Abstract:
This thesis examines the notion of developmental local government within
the context of the implementation of a local economic development policy
and the interrelationship that exists between national development
frameworks underpinning growth and development objectives developed at
the national and provincial spheres of government and the local economic
development policy executed at the local sphere of government. Chapter
One provides a historical overview of the Integrated Development Plan and
of Local Economic Development in the Republic of South Africa. The concept
of a developmental state within the context of the Republic of South Africa
and also the evolution of the system of local government are examined.
Chapter Two discusses research methodology within the context of the
discipline of public administration and provides a distinction between
qualitative and quantitative research and the rationale behind the adoption
of a qualitative research approach for the purpose of this study. An
overview of Public Administration and Public Policy literature is broadly
discussed in Chapter Three. The theoretical framework of developmental
local government and its characteristics is discussed in the same chapter.
The trajectory of national economic development policies, namely, the
Reconstruction and Development Programme, the Growth, Employment and Redistribution Policy, Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa
and New Growth Path and the interrelationship with the LED policy
objectives are examined in Chapter Four. The analysis of the case study
underpinning this study and presentation of research findings flowing from a
field research undertaken in the Emakhazeni local municipality situated in
the Mpumalanga province of the Republic of South Africa are discussed in
Chapter Five. An LED policy implementation model suited for developmental
local government is also discussed in this chapter. The overall deductions,
recommendations, limitations of this study, and suggestions for further
research are presented in Chapter Six.
