The impact of rural immigration on service delivery in the Metropolitan Municipalities : eThekwini City

Abstract

Much research has been conducted on service delivery all over the world, yet no research has been done on the impact of rural immigrants on service delivery, with the focus on the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Therefore, these factors are clearly defined and explained in order to assist the municipal administration and academia to improve performance of service delivery; covering aspects such as urban development; service delivery; drivers of internal migration; rural to urban migration and its implications for urban service delivery. The study sample comprised 100 respondents randomly selected and required to complete a questionnaire. The researcher assisted in terms of questionnaire administration. Respondents were asked to complete a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire for the quantitative data for statistical analysis, using SPSS version 24.0 for analysis of primary data, with qualitative aspects also considered; in terms of an extensive literature review. The findings of the study indicate a positive significance to the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality regarding the accessibility of schools and good municipal services, as pull factors for migration from rural areas. Various mixed opinions were found regarding: the availability of jobs and good business opportunities as factors affecting urban development; municipal services and unemployment, political conflicts in areas of origin, and running a business in the city, as well as better opportunities of obtaining a house when living in the municipality. Much significance was revealed regarding better living conditions; long-term internal migration; and children of rural immigrants, as factors affecting service delivery. However, the results further reveal a mixed opinion regarding, while indicating significance regarding work-related migration. The results showed significance with people who move from their home to live in informal settlement, and regarding travelling cost from home to work. While indicating significance with people who came from families that were provided RDP houses previously, results showed significance to the provision of all basic services as factors affecting the drivers of internal migration.