WIReDSpace

Welcome to WIReDSpace (Wits Institutional Repository on DSpace)

For queries relating to content and technical issues, please contact IR specialists via this email address : openscholarship.library@wits.ac.za,
Tel: 011 717 4652 or 011 717 1954

Photo by @inspiredimages

Communities in WIReDSpace

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 19

Recent Submissions

  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    The role of ANC economic policies in driving social and economic transformation in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2025) Hasane, Esethu; Ndlovu, Hlengiwe
    This thesis is premised on the argument that while the African National Congress (ANC) has consistently articulated a commitment to social and economic transformation, the policy decisions made during and after the 2012 policy conference reflect a continuity of macroeconomic orthodoxy that limits the potential for genuine transformation. The study explores the policy resolutions adopted during President Jacob Zuma’s administration, their alignment with the government’s 2014 to 2019 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), and the subsequent policy shifts introduced under President Cyril Ramaphosa. Situated within the broader discourse of post-apartheid economic reform, this research engages the framework of Transformative Social Policy (TSP) developed by Thandika Mkandawire, which emphasises the interrelated functions of redistribution, reproduction, production, and protection. Grounded in the historical context of South Africa’s persistent inequality, poverty, and unemployment, the study examines whether ANC policy efforts during this period met the conditions Mkandawire outlines as necessary for transformation, including investment in education and innovation, labour stability, inclusive institutions, and coherence between economic and social policies. Employing a qualitative document analysis methodology, the research draws evidence from ANC policy documents, government strategic plans, and public discourse to assess the extent to which these conditions were present and whether the policies adopted had the potential to realise TSP goals. The findings reveal that Radical Economic Transformation (RET) emerged as a dominant political narrative during the Zuma presidency, positioned as a vehicle for transformative change. However, the absence of a formal policy framework for RET, coupled with its rejection during the ANC’s 2012 policy conference, undermined its potential as a structured agenda for change. Despite this, RET continued to influence decision making within state departments and state owned entities, often leading to governance challenges, internal party conflict, and contested interpretations of policy. While elements of TSP are reflected in ANC rhetoric and planning documents, the lack of institutional readiness and the failure to create enabling conditions limited the prospects for meaningful transformation. The contribution of this study lies in its critical interrogation of the disconnect between the ANC’s stated transformative ambitions and the policy and institutional realities of 5 governance, offering a nuanced understanding of the limits and contradictions within post- apartheid policy development in South Africa.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    Factors influencing the adoption of digital payments and their potential to bridge the digital divide in Soweto, a township in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2025) Gugushe, Nontuthuzelo; Magida, Ayanda
    This study explored the perceptions, barriers, and enablers shaping digital payment adoption among residents of Soweto, specifically focusing on how infrastructural, economic, cultural, and trust-related factors influence user behaviour. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Van Dijk’s relational theory of the digital divide, the research examined how perceived usefulness, ease of use, trust, digital skills, and socio-cultural dynamics interact to shape adoption decisions. A qualitative research design was employed, drawing on semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of Soweto residents aged 25 to 40. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and contextual insights. The findings revealed that adoption remained uneven while digital payment systems were widely recognised for their convenience, speed, and perceived security. Key barriers included high transaction fees, limited infrastructure and acceptance in informal sectors such as minibus taxis and spaza shops, and cultural preferences for cash, particularly among older family members. Concerns around trust, such as fear of fraud and dissatisfaction with non-human customer service, further constrained uptake. However, repeated use of digital platforms over time enhanced confidence and digital literacy, contributing to gradual shifts in financial behaviour among some users. The study concluded that promoting digital payment adoption in township contexts requires affordable, trusted, and culturally relevant solutions beyond infrastructure to address social, behavioural, and motivational barriers. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on digital financial inclusion and offer practical recommendations for policymakers, financial institutions, and fintech providers seeking to build inclusive digital ecosystems in underserved communities
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    Exploring growth-led versus efficiency-led digitalization strategies in manufacturing and distribution firms
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2025) Govender, Kerushan; Beder, Laurence
    Digitalisation has become a critical driver of competitiveness in manufacturing and distribution firms, influencing their strategic orientations toward either revenue growth or cost efficiency. This study examines the contrasting approaches of growth-led and efficiency-led digitalisation, analysing how organisations leverage digital technologies either to enhance revenue streams or to optimise operational costs. Using a qualitative research design, the study employs focus group discussions with key decision-makers from South African manufacturing and distribution firms. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns in how firms adopt and implement digital strategies, the challenges they face, and the outcomes achieved. Findings indicate that growth-led digitalisation is characterised by customer- centric innovations, servitisation models, and data-driven expansion strategies aimed at increasing market reach and revenue. Efficiency-led digitalisation, on the other hand, prioritises automation, cost reduction, and process optimisation, allowing firms to maintain financial stability while improving operational performance. However, the study also highlights that these strategies are not mutually exclusive; many firms integrate both approaches, using efficiency gains to support growth initiatives. The study contributes to the literature on digital transformation by providing empirical insights into the strategic trade-offs and synergies between revenue generation and cost efficiency in digitalisation efforts. Practical implications suggest that firms should align their digital investments with broader business goals while maintaining flexibility to adapt to evolving market conditions. Future research could explore sector-specific digitalisation trends and the role of emerging technologies in balancing growth and efficiency objectives
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    Data Governance in the AI Era: Analysing the Effectiveness of Information Regulator in Implementing POPIA
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2025) Goitsione, Obopeng; Patel, Ashraf
    With the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) accelerating digital transformation, emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) pose complex challenges to data protection and regulation enforcement. This study assesses the effectiveness of South African Information Regulator (IR) in enforcing the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) in the dynamic changing data economy driven by 4IR technologies. Utilising a qualitative research approach through interviewing industry participants and the review of regulatory frameworks, supported by the review of existing literature, the study concludes that while South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) represents a crucial step towards strengthening data protection, its enforcement faces significant challenges, including regulatory inefficiencies, inadequate penalties to deter non-compliance, and the rapid evolution of emerging technologies outpacing existing legal frameworks. The Information Regulator’s limited capacity, coupled with insufficient public awareness about data privacy risks and challenges relating to IR accessibility at predominately rural area, further undermines effective oversight and compliance. Key recommendations include enhancing regulatory enforcement through stricter penalties and clearer breach reporting obligations, strengthening the regulator’s capacity with additional funding and resources, and working in collaboration with other sister regulators in developing AI-specific guidelines to address emerging risks. Moreover, increasing public education on data privacy and embedding data protection practices across sectors are essential for fostering a culture of compliance and safeguarding personal information in the digital era.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    Investigating the Influence of Entrepreneurial Capital on Small-Scale Farm Performance in Namibia’s Agricultural Sector
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2025) Ekondo, Sara Iyaloo Shagwanepandulo; Venter, Rob
    Background/Problem: Agriculture is the primary livelihood for approximately 70% of Namibia’s population and accounts for 20% of national employment. However, its contribution to GDP remains disproportionately low at only 5%. Despite its importance, there is limited empirical data on the role of entrepreneurial capital in enhancing small-scale farm performance, making it difficult to inform effective policy or guide resource allocation within the sector. In particular, the influence of specific dimensions of entrepreneurial capital -human, social, and financial- on farm performance outcomes such as revenues and yields remains unclear. Purpose/Objectives: This study aims to investigate the influence of entrepreneurial capital—specifically human, social, and financial capital—on small-scale farm performance in Namibia. Grounded in Resource-Based Theory, the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, and the Community Capitals Framework, the research seeks to test the hypothesis that each of these capital dimensions positively affects farm revenues and production yields. Methodology: A non-experimental, cross-sectional quantitative design was employed. Structured questionnaires were distributed online via Qualtrics to 1,050 purposively selected small-scale farmers across Namibia’s 14 regions, using networks from the Namibia Agronomic Board and other agricultural associations. Data were analysed using SPSS, with sampling adequacy tested using the KMO Bartlett’s test. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with principal axis factoring and Promax rotation was used to validate constructs. Financial capital failed to meet factor loading thresholds and was excluded from further analysis. Reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha, and composite scores were created for each variable. Assumption testing preceded regression analysis to test the hypothesized relationships. Results: The findings indicate that human capital had a negative, statistically insignificant effect on both farm revenues and yields. Social capital showed a positive, significant influence on farm revenues but an insignificant effect on yields. Financial capital could not be included in the final regression due to insufficient factor convergence during validation. Implications/Future Research: These findings suggest that social networks and relationships may be more critical to revenue generation than technical or educational inputs alone. Future research should consider disaggregating the capital dimensions into sub-categories to uncover more nuanced relationships. Moreover, a larger, more diverse sample may enhance generalizability and clarify marginally significant findings.