South African Government Research Articles

Predicting wearable technology readiness in a South African government department: Exploring the influence of wearable technology acceptance and positive attitudes

Wearable technologies are anticipated to flourish in the fourth industrial revolution, enabling employers to integrate data into organizational systems. This study examined whether readiness for wearables can predict employees’ acceptance of these devices in the workplace. It explored the factors of technology readiness influencing acceptance and attitudes towards wearable use. A quantitative research approach was adopted, involving 8,081 employees from the South African Department of Employment and Labour (DEL). Census sampling was employed, with questionnaires distributed electronically, resulting in 351 responses. The Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model (TRAM) was the measuring instrument. Four hypotheses were formulated to investigate the relationship between readiness and acceptance of wearables. Results indicated that eagerness, optimism, and discomfort in the technology readiness scales significantly predicted technology acceptance. Specifically, optimism and eagerness were consistent positive predictors, while discomfort negatively impacted two of the three acceptance dimensions. Insecurity was not found to be a predictor of acceptance. The study recommends revising DEL's digital transformation policy to embrace wearables, emphasizing their potential for seamless integration. Additionally, it identifies a positive attitude as a new dimension of the TRAM, contributing to establishing a Wearable Readiness and Acceptance Model (WRAM), which has not been previously introduced in the literature.

Developing Transformational Strategies to Improve the Accessibility of E-Governmental Services in South African Local Government

The access to electronic governmental services is an important element of effective governance, particularly in developing nations such as South Africa, where there are still differences in access and skills to digital technologies. As digital transformation becomes increasingly important for effective governance, it is urgently necessary to develop strategies to ensure that all citizens can access electronic governmental services. This study focused on the development of transformation strategies to enhance access to electronic governmental services in local governments in South Africa. This qualitative research used existing literature and case studies to develop transformation strategies to improve access to digital government services. The paper evaluated how the accessibility of electronic government services affected the responsiveness and effectiveness of the provision of local government services. Moreover, the paper also examined the impact of socio-economic factors on the accessibility of electronic services provided by municipalities in South Africa. This included the assessment of the citizens' perceptions of the use and accessibility of the current electronic government services of the municipalities of South Africa. Finally, although electronic public administration services have great potential to enhance local governance in South Africa, their accessibility depends on a solution to socio-economic imbalances, infrastructure limitations, technological obstacles, and trust issues. The study provided strategies for promoting the access of local government e-government services in South Africa. As a result, the findings of the paper contributed to growing knowledge on e-government tactics to improve service delivery and promote good governance practices in South Africa. Keywords: E-Government Services, E-Government, South African Local government, Accessibility

Toponymic renaming as a reflection of social cohesion and social justice in the City of Tshwane

ABSTRACT Recently, the concept of social cohesion has been increasingly used in the South African government and policy circles when discussing the challenges of social cohesion in a society deeply divided by race, class, and nationality. Related to this concept is the practice of naming and renaming places, precisely after regime change. Also known as a toponymic purge, new rulers change exisiting names to gian political legitimacy for their political values and to reflect the new socio-political order, rendering place names of the previous regime obsolete in the process. As a result, this paper analyses toponymic renaming as a reflection of social cohesion in the street renaming process of the City of Tshwane, South Africa. The paper uses a qualitative research approach and a case study design. A sample of 14 participants were puposively selected and data were technically analysed. The findings of the study revealed that the street renaming process accomodated Black people who had previously been marginalized. Therefore, Coloureds and Black participants believed that social cohesion and social justice had been accomplished through the process of renaming the streets. White participants, on the other hand, held a different perspective that the process did not contribute to social cohesion.

Poor Financial Management in South African Municipalities: Assessing Factors Contributing to Undesirable Audit Opinion

South African municipalities are the entities closest to citizens in local communities across the country, and they are required to provide services to them. The sustainable provision of services is heavily reliant on sound public finance management in all levels of government. It is unfortunate that municipalities in South Africa are failing to effectively manage and use public funds to improve service delivery. Most South African municipalities have received negative audit opinions for years, and their current financial situation is deteriorating year after year. This is concerning for a country that has recently celebrated 30 years of democracy; it is unfortunate that democratic gains are being reversed due to issues within South African municipalities such as irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure, non-compliance, a lack of skills, a lack of consequence management, political infighting, corruption, and poor leadership, to name a few. Citizens are the ones who pay the price at the end of the day when services owed to them are not delivered by municipalities due to poor financial management. The objective of this paper is to examine the causes of unsatisfactory audit outcomes in the South African local government sector and recommend solutions to for improving financial management in South African municipalities. To achieve this objective, a systematic literature review was chosen as the appropriate research methodological strategy for this paper

The COVID-19 restrictions, child services and the well-being of children in South Africa

Covid-19 posed little danger to children. Nevertheless, the South African government imposed lockdown measures that impeded children’s education, play and food. Schools were closed, feeding schemes were halted and organised sports were banned. In this study of South African children’s experience during the 2020–22 pandemic, we use the capabilities approach, particularly Nussbaum’s ten capabilities, to assess how the lockdown measures affected their development. The one-dimensional nature of the government response was evident in its focus on physical health and safeguarding adults and the health system, at the expense of children’s well-being. Children were masked and their voices were not heard. Despite being far less at risk of illness or death than adults, children and young people were disproportionately affected by government regulations. Children from low-income environments were particularly severely affected.

A comparative view of the South African and Canadian framework for issuing work visas to skilled refugees and asylum seekers

South Africa faces a shortage of skilled workers due to long-standing systemic challenges that prevent it from producing the skills necessary for economic development. In 2021, only 25 per cent of persons employed in South Africa were considered highly skilled. The critical skills work visa has been designed to facilitate the employment of skilled immigrants, but is unsuitable for doing so in the case of skilled asylum seekers and refugees, even though the latter could alleviate the shortage of skilled workers. While members of this group are eligible to apply for a critical skills work visa, they face significant obstacles that hinder their chances of obtaining one. This article highlights the barriers this group encounters and draws lessons from Canada's Economic Mobility Pathways Project, which has successfully connected skilled refugees to employers and filled in-demand positions. In South Africa, the likelihood of obtaining a critical skills work visa without governmental intervention is low for many in this group, resulting in a waste of their skills. The article compares the South African case to how Canada has integrated skilled refugees to occupations requiring skills. Canada's partnerships with NPOs such as Talent Beyond Borders have been vital in assisting skilled refugees and connecting them to employers. The article thus argues that to employ skilled refugees in positions commensurate with their skills, the South African government has to assist and form partnerships with organisations specialising in this cause.

Modelling the potential impact of a tax on fruit juice in South Africa: implications for the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes and health financing

BackgroundSouth Africa is experiencing a persistent growth in non-communicable diseases. Diabetes is among the top ten causes of mortality, especially among women, which is partly driven by high levels of added sugar consumption and obesity. To reduce obesity rates and the incidence of diabetes, South Africa introduced a tax on sugar sweetened beverages (also known as the Health Promotion Levy (HPL)) in 2018. The tax is applicable to sugar-sweetened beverages but excludes 100% fruit juice. The government is currently considering extending the tax to include fruit juices. This study models the potential health and economic impact of taxing fruit juices at 20% of the retail price of one liter.MethodsTo analyze the distributional impact of the tax, this study uses extended cost-effectiveness analysis methodology. Data on price elasticities, healthcare cost, income, fruit juice consumption were sourced from the literature and representative national surveys. The potential impact of the tax on diabetes incidence, prevalence, mortality, and financial benefits were estimated for each income group (lowest, quintile 1 to highest, quintile 5).FindingsWe estimate that a 20% tax on fruit juice would avert 156,640 incident cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus over 20 years, with most disease averted occurring among the first- and fifth-income groups. Averted deaths from diabetes would average 2,000 deaths per quintile (for quintiles 1 to 4) and about 2,800 in quintile 5. The improved health resulting from averted incidence and deaths will reduce overall healthcare expenditure by R7.5 billion over 20 years, of which R2.3 billion will occur in the fifth quintile. The South African government will also save about R300 million in subsidizing diabetes-related healthcare cost as a result of prevention; and would raise R8.6 billion in tax revenues per annum. Out-of-pocket expenditure savings will be R303 million and a financial risk protection (money-metric value of insurance) of R4.6 billion over the 20-year period.ConclusionWe conclude that an HPL that significantly raises the retail price of fruit juices would reduce consumption and diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. The tax will also provide significant financial benefits in the form of reduced healthcare costs for both government and households as well as providing financial risk protection to individuals. Health taxes are win-win policies that improve population health and generate revenue for governments to fund public health services delivery and thus improve overall health financing activities of the government. Therefore, population level disease prevention measures such as health taxes are important for achieving universal health coverage.

Water-Energy-Food Communities in South Africa: Exploring Multi-Actor Governance Instruments Contributing to Social Justice

Abstract South Africa faces significant challenges concerning the scarcity and unequal distribution of water, energy and food resources. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 underscores the importance of social justice and mandates collaboration among all levels of government and state entities. To effectively address the interconnected nature of these resources, a collaborative governance approach is necessary. This article introduces the concept of ‘Water-Energy-Food (wef) communities’, a concept not currently recognised in South African law, drawing inspiration from the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (res-Directive) of 2018 and the Electricity Market Directive (E-Directive) of 2019 that introduced the concept of ‘energy communities’. wef communities, operating at the local level, could integrate improved governance and decision-making in the water, energy, and food sectors, thereby advancing social justice in local communities. The article compares existing multi-actor governance instruments in South African law and uses the EU law as learning points for the establishment of wef communities as opposed to energy communities that focus on one determinant only. Although the current South African multi-actor governance instruments do not explicitly address an integrated wef governance approach, they may serve as a basis for proposing framework rules to establish wef communities, highlighting their potential to achieve social justice goals in relation to their access to water, energy and food. The article proposes rules for the potential establishment of wef communities, taking learning points from the EU directives as well as existing South African instruments.

Noting the Impact of Lockdown Co-Parenting Regulations on the Wellbeing of Children in South Africa

The South African government introduced a strict lockdown and related legislation in reaction to the COVID-19 epidemic. During lockdown, the movement of children between co-holders of parental rights and responsibilities of a caregiver, as defined in section 1(1) of the Children's Act 38 of 2005, was prohibited. The movement of persons was only permitted in essential cases, leading to children being "stuck" with one co-holder or even a person with no parental responsibilities and rights. A court order was to be obtained for permission for a child to travel, proving that this was urgent and essential. The lockdown regulations on the movement of children covered only those in a formal arrangement and excluded co-parents without court orders and those in the process of divorce. The closure of schools for approximately three months resulted in a significant increase in inter-parental disputes. These conflicts primarily revolved around the regulations stipulating that children could only be relocated to households free from Covid-19. The regulations completely ignored the child's emotional needs and were so out of line with other countries in similar circumstances. The regulations were also contrary to the Constitution and Children's Act, which underscore that the best interests of the child are paramount in all matters involving the child as it was not in the child's interests to be with a particular parent or without a particular parent during the lockdown period. This paper aims to identify the issues and effects of co-parenting during the lockdown and present a critique on the circumstances. It is argued that the one-size-fits-all approach introduced by the lockdown regulations was not the most appropriate, as the determining criteria should have been based on what would be best in the child's interest, which should, therefore, be assessed based on a case-by-case analysis.

NEXUS BETWEEN THE ABSENCE OF A SOCIAL COMPACT, SOCIETAL POLARIZATION AND ITS IMPACT ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN SOUTH AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

South Africa, a nation marked by profound disparities, is deeply entrenched in the painful historical legacies of its past. The discourse on socio-economic transformation has been ongoing since the African National Congress (ANC) came into power in 1994, aiming to foster a social compact and reconcile the polarized society. Despite these efforts, black communities continue to face discrimination in service delivery. Daily reports of protests in impoverished, predominantly black communities emphasize the absence of a social compact in South Africa. This paper, primarily conceptual in nature and relying on secondary data, seeks to explore the nexus between the absence of a social compact, societal polarization, and its impact on service delivery in South African local government. It contends that addressing issues of poor service delivery, public protests and anti-government sentiment must start with acknowledging the absence of a social compact. This recognition should serve as the foundation for pursuing new paradigms for effective development and good governance practices at the local government level. The findings of this study suggest that the absence of a social compact is not only a result of human actions but also reflects structural issues. This absence exacerbates societal divisions, erodes trust in governance structures and hampers collaborative efforts crucial for effective service provision. Furthermore, societal polarization compounds challenges related to resource allocation and perpetuates disparities in service access, particularly impacting marginalized communities. In conclusion, the paper proposes policy recommendations aimed at fostering social cohesion, addressing structural inequalities, and promoting inclusive governance practices.

A Systematic Literature Review on Transparency in Executive Remuneration Disclosures and Their Determinants

There are ongoing debates globally regarding excessive executive compensation, the perceived weak link between pay and performance, and the widening inequality gap. The South African corporate governance code King IV’s Principle 14 addresses the need for fair, responsible, and transparent remuneration. At the same time, the newly enacted Companies Amendment Act No. 16 of 2024 in South Africa emphasizes transparency in compensation, shareholder voting, and responding to shareholder feedback. This study conducts a systematic literature review of 30 articles on the transparency of executive remuneration disclosures and their determinants by analyzing Scopus-indexed articles published between 2010 and 2023, selected through specific keyword searches. The findings suggest an increasing focus on research regarding the disclosure of executive compensation, predominantly conducted in the Global North and primarily framed through agency theory. Studies exploring the factors influencing executive remuneration and the relationship between pay and performance are prevalent, with mixed results generally indicating a positive connection. Firm size emerges as a key factor in transparency, and many studies employ binary scoring to evaluate whether executive compensation disclosure is present. This paper provides valuable insights for investors, analysts, and policymakers and adds to the current understanding of executive remuneration transparency.

The role of social work intervention in promoting mental health and resilience in communities: Ubuntu perspective

The prevalence of mental health illness is on the rise throughout the world. Mental health is increasingly one of the most overwhelming conditions that has an effect on the social functioning of individuals and families within communities. Mental Health Care Act, No 17 of 2002 of the South African government provides for the protection of individuals and communities against mental health. Still, people continue to experience mental health problems at a high rate. Social workers have a fundamental role to play in improving mental health services and outcomes for communities. Social work services have the potential to improve the lives of people with mental health conditions and build resilience in individuals and families. Resilience is a critical technique that assists individuals to function properly despite the challenges they may have experienced. Research has shown that people with mental health problems struggle to return back to normality. This article aims to explore the roles of social work intervention in promoting mental health and resilience in communities. The study was conducted by analyzing research or studies related to mental health and resilience. The study carried out comprehensive desktop electronic research to gather data and themes from previous studies. The analysis showed that mental health is still a major concern, and social workers have an important role to play in building resilience for individuals and families.

Waste Plastic to Roads - HDPE-modified Bitumen and PET Plastic Fibres for Road Maintenance in South Africa: A Review.

This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of the transformative potential of waste plastic in South Africa, with a specific focus on high-density polyethylene-modified bitumen and polyethylene terephthalate plastic fibres asphalt. The review encompasses a wide range of topics, including the environmental and socio-economic impacts of plastic waste, the current state of plastic waste management practices in South Africa, and the potential use of waste plastic in road construction. The aim is to critically evaluate the compatibility of recycled waste plastics as bitumen modifiers and fibre to enhance road performance. Additionally, it explores the challenges and opportunities associated with the incorporation of waste plastic in road construction, shedding light on the environmental, economic and technological aspects. The review also emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and collaborative efforts from the South African government and industry stakeholders to address plastic waste management challenges and promote sustainable infrastructure development. Overall, this review provides valuable insights into the transformative potential of waste plastic in South African road maintenance and offers a roadmap for future research and initiatives in this critical area of sustainable development.

The Post-COVID-19 E-Services Continuance Usage in Low-Income Countries

The COVID-19 pandemic renewed the role of digital government for conventional delivery of e-services while creating a paradigm shift for the telecommuting ecosystem. Prior to COVID-19, e-services usage had been slow in least-income countries; hence the need for clarity on whether its usage will be sustained in the post-COVID-19 era. This study sought to develop a model for the continuance usage of e-services after the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative data were collected from a South African government, and the designed model was validated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). Results indicated that perceived usefulness (PU) and exerted pressure (EPU) are highly significant antecedents of continuance usage. Theoretically, the model contributes to technology continuance usage. It also affirms the organizational readiness for digital transformation through the use of combined technologies. Future research should focus on conceptual skills such as innovativeness, flexibility, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and empathy needed for digital transformation.

Effect of Market-Wide Investor Sentiment on South African Government Bond Indices of Varying Maturities under Changing Market Conditions

The excess levels of investor participation coupled with irrational behaviour in the South African bond market causes excess volatility, which in turn exposes investors to losses. Consequently, the study aims to examine the effect of market-wide investor sentiment on government bond index returns of varying maturities under changing market conditions. This study constructs a new market-wide investor sentiment index for South Africa and uses the two-state Markov regime-switching model for the sample period 2007/03 to 2024/01. The findings illustrate that the effect investor sentiment has on government bond indices returns of varying maturities is regime-specific and time-varying. For instance, the 1–3-year government index return and the over-12-year government bond index were negatively affected by investor sentiment in a bull market condition and not in a bear market condition. Moreover, the bullish market condition prevailed among the returns of selected government bond indices of varying maturities. The findings suggest that the government bond market is adaptive, as proposed by AMH, and contains alternating efficiencies. The study contributes to the emerging market literature, which is limited. That being said, it uses market-wide investor sentiment as a tool to make pronunciations on asset selection, portfolio formulation, and portfolio diversification, which assists in limiting investor losses. Moreover, the findings of the study contribute to settling the debate surrounding the efficiency of bond markets and the effect between market-wide sentiment and bond index returns in South Africa. That being said, it is nonlinear, which is a better modelled using nonlinear models and alternates with market conditions, making the government bond market adaptive.

Impact of entrepreneurial incubators on youth employment in South African local government

Background: Unemployment has been the central socioeconomic issue in South Africa since the democracy in 1994. As a result, the nation’s unemployed youth continue to be at risk in the job market. In the quest for alternatives, youth entrepreneurship has been acknowledged as a crucial strategy for empowering youth through innovation and technology.Aim: This study sought to analyse the impact of innovative entrepreneurial incubators (IEIs) in fostering youth employment within Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality.Setting: This study was conducted within the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality to analyse the effectiveness of IEIs in supporting young entrepreneurs, thus increasing employment opportunities for the youth in South Africa.Methods: A sample of 20 semi-structured open-ended interviews was conducted, and thematic coding was used for data analysis.Results: The study found that there are several challenges pertaining to the effective implementation of IEIs to foster youth employment in South African municipalities. This is attributed to a lack of funding and educational programmes.Conclusion: The main recommendation is that all municipalities must establish IEIs and devise strategies to ensure that these are implemented effectively.Contribution: This study contributes to improved municipal governance through providing innovative mechanisms that foster effective and efficient implementation of IEIs in South African local government. This contribution aims to ensure that municipalities discharge their constitutional mandate to improve citizens’ standard of living through IEIs, especially in areas with high youth unemployment.

The impact of public procurement on delivery of quality education in Queensburgh secondary schools, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

Background: The South African government is faced with the challenge of expediting the provision of basic services while at the same time complying with public sector procurement regulations. The adherence to regulations results in delays in the provision of infrastructure for public schools.Aim: The article seeks to assess the impact of public procurement processes on service delivery with regard to the provision of infrastructure to public schools.Setting: The article focusses on secondary schools in Queensburgh, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Methods: The article employed a qualitative research method and primary data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with eight Public Works officials and eight contractors that conduct business with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works (DPW). Purposive sampling had been utilised to identify participants.Results: The article revealed that procurement processes profoundly impact the speed and quality of infrastructural delivery, and in many cases negatively, with delays being experienced.Conclusion: The study showed that the procurement processes affect the delivery of infrastructure in public schools.Contribution: This can assist the South African government in designing procurement in a manner that will expedite service delivery. This is not only going to assist in the provision of schools’ infrastructure in Queensburgh area but should also become a blueprint to eliminate backlogs and delays in service delivery.

The Epistemic Codification of Satiric Indictment and the Decrying Gender Grotesque in Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s 491 Days and the Zimbabwean Maverick Movie Neria

Language, law, and literatures have at times discernibly and theatrically attempted the development of satire in academic discourses. They have raised a poignant question on the articulation of gender in society. Critical discourses have valorised the epistemic exegesis on how language is transfigured and re-interpreted to spur the dramaturgy and trajectory of gender through autobiography, biography, fiction, and movies. This article crystallises the societal perception of how satire has been used to ridicule and make distinctions by invoking scorn and pity on both men and women in society. The article probes the sensitivity of contemporary male obsessions with phallic power under an apartheid government. It dovetails through the existing epistemic configurations exhibited to recuperate women in revoking the phallocentric codifications in Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s epoch-making autobiography, 491 Days (1969). With the symbolic, ironic, iconic, and satiric prison number of “1322/69,” Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s anti-apartheid autobiography re-invokes the male imperative devices built up for years against vulnerable Black females and weak Black males in the apartheid South African regime. Similarly, the same epistemic vein and codification are obsessively projected by possessed and aggressive phallic patriarchs in the Zimbabwean film Neria (1992). The article relies on the theory of Nawal El Saadawi, which proposes confrontation on the questions of female polarisation, women’s objectification, and the quest for resistance against legally recognised social exegesis. This includes the application of coercive force and the rejection of satiric linguistic indictments against women and the weak as exemplified in the autobiographic and filmic works from South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Chieftaincy and Kingship in Africa: How Lessons from the Government in South Africa Can Address Ghana’s Maladroitness in Inter-Ethnic Relations

Although the Authority of chiefs was undone by colonial rule in Ghana, traditional rulers have served as important adjuncts in the administration of post-colonial governments in Africa. This paper examines the evolution of chieftaincy, particularly as an agent of administration, with particular reference to the Ghanaian and South African experiences. Indeed, post-colonial Ghanaian and South African governments have all come to rely on traditional rulers to aid in development activities. Historical tensions related to chieftaincy conflicts in South Africa led to government intervention post-Apartheid to address colonial injustices. Ghana can learn from this approach to resolve disputes, especially among the Konkombas and Dagombas in its Northern Region. As such, the paper concludes that the administration of justice by the Government, coupled with positive institutional political interference, will bring trust and an end to the banner of traditional conflicts through resolution mechanisms.

The Influence of Capacity Building on Small-Scale Agro-Processors in South Africa: Lessons for Agricultural Extension Advisory Services

This paper examines capacity building from the perspective of business growth and success in small-scale agro-processing enterprises. Our analytical approach was underpinned by the inability of small-scale agri-enterprises to grow and succeed despite the South African government's support for capacity building through the economic empowerment programme initiative in the past three decades. The study was conducted in five of nine selected South African provinces (Gauteng, Limpopo, North-West, Free State, and Mpumalanga). This study was essential for developing an effective strategy for enhancing agri-business growth and success in South Africa. A concurrent mixed-methods research design was used, and data from 503 small-scale agro-processors was analysed using descriptive and multiple regression analysis techniques. The results revealed that capacity building (β = 0.274, p = 0.000) significantly influences the economic empowerment of small-scale agro-processors. Furthermore, the study showed that mentorship and technical and financial skills are critical types of capacity building that influence the economic empowerment of small-scale agro-processors in South Africa. It is recommended that all government or private stakeholders, including agricultural extension advisory services, invest in capacity-building programmes for small-scale agro-processors to achieve economic empowerment. Economically empowered small-scale agro-processors will significantly contribute to employment creation and better income distribution.