Abstract
M.Phil.
This study was conducted against the theoretical background that local government has
the responsibility to provide public leisure services to the communities.
Leisure provides an ideal medium for the transmission of historical, social, and cultural values
that promote desired norms, customs and social orientations, as such, it is vital to the
community. For disadvantaged communities to experience the benefits of leisure,
government has a major role to play in the provision of resources.
The aim of the study was to describe and analyse the provision of local government sport
and recreation services in the City of Johannesburg, Soweto area and to present
alternative forms of public leisure service delivery to aid in ensuring that limited resources
are distributed to all. In order to achieve the aim of the study, it was necessary to:
1. Present responsibilities of local government with regard to the provision of sport
and recreation in local government.
2. Evaluate whether resources are available for the provision of public leisure
services.
3. Analyse the feasibility and implications of the user fee charge policy in public
leisure services.
4. Present alternative forms of public leisure service delivery to the City of
Johannesburg.
Theoretical background was dealt with in Chapter two. The chapter started by briefly
explaining objectives that direct services in countries like Australia, Britain, Canada and
Brazil. Information obtained assisted in explaining that governments can legitimise their
policies in very different ways and that service delivery is driven by what the country
intends to achieve.
Governance structure of sport and recreation in South Africa was discussed. Focus was
mainly on local government and its mandatory responsibility towards public leisure
service delivery. The importance of leisure provisions in fulfilling human needs was
illustrated. Literature also indicated that personnel, facilities, money, equipment tend to
influence each other to produce leisure services to the community. At the same time, user
fee charge policy and marketing of services can impact on service delivery. Through the
discussion it was noted that resources are limited. In view of that, it became vital to
present alternative forms of public leisure service delivery.
Literature presented also assisted in constructing an empirical research based on
literature provided. The instruments used to collect data were two questionnaires. One
questionnaire was for facility managers and the other was for regional managers/ area
managers/ operational managers. A pilot study was conducted to test the reliability and
relevancy of the questionnaires which were then adapted accordingly. The main survey
comprised forty respondents. Questionnaires were sent to all sixty two sport and
recreation facilities owned by The City of Johannesburg in Soweto for facility managers to
fill and only forty were returned. Five questionnaires were sent to regional managers/ area
managers/ operational managers and were returned.