An assessment of the challenges faced by King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality in respect of the provision of electricity services

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY: The correlation between electricity and economic growth is evident, as is electricity's importance in the development process. Its capacity to improve people's lives cannot be denied. This study assesses the provision of electricity in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality (KSDLM). The KSDLM comprises two towns, Mthatha and Mqanduli, and a case study research method was used for the purpose of this research with Mthatha as the focus area within the KSDLM.Quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques were employed. A thorough literature review was conducted to establish a theoretical foundation for the study. Secondary data were obtained from publicly available sources. Old and frail infrastructure is one of the factors hindering quality service delivery, therefore asset management has been noted as the key approach to get the best out of available assets for the benefit of the organisation and/or its stakeholders and this concerns understanding and managing the risk that is associated with owning an asset. Municipalities are not without challenges, however an assessment by the Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) identified various challenges faced by municipalities, from political and administrative tensions to lack of funding from local revenue, while the White Paper on local government states that one of the problems is the inability to rebuild relations between municipalities and the local communities that they serve (RSA, 1998).Primary data were gathered by means of face-to-face structured interviews and questionnaires. An official and two councillors of the KSDLM were interviewed, as well as three business representatives. The KSDLM councillors and the official unanimously stated that they are aware of the challenges faced by the KSDLM with regard to the provision of electricity; however, the organisation is striving to do better. Questionnaires were distributed in the community in the KSDLM. Responses revealed that the overall feeling was that the community is not satisfied with the provision of electricity by the KSDLM.The KSDLM Masterplan identified a number of initiatives to be undertaken to improve the quality of the electricity supply and the service provided to the communities of the KSDLM. Repairs, maintenance and refurbishment of the primary KSDLM electricity network including critical network components which have become old and obsolete will improve the quality of the electricity supply. A number of factors were identified as contributing to the poor provision of electricity in Mthatha and how it has an impact on development and economic growth has become clear. This has led to a greater number of unsatisfied customers in the Mthatha area. This study recommends solutions for overcoming the challenges.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University