

has been involved in making renovations and construction of houses and

education and training to some volunteered community members.

The participant that was interviewed was Loki. She is 51 years old in the

management position for 5 years. She is a married African woman with three

children. She is employed in an NGO in Ngqushwa Local Municipality called

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Masizame for 3 years. Masizame is offering education training to community

members to be bricklayers. Loki has no tertiary qualification although she was a

psychology student at University of Fort Hare but never completed her degree.

Before she worked in Masizakhe, she was a supervisor in an Old Age home in

Port Alfred for 21years.

4.3 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF KEY THEMES PRESENTED AT

THE INTERVIEWS.

Presentation of themes from interviews:

Most of the themes were derived from the literature review such as

implementation of housing policy, satisfaction of households, benefits from

housing delivery programme, empowerment, participation in delivery projects

and role of community and State as well as challenges of the local government.

4.3.1 Housing Policy implementation

The participants provided interesting responses regarding whether the effects of

the development and implementation of the national public housing policy in

South Africa are being realised. The extents to which the positive effects of the

Housing Act 107 of 1997 have been successful in addressing the public housing

problems in the Peddie Extension were also observed.

The Housing Act seeks to guide the relationship between citizens and local

government specifically in relation to the provision of services. The Act attempts

to express the accountability, transparency, efficiency and consultation in

municipal affairs. The presence of the piece of legislation strives to enhance

the developmental plans and programmes to put people first. When the

respondents were asked about their understanding of development in policy

implementation in housing the area of Peddie Extension, they highlighted the

following:

(Zara, municipality official) stated that “…the state is committed to demonstrate

the importance of human rights and to ensure about the livelihood for all

citizens, especially disadvantaged communities, are improved. Therefore, the

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role of officials is to adhere to correct implementation methods for housing

delivery. It needs a lot of administrative work when converting policy

contributions to service delivery.”

For better human rights results in rural Housing Policy planning and

implementation process, members of community stated, “the local leaders

should be involved in decision making process.”

The NGO official expressed that “policy implementation gives the community an

opportunity to understand the aims and objectives of the NGO such as service

delivery to the poor and improving the social well-being of the society.

Furthermore, members and local leaders of the community should be included

in the administrative line of the NGO operating in the area.”

Community members felt that, the implementation of policy by municipality did

not favour them since the concept of “people first” is deliberately ignored. It is

apparent that the residents do at times seek to raise their concerns with the local

municipality.

“…they call us for meetings during voting times, promise with everything, even

things they know they cannot deliver.‟(focus group member)

Respondents in this regard emphasise the importance of the local and provincial

governments to adhere to the principles and framework of the national guidelines

and features of the housing policy in promoting and facilitating the provision of

adequate public housing. The responses indicate that there are practical

administrative challenges they have experienced. In addition, it is apparent that

there is a lack of skilled human resources and the lack of competence with

technical expertise in implementing the housing policy in the Peddie Extension.

4.3.2 Benefits from housing delivery programme

The majority of the previously disadvantaged communities need to benefit from

the housing programme. It means that the improvements of their housing

conditions need to be recognised too. The above manifest several expected

benefits and/or opportunities, which may be beneficial when applied in the public

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housing provision field by further contributing to job creation, poverty alleviation,

infrastructure investment, skills development, sustainable human settlements

and black economic empowerment for the community (Phago, 2010:207).

The respondent from the focus group indicated that, “I hope that people should

benefit by getting housing first, and then get employment for better living”

In an interview, the municipality respondent (Zara) stated, “People benefit a lot

from this project as they become employable because the housing project aimed

at addressing the conditions of poverty.”Furthermore, people when they have

houses they know that they are safe and secured’.

At the same time, the NGO respondent (Loki) emphasised on the issue of

benefits and she said, “The beneficiaries are community members whom their

houses were fixed inside and outside”…. Students after training completion they

get certificates of attendance to be used for employment purposes.”

Although other people have benefited from the rural housing provision, interviews

conducted show that households were still consolidating their housing, there was

a high level of dissatisfaction, and many expressed their dissatisfaction with the

housing delivery mechanisms.

A focus group member said, “Other houses were given to people who never

bother to apply for housing whereas deserving people are left out. This process

is very slow and many people went to the councillor to register to get a house but

they are in waiting list. Really many people are not happy here with the housing

process.”

The existence of housing delivery project enables the community to benefit

employment to sustain their livelihood and enjoy their human basic right. The

participants indicated that the delivering of housing services brings various

benefits to the citizens besides accommodation. In this study, it shows clearly

that people in this area depend on State houses to accommodate their families.

The respondents indicated that slow and poor service delivery undermines any

benefit already received by beneficiaries.

4.3.3 Community Participation

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This section deals with community involvement and participation options used by

Ngqushwa Municipality in Peddie in service delivery. Community participation

assists the community in contributing to decision-making, especially regarding

the type of public housing that could meet their needs (Phago, 2010:59).

Zara stated, “The community was encouraged to participate in any project

running because that encourages the beneficiaries to have a say in the process.

By so doing, the beneficiaries gain experience and regain their dignity.”

Loki a NGO official said that “I think it is always vital to encourage the

beneficiaries to participate since they are directly involved in the execution of

development.”

Focus group member stated that, I think it is fine to work together as long as

we understand each other. “Umm…if the beneficiaries were encouraged to

participate, this process would have been considered the needs for the poor as

well as their well-being. Therefore, there is no adequate consultative process is

involved. The municipality did not ask us what is right and needed by us. They

bypassed us as a community. I bet this project would have been a success.”

The respondents indicated that community participation is very relevant in

housing delivery. It is evident that there has been a lack of community

involvement in housing development. The respondent stated that there is a

strong need to engage the community in the housing process and capacitate

them to be able to make decisions on their own pertaining to their own

development.

4.3.4 Community Empowerment

The study, in terms of considering housing and service delivery, has placed

emphasis on community empowerment. According to Pieterse (2001:42),

“empowerment is a process through which people take control of their own lives,

gain the ability to do things and make their own decisions that will improve their

lifestyles.” This implies that, the housing programme addresses social and

economic exclusion by focusing on community empowerment and the promotion

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of social and economic integration such as social development, economic

development and social capital projects (Republic of South Africa, Department

of Housing: National Housing Programme, 2004c: 4-5). When asked how are

respondents involved and empowered in community development.

The municipality official (Zara) stated, “For owning a house anyone feels

empowered because there is no need to pay rent and the money can be saved

for something else. To add more the owner can use her house for income

generating in one way or another. For an example, one can sell sweets,

potatoes I mean all the basic needs.

NGO official (Loki) said, “Under this programme groups have realised the

importance of working together, sharing, accountability and having a focused

vision. …... the community is involved in planning, implementations of NGO

activities.” She further confirmed that“… the students become empowered with

skills that they can use in future to sustain their livelihood… there is a general

improvement in social well-being and partly in their incomes because there are

still few former students have got employment.”

The respondent from the focus group shared a different view “…. the community

members get a report back every time from the councillor or people who come

from Bisho. Therefore, we did not have that opportunity to be part of planning

so as to get empowered.”

An NGO respondent stated that home improvements by community members as

builders are regarded as another empowerment strategy. In the context of this

study, the respondents indicated that the relationship is demonstrated when

people help each other in improving and in the building of housing, as well as in

the economic empowerment of the poor for sustainability purposes. The

community members acknowledged that involvement of the State in housing

delivery strategies that are geared towards community empowerment, but the

actual empowerment of the people on the ground would only be attained when

they are fully in control of community- based strategies.

4.3.5 Housing design and Satisfaction of the households

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The participants were asked to share their views with regard to housing delivery

in Peddie Extension and their satisfaction. When they responded, they included

the structure and the quality of the housing built for them. Here the focus is in

housing design by local municipality to test the community the levels and forms

of (dis)satisfaction pertaining to this design.

Municipality official (Zara) specified, “Beneficiaries were not satisfied with the

quality of housing. There are few reasons off course that could be a negative

factor with regard to the desired and expected standard of housing. It is true that

there is a need for improvement. Furthermore, on our side as the municipality we

experienced inadequate funds for the housing project here in Peddie Extension

hence we have a backlog of housing in this area.”

NGO official (Loki) indicated that, “The quality of RDP housing is indeed very

poor. Most of the beneficiaries had a number of problems with their homes, this

includes cracks in and outside the house, leaking roofs and door frames have

swollen due to the rains and cannot be properly closed.”

Focus group member stated, “We are not happy with the local government

officials as well as our councillors they do promise but when it comes to action,

nothing is done. When the budget was announced through the media we heard

that there was money distributed for housing, but here they have built small

houses of poor quality in small plots. Only thing they do is to buy themselves big

cars and make them rich.”

In the study respondents attested to the fact that the quality of the RDP housing

in Peddie Extension falls below acceptable standards and durable quality in

trying to bring about in development. These respondents indicated that many

housing buildings have construction faults because of poor workmanship and

poor-quality building materials they use. Peddie Extension residents complained

about the size of their plots.

4.3.6 Provision of Housing services

For service delivery, municipalities face challenges of multiple of constraints in

executing out their constitutional commands to improve the quality and quantity

of basic services to citizens. Section 26 of the Constitution of the Republic of

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South Africa, 1996, as amended, states clearly that “everyone has the right to

have access to adequate housing”, therefore, housing is a basic physiological

human need.

Municipality official (Zara) highlighted some few problems that hindered

service delivery in Peddie Extension,” the housing project includes many things

in it, such as water, electricity, sanitation and roads. Meaning, the above-

mentioned services as well as the standard and quality of housing need to be

improved. Local contractors seemed to be the root cause of the lack of service

delivery in Peddie Extension. They need to improve for instance by capacitating

their workers with skills and develop them through training and education

programme in housing development.

Focus group indicated, “Service delivery including housing provision here in this

area is very poor, I’m not sure about other places. The municipality have built

small, weak houses and not good painted. Municipality is in backlog in housing

provision the evidence is shown by names of people are still in waiting list. I am

not sure whether it is because we are in rural areas or they service uneducated

and poor people. I am definitely sure they will not do this in places of educated

and rich people. The municipality is not treating us in a way they promise us to

when they want us to vote for them. The government has a problem in delivering

good services especially houses here in Peddie Extension.”

The responses indicate clearly that all the respondents are of the view that

housing provision should be seen as an essential service. When interviewing

interview the municipal official it was found that the standard of housing services

needed to be improved. The community members indicated that the houses were

too small to accommodate all their families and the houses were not properly

painted.

4.4 CONCLUSION

This chapter was the presentation of the data collected on the participants as

revealed during interviews in Peddie Extension in Ngqushwa municipality. The

chapter has presented the research methodology adopted to address the

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research question through qualitative research methods. The data collected

through the research techniques used can be considered suitable to address the

objective of the study. It will be further demonstrated in the following chapter

where the data will be concluded and findings be deduced.

CHAPTER 5

RESEARCH FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

5.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter will deal with the findings of the roles of the State and NGOs in

service delivery in Peddie Extension. The researcher has attempted to respond

to overall objectives as indicated in chapter one. This chapter will consist of three

main sections. Firstly, the findings of the study will be discussed. Secondly, the

study will be concluded. Finally, the recommendations will be discussed as

possible solutions. The findings of the study will be discussed in the next session.

5.2 FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

In this research, it was realised that the state played its role in housing

development in Peddie Extension. The system of housing provision in this area

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can be thus proven. The findings of the research indicated that the government

housing policy has precise guidelines to address housing issues for the poor

people as they affect them. The study suggested that the backlog in services and

infrastructure affects mainly the poor population in the rural areas. This became

evident in the participants’ explanation that there was a backlog of housing

supply as per demand, for poor people in Ngqushwa Municipality that had not

been addressed for a long period.

In their explanation of both satisfaction and dissatisfaction, the citizens

considered that they were facing serious challenges pertaining to the houses

allocated to them. The study reveals that people of Peddie Extension were not

satisfied with the poor quality of the structure of the houses that were built for

them. Other factors that cause people’s discontent were related to careless

workmanship, maladministration and inadequate funds for the housing project.

As a result, the focus group respondents claimed that their lives have not

changed since they still have to conduct repairs and maintenance to the houses.

It is indicated in the study that the main reason for inadequate housing delivery

in Peddie Extension area, was the local municipality’s inefficiency. They

elaborated that, there was still a number of people in need of adequate housing.

That alone implies that the municipality has a huge task to do. This study shows

that the municipality is not effective in meeting the needs of the people as in most

areas housing projects are yet to be started.

Noting from the study, the municipality official indicated the importance of

community involvement in the housing development in Peddie Extension area.

All this was done to enable the grass-root members of the community to have

the sufficient opportunity to participate in the housing project and subsequently

to have an adequate knowledge of the project. The findings indicated that, the

residents were denied that opportunity of expressing what they needed during

planning and implementation of housing projects. In addition, the findings

indicated that residents needed to have a say in the design structure of their own

houses. The findings indicated that through community participation the

residents can manage to discourage favouritism in housing provision so that

houses are given to the deserving people first.

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As the study found out, the NGO has made efforts to develop and convey some

skills in the communities where it worked. In the study, it was indicated that

activities of NGO provided means for citizens of the community to participate

meaningfully in municipal affairs. In the opinion of this study, the NGO’s project

was a success due to the level of community involvement that was achieved in

the introduction of the project commencement.

It was noted that the NGO became part of the community life to promote the

general welfare and to improve the circumstances of the underprivileged citizens.

In the opinion of the study, NGO played a significant role in the supplementing

and building of capacity at community level through its education and training

programme. Consequently, the beneficiaries were equipped with the necessary

skills that would enable them to participate in the housing development process.

Therefore, this study indicated that the other role of NGO is to enhance the

disadvantaged citizens to be represented, to create means of arriving at

decisions more efficiently and improve the quality of the policy-making process.

The study revealed the development options that have been implemented by the

NGO in housing development. The findings indicated that the NGO in Ngqushwa

municipality provided the programme for the community to gain knowledge and

skills pertaining to housing development, community development, and housing

projects in improving the welfare of the marginalised citizens. According to the

view of the NGO official, the NGO did not only encourage the community to

become economically empowered and participate in the realisation of their own

housing needs, but the transfer of skills for sustainable improv