South African Government Research Articles

Assessing the benefits and challenges of inventory management practices and systems in the South African automotive sector

The study assesses the benefits and challenges of inventory management practices and systems in the South African automotive industry. The study used a qualitative approach in which focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted on 18 supply chain professionals drawn from the automotive sector in four provinces in South Africa. ATLAS.ti software was used to analyse data. The study generated two themes: the benefits and challenges of inventory management practices and systems. This study concludes that inventory management practices play a critical role within companies in the South African automotive sector since managing inventory is an indispensable part of the more extensive supply chain management (SCM) practice. Regarding inventory management challenges, SCM professionals find it difficult to retain the resilience required to adapt and react to any disruptive circumstances due to inadequate support from the South African government. Also, it appeared difficult to deal with this challenge as some companies within the South African automotive sector have limited resources, making it extremely difficult to deal with uncertainties when they arise.

Is there a relationship between job satisfaction and work engagement?

Research on job satisfaction (JS) and work engagement (WE) has been conducted in the context of the South African public sector; however, there remains a gap in understanding the relationship between JS and WE within the offices of specific government departments. This study sought to investigate the correlation between work engagement and job satisfaction among administrative employees. The South African Government is viewed as a failed state because of its difficulties in delivering efficient and effective services to its citizens, which may undermine public trust in institutions. The study sought to ascertain that managers in a chosen government department recognise the correlation between job satisfaction and work engagement. A quantitative research approach employing a cross-sectional design was implemented, utilising two established questionnaires on job satisfaction and work engagement, which were distributed to administrative employees (n = 180) through Google Forms. Participants were selected using the snowball sampling method. The collected data underwent analysis through factor analysis. The data obtained from 180 respondents indicated a positive correlation between work engagement and job satisfaction. Management should prioritise the enhancement of work engagement, as it directly impacts job satisfaction and can lead to improvements in both employee and organisational performance. This alignment may improve employee motivation and the contributions employees make to the organisation. This study emphasises the significant correlation between employee engagement and job satisfaction, especially among administrative staff. This will assist the organisation in aligning its policies with employee expectations.

Structuration Theory and Covid-19 Pandemic: The Case of Undocumented Zimbabwean Migrant Women in the Informal Sector in Durban, South Africa

ABSTRACT Giddens's structuration theory is used to examine the impact of COVID-19 on undocumented Zimbabwean migrant women participating in informal economic activities in Durban. The South African government adopted neoliberal economic and hunger alleviation programmes to address the social and economic predicament caused by the pandemic. The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of COVID-19 on undocumented Zimbabwean migrant women participating in informal economic activities in Durban using the theory of structuration. The study is based on qualitative research conducted in Durban. Data was collected using secondary sources and 15 in-depth interviews with Zimbabwean migrant women in the informal sector. Key findings show that undocumented Zimbabwean migrant women were not included in the COVID-19 relief programmes namely tax subsidies for small businesses, the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant and the Business Relief Fund. This exacerbated the unequal treatment of undocumented Zimbabwean migrant women in Durban. During COVID-19, the South African government was supposed to adopt economic, poverty alleviation, and relief programmes which included undocumented migrants who are mostly viewed as marginalised populations. Undocumented Zimbabwean migrant women who work in the informal sector face considerable inequalities as a result of their exclusion from COVID-19 relief programmes. Lockdown restrictions exacerbated these inequalities. The national government’s response to the pandemic was not inclusive enough and it perpetuated discriminatory responses.

South Africa’s disarmament and its ramifications: From the NPT to the Treaty of Pelindaba and MTCR adherence, 1988–1995

ABSTRACT In mid-1991, the South African Government finally signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). After more than two decades of defying non-proliferation norms, this turn at the end of the Cold War ushered in renewed regional cooperation giving rise to the Treaty of Pelindaba, which officially made the African continent nuclear weapons free. Moreover, South Africa’s compliance with non-proliferation norms and multiple arms control treaties, such as the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), bestowed the government with a crucial moral component that made possible the phoenix-like rise of Pretoria’s leaders on the global non-proliferation scene.

A Policy Review of Rural and Township Economies in Local Economic Development in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The South African government has shifted socioeconomic policy paradigms from focusing solely on attracting Foreign Direct Investment to Small and Medium Enterprises’ development since they promise to provide a base for the emergence of dynamic and efficient large-scale firms and, consequently, a more flexible and competitive domestic economy. The newly adopted KwaZulu-Natal Township and Rural Economies Revitalization Strategy (2022) is an application of the popular acclaim that Small and Medium Enterprises are engines of economic development. Therefore, there is a need for policies and strategies geared towards promoting local economic development that corresponds with the socioeconomic climate of host communities. The main objective of this paper was to explore the role of rural and township enterprises in implementing Local Economic Development in KwaZulu-Natal. The study utilised a systematic research approach in which data was gathered from journal articles, conference papers, reports, and all the relevant research material was managed. Findings indicate that Small and Medium Enterprises are a characteristic of successful economies. Despite the theoretical shift in economic policies, poverty, inequality, and unemployment plague South Africa. Rural and township areas are still behind urban areas in terms of structural capacity, technology, and economic development. This study highlights the need for the provincial government to revise policies specific to the host area because issues faced by rural economies are peculiar to township economies.

The cost of the plunge: the impact and cost of a cessation of PEPFAR-supported services in South Africa.

Globally, shifts in United States foreign-aid policy have put HIV funding under duress. South Africa is unique in the region because its HIV program is largely domestically funded, although donor funds and partnerships support key components. We estimated the potential epidemiological impact of ceasing provision of services currently supported by PEPFAR and the costs and cost-effectiveness to the South African government (SAG) of potentially taking over these services. We used a costed version of Thembisa, a South African HIV transmission model, to simulate four scenarios: a minimum scenario assuming intervention coverage reducing proportional to PEPFAR's funding share of specific activities in 2023; a maximum scenario assuming additional health system impacts; and sub-scenarios either with 3-year recovery (2029-2031) or no recovery to previous coverage. HIV program costs were estimated from the provider perspective (SAG) in 2024/25 US dollars. Over 2025-2028, discontinuing activities currently funded by PEPFAR in South Africa without replacement by SAG would result in 150 000-296 000 additional new HIV infections (29-56% increase) and 56 000-65 000 additional AIDS-related deaths (33-38%). Permanent discontinuation of currently PEPFAR-supported services over the next 20 years increases this to 1.1-2.1 million additional new HIV infections and 519 000-712 000 additional AIDS-related deaths. Sustaining these services would cost an additional $620 million to $1.4 billion between 2025 and 2028. Under a reduced budget, the most cost-effective interventions to preserve are ART and PrEP for key populations. Unmanaged PEPFAR exit from South Africa threatens to undo a decade of progress unless services are taken over by other funders, including SAG.

From Traditional Face-To-Face Contact to Face-The-Screen Method of Teaching and Learning: The Challenges Faced by South African Rural School Learners and Tertiary Students during Covid-19 Lockdown and Beyond

South Africa, like many countries around the world that were affected by the pandemic, introduced the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 and schools and tertiary institutions were closed. The purpose of this study was to discuss the challenges faced by South African rural school learners and tertiary students during COVID-19 and beyond. This study used secondary data sources specifically academic materials. Through the qualitative method of research, it was found that South African rural learners and tertiary students faced challenges of online teaching and learning during COVID-19 and beyond the pandemic. This study discussed some of the challenges encountered by South African rural learners and tertiary students during the COVID-19 lockdown and beyond. Some of the challenges include poverty and equality, poor infrastructure, the problem of network coverage and connectivity, lack of computer skills, lack of technological resources, inadequate reading and writing skills, and inability to comprehend the English language. The study recommended that the South African government should try to address the problem of disparities by improving services in rural areas. The study seeks to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on technological teaching and learning. The study provides data that will help policymakers, government officials and researchers. It will also help tertiary students, especially those who specialise in technology. Keywords: From face-to-face to face-the-screen, Challenges, South African, Rural School Learners and Tertiary Students, COVID-19 Lockdown and Beyond

Social Welfare Responses after COVID-19 in South Africa: A Conceptual Review

South Africa is well known for its developmental social welfare programs and progressive social security benefits. However, the socioeconomic environment in the country was permanently impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed deficiencies in the South African government’s social welfare responses to disadvantaged groups. This conceptual review aims to critically examine South Africa’s social welfare interventions offered to vulnerable groups in reaction to COVID-19, to make necessary recommendations that can be transformative and aligned with social justice principles. This conceptual review drew on rapid appraisal methodology and an empowerment theoretical lens to synthesise accessible research articles and government reports, policy briefs on COVID-19 responses, coupled with the authors’ practice experience. The review found that social welfare responses in South Africa to the vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic included social assistance interventions like Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, and top-up payments to existing grants as well as provision of developmental social welfare interventions to families, children, victims of crime, and vulnerable groups, such as the homeless and elderly. Although we found evidence that these government efforts incorporated elements of empowerment, we recommend that more could have been done to ensure that they were delivered in a dignified manner. This article contributes to scholarship on the provision of social welfare services in a humane way that achieves social justice, a key value in social work, with possible lessons for other countries. Keywords: COVID-19, Social Welfare, Social Security, Social Relief of Distress, Social Justice

A South African University Funding Model and its Contribution to Transformation Agenda

In this paper I report on a study which investigated a South African university funding model and its impact on the country’s socioeconomic transformation agenda. The main objective of the study was to develop a South African university funding model that would align with the country’s transformation agenda. The data presented in the paper were sourced using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research design methods. The quantitative approach involved 160 questionnaires, and 17 respondents participated in interviews as part of the qualitative research process. The respondents were purposively selected from six groupings which included the recently employed former National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funded students, Department of Higher Education and Training officials, NSFAS officials, Students’ Representative Council (SRC) members, and officials employed in the finance divisions and registrar’s offices at public universities in South Africa. The results demonstrated that amongst the various sources of funding for the South African university sector, government and NSFAS funding were significantly contributing to the transformation agenda in South Africa. The findings confirm the agency theory perspective that funding is a tool that governments use to entice universities towards the achievement of the transformation agenda.In this paper I report [AB1] on[AB2] a study[AB3] which investigated a South African university funding model and its impact on the country’s s[AB4] ocioeconomic transformation agenda. The main objective of the study was to develop a South African university funding model that would align with the country’s transformation agenda. The data presented in the [MOU5] [OM6] paper w[AB7] ere sourced[AB8] using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research design methods. The quantitative approach involved 160 questionnaires, and 17 respondents participated in interviews as part of the qualitative research process[MOU9] [OM10] . The respondents were purposively selected from six groupings [AB11] [OM12] which included the recently employed former National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funded students, Department of Higher Education and Training[AB13] [OM14] officials, NSFAS officials, Students’ Representative Council[AB15] [OM16] (SRC) members,[AB17] [OM18] and officials employed in the finance divisions and registrar’s offices at public universities in South Africa. The results demonstrated that amongst the various sources of funding for the South African university sector, government and NSFAS funding were significantly contributing to the transformation agenda in South Africa. The findings confirm the agency theory perspective that funding is a tool that governments use [AB19] [OM20] to entice universities towards[AB21] [OM22] the achievement of the transformation agenda.[MOU23] [OM24] [AB1]You (or “we”) report; the paper does not. APA prefers to avoid use of anthropomorphism (attributing human qualities to nonhuman things). APA permits use of first-person pronouns (e.g., I, we). [AB2]Consider being more specific. “evaluate”? “analyse”? “investigate”? [AB3]It is not clear which researcher you are referring to. Consider using the researcher’s name and publication year. Or, do you mean “In this study I investigate a South African university . . .” If so, to avoid confusion and to adhere to APA guidelines, refer to yourself as “I.” [AB4]APA closes the prefix “socio.” [MOU5]Add the research objectives to be studied in full. [OM6]Done [AB7]“Data” is plural. [AB8]If you sourced the data, use “I sourced the data in the paper . . .” [MOU9]Add quantitative and qualitative results [OM10]Added [AB11] [AB11]If you selected the respondents, use “I selected the respondents from six groupings using purposive sampling . . .” [OM12]accept [AB13]Use the full name. The initialism is not needed because it is not used again in the abstract. [OM14]Done [AB15]Use the full name. The initialism is not needed because it is not used again in the abstract. [OM16]Done [AB17]APA uses the serial comma, regardless of English style. [OM18]agreed [AB19]Revised for active voice, which APA prefers. [OM20]Accept [AB21]Per your request, I have retained use of UK English/spelling, but please note that APA prefers use of US English. [OM22]Noted [MOU23]Write down your findings according to the goals you want to achieve. [OM24]Links to the research objectives

The External State-Building Function of Paradiplomacy

Abstract In this article, I use the case of cross-border co-operation between South African subnational governments and the Kingdom of Lesotho to show how paradiplomacy can fulfil an external sovereign state-building function. The role of economic development and effective border management in inspiring and determining subnational cross-border activities on this borderline should not be underestimated. However, a closer examination suggests that paradiplomacy in these borderlands cannot be understood outside the framework of Lesotho’s precarious and highly dependent statehood. Drawing mainly on key informant interviews with officials and other stakeholders, I argue that cross-border paradiplomacy in this context should be seen as more than just a housekeeping or region-building imperative. Consistent with the social contract model of state-building, cross-border co-operation between Lesotho and neighbouring South African subnational governments can be interpreted as a legitimacy-boosting strategy that affords the beleaguered state external avenues to provide for the socio-economic needs of its citizens.

From Paymaster Through Postmaster to Pandemic: South Africa’s Social Assistance Payment System’s Technological Private/Public Entanglements

In this article, I consider the persistent embrace of biometrics and digitalisation in the South African welfare system from 2012 into the present. Necessary to this consideration is a chronological outline of the key actors involved in, and major events surrounding, social assistance provision. In 2018, the South African government instituted a social assistance payment and registration system that it would administer through a public entity: the South African Post Office (SAPO). The shift to SAPO from the six-year-long private contract with Net1 surfaced questions around the failures of privatisation and the challenges of state-run social services. A new wave of private involvement in public service provision was ushered in during the Covid-19 pandemic, where once again public–private partnerships provided digital registration and identification platforms to tens of millions of people. I argue that even with changes in institutional oversight, and despite the disaster of the Net1 contract, the state remains committed to biometric technologies, outsourced personal data collection, fintech and the logics of neoliberalism. The technologies of social grant administration and payment, like all actors, create and are implicated in value production and epistemic processes.

A Systems Thinking Approach to Mitigating Xenophobia in South Africa for Socio‐Economic Development

ABSTRACTEconomic growth in South Africa has led to significant influx of migrants, especially from the African continent, searching for greener pastures. The influx of migrants in South Africa has given rise to competition for scarce resources between locals and migrants. The competition between these two groups culminated in violent attacks on migrants by locals. The rate and magnitude of these attacks on migrants significantly challenged the South African government's capacity to respond and develop strategies to curb these attacks effectively. The poor capacity to address these violent attacks has serious socioeconomic consequences for the economy. As such, this study used systems thinking tools such as the Driver‐Pressures‐States‐Impacts‐Responses (DPSIR) framework and Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) to identify key social, economic, cultural and institutional drivers influencing xenophobia in South Africa. In addition to the analysis of literature on xenophobia, data was collected through interviews with major stakeholders in disaster and emergency management in South Africa. Major drivers and response strategies were identified, and causal relationships were established among the different socio‐cultural, economic and political drivers. The results show that education and public awareness against xenophobia and improvement of government policies to promote inclusiveness, poverty reduction, and improved livelihoods can significantly reduce xenophobia in South Africa.

Examining the Challenges faced in Service Delivery by South African Rural Communities after 28 years of Democratic Government Administration: The Case of Sekhukhune Municipal Areas-Limpopo Province

The purpose of this study was to examine and discuss the challenges faced by South African rural communities in the provision of public services with specific reference to Sekhukhune District Municipal (SDM) areas in Limpopo province. It sought to find out if the South African government, especially, SDM has achieved its purpose of delivering public services to the people. The findings revealed that most South Africans and rural communities, in particular, are still facing challenges in the provision of public services, 28 years after the inception of democratic local government administration, especially in the provision of water and sanitation, healthcare services, electricity, employment, and transport and roads infrastructure. People of Sekhukhune are still fetching water from the streams, using firewood for food consumption, relieving themselves in ether pit toilets, bushes, or mountains, travelling long distances on foot and on gravel roads, and depending on the government’s social grants for their survival. Despite the democratic local government administration which was incepted 28 years ago, rural people, especially in SDM areas are still experiencing some challenges regarding service delivery such as water and sanitation, electricity, healthcare services, employment and transport, and road infrastructure. This study recommends that the South African government, and local government in particular, should close the gap between the rural and the urban areas with regard to the provision of public services. The study provides data for researchers, policymakers, government officials as well as tertiary students dealing with the provision of public services. Keywords: South Africa, Rural Communities, Democratic Local Government, Service Delivery, Sekhukhune

An Assessment of the Roles of the Government, Regulators, and Investors in ESG Implementation in South Africa: A Scoping Review

The purpose of this study was to detect from the literature the roles of the Government, investors, and regulators in ESG implementation in South Africa from 2002 to 2022. ESG implementation in South Africa ensures sustainable business practices are adopted by firms operating within the country. The study used a scoping review methodology, with only articles in the English language being considered. A pilot search was carried out to identify key search phrases to be included in the search strategy. A total of 208 articles were identified and only 34 articles were eligible for the study. The results show an increase in ESG implementation by institutional investors, although investor activism is still low in South Africa. The South African Government actively enacted laws and regulations that supported ESG implementation after the global financial crisis of 2007–8. However, in recent years, there has been a lack of hard laws to support the non-legislative ESG rules that dominate ESG reporting. The study shows that the South African Government should improve its ESG laws for effective ESG adoption and avoid relying on the JSE, which enforces the King Code as a mandatory listing requirement to monitor ESG implementation. Training, capacity building, and active Government participation are critical for effective ESG implementation in South Africa.

Water Quality and Biofilm Formation in Dental Unit Waterline Systems in Mangaung, South Africa.

Water Quality and Biofilm Formation in Dental Unit Waterline Systems in Mangaung, South Africa.

An Examination of the Efficacy of Border Control Measures to Curb Illegal Immigrants in South Africa

Illegal migration is a contemporary global challenge and a threat to human security. The South African government has been grappling with curbing unlawful migration since the dawn of the century. The crisis has been propelled by the opening of borders since the end of apartheid and the porous nature of the country’s borders. However, measures such as establishing border control management and installing border fences are hailed as attempts to curb the illegal migration crisis. This was conducted qualitatively. This study utilised securitisation theory to understand the plight of illegal migration. An extensive visit to primary and secondary data sources was conducted to understand what perpetuates the illicit crisis migration despite the measures in place to curb such. A thematic approach was adopted to analyse the reviewed data. Findings show that the measures to curb illicit migration are ineffective enough to put the last nail in the problem. The study findings further reveal issues such as a lack of coordination, corruption, and infrastructure, such as vehicles for patrol purposes, along the land borders. The study, therefore, recommends that the government use advanced technological equipment such as drones, erect electrical fences, and arrest and charge those who engage in corrupt activities.

'Services were completely shut down': access to rehabilitation in the rural Eastern Cape Province of South Africa during COVID-19.

Persons with disabilities living in rural areas were disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. This population, with a higher propensity for poor health and higher need for health services, bore the brunt of adverse effects of emergency regulations that cancelled or restricted access to rehabilitation. South African legislative and policy frameworks support the availability and promotion of disability and rehabilitation services as priority healthcare programs for all. Rehabilitation services in the country were, however, underresourced prior to the pandemic, and halted during lockdowns because of their non-essential status in the healthcare system. Within this context, this study explored the experiences of rehabilitation practitioners in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forming part of a mixed study on inclusiveness of pandemic responses to people with disabilities, we reviewed government responses across different African countries, analysed the South African government responses to the pandemic and conducted interviews with rehabilitation practitioners in the rural Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This article reports on the qualitative interviews, while the reviews and survey findings were published elsewhere. Rehabilitation practitioners were recruited from a provincial rehabilitation forum for practitioners who work in the public health facilities in the province. A combination of online and telephone individual interviews were conducted with participants, as well as three asynchronous interviews using Google Forms and WhatsApp. Transcriptions of interviews were analysed inductively and thematically through coding and categorisation. Eight practitioners participated in the study (a response rate of 8.4%). This included six physiotherapists and two occupational therapists. Three themes developed from data reported by the participants: reconfiguring rehabilitation services, experienced impact on rehabilitation service delivery and exacerbation of pre-pandemic rehabilitation shortfalls. The low priority of rehabilitation services as part of health services exacerbated pre-pandemic barriers for persons with disabilities. The cessation of such services rendered rehabilitation wholly inaccessible to persons with disabilities in the province, with detrimental effects on their function, health and wellbeing. Practitioners suggested that integrated collaborative health and rehabilitation service delivery enabled the continuation of some service aspects to some persons with disabilities. Initiatives and adaptations to services were driven by practitioners, although often in the absence of clear directives from the Department of Health. Some alternative methods of delivery (eg telerehabilitation) that were deployed elsewhere, were not as accessible and viable for use in the rural Eastern Cape Province, which has poor technological infrastructure and connectivity. The pandemic challenged rehabilitation services as it remained deprioritised. However, rehabilitation also adapted, with practitioners strategising on ways of reconfiguring these rehabilitation services. Health systems responses to emergent health events should include and capacitate rehabilitation services to support preventive and promotive approaches.

Early Intervention for Children with Hearing Impairment in the South African Context: A Narrative Review of Legislative and Policy Frameworks

Globally, many countries have promulgated extensive, contextually relevant disability legislative policies for children with hearing impairment/d/Deafness (HI/d/D). The alignment of policies with their implementation, with robust monitoring, is essential for effective early intervention (EI) and early education (EE) outcomes. The study’s purpose was to review current South African EI and EE regulations, acts, and policies in relation to children with HI/d/D from birth to age six. An adapted Arksey and O’Malley framework with inductive thematic analysis was applied to synthesise and evaluate relevant information. Documentation was sourced between 1993 and 2023 from the official South African government portal and Google online searches using keywords. While 7976 documents were initially identified with the broad search and 1249 with a refined category search, only 17 met the specific inclusion criteria for policies referencing hearing impairment in early intervention and education. Seventeen documents were selected for study inclusion, with sixteen mentioning HI/d/D and multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral, family-centred, culturally sensitive considerations superficially. One document from the Department of Health (DoH) specifically addressed early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI). Three main themes emerged, including Partnerships, Participation and Integration, Screening, Identification and/or Intervention, and Education/Special Education. Greater engagement with South African EI and education policies is essential to strengthen implementation, especially across sectors and at the community level. Mandating EHDI guidelines is critical to improving service delivery and ensuring smoother transitions between health, education, and social services for children with hearing impairment.

National Health Insurance - knowledge, attitude and perceptions of speech-language therapists

BackgroundThe South African government signed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into effect on 15th of May 2024 to ensure that all citizens have access to high-quality healthcare, regardless of their financial situation. While this initiative will impact all healthcare professionals, there is limited information on how speech-language therapists (SLTs) perceive its implementation in South Africa.AimThe study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of SLTs in the public and private healthcare sectors related to service provision regarding the implementation of the NHI.SettingThis study was conducted virtually via Zoom (Zoom Video Communication, San Jose, California, United States) and Teams (Microsoft Teams, 2017) with SLTs in their respective settings in South Africa.MethodsThe descriptive, qualitative research design involved virtual semi-structured interviews with 10 SLTs. NVivo software (QSR International, Victoria, Australia) was used to analyse the data, as guided by Tesch’s content analysis method.ResultsEleven sub-themes emerged related to the three themes of knowledge (4 sub-themes), attitudes (4 sub-themes) and perceived impact (3 sub-themes) of NHI implementation on SLT services.ConclusionThe study highlights SLTs’ knowledge, gaps and concerns about the impact of NHI implementation on their profession, emphasising the personal and professional areas that need to be addressed for its successful rollout.ContributionUnderstanding SLTs’ opinions will help address their concerns during the planning stages of integrating them into the NHI. This will lead to an equitable distribution of sufficient practitioners and ensure that many people benefit from its implementation.

Moving Towards a South African NHI System of Excellence: Recommendations Based on the Insider Perspectives of CHWs as Key Role-Players.

Aligned with the worldwide shift towards promotional and preventative health care, the South African government has introduced a re-engineered primary health care plan, facilitated through a National Health Insurance (NHI) platform. Community health workers (CHWs) are key role-players in most universal health care systems. This article shares insider perspectives from 31 CHWs in one of the South African NHI pilot districts. Based on their perspectives, the authors share recommendations to strengthen the NHI plan. Recommendations comprise of the inclusion of a dedicated CHW team leader and reporting nurse, ongoing CHW education and training with an accompanying portfolio of evidence, and awareness campaigns on the role of CHWs within the South African re-engineered primary health care plan and NHI platform.