International relations and local governance in South Africa: The case of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.
Molepo, John Ntshaupe
Molepo, John Ntshaupe
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Abstract
The study has been conducted to assist municipalities in South Africa, particularly the City of Tshwane, in international relations with regard to the establishment of relations with cities outside the country and the monitoring of agreements that the city has with other cities. The study was undertaken to gain deeper insight into the challenges that the City of Tshwane faces in international relations and local government. The study also aimed at proposing a model to addressing how international relations in local governance can be enhanced within the South African context. The study employed an interpretivist research paradigm, and qualitative research and its designs. The study adopted interviews as a method of collecting data. Unstructured interviews were used. Nonprobability sampling was employed using purposive sampling. Participants in the study included officials of the City of Tshwane, experts in international relations, parliamentarians and mayors. Content and thematic analysis regarding international relations and local governance are located in the theories of international relations and local of the key findings of the study include lack of capacity (technical and expertise) in the municipality, lack of communication/interaction among spheres of government, lack of monitoring mechanism of agreements, political intrusion in administration, and change of political leadership. One of the objectives of the study was to propose solutions to how international relations in local governance can be enhanced. Some of the recommendations include the need for the City of Tshwane and other municipalities to enter into agreements with other cities to enhance their skills and technical expertise. The economic growth of the city depends on the investments from outside the country, hence the need for the city to have relations with foreign cities. The study proposes a model to address problems with regard to municipal international relations in the City of Tshwane. The study also
proposes further research, particularly on issues of international relations and local governance.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctoral Degree in Public Affairs in the Department of Public Management at the Tshwane University of Technology
Date
2019-06-02
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Tshwane University of Technology
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Keywords
Governance, Municipalities, Administration, Tshwane, Metropolitan