Poverty Levels among Local Municipalities in the NMMD of South Africa: A Multidimensional Scaling Approach

Abstract

The North West Province has four district municipalities which are in turn subdivided into local municipalities. The province is experiencing very slow service delivery levels yet every year each municipality is allocated funds to ensure its smooth running. Although government avails funds, allocates poverty grants to the community and has black empowerment strategies in place, the communities in this province still remain poor. Many reasons can be cited for this status quo, ranging from mismanagement of funds, low resources, insufficient funds and the number of municipalities. This study recommends possible solutions to these problems. Data for the five local municipalities from the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) was analysed using Multidimensional scaling technique. Each municipality is defined by ten variables measuring poverty. The technique grouped the five local municipalities of the NMMDM into two clusters of local municipalities. An optimal perceptual map identified the levels of municipalities according to their poverty levels. With this information, the NMMDM can formulate appropriate strategic plans and policies that can address the local municipalities. Also the NMMDM can be able to address the targets set for the MDG goals of eradication of extreme poverty and hunger.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n2p549