Job creation and employment sustainability within the Tlokwe Local Municipality : a policy analysis

Abstract

Unemployment is an ongoing issue globally and specifically in South Africa with a current unemployment rate of 25.7% which has negative effects on society and influences the livelihoods of individuals. Job creation should be emphasised and be created in an environment that is able to produce more opportunities for its citizens. The alignment of the three spheres namely; national, provincial and local governments are paramount in addressing challenges experienced in societies by communities. The study sets out to investigate job creation and sustainable employment currently addressed through the Local Economic Development (LED) policy, specifically within the Tlokwe Local Municipality. The study argues that by facilitating an enabling environment supportive of economic growth, job creation will also be addressed. The primary aim of this research was to explore how evident job creation and employment sustainability are in the LED policy of the Tlokwe Local Municipality. For the purposes of the study a policy analysis approach was taken with respect to policy implementation in local government. A qualitative research methodology was used in this study, including a literature review and unstructured individual interviews with selected public officials. The findings of the study were that for the LED policy to be successful, the drafting of the LED policy by relevant specific individuals should provide clear objectives in guiding the prioritisation of LED projects and programmes. As conceptualised in theory, public officials should be working collaboratively with other stakeholders to achieve the developmental objectives of LED. Collaboration can be achieved by the practical implementation of the LED policy. However, currently this is not the case. The lack of recognition for the importance of the LED policy negatively affects the institutional culture and commitment in promoting alignment amongst public officials within the Tlokwe Local Municipality. In addition, the lack of community participation in the LED policy prevents public officials from knowing the types of challenges being experienced in the various areas of the Tlokwe Local Municipality. It therefore shows that the lack of prioritisation and recognition for the importance of the LED policy by public officials has a negative influence on implementation and being successful in addressing the needs of communities. Therefore, public officials have a responsibility in being equipped with the appropriate knowledge in facilitating integration and recognition of the LED policy within all functions that are related to enable a supportive environment to foster job creation and a sustainable employment. Various recommendations were made to the Tlokwe Local Municipality with respect to prioritisation of LED projects by ensuring that public officials obtain the necessary information concerning the LED policy. By considering the implementation of these recommendations, public officials will be able to create an enabling environment that promotes both economic growth and job creation. Furthermore these recommendations will improve the interaction amongst public officials of other departments in setting LED priorities that need to be realised through including LED projects in the Tlokwe Local Municipality‟s Integrated Development Plan, which is expected to have a positive effect in promoting organisational commitment amongst public officials and therefore might lead to the needs of communities being met