Wits School of Governance (ETDs)
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Item Perceptions and experiences of informal street traders on Covid-19 and its effect on sales and revenue in Pretoria(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Maphutha, Thakgalo Magauwane; Khumalo, JohnThe Covid-19 restrictions and strategies imposed in order to reduce the spread of the virus had dire consequences on the sales and livelihood of both the formal and informal sectors. The lockdown made it challenging for small and big businesses to operate as per normal, which included informal street traders. This study intended to find out the perceptions and views of informal street traders with the focus on their sales and revenue during Covid-19 lockdown. The research was designed as a phenomenological study as it was concerned with understanding the effects of Covid- 19 through the in-depth experiences of informal street traders. The study adopted a qualitative research design, with face-to-face interviews as the primary data collection method. In addition, previously published studies were reviewed as part of the secondary literature review. This study had a sample of 30 informal street traders from Pretoria working along Church Street. A key discovery in this study is that like many sectors, informal street traders were hit very hard by the pandemic, more especially during the lockdowns. The sales and revenue of informal street traders decreased drastically, leaving the participants with challenges that will take years to overcome. Most informal street traders participate in the sector as their primary source of income due to a lack of opportunities in the country and are the main breadwinners. To many, Covid-19 added to the already existing day-to-day challenges. Regardless of the significance of informal street trading, the government failed to provide them with any assistance to curb the negative impact of the pandemic on their livelihoodItem Factors affecting the implementation of the South African Police Service directive on accessibility infrastructure(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mahlalela, Mduduzi Simanga; Wotela,KambidimaThe United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) Article 9 guides the implementation of universal access, as the accessibility of facilities and physical environment requires usable designs (Sholanke et al, 2019). In South Africa, the policy is implemented through the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2016) and the National Strategic Framework on Universal Design and Access (2021) to promote fairness, eradicate discrimination, and advocate for reasonable accommodation. Hence, the policy addresses the importance of user-friendly infrastructures and the implementation of universal access in all departments. However, Maart et al (2007) point out that policies on infrastructure access, experience implementation challenges. The South African Police Service Strategic Plan (2020-2024) and the SDIP (2022-2023) highlight the importance of infrastructure plans and police accessibility in police stations. While the Annual Report of 2020-2021 narrates the challenges experienced in completing accessibility projects and new police stations because of delayed suppliers. Mthethwa (2012) identifies that, assessing policy improves accountability and service delivery for policymakers and implementers. These aspects frame the research problem. Therefore, the research assesses the factors affecting the implementation of the South African Police Service directive on accessibility infrastructure, focusing on the process, attitudes, progress, and challenges as main questions. The research details the problem, identifies the knowledge gap, and further establishes a framework to understand the research findings. A qualitative research strategy is proposed for the study, employing a case study design administered with an interview schedule to gather data from participants within the Facility Management in the South African Police ServiceItem Mapping the socio-economic contribution of Zimbabwean migrants in Diepsloot, City of Johannesburg(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Magwaza, Nokubonga; Pophiwa, N.This study examines the socio-economic contribution of Zimbabwean migrants in Diepsloot, a suburb in the City of Johannesburg. It examines the lived experiences of both Diepsloot residents and immigrants in the area, focusing on their socio-relations. The study examines the determinants that led Zimbabwean immigrants to settle in Diepsloot, while also observing the characteristics of their living situations after their arrival in the area. The objective is to gain an in-depth understanding of the beneficial contribution that the current Zimbabwean migrants in Diepsloot are making, instead of focusing on the notions that they are competing for access to free government services, job prospects, and contributing to crime in the region. The study employed a qualitative research methodology. The utilization of qualitative research allows the researcher to get rich information from a small number of individuals in the Diepsloot area, enabling an in-depth understanding of the participants' actual experiences pertaining to the topic under investigation. The selection of qualitative research was based on its emphasis on the quality, nature, and essence of the phenomena under investigation. The sample consisted of South African nationals aged 18 and above, along with Zimbabwean individuals, comprising both documented and undocumented immigrants. The study's findings indicated that immigrants with social networks could integrate, establish themselves, and secure career opportunities in Diepsloot. Several participants noted that immigrants tend to accept lower wages and mostly engage in domestic jobs within nearby suburbs. It concludes with providing recommendations for local government and national government policymakers on ways to encourage peaceful coexistence among the hosts and immigrants in DiepslootItem Internal crisis communication strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Gauteng Provincial Treasury department(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Khumalo, Sindisiwe; Malindini, KholiswaNever has there been a greater demand for internal communication than under COVID-19. It has spread uncertainty within organizations, reduced trust, and had a massive impact on individuals. This research examined the internal crisis communication strategies in the Gauteng Provincial Treasury (GPT) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, looking at identifying internal crisis communication strategies implemented by the Gauteng Provincial Treasury in response to the pandemic, how employees perceive existing strategies, and their preferred communication strategies during a crisis. The study employed an exploratory qualitative research methodology. To gain detailed insight into the internal crisis communication of the Gauteng Provincial Treasury, the researcher used semi-structured face-to-face interviews as a research instrument. First, the researcher interviewed a GPT communication manager to gain information on the internal crisis communication strategies utilized by the Department during the pandemic. The second set of interviews consisted of 12 employees of the GPT to examine their perceptions of the internal crisis communication strategies utilized by the Department and their views on how they would like to be communicated during a crisis (COVID-19 pandemic). The results revealed that the Gauteng Provincial Treasury implemented the Transparency strategy by providing employees with information about what had occurred and the steps taken; the department intended to lower the uncertainty brought on by the crisis and subsequently foster a sense of security among employees. However, failing to provide timely and consistent communication during the crisis negatively influenced employees’ perception of that communicationItem The impact of Basel iii capital and liquidity regulations on bank profitability in emerging markets(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Keseabetswe, Mompoloki; Alovokpinhou, Sedjro AaronThe purpose of the study is to investigate how Basel III's regulation for capital and liquidity impacts the profitability of banks in emerging markets. Using data from 2012 to 2022, the research looks at listed banks in 22 emerging market countries. The study measured bank profitability using two proxies: return on equity and return on assets. The study considered several bank-specific and macroeconomic variables. For bank-specific drivers, this includes capital, liquidity, bank size, cost-effectiveness, and credit quality, while macroeconomic factors include economic growth measured in gross domestic product growth, inflation, and interest rate. Dynamic panel data (system GMM) was employed to examine the relationship between the variables. The results reveal that the Basel requirements have a limited impact on bank profitability. The findings for banks subject to Basel III regulation show a significant and positive impact of capital on bank profitability and no impact of liquidity on bank profitability. For banks under no Basel III regime, the results show a significant and negative impact of liquidity on bank profitability but show no statistical significance and impact of capital on bank profitability. Comparatively, capital positively impacts bank profitability for Basel III banks, while liquidity negatively impacts bank profitability for non-Basel III banks in emerging markets. By conducting an empirical analysis of the effects of capital and liquidity requirements on bank performance for banks in emerging market countries, this study supplements the body of literature. Although the Basel III framework is important for prudential banking, its effects on the performance of emerging market banks are, therefore, varied, and debatableItem A multi-theoretical analysis of the complexity of land reform policy formulation in post- apartheid South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Jurgens, Richard Bartholomew; Hobden, hristineRecent years have seen a highly polarised public debate about land reform, centring on the question of whether the ANC government should seek to amend the Constitution to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation. The ANC finally adopted expropriation without compensation as its policy on land reform in 2018, a position on the question that appears to be a significant shift from its more reconciliation-led approach in the early democratic years. This dissertation analyses the land reform debate between 1994 and 2018 through a multi- theoretical lens, focusing, firstly, on the ANC-led government’s approach to policy formulation and implementation in this period, and secondly, on its approach to the parliamentary inquiry that it sponsored in 2018 to establish the public’s views on expropriation without compensation. Two related theories, the wicked problem framework, and framing theory, are used to shed light on the ANC’s approach to shaping the public debate on land reform during the period under review. An accountability model is used to evaluate the Joint Constitutional Review Committee’s approach to public engagement during its inquiry in 2018. The use of a multi-theoretical approach aims to provide new insights into the complexity of the land reform debate, and, at the same time, to illustrate the value and utility of theoretical tools in complex policy questions.Item Roles of stakeholders in strengthening national monitoring and evaluation systems in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Hlaise-Msimang, Mehloti Candy; Blaser – Mapitsa,C.The involvement of different stakeholders in policy formulation, accountability activities and advocacy for improved service delivery has been viewed as a mark of good governance and a critical mechanism indicator for democracy. However, with the establishment of country -led monitoring and evaluation system, stakeholder engagement has been noted to be weak, fragmented and even as tokenism thus rendering the process mute. A qualitative study was therefore undertaken to investigate the roles played by various stakeholders in the development, institutionalization and sustainability of the South African National Evaluation System. Using semi-structured interviews, the study drew from the expertise of evaluations practitioners and government officials with varying levels of knowledge and experiences of the South Africa national evaluation system. The findings of the study indicated that deliberate efforts of the DPME, as a central coordinating unit, facilitated the mobilization and collaboration with other government departments including the National School of Government, parliamentarians, fostered partnerships with SAMEA – VOPE, academic institutions and evaluation experts such as CLEAR-AA . The inclusion of civil society organizations played a significant role in influencing policy by providing inputs on government interventions and sharing context informed data about service delivery in communities. Although there were systematic and institutional challenges, the study findings also revealed that stakeholders were able to strengthen the NES in three spheres which are: i) providing M&E training, funding, evaluation data and support tools, ii) improving policies to assist in the successful implementation of NES and iii) advocating for accountability in NES. This further reinforced the need to work collaboratively with different stakeholders that foster good governance, build capacity with a balance of the theoretical underpinnings and evaluation experience supported by political vision and senior managers who set the right institutional culture that is agile and responsive to the country’s context and development goals/aspirations will strengthen the NESItem The role of the Kgetlengrivier Citizens Group on the administration of water services(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Eckard, Lourensa; Pillay, PundyItem Professional Identity of Public Sector Monitoring and Evaluation Practitioners(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Desta, Meseret Daniel; Kithau-Kiwekete, AngelitaThe study sought to explore and map the qualitatively different ways M&E practitioners conceptualise their professional identity in the context of the public sector. The inquiry and its findings were contextualised by taking into account experiences of M&E professionals related to the institutional, managerial and administrative settings of their respective organisations as well as their views on the current status and professionalisation journey of M&E in South Africa. This helped to identify different factors that influence the construction and deconstruction as well as the reconstruction of Professional Identity of M&E practitioners in the sector. In addition, the investigation also looked into how Monitoring and Evaluation practitioners navigate the political and institutional context of the Public Sector and engage in the process of (re) examining their professional identities. The investigation employed a phenomenographic approach to identify, categorise and logically construct an outcome space that presents the qualitatively different ways M & E practitioners perceive their Professional Identity. Nine purposely selected M&E practitioners from the public sector participated in this qualitative study. Data was collected through interviews using a questionnaire composed of both semi-structured and open-ended questions. The phenomenographic analysis revealed four categories of descriptions that depict how M&E practitioners perceive their Professional Identity in a continuum. These categories, hierarchically arranged from least to most sophisticated are Curators of Development Data, Auxiliary to Programme Management, Patron of Accountability and Democracy, and Champions of Development and TransformationItem Framework For Introducing E- Procurement in South African Municipalities(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Khoza, Vusi Duncan; Horvey, SylvesterSouth Africa faces challenges such as mismanagement of public finances, governance issues, and economic competitiveness, leading to disarray in local government and poor service delivery. This situation often results in violent strikes that damage public infrastructure. The study focuses on financial accountability, ICT solutions, and e-procurement in South African municipalities, exploring perceptions and identifying critical success factors. Qualitative methodology was employed, with 14 participants from various stakeholder groups providing insights through semi-structured interviews and self-completed questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti and triangulated with literature to enhance trustworthiness. Thematic analysis guided pattern extraction, creating a systematic framework to understand financial accountability, ICT's role, e-procurement framework design, and critical success factors. The research findings shed light on challenges in balancing economic development and service delivery through e-procurement. Participants highlight challenges in engaging emerging service providers while ensuring quality. Differing opinions on the importance of experience, transformative e-procurement shifts, and competitive factors are explored. Strategies for reducing prices, emphasizing online platforms, ensuring fair evaluation, transparent negotiations, and comprehensive security are discussed. A multi-faceted approach is recommended for addressing challenges in e- procurement platform availability and accessibility. Overall, participants view e- procurement as transformative for transparency, accountability, and efficiency in municipal processes. Insights from the findings help to make some practical contributions and culminate in the development of a framework that integrates key principles of Financial Accountability Theory into the design and implementation of E-Procurement in South African Municipalities. By aligning theoretical underpinnings with practical considerations, this framework aims to enhance fiscal responsibility, ethical governance, and service delivery efficacy within the evolving landscape of municipal governance in the digital age