Fostering digital innovations to accelerate service delivery in South African Local Government

Abstract

Service delivery protests in the recent past demonstrate the dire state of local government in South Africa. The absence of public sector innovation can be linked to service delivery backlogs hence embracing digital innovations (Internet of Things (IoT), Big data and analytics, cloud, Biometrics, computers, mobile applications, 3D machines) in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is strategic for enhancing municipal service provision and uplifting the living standards of citizens in communities. The study utilised an explorative qualitative case study design premised on an extensive literature and document review analysis to examine the barriers facing the City of Tshwane from adopting digital innovations in the 4IR. The analysis of documents revealed digital hesitancy, leadership void, lack of innovative research culture, weak municipal preparedness, and digital divide in adopting digital innovations are barriers to digital innovation adoption to enhance service delivery. The paper observes further the lack of systematic and evaluative studies to inform public sector innovation, or growth in digital innovations often led to implementation challenges in the City of Tshwane. Conclusions drawn for the article revealed that adopting digital innovations can be the panacea to accelerating urban service delivery in the City of Tshwane; hence institutional readiness, improved revenue streams, including a stable regulatory and policy environment, are imperatives in achieving a digitalised local government in the 4IR.

The role of open government data and information and communication technology in meeting the employment‐related information needs of unemployed South African youth

“…Some of the factors attributed to the skills shortage include emigration, the perception that artisan and technical work are of lesser status compared to a university graduate qualification, and Bantu education. (Glaser, 2018;Horwitz, 2013;Mlatsheni & Leibbrandt, 2015;Shava & Vyas-Doorgapersad, 2022;Tshilongamulenzhe, 2012) individuals or organizations to use freely (Jetzek et al, 2013;McAuley et al, 2014). Government data is information or data commissioned by government or government agencies (Ubaldi, 2013).…”

Innovation as a Tool to Improve Public Service Delivery: South African Government Perspective

“…Service delivery backlogs can be related to a lack of public sector innovation. 15 South Africa also does not have a lot of local government support for innovation. In both the rural district and the local municipalities, it is clear that the government does not support innovation consistently 16 .…”

Rethinking the Role of Local Government in Service Delivery in South Africa: Towards Digital Transformation

“…52 Recurring protests over service delivery in the recent past demonstrate the terrible status of the South African local government. 53 As responsible authorities continue to be inundated with the search for appropriate solutions, automation is one of the impactful digital tools for addressing some of the eminent challenges. Hence, in South Africa, considering the apparent service delivery problems, the imperatives for local governments to transform service offer a compelling justification for digital transformation.…”

“…60 Notably, Shava and Vyas-Doorgapersad expose in their study that focussed on the City of Tshwane that the digital transformation of local government is linked to institutional readiness and improved revenue streams. 61 The South African government has made significant progress in digitally reforming local government and service delivery in recent years. The study observed that the 2012 NDP 2030, the 2020 Foresight Exercise Report, the Decadal Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation 2022-2031, the 2016 White Paper on Policing, the 2016 White Paper on Safety and Security, White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation, National Integrated ICT Policy, and the 2017 National e-Government Strategy and Roadmap ramp up South Africa's aspirations towards digital transformation.…”

“…Conclusions drawn from a study by Shava and Vyas-Doorgapersad revealed that adopting digital innovations could be the solution for expediting Tshwane's urban service delivery. 65 By leveraging technologies, that include cloud computing, AI, and the Internet of Things, South African local governments can create more efficient and cost-effective processes. Such processes can improve customer service, increase transparency, and better decision-making.…”