Reform In South Africa Research Articles

Stalled Land Reform in South Africa

Since the end of apartheid, South African land reform has struggled—and so far failed—to overcome extreme inequalities and historical injustices …

Equity and Education: An Exploration of International Policymaking

Although many countries with high levels of economic inequality have used policymaking to pursue equity in education, inequities continue to exist. Such policies often perpetuate inequities by providing benefits to the most socioeconomically advantaged students and families, rather than groups historically disadvantaged or excluded from educational systems, due to race and/or socioeconomic status. I have investigated policymaking for equity in education by addressing three primary research questions. First, how has international policymaking for equity in education been pursued within localized contexts and global education trends in the United States, Brazil, and Chile? Second, within that context, what factors explain the failure of outcomes-based education curriculum reform in post-apartheid South Africa to result in holistic equity? Third, what are the commonalities that underpin the failures of these nations to achieve holistic equity? I found that the localized policy mechanisms used to pursue equity in education in the U.S., Brazil, and Chile have been in alignment with neoliberal global education trends such as increased privatization, school fees, and decentralization. I additionally found that the key factors that explain the failure of post-apartheid curriculum reform in South Africa to result in holistic equity are a complex policy subsystem, the formulation and implementation of symbolic policy, and the failure to properly evaluate substantive and procedural constraints. Furthermore, I have found the commonalities between researched nations to be high levels of economic inequality and poverty, de facto forms of segregation, and a failure to meet the holistic equity standard of equal education opportunity.

Land reform in South Africa is failing. Can it be saved?

Land reform in South Africa is failing. Can it be saved?

Curriculum reform in South Africa: more time for what?

Curriculum reform in South Africa: more time for what?

The restructuring and privatisation trajectory in South Africa: tracing the historical public policy origins, purpose, methods and guidelines in the pre-1994 epoch

Many perspectives have been propounded and written about the restructuring and privatisation reform. However, this paper endeavours to give a South African approach to the reform profoundly delving into its historical approach on the original definition, methods, factors, criteria and goals of the reform. This paper seeks to demonstrate that this reform has its origins in the apartheid government policy which was intended at strengthening and revitalising the apartheid political economy in the 1980s. The thinking that the private sector runs enterprises in a more efficient, effective, competitive and profitable way and that such an approach may be applied to the State Owned Enterprises with success in an effort to reduce government debt and improving the operational performance, attracted the then South African government into adopting this neoliberal trajectory. State Owned Enterprises compared to their private counterparts performed poorly and suffered heavy losses and ultimately drained government financially. The then South African government initiated a white paper on privatisation and deregulation in 1987 which culminated in the implementation of the restructuring and privatisation reform in South Africa. Thus, this paper posits that the privatisation and restructuring reform originated from the then South African government policy initiatives in the 1980s.

The politics of universalising health care in South Africa: history, policy, and institutions

The article locates current South African government proposals for establishing a national health service (referred to as National Health Insurance) in its historical context. The attempt to create a national health service in South Africa is not a new policy idea, having been preceded by two prior unsuccessful attempts, in the 1940s and the 1990s. The institutional and political obstacles to re-distributive health policy achieving its egalitarian outcomes are examined. The article argues that the current ‘third NHI moment’ for health care reform in South Africa will need to resolve key concerns if it is to be successful. These include vested interests in the private sector, severe problems of capacity to deliver on quality health care in the public sector, the problem of drawing the middle class back into public forms of health care provision, availability of fiscal resources to sustain a universal system of provision and the ‘gate-keeping’ function of the Treasury in regards such fiscal resources, and provincial opposition to central government control of health care provision. Not least political support for a universal health care service beyond championing by the Department of Health and its minister of Health will be a vital element in achieving a universal system of health care it is argued.

Licensing of Communications Networks and Services: Case Study of Market Liberalisation in South Africa and the United Kingdom

The article contrasts the regulatory regime for licensing telecommunications networks and services in South Africa with that of the United Kingdom, in order to illustrate how regulation can be used to restrict competition (South Africa) or facilitate entry into the market (the United Kingdom). The purpose of this article is to suggest possible areas for licensing reform in South Africa, which is currently in the process of reviewing its ICT policy framework. There are three areas where licensing policy can play a key role in promoting competition in the market: infrastructure and services; spectrum licensing; and pro-competitive regulation, which allows for additional licence conditions to be imposed on entities that hold significant market power (SMP). This paper addresses the first issue only (infrastructure and services), as an area that is easily capable of reform. Currently, the system for licensing networks and services in South Africa requires the pre-approval of the regulator to be granted before a licence is issued, which is unduly resource-intensive. This article advocates that South Africa adopt a system of general authorisations for the licensing of networks and services similar to that applied in the United Kingdom. Such an approach would free up the regulator to address other areas that have received insufficient regulatory attention to date, notably spectrum licensing and pro-competitive regulation, both of which fall beyond the scope of this article.

Informing principal policy reforms in South Africa through data-based evidence

In the past decade there has been a notable shift in South African education policy that raises the value of school leadership as a lever for learning improvements. Despite a growing discourse on school leadership, there has been a lack of empirical based evidence on principals to inform, validate or debate the efficacy of proposed policies in raising the calibre of school principals. Drawing on findings from a larger study to understand the labour market for school principals in South Africa, this paper highlights four overarching characteristics of this market with implications for informing principal policy reforms. The paper notes that improving the design and implementation of policies guiding the appointment process for principals is a matter of urgency. A substantial and increasing number of principal replacements are taking place across South African schools given a rising age profile of school principals. In a context of low levels of principal mobility and high tenure, the leadership trajectory of the average school is established for nearly a decade with each principal replacement. Evidence-based policy making has a strong role to play in getting this right.

Informing principal policy reforms in South Africa through data-based evidence

In the past decade there has been a notable shift in South African education policy that raises the value of school leadership as a lever for learning improvements. Despite a growing discourse on school leadership, there has been a lack of empirical based evidence on principals to inform, validate or debate the efficacy of proposed policies in raising the calibre of school principals. Drawing on findings from a larger study to understand the labour market for school principals in South Africa, this paper highlights four overarching characteristics of this market with implications for informing principal policy reforms. The paper notes that improving the design and implementation of policies guiding the appointment process for principals is a matter of urgency. A substantial and increasing number of principal replacements are taking place across South African schools given a rising age profile of school principals. In a context of low levels of principal mobility and high tenure, the leadership trajectory of the average school is established for nearly a decade with each principal replacement. Evidence-based policy making has a strong role to play in getting this right.

Emerging roles and competencies of district and sub-district pharmacists: a case study from Cape Town

BackgroundDistrict and sub-district pharmacist positions were created during health sector reform in South Africa. High prevalence of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and increasing chronic non-communicable diseases have drawn attention to their pivotal roles in improving accessibility and appropriate use of medicines at the primary level. This research describes new roles and related competencies of district and sub-district pharmacists in Cape Town.MethodsBetween 2008 and 2011, the author (HB) conducted participatory action research in Cape Town Metro District, an urban district in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, partnering with pharmacists and managers of the two government primary health care (PHC) providers. The two providers function independently delivering complementary PHC services across the entire geographic area, with one provider employing district pharmacists and the other sub-district pharmacists. After an initiation phase, the research evolved into a series of iterative cycles of action and reflection, each providing increasing understanding of district and sub-district pharmacists’ roles and competencies. Data was generated through workshops, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with pharmacists and managers which were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was carried out iteratively during the 4-year engagement and triangulated with document reviews and published literature.ResultsFive main roles for district and sub-district pharmacists were identified: district/sub-district management; planning, co-ordination and monitoring of pharmaceuticals; information and advice; quality assurance and clinical governance; and research (district pharmacists)/dispensing at clinics (sub-district pharmacists). Although the roles looked similar, there were important differences, reflecting the differing governance and leadership models and services of each provider. Five competency clusters were identified: professional pharmacy practice; health system and public health; management; leadership; and personal, interpersonal and cognitive competencies. Whilst professional pharmacy competencies were important, generic management and leadership competencies were considered critical for pharmacists working in these positions.ConclusionsSimilar roles and competencies for district and sub-district pharmacists were identified in the two PHC providers in Cape Town, although contextual factors influenced precise specifications. These insights are important for pharmacists and managers from other districts and sub-districts in South Africa and inform health workforce planning and capacity development initiatives in countries with similar health systems.

The activities of hospital nursing unit managers and quality of patient care in South African hospitals: a paradox?

BackgroundImproving the quality of health care is central to the proposed health care reforms in South Africa. Nursing unit managers play a key role in coordinating patient care activities and in ensuring quality care in hospitals.ObjectiveThis paper examines whether the activities of nursing unit managers facilitate the provision of quality patient care in South African hospitals.MethodsDuring 2011, a cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in nine randomly selected hospitals (six public, three private) in two South African provinces. In each hospital, one of each of the medical, surgical, paediatric, and maternity units was selected (n=36). Following informed consent, each unit manager was observed for a period of 2 hours on the survey day and the activities recorded on a minute-by-minute basis. The activities were entered into Microsoft Excel, coded into categories, and analysed according to the time spent on activities in each category. The observation data were complemented by semi-structured interviews with the unit managers who were asked to recall their activities on the day preceding the interview. The interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis.ResultsThe study found that nursing unit managers spent 25.8% of their time on direct patient care, 16% on hospital administration, 14% on patient administration, 3.6% on education, 13.4% on support and communication, 3.9% on managing stock and equipment, 11.5% on staff management, and 11.8% on miscellaneous activities. There were also numerous interruptions and distractions. The semi-structured interviews revealed concordance between unit managers’ recall of the time spent on patient care, but a marked inflation of their perceived time spent on hospital administration.ConclusionThe creation of an enabling practice environment, supportive executive management, and continuing professional development are needed to enable nursing managers to lead the provision of consistent and high-quality patient care.

The Panacea of Effectuating Land Reforms in South Africa as a Strategy to Indigenise the South African Economy

Despite being an undeniable panacea for economic indigenisation, land reforms in South Africa, have retained derisive outcomes in economic indigenisation and thereby underscoring the goal of resolving social and economic development of the majority blacks. The aim of this paper is to explore the dynamics of land reform in South Africa as a possible panacea to indigenizing the economy. For, a deeper understanding of land reform and indigenisation in South Africa information on dynamics of land reform in South Africa will be explored through document analysis.

Initiatives in South Africa to enhance the prescribing of generic proton pump inhibitors: findings and implications.

There have been multiple reforms in South Africa to conserve resources including policies to enhance generic use, such as compulsory generic substitution and copayments. However, there are concerns with the limited knowledge of their impact. The objective was to determine utilization and expenditure of different proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). A retrospective drug utilization study was conducted on a prescription database of a medical aid administrator in 2010. The limited prescribing of single-sourced PPIs accounted for 21.5% of total prescriptions. The limited use of originators omeprazole and lansoprazole accounted for 1.8 and 1.4% of total prescriptions for the molecule, respectively. Generic prices accounted for 36-68% of the originator in 2010. Patients received on average 2.91 PPI prescriptions during the year. Policies to enhance prescribing of generics appear working. Opportunities exist to further lower generic prices given low prices in some European countries.

Tracing the Policy Mediation Process in the Implementation of a Change in the Life Sciences Curriculum

This paper accounts for the enacted realities of curriculum reform in South Africa, in particular the mediation of curriculum change. Curriculum implementation is viewed as a complex networked process of transforming or mediating policy into classroom practice. The fact that curriculum implementation is seen as problematic requires attention for curriculum mediation. The view that curriculum reform is a linear process, occurs in isolation and is entirely controlled by human agency is questioned. We argue that this view misjudges the complexity and grittiness of the process and ignores the multitude of actors involved who are networked during curriculum mediation and, in turn, eventually sculpt curriculum implementation. The two research questions addressed are: how is policy presented during mediation; and how does the practice of mediation get performed? Actor-network theory (ANT) is employed to model the tensions that exist in the terrains of curriculum policy reform with respect to the National Curriculum Statement–Further Education and Training Life Sciences policy. ANT is used at theoretical and methodological levels to trace the mediation of the policy workshops for Life Sciences teachers. The workshops were video-recoded, and analysed qualitatively using NVIVO to generate tag clouds to identify the drivers of the mediation process. The situated realities of policy mediation borne out by two scenarios created by change and National Senior Certificate examination results are discussed in the paper. At issue is the idea of how socio-material elements shape the mediation process when policy is presented as an invader and a hindrance while the practice of mediation is performed as moments of negotiations.

Nursing education reform in South Africa – lessons from a policy analysis study

Background Nursing education reform is identified as an important strategy for enhancing health workforce performance, and thereby improving the functioning of health systems. Globally, a predominant trend in such reform is towards greater professionalisation and university-based education. Related nursing education reform in South Africa culminated in a new Framework for Nursing Qualifications in 2013. Objective We undertook a policy analysis study of the development of the new Nursing Qualifications Framework in South Africa. Design We used a policy analysis framework derived from Walt and Gilson that interrogated the context, content, actors, and processes of policy development and implementation. Following informed consent, in-depth interviews were conducted with 28 key informants from national and provincial government; the South African Nursing Council; the national nursing association; nursing academics, managers, and educators; and other nursing organisations. The interviews were complemented with a review of relevant legislation and policy documents. Documents and interview transcripts were coded thematically using Atlas-ti software. Results The revision of nursing qualifications was part of the post-apartheid transformation of nursing, but was also influenced by changes in the education sector. The policy process took more than 10 years to complete and the final Regulations were promulgated in 2013. The two most important changes are the requirement for a baccalaureate degree to qualify as a professional nurse and abolishing the enrolled nurse with 2 years training in favour of a staff nurse with a 3-year college diploma. Respondents criticised slow progress, weak governance by the Nursing Council and the Department of Health, limited planning for implementation, and the inappropriateness of the proposals for South Africa. Conclusions The study found significant weaknesses in the policy capacity of the main institutions responsible for the leadership and governance of nursing in South Africa, which will need to be addressed if important nursing education reforms are to be realised.

Implications of water policy reforms for virtual water trade between South Africa and its trade partners: economy-wide approach

This paper employs an economy-wide framework to evaluate impacts of water and trade policy reforms in South Africa (SA) on virtual water flows. To pursue this analysis, the study derives net virtual water trade flows between SA and its partners to assess implications of recent trade agreements within the South African Development Community compared to economic cooperation with other major trading blocks (e.g. European Union, Asia, and Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC)). Recent trends in actual trade confirm model predictions that liberalization of water allocation would switch water from field crops to horticulture and promote growth in non-agricultural exports. The results suggest that it is necessary to introduce policies that enhance likely outcomes of liberalization promoting higher water use efficiency within irrigation agriculture such as increased adoption of more efficient irrigation methods (sprinkler, drip, etc.) as water becomes more expensive under wider open competition. Moreover, investment in higher water use efficiency and improved competitiveness of dryland agriculture therefore represent the sound economic options for strengthening the capacity to achieve food security objectives as the country strives to lower net water exports. Finally, careful coordination of trade and water policy reforms is another necessary challenge for SA's strive to manage a water stressed economy.

Developing a decision support system to identify strategically located land for land reform in South Africa

Abstract. Land reform is identified as a key tool in fostering development in South Africa. With two decades after the advent of democracy in South Africa, the land question remains a critical issue for policy makers. A number of frameworks have been put in place by the government to identify land which is strategically located for land reform. However, many of these frameworks are not well aligned and have hampered the government’s land reform initiative in promoting inclusive development. Strategically located land is herein defined as land parcels that are well positioned for the promotion of agriculture, human settlements, rural and tourism development. Accordingly, there is a need to develop a decision tool which facilitates the identification of strategically located land for development. This study proposes the use of geographic information systems (GIS), earth observation (EO) data and multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) to develop a spatial decision support system (SDSS) to identify strategically located land for land reform. The SDDS was therefore designed using GIS, EO data and MCDM to create an index for identification of strategically located land. Expert-led workshops were carried out to ascertain criteria for identifying strategically located land and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was utilised used to weight the criteria. The study demonstrates that GIS and EO are invaluable tools in facilitating evidence-based decisions for land reform. However, there is need for capacity building on GIS and EO in government departments responsible for land reform and development planning. The study suggests that there is an urgent need to develop sector specific criteria for the identification of strategically located land for inclusive development.

A CGE Simulation Of A Flat Tax As A Possibility For Tax Reform In South Africa

During recent years, there has been widespread interest in South Africa for the so-called flat tax systems that appear to have been implemented successfully in Eastern Europe. This paper applied a CGE modelling technique to compare the performance of the South African economy in case alternative tax systems, namely the progressive and the flat tax systems, are applied. The counterfactual situation whose effects are tested in this paper is a 10% decrease in the VAT rate consistent with some popular call for the reduction of the degree of the regressiveness of VAT. The key performances of the South African economy are assessed in terms of economic growth, the welfare of households, equity and employment. On the basis of this empirical investigation the flat tax has a slight edge over the current progressive system.

The F.R. Tomlinson memorial lecture: Two decades of land reform in South Africa: Insights from an agricultural economics

ABSTRACTThis paper reviews the land reforms anticipated in the mid-1990s when South Africa's first democratically elected government formalised its land policy. It reflects on cash grants as the key instrument adopted by government to effect land redistribution and restitution, and links this instrument and the way it was applied to the poor outcomes achieved for both agriculture and people. Attention then turns to more recent policies aimed at rescuing failed land reform projects and avoiding future failures by assigning a more central and prescriptive role to government agencies. The message to agricultural economists is to discern between rhetoric and policy, and to focus on ‘getting institutions right’ at both a policy and practical level. The paper offers insights into problems and opportunities that warrant close and professional attention.

Book review: Universal Health Care in Southern Africa: Policy Contestation in Health System Reform in South Africa and Zimbabwe, written by Greg Ruiters and Robert van Niekerk

Book review: Universal Health Care in Southern Africa: Policy Contestation in Health System Reform in South Africa and Zimbabwe, written by Greg Ruiters and Robert van Niekerk