Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37945

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Subject: search.filters.subject.SDG-9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

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Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
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    Social Media Dialogues on Immigration Policy: The Case of Operation Dudula
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mmotong, Thabiso
    In the democratic context of South Africa, where public engagement mechanisms are limited, there exists a risk of citizen disenfranchisement and internal conflicts. This study advocates for participatory governance and harnesses the power of social media to actively involve citizens and stakeholders in shaping immigration policies. Recognizing the transformative potential of online platforms, the goal is twofold: to critique existing inadequacies and contribute to more inclusive and responsive governance models. By bridging the gap between policymakers and the public, this endeavour aims to foster informed and harmonious discourse on immigration policy. The paper specifically examines Operation Dudula, a grassroots movement that has garnered attention for its immigration-focused stance. Through qualitative research methods, the study sheds light on societal perspectives regarding immigration policy in South Africa. The analysis focuses on publicly shared Twitter posts, including those associated with the hashtag #OperationDudula and content from the official Operation Dudula account. This study provides a window into the intricate landscape of South African immigration policy, revealing a dynamic discourse that unfolds across social media platforms. It spotlights the pivotal role of citizen engagement in shaping immigration policy. Participants demonstrate a collective commitment to grappling with the complexities inherent in immigration. The research advocates for proactive measures, emphasizing the need for transparent and inclusive communication practices. By actively engaging with diverse perspectives on social media, we can foster an environment conducive to informed dialogue. Furthermore, the study champions initiatives focused on citizen education and empowerment, aiming to facilitate meaningful participation in the formulation of immigration policies.
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    Policy challenges affecting the electric vehicle manufacturing sector in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mateko, Freeman Munisi
    The evolution of technology has brought many changes to the automotive sector on a global scale. Different economies in the Global South and Global North are making strides to adopt modern technology, such as electric vehicles, which are more efficient than internal combustion engine vehicles. Electric vehicles have zero emission levels and this is crucial for supporting climate change action. Economies that have adopted electric vehicles succeeded due to robust policies and financial incentives for car manufacturers, among other factors. The aim of this research was to explore the extent to which the policy environment facilitates for increased adoption and manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa. This research is in line with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 7 by encouraging the use of electric vehicles for cleaner energy, as well as SDG 9 by advocating for automotive sector innovation and infrastructural development. Furthermore, the emphasis on lowering emissions coincides with SDGs 11 and 13 by promoting sustainable urban environments and climate action. In terms of the research methodology, the study was based on qualitative research techniques. Interviews and literature review were used for data collection. Six policy documents were analyzed in this study. The target population for the study were the stakeholders in the South African car manufacturing sector. Purposive sampling was used to select a total of ten participants for the study. Data was analyzed through content and thematic analysis techniques. The results of primary study demonstrated how ambiguous South Africa's current electric vehicle policy environment is. Additionally, it was determined that some factors must be considered to guarantee a seamless switch to electromobility. Developing and executing electric vehicle policies, maintaining a steady supply of energy, lowering import taxes on EV parts, skill development, providing purchase subsidies, and providing production and technological incentives are a few of these elements. In terms of policy recommendations, it was suggested that there is need for timeous implementation of electric vehicles policy, producing battery electric vehicles, promoting research and development on electric vehicles and there is need for increased government support towards car manufacturers in South Africa.
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    Regulating the moto-taxi informal transport industry in Nacala-Porto Municipality, Mozambique
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Caximo, Caximo Paulino Nuno; Abrahams, Caryn
    In developing countries, the recent growth of urban population has brought along several challenges to the already limited provision of essential public services. Along with heavier traffic, pollution, and limited access to essential public services, youth unemployment continued to grow and access to urban transport deteriorated. At the same time, the inability by governments to respond to these challenges, has created an opportunity for the emergence of innovative solutions, such as the moto-taxi, which provided affordable transport and created employment opportunities for youth, yet flourishing as an informal industry. Nacala-Porto is among the cities that faced this movement. This research aimed to critically analyse the process that the government of Nacala-Porto, a municipality in northern Mozambique, has followed to regularise the emergence of informal moto-taxi industry, given its accompanying two-folded reality: of a solution to a concrete public provision gap, that brings along, important concerns. The study was designed as qualitative research, with a focus on exploring the beliefs and perceptions of key actors in this informal industry, and enriching the body of knowledge on the subject, which is currently not well documented for that municipality. Building on the rich literature on the subject borrowed from other developing countries, the study has shown that this informality has been seen as contributing to filling the gap in provision of public transport services in the municipality, and thus, important steps have been taken to regularise the sector. Actual steps taken by the municipality, included (i) adjusting the existing policies and regulations (in the form of the municipal stance), to accommodate the novel form of transportation; (ii) capacity building of the moto-taxi drivers, to understand the requirements built into the revised stance; (iii) supporting the creation of a formal structure for the sector, in the form of moto-taxi driver association, despites not having taken-off; and (iv) establishing law enforcement mechanisms through the municipal police, although recognized as being weak. Despites the important steps taken, policy gaps prevail, especially on establishing comprehensive standards for the operators in the sector, but more importantly, on law enforcement, which leads the sector to continue to operate far from the goal of ensuring access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all.
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    Policy challenges affecting the electric vehicle manufacturing sector in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mateko, Freeman Munisi; Cairns, Murray
    The evolution of technology has brought many changes to the automotive sector on a global scale. Different economies in the Global South and Global North are making strides to adopt modern technology, such as electric vehicles, which are more efficient than internal combustion engine vehicles. Electric vehicles have zero emission levels and this is crucial for supporting climate change action. Economies that have adopted electric vehicles succeeded due to robust policies and financial incentives for car manufacturers, among other factors. The aim of this research was to explore the extent to which the policy environment facilitates for increased adoption and manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa. This research is in line with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 7 by encouraging the use of electric vehicles for cleaner energy, as well as SDG 9 by advocating for automotive sector innovation and infrastructural development. Furthermore, the emphasis on lowering emissions coincides with SDGs 11 and 13 by promoting sustainable urban environments and climate action. In terms of the research methodology, the study was based on qualitative research techniques. Interviews and literature review were used for data collection. Six policy documents were analyzed in this study. The target population for the study were the stakeholders in the South African car manufacturing sector. Purposive sampling was used to select a total of ten participants for the study. Data was analyzed through content and thematic analysis techniques. The results of primary study demonstrated how ambiguous South Africa's current electric vehicle policy environment is. Additionally, it was determined that some factors must be considered to guarantee a seamless switch to electromobility. Developing and executing electric vehicle policies, maintaining a steady supply of energy, lowering import taxes on EV parts, skill development, providing purchase subsidies, and providing production and technological incentives are a few of these elements. In terms of policy recommendations, it was suggested that there is need for timeous implementation of electric vehicles policy, producing battery electric vehicles, promoting research and development on electric vehicles and there is need for increased government support towards car manufacturers in South Africa
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    Effectiveness of the mobile technology intervention in rural schools: The case of Seshego circuit in Polokwane district
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020) Nare Joyce, Mahwai; Wotela, Kambidima
    The objective of this qualitative study is to conduct a summative evaluation of a mobile technology intervention in rural schools of Seshego circuit. The aim is to determine the effectiveness of the intervention to determine how mobile technologies are integrated in teaching and learning. Employing a qualitative research strategy with case study research design methods, participants were purposively selected to answer four research questions to determine the outcomes of the information and communication technology intervention in rural schools of Seshego circuit in Polokwane district. Teachers’ views were obtained regarding the integration of mobile technologies in teaching and learning as well as documenting the process for mobile technology integration in teaching and learning. This research applied technology acceptance model (TAM) and Technology acceptance model 2 (TAM2) to make understand the use and integration of mobile technologies in teaching and learning. Preliminary findings reveal that mobile technology integration does end with providing schools with information and communications technology infrastructure, there has to be a deliberate effort from teachers, learners, school management, subject advisors, national and provincial department of education to ensure that mobile technologies are used and integrated in teaching and learning. There are barriers that prevents teachers from fully integrating technologies in teaching and learning like the availability of ICT infrastructure as well as lack of skills and knowledge to integrate mobile technologies in teaching and learning. This research recommends that teachers be placed at the heart of technology implementation in teaching and learning
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    Does news consumption affect the propensity to participate in a civil action?
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Shabangu, Bruce; Lynge-Mangueira, Halfdan
    News consumption does not always affect the propensity of citizen to engage in civil actions. This finding was a result of regression analysis of the relationship between consumption of media news and its effect on the propensity to engage in social accountability. The purpose of the research was to determine the extent to which citizens are prompted to engage in civil action by news reports containing information on poor governance outcomes such as poor government performance, corruption and the like. The finding was citizens do not participate in civil action but they do so without being influenced by news reports. The impact of this phenomena is that democracy may not be fully enforced when democratic processes are not effectively implemented. The recommendation is that there needs to be civic education for citizens and awareness created on effective participation in civil action
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    Factors influencing the successful adoption of selected e-government initiatives in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Subramoney, Savithree
    Countries globally, including South Africa are moving towards e-government to improve services to its citizens. Implementing e-government requires infrastructure, skills and resources which are not easily accessible in developing countries like South Africa. The purpose of the study is to find out if the factors presented by Altameem, Zairi and Alshawi (2006) were used in three selected e-government initiatives to determine the factors that differentiate the more successful from the less successful e-government initiatives. One of the main findings was that the eight factors were used extensively in the two highly successful e-government initiatives: namely, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) e-filing system and the Smart Identity (ID) card system. These factors were found in the successful e-government initiatives but not all were found in the less successful e-government initiative, the National Population Register
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    Assessing the dpsa’s, and partners’, perspectives on digitalisation for improving efficiencies in the south african public sector
    (University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Lukhele, Nompumelelo; Chikane, Rekgotsofetse
    The purpose of this research was to explore the perspectives of public sector officials placed in the e-Government Services and Information Management unit of the DPSA, and partners, who are responsible for coordinating and drafting the Digital Government Policy Framework, on the implementation of digitalisation in the context of improving public sector efficiencies. This was justified as important because, the attitudes and perceptions of policy developers about digitalisation will influence the directionality of policies they develop on the implementation of digitalisation or the digital transformation agenda more broadly. The research primarily questioned what the perspectives of these officials are on the implementation of digitalisation in the context of improving public sector efficiencies in South Africa. The study adopted qualitative research methods. Semi-structured interviews and case studies were adopted to respond to the research questions. The main findings were that there is a need for government to strengthen the legitimacy of government digital transformation through releasing decisive political will; there is a need for elevation of the position of the Chief Information Officer in government departments; and lastly there is a need for the establishment of a central agency that will guide transformation of public service administration to perform important functions required to successfully transition to a digital government. The study concludes by emphasising the risks at local, regional, and international levels that the South African government faces if the urgency to act is undermined