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Profiles of women presenting with obstetric fistulae at Universitas Academic Hospital, Free State province, South Africa
No full textBackground: Obstetric fistula is a serious consequence of prolonged and obstructed labour, common in low income countries were accessibility to emergency obstetric care may be limited. Most common cause is ischemia and necrosis of the soft tissues of the birth canal caused by the compression of the foetal presenting part against the bony pelvis. This results in abnormal communication between the vagina, bladder and/or rectum with resultant leakage of stools or/and urine through the vagina. Other causes may be tearing of those tissues or iatrogenic injury during abortions. Objectives: Primary objective To determine the prevalence of obstetric fistula at Universitas Academic Hospital urogynaecology clinic Secondary objective To determine the demographic characteristics of the women presenting with obstetric fistulae. Study design and methods: Retrospective descriptive-analytical study. Medical records and demographic characteristics of all patients referred to Universitas Academic Hospital's urogynaecology clinic with obstetric fistulae from 01 January 2013 to 31 December 2017. A 21- item data sheet was used to collect data and the latter was analysed on the Microsoft excel spreadsheet. Limitations: Small sample size, only 46 patients met the inclusion criteria over the 5 year study period. Results: The prevalence of obstetric fistula at UAH urogynaecology clinic was found to be 1% which correlates with the global estimates in the literature. The most common type of fistula was found to be rectovaginal fistula (63.04%) and mostly they developed as a result of soft tissue lacerations not necessarily ischemia and necrosis. Only 5(10.87%) patients in our population group delivered before the age of 20 though it is reported globally that this condition is the most in teenagers. Fifty percent of the study population were not married and only 2(4.35%) of the married ones were divorced. 63.04% of the study population had high school level education and only 8.7% of them were employed. Out of 46 participants only 2 (4.35%} did not seek antenatal care, the median number of follow-up in this group was 4 antenatal visits. Almost all of them {91.3%) delivered normally and only 4 had episiotomies. The perineal (71.74%) tears were common in this study group and some remained not sutured. Most of them delivered at a level 2 health care facility. Conclusion: The prevalence of obstetric fistula in our setting although shown to be low, like in the rest of the world, more attention should be paid to maternal health services as this complication of child birth is the indicator of poor/inadequate health service. Although the level 2 facilities are regarded as well equipped to deal with obstetric emergencies authorities are urged to pay more attention to skill development of the personnel rendering the maternity care as most of these cases were not appropriately managed during the intrapartum period, use of partogram during labour during be encouraged so that those patients who will end up with obstructed labour can be identified timeously
Juxtapositioning of Christianity and African Traditional Religion: a study of Christian leaders and ‘Sangomahood’
No full textThe developed realisation that Christianity, in Africa, is being juxtaposed with African Traditional Religion does not seem to sit well, and has tended to create some discomfort for both conservative Christians and rigorist African religionists. The fundamental consensus between these two religious traditions is that Christianity and African Traditional Religion are a paradox; therefore, they do not synthesise. However, this appears to contradict the nominalist view, which postulates that these two religious traditions – Christianity and African Traditional Religion, are compatible and are, in fact, two related systems of thought and practice. These varying perceptions therefore, appear to ground one’s understanding and interpretation of the juxtapositioning of Christianity and African Traditional Religion. In most cases, such understandings and interpretations tend to be absolute and tend to undermine the inside perspective. This implies that both conservative Christians and rigorist African religionists often see a clear cut between Christianity and African Traditional Religion, but nominal Christians allude to a grey area, which is often not necessarily explored. This research study, therefore, was undertaken to explore this grey area. This study explored the emic perspectives of people who juxtapose Christianity and African traditional spirituality, and assumed dual roles as church leaders and Sangomas. A qualitative research approach, which was underpinned by phenomenology as the meta-theoretical foundations, was used for the study. The main purpose was to examine how participants find meaning and interpret their spirituality, given the fact that they assume dual roles within a space where such roles are perceived as opposing. The findings of the study revealed that the juxtapositioning of Christianity and African Traditional Religion served as an existential mechanism used by African Christians to avoid anomie and that there is no disparity between Church leadership and ‘Sangomahood’, as both Christianity and African Traditional Religion are understood to be two related systems of thought and practice by most nominal Christians. Based on the findings of this research, this study proposed a new paradigmatic model in which to understand and interpret the lived experiences of the participants who juxtaposed Christianity and African Traditional Religion. This paradigmatic model rests on the notion of ‘hybridity’ rather than syncretism as a popular concept. Thus, this research study critically examined the lived experiences of participants who juxtaposed Christianity and African Traditional Religion, and were church leaders and Sangomas
Resistance of the African blue tick (Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus) to Macrocyclic Lactones in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
No full textMacrocyclic Lactones (MLs) are anti-parasitic drugs used to control blue ticks, mites and endoparasites. Resistance development of the Asiatic blue tick (Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus) to Ivermectin (IVM) (product of MLs) was reported in Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico and Australia due to the frequent and misuse of this product. There has not been any incidents of tick populations resistant to MLs treatment that were reported up to now in South Africa for the Asiatic blue tick or African blue tick (Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus) species although an increase in the use of MLs for tick control was also inevitable. However, pharmaceutical company agents are receiving a rising number of complaints from Eastern Cape producers concerning inadequate control of blue ticks by MLs. Therefore, a methodology had to be established to confirm MLs resistance of South African blue tick strains. This entailed comparing two Shaw Larval Immersion Tests (SLIT), the test-tube and pie-plate SLIT, determining a suitable diluent, TritonX/Ethanol vs. twice-distilled water and a post-exposure timeframe for mortality determination after 24, 48 and 72 hours, to detect resistance and prevent tick death from sources other than the exposure to the chemical. It was determined that the pie-plate SLIT was the most suitable methodology to determine MLs resistance as it was more efficient, less time consuming and caused less mechanical death to the tick larvae than the test-tube SLIT. Twice-distilled water and evaluation of mortality 24 hours post-exposure, were the most suitable diluent and post-exposure time, respectively, for the pie-plate SLIT. Reference strains, of both blue tick species, not previously exposed to MLs were obtained from ClinVet International. These reference strains were used to determine lethal concentrations (LC 50 and LC99) by means of Probit (Polo Suite) analysis. The reference strains of both blue tick species were found to be more susceptible to MLs than blue ticks in Brazil, Australia and Mexico. Blue ticks collected from farms in the Eastern Cape were divided into two groups, ticks that were previously exposed to MLs in the past five years, and those that have not been exposed to MLs in the last five years. The LCs and Confidence Intervals 95% (CI95%) of the field strains were calculated to determine the Factor of Resistance (FR) and resistance levels according to an established range. Strains not exposed to IVM in the past five years were confirmed to be susceptible to IVM, while strains suspected of being resistant to IVM due to complaints of poor to moderate results after treating with IVM also fitted into these ranges to be classified as resistant. More research on these ranges is needed in South Africa to determine when a classification of emerging resistance is valid and when a population can be classified as resistant as this range could not accommodate all the strains. More extensive sampling over different periods and comparing different generations will also be needed to confirm resistance on some of the farms.National Research Foundation (NRF
Transitional urban enslave: an arrival space for rural-urban migrants in Windhoek, Namibia
No full textThis dissertation stemmed from an interest in the homeless living within the city of Windhoek. Most homeless individuals in the city are rural-urban migrants; therefore an investigation into the creation of an architectural typology to counter the gap that exists between arrival and settlement within the city. Cities are places of opportunity. People move from rural to urban areas for better socio economic conditions. Windhoek, being the hub of prospect in Namibia is a magnet for migrants. Though once individuals arrive, some experience immediate feelings of displacement and isolation, due to a lack of skills, education, income and security. They struggle to find employment, which adds to the unemployment statistics. This leads to some resorting to crime, alcohol, drug abuse or ending up homeless. Due to the constant pull factors migration is an incessant practice, rendering urbanization timeless. Therefore this research document intends to counter this inclination through preparedness. It explores how architecture can be a catalyst which can receive, prepare, house and release migrants into the city. The delimitation of the study is to avoid being “another homeless Centre”, but instead a liminal space between opportunist and opportunity. The site is situated within the dynamic Independence Avenue within the CBD of Windhoek, Namibia
The cascading trophic accumulation of aldicarb in a carrion ecosystem: the forensic implications
No full textEntomotoxicology is a relatively new discipline in forensic entomology which deals with the study of drugs in insects of forensic importance. The toxicant under investigation is the active ingredient found in an insecticide commonly known as “Two steps”. This was the first study to investigate the forensic implications of the toxicant, aldicarb, in a carrion ecosystem.
Insects that feed on a deceased person who had toxicants in his or her system will also ingest the toxicants. In cases where the decomposed tissues of the deceased have degraded and can no longer be used for traditional toxicological analysis, insect specimens can be utilised as an alternative toxicology matrix. A high performance liquid chromatograph-Ultra Violet detector (HPLC-UV) was used to detect the toxicant in entomological specimens. Varying concentrations of aldicarb were mixed with chicken livers and presented to Chrysomya chloropyga fly larvae and Thanatophilus micans adult beetles. There was a correlation between the aldicarb concentrations found in entomological specimens and the concentration present in the chicken livers. An experiment was also set up to test for the accumulation of aldicarb in a secondary trophic level of a carrion food chain. To this end, C. chloropyga larvae that were exposed to the toxicant at varying concentrations were presented as a prey item to predatory Chrysomya albiceps fly larvae and adults of the predaceous Saprinus splendens beetle. Although the toxicant was recovered from these predators, there was no correlation between the toxicant concentrations in them and that that the C. chloropyga larvae were exposed to.
Another iteration of this experiment was to test which of the post-feeding life stages of flies can also be used as an alternative toxicological matrix. It was postulated that the toxicant would be eliminated during the post-feeding stages of the fly and that some of the toxicant might be deposited in the cuticle of larvae and consequently also in the pupal casings. It was found that since the emergent adult flies of C. albiceps and S. cruentata still contained trace amounts of the toxicant, the pupae of these two species would still be suitable alternative toxicology sources. The toxicant was not be picked up in the emergent adult flies of C. chloropyga and it is unclear up to what point the toxicant remains present in its pupae. The toxicant was not picked up in the pupal casings of any of the flies. However since the extraction method used might have been inadequate to release the toxicant from the chitinised matrix of the pupal casing, a verdict cannot be made regarding excluding the pupal casings as alternative toxicology source.
When calculating a post mortem interval (PMI) based on the Developmental Model, it is imperative to know whether or not the deceased was exposed to toxicants since toxicants can potentially influence the growth rate of forensic indicator species. To test the effect of aldicarb on the development of forensic flies, C. chloropyga, C. albiceps and Sarcophaga cruentata larvae were exposed to a lethal dose of aldicarb. Larvae were measured and weighed at 24 hour intervals, pupal development was tracked by noting morphological landmarks every 24 hours and adult fitness was assessed based on the ability to reproduce. Aldicarb slowed down the total development rate of C. chloropyga and accelerated that of C. albiceps but had no effect on S. cruentata. The necessary PMI adjustments should be made for the calliphorid life stages that were exposed to the toxicant as larvae. It was furthermore noted that the toxicant did not affect the reproductive fitness of all species examined.National Research Foundation (NRF)Free State Department of Educatio
Challenges of the construction industry in the Free State
No full textDissertation (MBA (Business Administration))--University of the Free State, 2019The construction industry plays a significant role in the economy of South Africa, and it is a crucial contributor to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. However, recent economic trends show that the contribution of the construction industry to the GDP in South Africa is declining. This poor performance is attributed to the challenges that the construction industry is currently facing. The Free State province is among the provinces where infrastructure developments are slacking. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges facing the construction industry in the Free State. The study aimed at establishing what the challenges are as well as to propose strategic interventions that may improve the performance of the construction industry in the Free State.
This study followed a quantitative approach and made use of the two forms of a quantitative study, namely: descriptive research and explanatory research. The former enabled the researcher to describe the characteristics of the current situation of the construction industry in the Free State. In contrast, the latter allowed the researcher to identify the degree and nature of cause-and-effect relationships in the activities of the construction industry. The study collected data through a questionnaire survey using the online survey tool Survey Monkey. The link to the questionnaires was distributed via email and WhatsApp. WhatsApp was used as a distribution platform since most people use smartphones and have quick access to their WhatsApp messages. It therefore made it easier for many people to access the questionnaire and respond quicker. The respondents to the survey were purposely selected through the quota sampling method. This sampling method enabled the researcher to strategically select respondents based on their unique characteristics so that those sampled were relevant to the research questions. The analysis and interpretation of the collected data were based on the 104 completed and usable questionnaires received from the 200 respondents invited to participate. Univariate analysis was performed through frequency tables, bar charts, pie charts, measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion. The data were further analysed using the relative importance index (RII) method to determine the relative importance of the various factors and challenges of the construction industry in the Free State. In terms of demographics, the results showed that the majority of the respondents (63.46%) were males, while females only made up 36.54%.
The RII ranking method showed that the five most important issues facing the construction industry at the time of the study according to the respondents were: (1) lack of application of proper construction management tools and techniques by consultants and project site staff (RII = 0.730); (2) poor qualifications and inadequate experience of contractors’ supervisors (RII = 0.722); (3) ineffective planning and scheduling of projects (RII = 0.720);
(4) delays in producing design documents (RII = 0.717); and (5) no application of construction management procedures on the part of the client which contributes to late detection of construction problems (RII = 0.704). The results also showed that most of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the construction industry in the Free State fail mainly due to their inability to develop long-term strategies, their lack of access to funding, delayed payments by clients, significantly high start-up costs and their inability to compete with big construction firms.
Based on the results, it was concluded that the root problem of the challenges in the construction industry in the Free State lies in project management activities. The project and construction management role carries a large responsibility in construction projects because most projects fail or incur high extra costs due to poor project and construction management techniques. Thus, it was recommended that contractors must undertake regular training on effective planning and execution of construction projects, which will result in the efficient and effective management of construction projects. In the long run, construction industry performance will improve and subsequently contribute significantly to the economic growth of the Free State and the country at large
Perceived self-efficacy as a factor realising choice satisfaction regarding post-compulsory Physical Sciences
No full textDissertation (M.Ed.(Psychology of Education))--University of the Free State, 2019Societies are dependent on learners studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in order to address, for example, issues related to health, sustainability and poverty. There is a global decline in the uptake of STEM-related studies by learners at post-compulsory level, which has prompted a worldwide research focus on factors that can influence renewed learner interest in the uptake of studies related to this field. Researchers have identified four groups of factors which influence post-compulsory uptake of Science: Systemic, School, External and Individual. Self-efficacy, a concept from Social Cognitive Theory, forms part of the group of individual factors, and is under-researched in science education on post-compulsory level. Self-efficacy can also be incorporated into the Capability Approach as a conversion factor. Conversion factors transform available opportunities into realised opportunities. In this study I argue that perceived self-efficacy can possibly be seen as ‘perceived power’, in other words a personal conversion factor towards post-compulsory choice satisfaction in the context of Physical Sciences. Given the firmly established role of perceived self-efficacy in affecting a variety of aspects of people’s lives, it is conceivable for the level of perceived self-efficacy employed to affect the extent to which learners realise post-compulsory choice satisfaction regarding Physical Sciences.
In 2017, I surveyed 541 Grade 10 learners from the Lejweleputswa district in the Free State, South-Africa. These Grade 10 learners were surveyed, from a capabilities perspective, on their perceived self-efficacy, satisfaction with choice regarding Physical Sciences, and some basic opportunities identified in education. Biographical data were also collected with the aim of including an account regarding the structural constraints and human diversity of learners. From a capabilities perspective, structural constraints relate to policies and institutions influencing learner opportunities, while an account of human diversity includes elements like gender and ethnicity. A simple linear regression was done to determine the relationship between perceived self-efficacy and satisfaction with choice. Multiple regression was done to adjust for biographical factors and basic opportunities identified in education. The findings show a statistically significant positive relationship between perceived self-efficacy and choice satisfaction regarding Physical Sciences. A relationship independent of biographical factors and mediated by basic opportunities in education was found. Statistically the influence of perceived self-efficacy on choice satisfaction, although small, is independent of biographical factors and basic realised opportunities in education. It is therefore conceivable that perceived self-efficacy can be seen as a personal conversion factor. This could have numerous implications regarding further research, teaching practise and policy-making
The development of a wide range CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system
No full textCRISPR is a revolutionary method to effectively and efficiently alter the genomic make-up of an organism. Unlike any other genetic engineering tool or technique, CRISPR is remarkably cheaper, simpler and faster to perform. In biotechnology, the best eukaryotic organism for research is yeast, due to their fast growth rate and ease of manipulation compared to multicellular organisms. Hence the aim of the study was the development of a wide range CRISPR-Cas9 system for a wide variety of different yeasts for easy and fast gene editing. The system were validated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and six other non-conventional yeast. System construction began with the incorporation (separately) of three different optimized CAS9 (optimized for expression in Pichia pastoris, Candida albicans and Homo sapiens) genes into the wide range pKM180 vector. The three different CAS9 construct were then tested for correct expression of the Cas9 protein and the effects thereof in all the yeasts. Through western blot analysis it was observed that all three of the different Cas9 proteins were expressed successfully in the different yeasts. However, all of the Cas9 proteins had a negative effect on the growth of the yeast. For the completion of the CRISPR-Cas9 system, a Ribozyme‐gRNA‐Ribozyme cassette was incorporated into the wide range CAS9 vector, containing the C. albicans optimized CAS9. The system was then validated with successful disruption of the ADE2 gene in all of the yeasts. This proved that the wide range CRISPR-Cas9 system was applicable in a wide variety of different yeasts, thus allowing for rapid, cost-effective genetic manipulation of biotechnologically relevant yeast strains.National Research Foundation (NRF
FOUCHÉ, Johannes Jacobus Inventory of documents
No full textCOVERAGE 1951-1965; 34 Files; 0,89 Metres.
AUDIO CASSETTES IN ARCA COLLECTION = 19Private papers of J.J. Fouché, National party MP Smithfield [1941-1950], Bloemfontein West [1960-1968], Minister of Defence [1959-1966],
Agricultural Technical services [1966-1968], Water Affairs [1966-1968], second State President of S.A. [1968-1975
Social innovation and service delivery by local government: a comparative perspective
No full textEnglish: Orientation: An increase in the world population, estimated at 7.3 billion mid 2015 (United Nations, Department of
Economic and Social Affairs 2015:1), inevitably puts pressure on the availability of resources (food, water, energy,
and shelter, to name a few). Successfully meeting this demand for resources, and ultimately delivering sustainable
services to societal needs, will depend to a large extent on the processes that are implemented by local
government(s) (LG/LGs) and on how these needs are met through citizen participation and innovation. It is noted,
therefore, that social innovation (SI) is often utilised by LGs to address the demand for resources and ultimately
deliver sustainable services to societal needs of the twenty-first century (Sørensen & Torfing 2011:847;
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 2014; Cipolla & Moura 2012:44; Novy & Leubolt
2005:2023–2034; Hart, Jacobs, & Mhula 2013:29). The real measure of SI is in its application resulting in
sustainable services for its users (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
2013:7), which is often seen as the creation of public value (Meričkova, Nemec, & Svidronova 2015:532). Providing
sustainable services and creating public value through service delivery seem to confront LGs globally with the
challenge of how to effectively use SI in the improvement of service delivery. In light of this, this thesis investigates
the use of SI in the service delivery of LG through a comparative look at the City of Ghent (CoG) (East Flanders
province, Belgium) and the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) (Free State province, SA).
Research purpose: The purpose of this study is embedded in contextual research, explanatory research, and
generative research. Through contextual research, the use of SI during LG service delivery (referred to as the or
a phenomenon), as well as how it exists within the different LG contexts, was explored. Explanatory research
highlighted the driving forces behind the use of SI during LG service delivery and its occurrences, examining
reasons for associations between what exists regarding the nature of the phenomenon and how the phenomenon
is organised in different local contexts. Generative research was used in respect of the public administration and
SI discourses, the policy and LG spheres in Belgium (East Flanders province) and SA (Free State province), the
LG service delivery environments in the CoG and the MMM, and the framework for the enhanced use of SI in LG
service delivery.
Motivation for the study: This study was carried out in view of SI remaining a latent area in the South African LG
sphere despite its growing use in public sector service delivery globally, with specific reference to LG. The
increased utilisation of SI in LG service delivery globally thus warrants exploration. A comprehensive understanding
of the use of SI in LG service delivery was therefore deemed important in order to inform a framework for the
enhanced use of SI during LG service delivery. Lastly, service delivery challenges in the MMM makes it prudent
to investigate alternative strategies, such as SI, in order to improve LG service delivery.
Research design, approach and method: Through a qualitative research design, combined with a case study
approach, the use of SI during service delivery was explored as a phenomenon about which little is known and
which requires a holistic understanding. Qualitative research methods were used to both collect and analyse the data, and data collection instruments included documents (naturally occurring data), semi-structured interviews
(generated data), and focus group discussions (generated data).
Main findings: From the shortcomings of traditional Public Administration (PA), New Public Management (NPM),
and New Public Governance (NPG) regarding citizen participation in LG service delivery, it is clear that a Pubic
Administration and governance theory should be developed that will be able to position citizen participation as
central to LG service delivery. The findings illustrate that open governance systems would not automatically result
in sustainable, quality, and quantity service delivery, as this depends extensively on who participates in devising
solutions as well as on the delivery and governance of services. During the governance of services in the LG
service delivery system, social systems and technical systems should be used in equilibrium in order to address
the complex societal challenges of the twenty-first century. In respect of collaboration, this study highlighted that
the use of SI during the co-production of LG service delivery is premised on a symbiotic, interdependent, and
reciprocal relationship between citizens, LG officials, and politicians.
Practical implications: The practical implications highlighted by this study include, first, the meticulous planning of
citizen participation when SI is used during the respective stages of the co-production service delivery cycle.
Further, a conducive internal organisational context is required that advances citizen participation in the
governance and decision-making of service delivery but which is likewise optimal for enhancing the use of SI during
the respective co-production service delivery stages. Adding to this, LG officials and politicians have an important
role to play in understanding the value proposition of participation in service delivery to citizens. This value
proposition is integral to building and establishing a relationship of trust between citizens, LG officials and
politicians. Lastly, consensus concerning the concept of SI, its use, and its implementation is important in light of
its consistent use and application within a municipality.
Contribution: Over decades, public sector organisations globally have been undergoing various transformations in
attempts to improve how they exercise their primary responsibility of service delivery. These transformations
influenced the functioning of these organisations, their service delivery processes and systems, their policy
implementation, and their governance of decision-making. In the main, these transformations were guided by the
introduction of public administration and governance theories, amongst which PA, NPM, and NPG, that influenced
the practice of public administration and management during certain timeframes. Amidst these transformations,
meaningful citizen participation has not been receiving the attention it deserves, although the implementation of
citizen participation by public sector organisations has evolved immensely since the introduction of PA. These
organisations are challenged with finding a balance between meeting citizens’ growing service delivery demands
and expectations, whilst simultaneously facilitating meaningful citizen participation in governing service delivery
and deriving solutions to complex societal and service delivery challenges confronting citizens. To strike this
balance, the present thesis presents the use of SI during LG service delivery in order to stimulate the discourse
regarding the use of SI within the academic discipline of PA as well as in its practice. It is hoped that this will encourage scholars to investigate the relevance of the conventional PA and governance theories for addressing
the complex service delivery problems of the twenty-first century. Further, the study aims to establish the use of SI
in LG service delivery as a priority on the PA research agenda. Adding to this, the study presents novel insights
regarding similarities as well as differences in the use of SI through a comparative perspective between two LGs,
namely the MMM and CoG.
Based on the findings from the focus groups and semi-structured interviews, a framework is introduced for the
adoption of an SI strategy. This strategy offers a practical approach to the use of SI by outlining the respective
roles of citizens, LG officials, and politicians as the triad that underlies the use of SI during service delivery. The
framework provided through the adoption of this SI strategy gives citizens political and administrative
accountability, builds trust, gives citizens ownership in joint problem solving, empowers citizens through
participatory decision-making processes, and advances democratic principles and values. This strategy proposes
that convergence between the technical and social systems is central to the use of SI and its use in improving
service delivery.Afrikaans: Oriëntering: ’n Toename in die wêreldpopulasie, wat in die middel van 2015 op 7,3 miljard geskat is (Verenigde
Nasies, Departement Ekonomiese en Maatskaplike Sake 2015: 1), plaas noodwendig druk op die beskikbaarheid
van hulpbronne (kos, water, energie en skuiling, onder andere). Om met sukses vir hierdie aanvraag na hulpbronne
te voorsien, en uiteindelik volhoubare dienste vir die samelewing se behoeftes te lewer, sal tot ’n groot mate afhang
van die prosesse wat plaaslike regerings in werking stel en hoe burgerdeelname en innovasie in hierdie behoeftes
voorsien. Sosiale innovasie (SI) word gereeld deur plaaslike regerings gebruik om die aanvraag na hulpbronne
aan te spreek en uiteindelik volhoubare dienste vir die maatskaplike behoeftes van die een-en-twintigste eeu te
lewer (Sørensen & Torfing 2011:847; Organisasie vir Ekonomiese Samewerking en Ontwikkeling 2014; Cipolla &
Moura 2012:44; Novy & Leubolt 2005:2023–2034; Hart, Jacobs, & Mhula 2013:29). Sosiale innovasie kan gemeet
word wanneer die toepassing daarvan tot volhoubare dienste lei vir dié wat dit gebruik (Europese Stigting vir die
verbetering van die lewens-en arbeidsomstandigheden 2013:7), wat dikwels as die skep van waarde vir die publiek
gesien word (Meričkova, Nemec, & Svidronova, 2015:532). Die vraag oor hoe om volhoubare dienste te lewer en
waarde vir die publiek te skep daag plaaslike regerings wêreldwyd uit om SI doeltreffend in die verbetering van
dienslewering te gebruik. Aan die hand hiervan ondersoek hierdie proefskrif die gebruik van SI in die dienslewering
van plaaslike regerings, deur ’n vergelyking tussen die Stad Gent (SG) (Oos-Vlaandere, België) en die Mangaung
Metropolitaanse Munisipaliteit (MMM) (Vrystaat, Suid-Afrika) te tref.
Navorsingsdoel: Die doel van hierdie studie spruit uit kontekstuele navorsing, verklarende navorsing en
generatiewe navorsing. Deur kontekstuele navorsing is die gebruik van SI tydens dienslewering in plaaslike
regerings (die of ’n fenomeen genoem) ondersoek, asook hoe dit in die verskillende plaaslike regeringskontekste
bestaan. Deur verklarende navorsing het die studie uitgelig wat die drywers van die gebruik van SI in dienslewering
in plaaslike regerings is en hoe dit voorkom, en is redes ondersoek vir die verband tussen die aard van die
fenomeen en hoe dit in verskillende plaaslike kontekste georganiseer word. Generatiewe navorsing is gebruik in
die bespreking van die openbare administrasie- en SI-diskoerse, die beleid en plaaslike regeringsfere in België
(Oos-Vlaandere) en Suid-Afrika (Vrystaat), die omstandighede rondom dienslewering deur plaaslike regerings in
die SG en MMM, en die raamwerk vir die versterkte gebruik van SI in dienslewering deur plaaslike regerings.
Motivering vir die studie: Hierdie studie is onderneem aan die hand daarvan dat SI ’n onontwikkelde area in die
Suid-Afrikaanse plaaslike regeringsfeer bly, ten spyte daarvan dat dit wêreldwyd toenemend in dienslewering in
die openbare sektor gebruik word, veral in plaaslike regerings. Die toenemende wêreldwye gebruik van SI in
dienslewering in plaaslike regerings verdien dus om ondersoek te word. Dit is daarom belangrik om die gebruik
van SI in dienslewering in plaaslike regerings ten volle te verstaan om uiteindelik ’n raamwerk vir die versterkte
gebruik van SI tydens dienslewering in plaaslike regerings op te stel. Laastens is dit wys om aan die hand van
uitdagings in dienslewering in die MMM, alternatiewe strategieë soos SI te ondersoek ten einde dienslewering in
plaaslike regerings te verbeter.
Navorsingsontwerp, benadering en metodes: Deur middel van ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp tesame met ’n
gevallestudie-benadering, is die gebruik van SI in dienslewering ondersoek as ’n fenomeen waaroor min bekend
is en wat holisties verstaan moet word. Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes is gebruik om die data te versamel sowel
as te ontleed, en die instrumente wat gebruik is om data te versamel het dokumente (data wat natuurlik voorkom),
semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude (gegenereerde data) en fokusgroep-gesprekke (gegenereerde data) ingesluit.
Hoofbevindinge: Aan die hand van die tekortkominge van tradisionele Openbare Administrasie (OA), Nuwe
Openbare Bestuur (NOB) en Nuwe Openbare Regering (NOR) in terme van burgerdeelname in dienslewering in
plaaslike regerings, is dit duidelik dat ’n openbare administrasie- en regeringsteorie ontwikkel moet word wat in
staat sal wees om burgerdeelname die kern van dienslewering in plaaslike regerings te maak. Die studie het bevind
dat oop regeringstelsels nie outomaties tot volhoubare, kwaliteit en kwantiteit dienslewering lei nie, want dit hang
af van wie in die soek na oplossings deelneem en van hoe dienste gelewer en bestuur word. Wanneer plaaslike
regerings dienste in die diensleweringstelsel bestuur moet sosiale sisteme en tegniese sisteme in ekwilibrium
gebruik word ten einde die komplekse maatskaplike uitdagings van die een-en-twintigste eeu die hoof te bied. In
terme van samewerking het hierdie studie uitgewys dat die gebruik van SI tydens die medeproduksie van
dienslewering in plaaslike regerings op ’n simbiotiese, interafhanklike en wedersydse verhouding tussen burgers,
plaaslike regeringsamptenare en politici gebaseer is.
Praktiese implikasies: Die praktiese implikasies van hierdie studie se bevindings is, eerstens, dat burgerdeelname
noukeurig beplan moet word wanneer SI in die respektiewe stadiums van medeproduksie in die
diensleweringsiklus gebruik word. Verder moet die interne konteks van die organisasie burgerdeelname in die
bestuur van en besluitneming rakende dienslewering bevorder, maar moet tegelykertyd optimaal wees om die
gebruik van SI tydens die respektiewe stadiums van medeproduksie in die diensleweringsiklus te versterk. Daarby
moet plaaslike regeringsamptenare en politici ’n belangrike rol speel en moet die waarde wat deelname aan
dienslewering vir burgers bied verstaan. Hierdie waarde is noodsaaklik om ’n verhouding van vertroue tussen
burgers, plaaslike regeringsamptenare en politici te bou. Laastens is ooreenstemming rakende die konsep van SI
en hoe dit gebruik en toegepas word belangrik sodat ’n munisipaliteit dit konsekwent kan gebruik en toepas.
Bydrae: Oor dekades en regoor die wêreld ondergaan organisasies in die openbare sektor verskeie transformasies
in ’n poging om te verbeter hoe hulle hulle vernaamste verantwoordelikheid, naamlik dienslewering, op hulle neem.
Hierdie transformasies het die funksionering van hierdie organisasies, hulle diensleweringsprosesse en -sisteme,
hulle beleidstoepassing en hoe hulle besluitneming bestuur beïnvloed. Oor die algemeen geskied hierdie
transformasies deur die bekendstelling van nuwe teorieë van openbare administrasie en regering, onder andere
OA, NOB en NOR, wat almal op spesifieke tye die praktyk van openbare administrasie en -bestuur beïnvloed het.
Te midde van hierdie transformasies het betekenisvolle burgerdeelname nie die aandag ontvang wat dit verdien
nie, alhoewel die implementering van burgerdeelname aansienlik ontwikkel het sedert OA voorgestel is. Hierdie
organisasies word dus uitgedaag om ’n balans te kry tussen om aan burgers se behoeftes en verwagtinge te voldoen, en om tegelykertyd betekenisvolle burgerdeelname te bevorder ten einde dienslewering te bestuur en
oplossings te soek vir komplekse maatskaplike en dienslewerings-uitdagings wat burgers ondervind. Om hierdie
balans te kry, stel hierdie proefskrif die gebruik van SI tydens dienslewering in plaaslike regerings voor ten einde
die diskoers aangaande SI in die akademiese vakrigting sowel as die praktyk van openbare administrasie te
stimuleer. Hopelik sal dit vakkundiges aanmoedig om die konvensionele openbare administrasie- en
regeringsteorieë te ondersoek om vas te stel of hulle toepaslik is om die komplekse diensleweringsprobleme van
die een-en-twintigste eeu aan te spreek. Verder sal die studie hopelik die gebruik van SI in dienslewering in
plaaslike regerings as ’n prioriteit vestig op openbare administrasie se navorsingsagenda. Daarby bied die studie
nuwe insig in die ooreenkomste sowel as verskille in die gebruik van SI deur middel van ’n vergelyking tussen die
twee plaaslike regerings, naamlik die MMM en die SG.
Met die bevindinge van die fokusgroepe en semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude as vertrekkingspunt, word ’n
raamwerk vir die aanneem van ’n SI-strategie voorgestel. Hierdie strategie bied ’n praktiese benadering tot die
gebruik van SI deur die respektiewe rolle van burgers, plaaslike regeringsamptenare en politici te beskryf as die
triade wat die basis van die gebruik van SI in dienslewering vorm. Die raamwerk wat deur die aanneem van hierdie
SI-strategie verskaf word gee aan burgers politieke en administratiewe aanspreeklikheid, bou vertroue, gee aan
burgers eienaarskap wanneer hulle gesamentlik probleme oplos, bemagtig burgers deur deelnemende
besluitnemingsprosesse, en bevorder demokratiese beginsels en waardes. Hierdie strategie stel voor dat die
ineenloping van die tegniese en sosiale sisteme die kern van die gebruik van SI is, sowel as van die gebruik
daarvan om dienslewering te verbeter