Dr Peter Mamoneke Masegare.UKZN Doctoral Graduate Investigates Poor Service Delivery
Corporate Governance Implementation Systems within the Municipal Sector in Gauteng were examined by Dr Peter Mamoneke Masegare for his doctorate in Business Administration.
Masegare says he was motivated to research the topic as communities often complain and stage street protests about municipal services.
‘Each and every year in South Africa there are community complaints and protests about poor service delivery from the municipalities, including the burning of schools and property belonging to the State,’ said Masegare.
His research revealed that many municipal councils and boards of directors in South Africa were not sufficiently capacitated and/or skilled to deal with corporate governance roles and responsibilities. ‘Those involved often say they were just thrown into the lion’s den,’ he said.
Masegare said this phenomenon was contrary to the practice of good corporate governance as the King IV report (2016:39) maintains that councils and boards should serve as focal points and custodians of corporate governance. This broad leadership role includes provision of direction and strategy, and giving effect to strategy by approving policies and procedures, plans, frameworks and structures.
Masegare said corporate governance involved a variety of issues and roles such as ethical leadership and corporate citizenship; audit committees; the governance of risk; the governance of information technology; compliance with laws, rules, codes and standards; internal audits; governing stakeholder relationships; integrated reporting, and disclosure.
‘If councils or boards do not understand these governance terms, how can they implement and monitor them? That’s why communities are protesting.’
Masegare had this advice for those wanting to study for a PhD: ‘It is doable with good time management. This means treating a doctorate as a fulltime job, while appreciating that a complete lack of leisure time can be damaging to your health and chances of success.
‘A positive student/supervisor relationship is also important. Finally, a candidate needs qualities such as discipline, commitment, perseverance, strategic planning, and tenacity.’
Masegare acknowledged Professor Mpho Solomon Ngoepe, an Associate Professor in the Department of Information Science at the University of South Africa, for his knowledge, patience and understanding, and Dr Muhammad Ehsanul Hoque, Academic Leader: Higher Degrees and Research at UKZN’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership for his patience and enthusiastic involvement. He also thanked the South African Local Government Association’s Mr Lucky Leseane for critical and constructive feedback and Mrs Letitia Greenberg who edited his thesis.
‘My thanks also to all the respondents who completed and returned my questionnaires and Miss Moipoti Makgalemane for assisting in data analysis and collection.’
He paid tribute to his family for their support, love and understanding. ‘To my wife, Evelyn, I owe you my life. You have been a friend who has stuck closer than any brother or sister. Your sacrifice, insights, and sustained belief in this helped me to carry it through to the end.’
He also thanked UKZN for sponsoring the project.
A practising accountant/auditor, Masegare plans to give back to the community by supervising masters and PhD candidates.