The perceptions of youth on service delivery violence in Mpumalanga Province
The study focused on the perceptions of youth based in Wesselton and Siyathemba townships (Mpumalanga Province) towards service delivery violence. The aim of the study was to identify the challenges and the concerns of protestors and to highlight the perceptions of the youth about the causes of poor service delivery. This study started by reviewing the constitutional basis for basic service delivery, youth studies and selected related studies on service delivery protests. Thereafter, the candidate undertook original research on a valid sample of youth of Mpumalanga province, questionnaire sent to a sample of 150 youth within both townships (Mpumalanga province). The researcher adopted both qualitative and quantitative methodology for the analyses upon which conclusions were drawn. The study describes the respondents concerns, challenges and reasons for service delivery violence. The main findings show that the majority of the respondents agreed that protests were about lack of or poor services delivery in both townships. This study also provides evidence that the current problems confronting people of Mpumalanga province and many citizens in South Africa are the result not only of historical factors, but also ‘crisis of service delivery’, which in turn is as a result of poor management, corruption, nepotism, low budget and of the pro-market policies adopted by the new governments. The results reveal that councillors are not accountable for the people as they put their needs first. Furthermore, results show that the majority of the respondents were protesting violently to reflect their frustration and anger. In conclusion the study proposes that the South African government must go back to Batho-Pele (means people first) principles as they are regarded as the solution to address the impatience and violent protests that could result from the failures of government (particularly municipalities) from fulfilling the promises of delivering services
Violence -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga Province, Service delivery -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga Province
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