Wits School of Governance (ETDs)

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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, John
The 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 livelihood
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 Diepsloot
Internal crisis communication strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Gauteng Provincial Treasury department
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Khumalo, Sindisiwe; Malindini, Kholiswa
Never 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 communication
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 Aaron
The 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 debatable
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 NES
Professional Identity of Public Sector Monitoring and Evaluation Practitioners
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Desta, Meseret Daniel; Kithau-Kiwekete, Angelita
The 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 Transformation
Framework For Introducing E- Procurement in South African Municipalities
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Khoza, Vusi Duncan; Horvey, Sylvester
South 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
The sustainability of cooperatives in KwaZulu-Natal
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Mthembu, Richard Themba; Pillay, Pundy
The current study focused on the sustainability of black owned cooperatives in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study setting was constitutive of both rural and peri-urban Durban. It uses a qualitative research design and an interpretivist paradigm to elicit and make sense of participants’ views regarding the challenges and opportunities inherent in cooperative enterprises located within KwaZulu-Natal. The study adopted a multi-method data collection approach and uses in-depth interviews and document analysis to illuminate the topic. Using the two qualitative methods constitutes data triangulation. In terms of the in-depth interviews, participants were purposively selected and snowball sampling techniques were used to lead the researcher to the next participant. A total of 16 interviews were conducted with both male and female participants involved in agricultural cooperatives such as vegetable production, poultry and piggery. Interview data were complimented with that extracted of relevant literature through document analysis of government policies and white papers drawn from government archival materials particularly from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture (DOA). Overall, data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings from the study bring to the fore three broad themes which are Black Economic Empowerment, contributing factors to the failure of cooperatives, and factors hindering co-operative sustainability
Perceptions of performance appraisals amongst civilian employees of the Department of Defence
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Gopane, Onkemetse Macphonia; Van Nieuwkerk, Anthoni
The purpose of this study was to explore civilian employees’ perceptions of the management of the performance appraisal process in the Department of Defence. To achieve this objective, a qualitative case study was undertaken whereby data were collected by using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. A sample of 15 purposely selected junior and middle management civilian participants from Defence Head Quarters was done whereby participants were interviewed and data collected analysed by using thematic analysis. The themes that emerged indicated how employees perceive and experience performance appraisal. The findings revealed that although employees understand what performance appraisal is, the management of the process remains a challenge. From the analysis, there is a lot of dissatisfaction among employees as they feel that performance appraisal is subjective, and the way performance bonuses are paid is based on favouritism and inconsistency which lead to grievances. The findings also indicated that some managers use performance appraisal to punish employees that they do not like regardless of their performance which often diminishes the morale of high performers. The absence of feedback, lack of training by Human Resource Development and lack of support and commitment by top management were also raised as challenges that impede proper management. It is therefore recommended that the Department of Defence should prioritise offering regular and detailed performance appraisal training and workshops to managers and employees so that they both have a common understanding of the objective of the process. Furthermore, the Department of Defence should benchmark with other state institutions and implement an automated performance appraisal system with the latest technology which might reduce human errors and biasedness
Streamlining of contrasting multi-stakeholder monitoring and evaluation institutional arrangements in a South African National Department
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Matsumunyane, Molupe
In recent times, the efficacy and impact of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) on the development of low income countries has been placed under a lot of scrutiny. Following the demise of apartheid in 1994, South Africa became a recipient of ODA from various international sources. In this respect, the National Treasury of South Africa is responsible for the overall management and coordination of ODA (Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, 2014). However, the responsibility and accountability for the implementation of ODA rests with the respective National Departments (National Treasury of South Africa, 2003). This includes the responsibility for monitoring, reporting and evaluating the delivery of ODA programmes. The problem is that, monitoring and evaluation of South African public service initiatives is sometimes seen to be highly fragmented and Departments tend to develop instruments that do not adhere to, for example the various monitoring and reporting instruments developed in the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) and the National Treasury (Porter & Goldman, 2013) This study seeks to qualitatively interrogate how to align multi-stakeholder monitoring and evaluation institutional arrangements involving ODA supported interventions at Government Departments in general, uses the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) as the case study. The findings reveal that each ODA programme has its own legal agreements that prescribe the governance structures and institutional arrangements. This means that every ODA programme has unique institutional arrangements in place that the Government of South Africa has to adapt to. In order to remedy this, the Government of SA should explore setting up an independent State Entity that will oversee and manage all ODA initiatives. Successful institutional arrangements require that implementation be allocated to one single entity which will render high priority to the development interventions

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