Conference Proceedings

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Open Access
Shortcomings of South African Economic Growth on Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Msiza, M. L.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest editor)
The paper analyses shortcomings of low economic growth that affects poverty alleviation and job creation in South Africa. After the 27 years of democracy, the South African government is still struggling to alleviate poverty within its unequal income societies. There is a massive gap of poverty imbalances between South African families especially the poor and marginalised who were previously disadvantaged by the apartheid system. The South African government introduced Grants for Old Age Pensioners, Children Support grants, Disability under the Department of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA, 1996). These are basic income grants introduced post 1994 to reduce poverty for the senior citizens, children from poor families and children whom their biological parents have passed on and the disabilities. After the apartheid era in South Africa, the grant for basic income was the main strategy to reduce poverty mostly from previously disadvantaged families being black, Indians and Coloureds South Africans. In the view of current government economic situation, this paper intends to analyse the shortcomings of South African government on economic growth for poverty alleviation and job creation. The exploring of literature review will thus address the existing shortcoming of government economic growth on poverty alleviation and job creation that seeks to address previous economic injustice. The unemployment remains a major challenge in South Africa. Job creation is declining after the tragedic strike of covid-19 pandemic. This paper conclude that the government’s fight against poverty and job creation will depend on the government’s fight against corruption, deportation of illegal immigrants, build institutions and open the apartheid-built factories which were closed post-1994 to operate and centralise tenders to public works to create jobs.
Open Access
An Analysis of Oral Presentation at the Universities of Technology in South Africa: Communication Skills for Audit Qualifications
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Motubatse, K. N.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
The purpose of this paper is to analyse oral presentation at the Universities of Technology (UoTs) in South Africa. The paper does so by analysing the impact of oral presentation through the role of facilitation and teaching of oral presentation; and the assessment of oral presentation. On one hand, the study is significant given that education is a vital pillar of sustainable development; hence, the study identifies the problem that oral presentation is not underscored in the auditing curriculum to empower the students with communication skills and confidence in public speaking of subject content. On the other hand, there still no evidence of how oral presentations are facilitated and assessed from the subject outline in communication skills. Adopting a content analysis as a research methodology and review of related literature, is apparent that the study focuses on the description of concepts that explains the oral presentations and rubrics. Findings from the analysis of literature shows lack of practical demonstration of oral presentation and lack of transparency in the assessment of oral presentation. In conclusion, the study recommends the implications of oral presentations as imperative for lifelong learning, time management, public speaking, self-confidence and critical thinking
Open Access
Local Government: Practices and Lessons for Delivering Services Through Public Private Partnerships
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA)., 2021) Nduhura, A.; Settumba, J. P.; Nuwagaba, I.; Molokwane, T.; Lukomba, M. T.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
Governments across the world have given local authorities more freedom and power to meet the needs of their citizens and communities. Establishing local authorities has been in line with the quest for self-governance in matters that affect their local aspirations. Existing studies acknowledged that while decentralisation has increased urbanization and a sense of fulfilment of local community aspirations, it has plunged local administrations in a state of administrative grief caused by resource constraints to meet needs of the rising populations and local communities. To salvage constraints, public private partnerships (PPPs) have been adopted as a rescue option. Little is known on the applicability of PPPs in local governments in developing economies. The aim of the study was to explore practices associated with PPP application in local government setup. Based on an exploratory review of literature, the study provides guidance on the use and context of the application of PPPs in local government. The outcome of the study is important since the administrative grief is enlarging due to COVID-19 effects, yet the bulk of citizens continue to put pressure on local authorities to deliver service amidst financial constraints
Open Access
Challenges Related to Capacity in Local Government Administration: The Continuing Tussle Between Insulated and Non-Insulated Local Government Public Service Leadership
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Motebang, S. M.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane. T. (Quest Editor)
This paper reports on the extent to which an insulated or non-insulated public service leadership in local government in South Africa is a relevant determinant of stability and service delivery. This analysis was done in the context of a high turnover of local government leadership and poor service delivery. The author posits that there is adequate and capable leadership available to successfully steer development in local government. However, the inability of political leadership to find a balance between an insulated and non-insulted public service has led to unstable local government. The paper used a comparative desktop methodology to compare the tenure of municipal managers of three metropolitan municipalities in Gauteng province since 2001. The study analysed documents that are in the public domain, such as newspapers, legislation, regulations and records of Council resolutions, according to the applicable theories. The conclusion is that the tussle between insulated and non-insulated leadership is ongoing. The tussle is evidenced by overbearing political influence that limits the space for public servants to be fully efficient. The controls against such influences are neither adhered to, nor adequately enforced.
Open Access
Velocity of Money and Financial Development in BRICS Countries
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Ncanywa, T.; Mpatane, L.; Sebola,M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokane, T. (Quest Editor)
The manner in which the velocity of money behaves is very influential when determining how much financial resources an economy can produce. An unpredicted velocity of money and unstable demand for money results in a spineless and ineffective management and control of monetary policy. The study determined the "impact of financial development on the velocity of money in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries for the period 1996 to 2019". The study employed a panel autoregressive distributive lag (PARDL) to estimate the relationship between financial development and velocity of money in BRICS countries. In addition, "panel fully modified least squares and panel dynamic least squares were employed to supplement PARDL". A long run relationship between financial development and the velocity of money in BRICS countries was confirmed. A positive and statistically significant long run relationship was found between liquid liabilities to GDP and velocity of money, while a negative and statistically significant relationship was found with stock market capitalisation. The speed of adjustment indicted that about 68.5% of disequilibrium would be rectified in the next year in the BRICS countries. It can be concluded that financial development has a strong significant impact on the velocity of money particularly when liquid liabilities were considered. Therefore, financial institutions should promote people to hold liquid portfolios such as a savings or checking account at their local bank or credit union, a money market account or/ and short-term certificates of deposit. The study therefore, makes recommendations that since stable financial development, both globally and within countries, have the potential to generate jobs and improve productivity more should be done in ensuring an effective and sound developed financial sector system as it can influence the velocity of money channel.
Open Access
Can Investing in Information Systems Boost Economic Complexity in South Africa: Movement Towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution?
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Ncanywa, T.; Sebola, M. T. (Chief editor); Molokwane, T. (Guest editor)
Countries need to accelerate the growth and development of their economies by increasing the productive capacity for better living conditions of their citizens. For countries to improve their economies, they need to boost their economic complexity by producing and exporting commodities that embody sophisticated characteristics. The economic complexity index measures how diverse products are and include their ubiquity when they are exported. Economic complexity provides reasons why some countries progress very slowly by studying the characteristics of countries export baskets. This study seeks to find out if the investment in information systems can influence the South African economic complexity. The set objective employs the autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) methodology. Results of the ARDL bounds test gave an F-statistic of 7.17 greater than the upper bound and this indicated a long run relationship in the series. Furthermore, investment in information systems had a significant positive relationship to economic complexity with a speed of adjustment of 87%. Investing in information system has proved to be innovative and contribute to firm output and labour productivity. Furthermore, information technology improves organizational performance, reduce production cost and improve the production of all personnel and ultimately increase the efficiency of human capital. The positive relationship between information systems and economic complexity is a good indicator that South Africa can enhance its complexity through information systems activities. It is therefore, recommended that the government of South African invest in information systems as this could yield a faster route towards the fourth industrial revolution.
Open Access
How Do Urban Cities Manage Road Traffic Congestion?
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Netshisaulu, M. S.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
Traffic Congestion transpires the minute the demand for transport surpasses supply at an exact point in time and in a particular section of the transport system. South African cities are facing traffic congestion characterised by dense origins and destinations with activities located in different cities. The roads and streets have congestion within the areas where individuals are attracted and benefit from economic prosperity. Congestion is the main restriction in operation because it affects the middle class and could drive changes in an urban location and movement patterns more quickly. This paper explores how urban cities manage road traffic congestion in South Africa. The paper is based on a theoretical analytical review of traffic congestion in national cities. Based on the current review, the cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Tshwane, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein and Vanderbiljpark are relatively experiencing a high congestion level. The paper also reviews the policies and regulations employed to monitor traffic matters and mitigate road traffic congestion in South African roads.
Open Access
Budget Allocation and Funding of Community Food Security Projects in Gauteng Province
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Mofokeng, W. N.; Mzini, L. B.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
This study aimed to assess funding of community food security projects in the Gauteng Province. The study was prompted by high levels of poverty and unemployment. Despite the two challenges being at the fore front for policy makers in the country, civil society members are partaking in alternative and sustainable solutions to poverty reduction which has led to establishment of community food security projects. Proper and adequate funding to these poverty reduction strategies ensures that the projects succeed and meet their intended objectives and goals. It is important for government to budget for developmental and sustainable initiatives. To realise the research problem, a semi-structured questionnaire is used to solicit and examine how community food security projects are funded in the six peri-urban townships of Emfuleni Local Municipality. This was to assess the contribution of communities in their own food security and the impact of the projects on the whole community. The study established that food gardens have a role to play in the extensive fight against hunger and in improving household food security and ultimately, in creating income generation or providing employment opportunities. The study recommends for increased participatory budgeting process to enhance involvement of community members.
Open Access
Cyber Risk Management Frameworks for the South African Banking Industry
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Koto, C.; Smith, R. J.; Schutte, B.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
Since the dawn of technology, the banking industry has relied on technology to support its operations. Unfortunately, the banking industry has been exposed to cyber risks as a result of the same technology, which has resulted in enormous financial losses. South Africa has the world's third-highest number of cyberattacks, with the banking industry being the most targeted. As a result, it is critical for the banking industry in South Africa to implement effective cyber risk management procedures. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) requires that these procedures be aligned to the cyber resilience guidelines of the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). The CPMI–IOSCO cyber resilience guidance provides guidelines that should be addressed by a bank's cyber risk management framework. The aim of this research is to determine if the Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (ICIC) framework addresses the CPMI–IOSCO cyber resilience guidelines. The results were gathered by examining the ICIC framework and mapping it against the CPMI–IOSCO cyber resilience guidelines. It was revealed that, the ICIC framework addresses up to 71% of the CPMI–IOSCO cyber resilience guidelines
Open Access
Minimising Groundwater Contamination from Pit Latrines: Lessons from the Global Amphitheatre for South Africa
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Hlongwane, P.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
Pit latrines or toilets are considered to be suitable for the containment of human excreta and they are environment-friendly. Although previous studies have shown that there are some improvements in terms of access to sanitation, the reality is that most South African households still do not have access to sanitation facilities. At least 32.2% of households in South Africa are still using pit latrines. Despite the advantages of pit latrines, the constant outflow from pits could overpercolate the geological strata and contaminate the groundwater. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to reflect on lessons that South Africa can draw from the global arena with regard to reducing groundwater pollution from pit latrines. Concerning the method used to collect data - a review of scholarly peer-reviewed articles and non-scholarly documents such as newspaper reports was used. This paper explains how pit latrines contaminate groundwater as well as discuss the chemical contaminants associated with pit latrines. Importantly, this paper argues that the measures that can be taken to address challenges pertaining to groundwater contamination include operation and maintenance, improved pit and slab design, and setting safe distances between boreholes and pit latrines. Since pit latrines seem to contribute greatly to the contamination of groundwater, transferring bacteria and viruses, it is important for the government (municipalities in particular) to sensitise people about the health hazards associated with the use of pit latrines while also using groundwater for consumption. At the same time, communities who use pit latrines and boreholes for drinking water have to be educated about the need to maintain proper distances between pit latrines and boreholes.
Open Access
A Clarion Call for Decolonisation of Curriculum in South Africa: The Struggle Left Unattended
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Kgobe, F. K. L.; Sebola, M. P.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Guest Editor)
The purpose of this paper is to explore in greater details and assess the potency of the current educational curriculum's responsiveness towards socio economic issues and market demand. The paper proposes the need for the decolonising of the inclusive and well-resourced education in South African educational contexts. The clarion call for decolonisation of curriculum in South African institutions of learning be it basic education and higher education endure to relish appeals both from the students and the academics. Decolonisation of education, therefore, rest upon academics who coordinates teaching and learning in public educational institutions. For instance, on the 26 November 2020 the Minister of higher education Dr Blade Nzimande noted students who enrol for courses that are not short of in the market breeding more unemployment with government spending funds on students that are not going to be employed. The question that rises from his speech is: Why are those courses offered by institutions of higher learning if they are not contributing to the unemployment reduction? The paper adopted the Afrocentricity Theory by Asante (1980) in order to strengthen the argument that the current curricula is guarding against unemployment being addressed. The paper uses the Constitution of Republic of South Africa 1996, chapter 2, section 29, and subsection 2 to fortify the argument. The paper further proposes that a decolonised well-resourced education as a basic human need that will serve as a panacea to the tripartite debacles faced by the country of which are poverty, unemployment, and inequality. The inability of the curriculum to respond to contextual issues is as of the lack of capacity of both Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training.
Open Access
Low-Income Workers Perceptions About a Living Wage in the Tshwane Municipality
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Maleka, M.; Mpofu, M.; Hlatywayo, K.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane T. (Quest Editor)
A living wage is predicted as one of the panaceas to take low-remuneration workers out of the poverty trap, to empower and sustain them to live a dignified life. In the literature it is argued that low-remuneration workers work in precarious jobs globally. Theoretically a living wage is predicted by many factors, but for the purpose of this study the focus was on gender, the economic sector, benefits and employment status. With the exception of economic sector, the other factors and living wage are associated with these United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals: 1 (poverty reduction), 8 (decent wage) and 10 (gender parity). In terms of the former, it is argued that the wage gap is a reality in the workplaces because males still earn higher than females. Research show that low-remuneration workers still earn wages that still traps them in poverty, and their working condition are not conducive. A quantitative cross-sectional survey approach was adopted while convenience sampling was used to select respondents (n=205), since the researcher did not have a sampling frame. A validated questionnaire was used to collect the data. Logistic regression was deemed appropriate to use, since the perception of a living wage was binary. The main finding showed a positive relationship between employment status and a living wage while the variables of benefits and economic sector decreased the likelihood of low-income workers to perceive their remuneration as a living wage by 46% and 40% respectively. Additionally, low-income workers who were employed on a permanent basis, were 3.8 times more likely to perceive their remuneration as a living wage. Findings from the study are key for policy makers and researchers as we benchmark the tipping point between paying reasonable wage and profits. The implication is that organisations should offer employees benefits, like medical aid, education, and training, so that they can have medical aid and improve their skills or competency levels; ensure that non-permanent employees work hours that will allow them to afford basic needs while perception studies should be done prior to the implementation of a living wage that is determined by calculating labour economic variables
Open Access
The Impact of Supervisor-Supervisee Relationship on Organisational Job Performance: An Analysis of the South African Government Employee Relations
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Ngomane, T. S.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
The relationship between supervisors and their subordinates is crucial in determining attainment of organisational goals. Supervisors have a responsibility of assisting organisations to meet their goals, since they are the front drivers of employee job satisfaction. Skilled supervisors assist organisations in meeting their goals, as they are able to clarify organisational goals, manage workplace relationships and motivate employees, set targets and time frames for the achievement of goals. It is thus important that supervisors have the necessary job and people skills. A positive perception of supervisors by junior employees goes a long way in ensuring the achievement of organisational goals through performance management systems. This paper is a desktop analysis of the role of supervisor-supervisee relationships and the impact of such relationships on job performance and the achievement of organisational goals. The results of this study indicate that unskilled supervisors have a negative impact on employees job satisfaction and are costly to organisations as they negatively affect organisational goals.
Open Access
Management of Education Quality: A Case of Two Historically Disadvantaged Universities
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Modiba, N. S.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
The paper critiques how lack of quality university education persists to aggravate the treble challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality in myriad societal members. Quality university education is expected to assist in the social ills of the nation. This is a qualitative case study paper which is conceptual and empirical in nature. Interviewing techniques and document review were used to collect data from the 12 lecturers attached to the Historically Disadvantaged Universities (HDUs). Such data were analysed through thematic content analysis and constant comparative methods. Research findings revealed that firstly, an enabling learning environment is essential to offering quality university education that eradicates social-ills. Secondly, failure to expose students to meteoric rise at the pre-tertiary sector, compromises the envisaged quality university education. Thirdly, the closure of the former teacher-training colleges overburdens universities. Fourthly, badly coordinated curriculum changes at the pre-tertiary sector, compromises quality at universities. Fifthly, the absence of the culture of quality and excellence at universities, worsens the situation. Lastly, under-prepared pre-tertiary learners contribute to lack of quality tertiary education at the HDUs. The researcher recommends for the HDUs to embrace decolonisation project to enable them to reverse lack of quality university education.
Open Access
Paucities of Monitoring and Evaluation Arrangements of Johannesburg-Based Non-Governmental Organisations Intervening in Substance Abuse, A Research Conceptualisation
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Mokoena, M.; Wolela, K.; Sebola. M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
Studies show that organisations, including non-governmental ones, believe that monitoring and evaluation provides for improved implementation and management as well as reformulation of interventions. Therefore, in the recent years most organisations have put in place arrangements to monitor and evaluate their interventions. However, where present, most of these arrangements are ineffective and in turn affects the implementation and management of their interventions. Using Johannesburg-based non-governmental organisations intervening in substance abuse this paper conceptualises a research that interrogates the paucities of monitoring and evaluation arrangements. Generally, the paper employs a summative thematic content analysis of literature around this subject. More specifically three sets of literature, that is, on the (i.) research's physical context or setting, (ii.) research problem, and (iii.) past and current studies on and evaluations of the research problem. Specifically, the interrogation on the research problem analysis makes use of the problem tree, trend analysis, and the theory of constraint. This restructured approach provides us with comprehensive and critical content that allows us to state the research problem, the research purpose, and the research questions on the paucities of monitoring and evaluation arrangements of Johannesburg-based non-governmental organisations intervening in substance abuse. It also provides for information to propose, yet to detail, the (i.) research strategy, design, procedure and methods as well as (ii.) frameworks that we can use interpret the resulting empirical results.
Open Access
A Historical Critical Analysis of Weberianism in Ethnic Entrepreneurship in South Africa: An Essay
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Mafukata, M. A.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T, (Quest Editor); Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
This paper interrogated Weberianism and how this ideology was adopted by the architects of apartheid to engineer a race-based economic system in South Africa. The paper used desktop method to collect qualitative literature. Historical Critical Analysis (HCA) theory was adopted for the study. A few successful Black entrepreneurs were handpicked to demonstrate entrepreneurial abilities of Black people who conquered multiple challenges and complexities to establish successful enterprises. The finding refuted Weber's views and Weberian-apartheid assertions about Black capabilities on entrepreneurship. It was evident following the historical critical analysis that exclusion of Blacks from mainstream entrepreneurship was informed by a long time held belief of Weberian thought patterns. It is recommended that the post-apartheid state should prioritise fast-tracking the empowerment of Black entrepreneurs so as to integrate them in mainstream entrepreneurial system. Further research on Black entrepreneurship should seek to focus on the strategies used by successful Black entrepreneurs who conquered apartheid for their successes
Open Access
Supervisor and Supervisee Relationship in the Clinical Learning Environment
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Mathevula, R. F.; Mudau, S. T.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
Good clinical learning environments depend on the supervisory relationship created by both the supervisors and supervisees. The cooperation between the two parties can strengthen the role of supervision by supervisors as well as building a conducive clinical learning environment. In the case of nursing, professional nurses allocated in various clinical areas play a major in guiding and mentoring student nurses to become competent professional practitioners. This study aimed to explore the supervisors and supervisees' perceptions of supervisory relationships in the clinical areas. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed. A sample of 387 professional nurses and 80 student nurses from the seven training hospitals of Mopani and Vhembe districts of Limpopo Province was recruited for the study. Self-administered questionnaires and focus group interviews were used in data collection. Quantitative data were analysed by descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS), version 22.0 and Tesch's method was used to analyse qualitative data. Quantitative results revealed that time spent and the frequency of supervision ranged from 15-30 minutes and thrice a week. On the other hand, the qualitative findings included inadequate support of supervisors, poor communication, lack of supervisory skills and the inability to maintain a collegial relationship, and ethnic marginalisation of students. The study concludes that student supervision depends on the adherence to ethical principles by both the supervisor and supervisee.
Open Access
Monitoring Remote Workers Productivity in Institutions of Higher Learning: A Case of the University of Venda
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Dzaga, T. V.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
This study evaluates the process of monitoring the performance and productivity of staff working remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has profound impact on how different institutions operate, especially on ensuring effective performance management of employees working remotely. Despite all odds, some workers continue working remotely during these extraordinary circumstances. There is a need to acknowledge that the world has changed and that these changes could last for some time, and perhaps even more permanently. A sample of 80 and 10 participants for quantitative and qualitative, respectively, was chosen to fully represent the staff. The data collection methods included interviews and questionnaires with selected staff. The Convenience Sampling Method was used to select respondents amongst staff members assigned to work remotely based on the fact that they were either sharing office with colleagues or had capacity to work remotely. The questionnaires were physically administered by the Researcher, whereas interviews were conducted with individual staff. Quantitative data was analysed through SPSS software, and qualitative data was analysed through themes and coding. The study revealed that some staff members are not ethical when working from home with minimal supervision. The study also revealed that when staff are not closely monitored, they tend not to focus and spend some time performing non-work-related activities which negatively affects the performance and productivity of the institution. The study further revealed that remote working led to poor quality of reports and missing of deadlines, signifying lack of proper planning.
Open Access
Conceptualising Online Operations to Transition Student Governance in Higher Education Amid Covid-19: A Turbulent Experience
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Sebake, B. K.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the normal and traditional operations of many organised sectors of the global societies. This paper intends to introspect the experience of student governance during this period of a forceful use of e-governance – force majeure. Most student organisations from historically disadvantaged institutions and digital struggles are not fully addressed as the result of developments brought by the various stages of Industrial Revolutions. This impacts mostly student movements who emerged ideologically from previous and current underprivileged group in the society. This deprived group through observation demonstrated to have no trust on any technological transmissions regarding sensitive student governance issues. It is arguable that these historic facts have contributed to turbulence for transitioning students to the online platforms. The interest of this paper is to pen down various experiences from observation and conceptual point of view as part of literature review. It also intends to provide more substance to the knowledge production and scholarship, using both (complexity and change management theories). In addition, this paper highlights that some student movements are detached from their own constituencies and have no mandate to govern in the institutions they were elected to lead. The paper remains qualitative and intends to conclude on desktop issues which could be recommended for radical shift in the narrative of student governance in higher education. The findings must intend to open more areas for research in student governance in the era of disaster and introduction of embedded e-governance services through digital means and the post-COVID-19 higher education.
Open Access
Twitter as a New Fourth Estate: A Case of Black Twitter, Trolling vs. Accountability
(International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives (IPADA), 2021) Malatji, E.; Baloyi, C.; Sebola, M. P. (Chief Editor); Molokwane, T. (Quest Editor)
Globally, the emergence of social media particularly Twitter as a platform for social discourse has been well documented. Arguably, Twitter is an extension of mass media as the modern fourth estate. The fourth estate refers to the watchdog role of the mass media. Generally, mass media are used to ensure that government officials are held accountable by the public as the ideal fourth arm of the state. Thus, Twitter has afforded the public direct access to government officials. Twitter as a micro-blogging site is often used to challenge the government's lack of service delivery among other purposes. Accordingly, this investigation explores Twitter as a new fourth estate in South Africa. This qualitative inquiry used the online observation method to collect data from the relevant tweets, retweets, and comments as generated by the tweeps. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to analyse data. Furthermore, Nick Couldry's practice theory is the apt theoretical lens in this paper. This theory accentuates the manner in which the public uses new media rather than how the latter takes advantage of the former. The findings of the study suggest that Twitter is in a better position to topple mass media as a modern fourth estate in South Africa. According to the online observations undertaken in this research, the government officials are worried about their projected image on Twitter. Therefore, the study recommends that the public should capitalise on Twitter to ensure that government officials are held accountable. Similarly, government officials should effectively use this platform to answer the public's probing questions about the activities of the state. The government officials should see the messages communicated through Twitter as part of transparency and accountability. The tweets as generated by the public directed to the government officials are not always meant to troll the officials, some of them are intended to stimulate accountability on the side of the government. Moreover, the mass media outlets should embrace Twitter as an alternative fourth estate