Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (ETDs)

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    The Complexities of Digitising Public Services in the City of Ekurhuleni
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ngele, Sixolisiwe Solethu; Ndlovu, Hlengiwe
    This thesis is premised on the argument that while digital solutions in public service delivery offer significant potential for efficiency and accessibility, they also risk deepening existing divides if not carefully and inclusively implemented. The study examines the complex interplay of service delivery, governance, and community engagement within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, situated in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Through a comparative lens, it juxtaposes the lived experiences of residents in Thokoza hostels with those in the affluent suburb of Bedfordview, this thesis aims to illuminate the nuanced dynamics at play when digital public services intersect with diverse socio-economic disparities. The central argument posits that while digital solutions in public service delivery offer significant potential for efficiency and accessibility, they also risk deepening existing divides if not carefully and inclusively implemented. Grounded in the historical context of Ekurhuleni, where hostels originally served as temporary dwellings for migrant labourers during apartheid, this study sheds light on the enduring struggle for dignity and improved living conditions among predominantly black residents. Employing a qualitative research methodology, the study draws evidence from 12 in- depth interviews and 6 focus group discussions across diverse groups, including hostels and suburban residents, municipal officials, and local leaders, to comprehensively capture their experiences and perceptions regarding the digitalisation of service delivery and governance. The research draws upon theoretical frameworks of governance, service delivery, and spatial inequality, particularly rooted in the literature of post-apartheid urban studies. The findings unearth a stark contrast in the delivery of basic services and governance structures between Thokoza and Bedfordview. In Thokoza, residents grapple with dilapidated infrastructure, unaddressed service delivery grievances, and a palpable sense of municipal neglect, leading to the emergence of community-driven solutions such as ‘ukubhatala ngaphakathi’ (internal community funding for repairs). Conversely, Bedfordview residents enjoy relatively swift municipal responses and robust digital engagement, underscoring a digital divide that further entrenches existing disparities. Notably, the digital gap is epitomised by the My COE App, a municipal digital initiative aimed at streamlining service delivery reporting, which inadvertently side lines residents in Thokoza due to limited digital access and literacy. The contribution of the study lies in its illumination of apartheid’s enduring spatial and socio-economic legacies on contemporary urban governance and service delivery, cautioning against the exclusionary impacts of technological advancements on marginalised populations.
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    Perceptions among Gauteng youth on the Tshepo skills empowerment initiative
    (2023) Mahase, Agnes Nthabiseng
    The youth have always grappled with under-development and unemployment during the apartheid era and they still face the same challenges under the constitutional democracy. To address youth unemployment and development the Gauteng Provincial Government established a flagship programme the Tshepo 1 million (T1M) Skills empowerment programme. At its inception (in 2014) it was meant to transform the lives of 500 000 unemployed youth in Gauteng and in June 2017, the Premier of Gauteng David Makhura extended the scope of this programme to 1 million with the aim of empowering 1 million youth to benefit from inclusive employment and inclusive economic participation. The primary focus of this study was on the perceptions of the youth in Gauteng about whether they perceive that the T1M programme as a mechanism that can be employed to address youth unemployment, the skills gap and lack of marketable skills. The literature review reveals that joblessness dampens young persons’ selfesteem and affects their interpersonal relations, often leading to total dependence on their families and despondency. The study used phenomenology, and qualitative data was collected using semi-structured interviews. To protect participants from contracting the Coronavirus, interviews were conducted telephonically. The study revealed that the youth perceive that there is a link between the qualifications, practical experience gathered from youth empowerment programme and youth employability. The researcher found that the youth who participated in the T1M programme believed that they only acquired job-readiness skills and were not offered any entrepreneurial skills. The study uncovered a myriad of challenges that if left unattended may thwart T1M’s youth empowerment initiatives. These challenges include lack of visibility, poor branding and marketing, non-existence of a funding model for youth-owned businesses, lack of entrepreneurial skills training and connecting the youth to job opportunities that are far from their residential areas. This research make recommendations on how the T1M programme can improve on how it rolls out its youth empowerment programme and increase its visibility within the province.