The role of non-state actors in local service delivery

Abstract

Throughout South Africa, municipalities struggle to provide citizens with adequate services, often due to limited resources and dysfunctional government structures. Consequently, non-governmental organisations often take on a role in service delivery. This thesis examines the National Arts Festival’s implementation of the Social Employment Fund (SEF) Programme and its contribution to addressing service delivery issues in the Makana municipality. In the context of local municipal service delivery failures, the thesis investigates how the partnership arrangement between the National Arts Festivals’ SEF programme and the Makana Local Municipality operates in terms of delivering public services. Using a qualitative case study design, the data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 17 participants, an analysis of news reports on NAF’s SEF programme, and a sample set of reports provided by NAF management. Key findings indicate that the NAF-SEF programme contributes to improving the provision of some services, such as refuse removal and the maintenance and beautification of public spaces. The findings also reveal that, in the context of infrastructure-related service provision, the state or private contractors are better suited to address such issues than non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as NGOs may lack long-term sustainability and are not always adequately resourced. Additionally, the findings demonstrate the NAF-managed SEF programme's contribution to providing part-time employment to citizens of Makhanda, while also creating a space for skills development and community empowerment. The findings also highlight the various challenges faced by the NAF-SEF programme, such as funding for the programme, and how these may hinder its ability to consistently and sustainably support the Makana Local Municipality in service provision. This thesis advances the understanding of non-governmental service provision and shows how an employment programme can be utilised as an alternative method of service provision through partnerships with public and private actors. Additionally, this thesis contributes to addressing the lack of research on the Social Employment Fund and how programmes like it can be envisioned as a means of supplementary service provision. It also emphasises the importance of collaborative efforts in service delivery to tackle the inequitable service provision experienced across South Africa.