Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (ETDs)

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    Evaluation of the civilian intelligence service oversight model: A South African perspective
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Radebe, Osiel Bongani; Van Nieuwkerk, Antoni
    Intelligence serves as a cornerstone of state security, fulfilling a vital role in the protection of national interests and guarding against threats. Despite its secretive nature, intelligence operations and mandates are entrusted with significant statutory powers across nations to uphold state security. To ensure the rule of law and the protection of citizens' civil rights, robust governance frameworks are imperative. This research seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of South Africa's civilian intelligence oversight system post-1994. Central to this evaluation are the regulatory and institutional arrangements governing intelligence services and officials. Drawing upon governance principles encompassing oversight, transparency, accountability, and democratic control; the study also explores institutional norms and standards. Furthermore, it explores the potential impact of aligning societal and constitutional values with regulatory and oversight mechanisms. Research results indicate weaknesses in the existing civilian intelligence oversight model. This highlights inadequacies in holding intelligence services and officials accountable. Consequently, the research advocates for reforming the civilian intelligence oversight system. Emphasis must be placed on reviewing legal frameworks, oversight institutions and mechanisms, and procedural measures to enhance transparency and accountability. Rather than a complete overhaul, the research recommends targeted improvements to existing mechanisms. Moreover, the study underscores the need for better integration of societal and constitutional values into intelligence oversight arrangements. Aligning these values with regulatory frameworks is essential to ensuring coherence and efficacy in governance practices.
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    The Impact Of Governance On Economic Development In Malawi
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ngalande, Frank Chimwemwe
    The concept and discourse of good governance has been given a lot of emphasis in the international development space. It is mostly emphasised as a critical element in developing countries that deploy various development policies with little or no improvements in economic development. The study focused on Malawi which is still poor despite having adopted a series of policy interventions through the World Bank and International Monetary Fund-backed structural adjustment programs (SAPs). It further implemented the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP), Malawi Growth and Development Strategy papers (MGDS) 1-3) but poverty and underdevelopment continue to rise in Malawi. In this regard, the study aimed at finding what causes the persistent poverty and underdevelopment between the internalist and externalist forces. Further the study aimed at providing recommendations to addressing the governance gaps of compliance and collaboration, which entail policy implementation and effectiveness for the former and an effective nexus between the state and policy networks for the latter. With a postpositivist approach the study aimed at investigating what causes the continued poverty and underdevelopment in Malawi between the internal and external forces. Data was collected from officials in various government ministries and statutory entities as they were experts in the provision of public services and are either part of the governance machinery or institutions that aim at improving social economic welfare of the citizenry. Semi structured interviews were carried out and data was analysed in two parts, firstly using a Likert scale analysis, and secondly using thematic analysis for the qualitive responses from the interviewees. The study found that from a historical viewpoint colonialism played a role in establishing economic structures which are still present in post-colonial Malawi. In addition, the study found that internal factors such as poor leadership, lack of political will, corruption, and regime change in a democratically governed state contribute to persistent poverty and underdevelopment. The study established that Research Report Student: 1775131 iii improvement in these areas would bring about good governance which would i yield reduced poverty and improved social-economic development in the long term.
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    Navigating Governance Processes in IT Startups: A Case Study within an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Rantho, Malekgene; Sylvester, Horvey
    This qualitative study explores the intricate aspects of governance procedures within agile software development teams in IT startups in Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) environment in South Africa. The research aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of how elements such as leadership styles, organizational culture, decision-making processes, team climate, and emotional aspects of leadership influence the navigation and effectiveness of governance in agile agile software development teams. A case study of an IT startup within an OEM was used to explore the research question. To answer this question, an investigation was conducted through interviews of a qualitative nature with 20 members of agile teams in the organization selected for the case study seeking to: (i) To examine the current governance practices employed by agile teams of software development organizations within an OEM environment in South Africa; (ii) To identify the key challenges and opportunities faced by software development organizations in implementing effective governance practices; and (iii) To recommend best practices and strategies for enhancing governance practices in software development organizations, based on the findings of the case studies and an analysis of industry trends and standards. The results indicate the necessity of adaptive leadership that balances transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire styles to effectively manage governance of agile software development teams; the importance of aligning governance frameworks with organizational cultures, fostering continuous improvement, and promoting effective communication; the challenges in role clarity and the impacts of missing team members on workload, job satisfaction, and project outcomes; and that culturally sensitive governance practices, supported by regular knowledge-sharing sessions and a culture of measured risk-taking, enhance team performance and innovation. Thus the recommendations include implementing adaptive leadership training, fostering a culture of continuous feedback, and enhancing risk management practices to ensure project stability and quality. This study contributes to understanding how governance processes can be tailored to support agile methodologies in complex organizational settings.
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    Assessing the performance of Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa on the South African Economy
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mathaba, Thembinkosi Rodney; Horvey, Sylvester
    This study assessed the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa's (PRASA) performance and its economic impact. Using a qualitative approach, the research evaluated PRASA's current state, explored turnaround strategies, and examined economic consequences. Semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and document analysis were employed, with data analyzed through thematic analysis. The main findings reveal that significant operational challenges, including infrastructure deterioration and service disruptions, are exacerbated by COVID-19. Financial sustainability issues, governance instabilities, and systemic problems like skills gaps and procurement delays were identified as major impediments. PRASA's decline has increased transportation costs for commuters, negatively impacting local economies and businesses. Based on these findings, the study recommends prioritizing infrastructure modernization, enhancing security, restructuring funding models, and improving governance. Policy implications involve better aligning subsidies, strengthening oversight, and fostering collaborative partnerships for local economic development. These insights aim to support PRASA's revitalization and promote inclusive economic growth in South Africa.
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    Impact analysis of institutional quality on foreign direct investment inflows into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Malindini, Kholiswa; Pillay, Pundy
    The quality of governance has increasingly become a significant determinant of foreign direct investment inflows in recipient countries. Although extensive research has been conducted internationally to examine the role of institutional quality on foreign direct investment inflows, this concept has not been thoroughly interrogated in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) context. The region is poverty-stricken, unemployment rates are skyrocketing, economic growth is deteriorating, and the region only accounts for only one percent of global FDI. Thus, this study sought to examine three main objectives critically: first, the effect of institutional quality on foreign direct investment inflows into the SADC region; second, the influence of the financial development on the FDI-institutional quality nexus and thirdly, to assess whether countries’ income levels matter for attracting FDI inflows. FDI as a percentage of GDP was measured as a dependent variable, while institutional quality, financial development, natural resource availability, and GDP growth were the main explanatory variables. The study controlled for inflation rates, trade openness, and trade policy. An interaction term was generated to evaluate the effect of financial development on the FDI-institutional quality nexus in the SADC region. In order to achieve the research objectives, a mixed-methods approach was adopted, and a convergence research design was applied. Secondary data for other macroeconomic variables were drawn from the World Bank Development Indicators. In contrast, data for financial development were drawn from the International Monetary Fund’s Financial Development Index database, and data for governance indicators were drawn from the Worldwide Governance Indicators’ database. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews and survey questionnaires. Econometric models were developed to analyse panel data from 2011 – 2018 for 15 SADC member states to achieve the set objectives quantitatively. Specifically, the study adopted the Generalised System Methods of Moments (GMM) as the appropriate and efficient estimation technique for the analysis. Using a Pillar Integration Process, the data were integrated. The overall findings suggested that, while GDP growth, trade openness, and natural resources positively influence FDI inflows into the region and are statistically significant, institutional quality, inflation, trade policy and financial development are negatively and statistically significant coefficients towards FDI. The results revealed that a poor regulatory environment, the rule of law, and weak accountability are the main disincentives to improved quality of governance. The overall results indicated that weak institutional quality is still a significant challenge as far as inward FDI attraction is concerned; the lack of an enforcement mechanism directly impacts foreign investor property rights protection and eventually deters foreign investment inflows. Also, the unstable political framework that fails to sufficiently support economic institutions and ensure certainty, and the lack of political will, particularly by heads of government to implement and prioritize regional objectives over national interests, is a significant problem and stifles progress towards more profound integration. It also transpired that the financial markets and institutions within the region are not efficiently developed and are still fragmented, and this is attributed to macroeconomic instability and weak macroeconomic convergence. The findings also revealed that the countries’ income levels do not matter as far as FDI attraction is concerned. Based on these results, it may be necessary for SADC member states to adopt an institutional framework that promotes collaboration in the region and ensures effective and efficient implementation of the potential protocols. Given the dominance of national sovereignty over regional objectives, it may be worth examining the regimes that govern the member states; based on the view that sometimes non-compliance by member states emanates from the regime, which may sometimes not support regionalism. Convergent bilateral and multilateral arrangements are necessary for the region. The region needs to raise its export competitiveness by attracting domestic and foreign investments, and a rigorous trade integration process is a prerequisite. Policymakers in the region should focus on working together with institutions to promote development in the banking sector. Further, given the adverse effects of financial development on FDI inflows due to rising domestic credit by the banking sector, efforts should be made to maintain domestic credit levels to allow room for more FD
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    Collaborative Governance and the Social Compact during the Covid-19 pandemic
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Gilbert, Adele
    South Africa has a strong history of tripartite co-operation and collaborative governance since democratic rule in 1994. As a democratic developing country, through the constitution, South Africa aims to follow the principles of good governance and promotes broad social actor (labour, business and civil society) inclusion as a means to develop a more equal and inclusive society. This form of governance is used across the various tiers of government in South Africa namely national, provincial and local, taking on a range of different institutional forms. It has also been used to tackle a diverse range of issues in sectors including but not limited to health, environment, economic and education. The purpose of this research study was to investigate collaborative governance in the local manufacture of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the insights this has provided on the challenges, obstacles and prospects for establishing a social compact for a South African economic recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic. This was done by exploring the understanding of collaborative governance and social compacting and the perspective of different social actors to the success of using these forms as a means to achieve successful collaborative outcomes for society during the pandemic. The study then considered what insights this process of collaborative governance has provided to guide the development of a social compact. Lastly the study explored if social solidarity plays any role in collaborative governance and what this enables within such an institutional setting. The outcome of the research has revealed the importance major external shocks such as a global pandemic play in creating a context of shared risk, creating the potential for uniting social actors in the pursuit of solutions which serve the broader society. This has been contrasted by findings in relation to the effects of sectoral interests on the outcomes of collaborative governance, as well as the layered complexity of social actor groupings within South Africa and its impact on long term societal gains. It appears that this, along with a number of other challenges, poses significant obstacles to the development and implementation of a more society-centred social compact for South Africa, which is supported by implementation and accountability across social actors aimed at real societal transformation
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    The role of decentralisation in managing intra-state conflict in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-07) Fourie, Reneva Esther; Van Nieuwkerk, Anthoni
    This research study investigates the imperatives that led to the formation of South Africa’s post-apartheid decentralisation model and the conditions that enabled it to relatively appease the key role-players in South Africa’s pre-1994 conflict, as well as to critique the contribution of the model to state legitimacy. It is set in the context of decentralisation and intra-state conflict on the African continent in an endeavour to contribute to the African Union’s efforts to ‘Silencing the Guns’ by 2030. Regardless of its form, decentralisation is profoundly controversial, yet it is crucial to transitional governments and post-conflict reconstruction debates. However, current literature does not sufficiently enable us to understand the conditions under which a country can devise a decentralisation model that responds to the drivers of conflict. South Africa’s unique historical experience in the development of its post-apartheid model of decentralisation provides an opportunity to critique and discuss these debates through a fascinating case study. Qualitative data collection methods, analysed through a specially constructed three dimensional framework, underpin this interpretive case study. The data collection method for dimension one of the decentralisation framework of analysis is semi-structured interviews with persons who either participated directly in the design of the decentralisation model, or influenced, or observed the process. It responds to the research question, ‘What is the role of decentralisation in managing intra-state conflict in South Africa?’ The sub-questions relate to the context, formation process, and design of the decentralisation model and its perceived effectiveness. Furthermore, document analyses are applied to critique the model’s contribution to state legitimacy. In this regard, primary sources are analysed in dimension two to demonstrate how regulatory prescripts support the decentralisation model to facilitate a reciprocal interrelationship between power and authority; to promote compliance, trust, accountability and innovation; to drive the interplay between these former two aspects; and to enable citizen influence and oversight and social reciprocities. Additionally, document analyses of domestic and international quantitative secondary sources are applied in dimension three to critique governance effectiveness concerning economic management, social development, government orientation and citizen participation. The research study provides new insight into the conditions that preceded and surrounded South Africa’s transition and the different challenges and interests to which the negotiations over decentralisation tried to respond. In South Africa, the depth of the conflict had attained such severity that it had reached a point where there was mutual agreement that some accommodation had to be found. The collectively agreed, unitary post-apartheid decentralisation model, which has significant federal features, sustained the peace for almost three decades. The research study, by applying the three-dimensional framework of analysis, also provides theoretical insights into the relationship between a given decentralisation model and state legitimacy as part of managing intra-state conflict. However, by focusing only on the intrinsic aspects of managing intra-state conflict, the study does not deal with the complexities that arise from adverse external interests and interferences. Furthermore, so many factors shape state legitimacy, which cannot be addressed by a decentralisation model only. Accordingly, the study finds that despite the post-apartheid decentralisation model’s effectiveness in relatively appeasing all the negotiation participants, it was an incomplete arrangement in that it could not contribute to stemming poverty and inequality or empowering local communities. The conclusion flowing from this research is that decentralisation is an eminently political process that, at its best, is dynamic and elastic in responding to changing times and that its application in conditions of conflict is relative.
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    Examining the extent which the SAIVCET support institute for TVET colleges in South Africa has accomplished its primary roles one to six
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Tutu, Bongiwe; Motsepe, Dikgang
    The National Development Plan (NDP) envisions South Africa’s economic transformation by focusing on higher education and skills development. Since its adoption in 2012, it has emphasised the crucial role of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges as the major institutions to improve education, skills development and to enhance economic growth. Despite this realization, there are shortfalls that remain within TVET colleges, whereupon the NDP states, “the FET (TVET) system is not effective, it is too small and the output quality is poor” (NDP, 2012: 40). The Department of Higher Education and Training (DEHET) established the South African Institute for Vocational and Continuing Education and Training (SAIVCET) to support the TVET colleges. The SAIVCET was established on six primary roles and three implementation objectives. Using the qualitative survey research approach, adopting questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to gather and assess data, this research examines the extent to which the institute has accomplished the six primary roles and fulfilled the purpose behind its establishment. Through the purposive sampling of the research participants used, this research has found that the rationale and importance for the SAIVCET to strengthen the TVET and CET sector is unquestionable. However, research findings and conceptual analysis indicates that there have been challenges to the formal implementation of the SAIVCET. The institute was projected for 2012, however has yet to be established due to funding and governance constraints. As a result, SAIVCET has no governance structure. In the interim, a “SAIVCET Project” which is an informal body was formed to fulfil some of the functions and primary roles of the main SAVICET body. In a recent 2020/21 DHET Annual Performance Plan, the SAIVCET is still presented as a planned initiative, which has been projected for implementation in the period 2020 – 2025 (DHET, 2020: 10). In examining the primary roles of the SAIVCET support institute for TVET colleges in South Africa, this research has found that, the extent to which the SAIVCET, even as acting through the SAIVCET Project, fulfilled its primary roles is poor. The findings indicate that the SAIVCET has attained average to poor results in effectively fulfilling of its primary roles. Each of the primary roles received consolidated scores that are below average (below 50 percent) from the participants’ primary data. The conceptual framework and analysis further indicates the lacking impact of the institute, particularly under assessments of the Good governance framework and the Education policy implementation framework. This research recommends DHET uphold publishing annual reports to the functions and progress of the SAIVCET and SAIVCET Project, in order to enable public awareness and engagement on developments within higher education. Further, this research recommends a two-year progress review of the SAIVCET once it has been established. Further, this research study recommends coordinated efforts among various ministries, stakeholders, public and private sectors and higher education institutions, on the functions and resources for SAIVCET. Furthermore, this study recommends an institutional push for shifts in mind-sets, particularly among employers with bias when selecting candidates from higher education institutions and TVET colleges. Furthermore, this research recommends funding and resources, which are allocated without reservations, but for the sole purpose of advancing progress
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    Assessing Forward Planning in Rural Local Government: A Case Study of Moqhaka Local Municipality
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Sebola-Samanyanga, Jackson; Pooe, T. K.
    Rural planning in post-apartheid South Africa faces challenges in addressing the future proactively. This is largely due to the unjust policies and governmental approaches of the colonial era and apartheid that continue to this day. Literature suggests that little attention has been paid to the relationship between rural planning and future orientation, with planning being reduced to solving today's problems rather than developing a vision for the future (Isserman, 1985; Meng, 2009; Muñoz-Erickson et al., 2021). Against this background, Ngumbela (2021, p. 84) poses a critical question: Are South African local municipalities the tools of effective and efficient local service delivery, backed by a capable state and Developmental Local Government whose impact is merely a short drive from the fog into the light – or are they moving further into the dark? (2021:84) The study problematises rural local government development as preoccupied with redressing past injustices and aims to determine whether a proactive engagement with the future informs non-metropolitan rural local government planning. Adopting a qualitative approach, the study evaluated Moqhaka Local Municipality's planning systems and tools using two methods: interviews and content analysis. The study found that the question posed by Ngumbela (20210) highlights the need for local governments to be restructured and redefined in order to be developmental. It also proposes that future studies and planning be (re)merged to maximise the known and minimise the unknown. In essence, the study provides valuable insights into the realities of local rural planning and its engagement with the future.