Browsing by Author "Colborne, Meryl-lynne"
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- ItemDo communities really have a say? The implementation of public participation in the liquor regulatory process: A case study of uMgungundlovu District(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Colborne, Meryl-lynne; De Coning, Christo; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.ENGLISH SUMMARY : This study was motivated by the researcher’s interest in the implementation of the new liquor policy in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, with specific regard to the public value and meaningfulness of the public participation processes of the policy from a citizenry perspective. One of the key features of the new liquor policy is the inclusion of public participation in the liquor regulatory processes. The study was conducted to assess the implementation of the public participation processes and the meaningfulness of the processes for those affected by the policy, namely the citizens, with an aim to formulate recommendations for the implementing entity of the liquor policy. In conducting the literature review, the 7C protocol was specifically instrumental in providing a framework to assess the implementation of the policy. Emphasis was also placed on current public participation models to determine the meaningfulness of the public participation arrangements. The study followed a qualitative research design based on the uMgungundlovu District in KwaZulu-Natal as a case study, using semi-structured interviews and focus group interviews with the implementers of the public participation process and the public as participants in the process. A documentary analysis was utilised to support the data collected. The four research questions delved into what problem was being addressed through the introduction of public participation in the liquor policy, how public participation is being implemented, as well as the experiences and challenges of the beneficiaries and implementers of the policy with regard to the public participation processes. The study found that, while the content of the policy substantively provides for public participation, the implementation thereof leaves much room for improvement. In its current state, public participation is being implemented on a basic level and appears to be more symbolic, or is used to comply with the regulatory process rather being an opportunity for a collaborative relationship between the policy implementers and the citizens. In the context of the regulation of liquor, where the economic benefit has to be balanced against the effect on society and conflicting citizen expectations may exist, meaningful public participation plays a significant role in gaining citizens’ trust and tolerance of government agencies’ decisions. Recommendations are made to improve communication and co-ordination within the public participation process as the implementing agency does have control over these variables which would have a direct influence on the improving public value and objective of the inclusion of public participation in the liquor policy.