Research Output Repository (HSRC)
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Bridging divides: using digital technologies to improve climate resilience in South Africa
No full textN/
Opportunities to transform the informal sector through the platform economy: lessons from the Vuleka platform
No full textThe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has transformed various sectors like banking, education, and manufacturing with digitisation and technology. This shift has led to job losses, especially in banking due to online migration, and economic challenges exacerbated by rolling blackouts. South Africa, as a developing economy, has opportunities to leverage industrial and 4IR platforms for a Just Transition. Despite COVID-19 accelerating online learning and e-commerce, the country faces challenges like the digital divide and unemployment. Addressing these issues requires investing in new skills and systems, as proposed by the ILO and UNIDO.
Responsible artificial intelligence in Africa: towards policy learning
No full textSeveral African countries are developing artificial intelligence (AI) strategies and ethics frameworks with the goal of accelerating responsible AI development and adoption. However, many of these governance actions are emerging without consideration for their suitability to local contexts, including whether the proposed policies are feasible to implement and what their impact may be on regulatory outcomes. In response, we suggest that there is a need for more explicit policy learning, by looking at existing governance capabilities and experiences related to algorithms, automation, data, and digital technology in other countries and in adjacent sectors. From such learning, it will be possible to identify where existing capabilities may be adapted or strengthened to address current AI-related opportunities and risks. This paper explores the potential for learning by analysing existing policy and legislation in twelve African countries across three main areas: strategy and multi-stakeholder engagement, human dignity and autonomy, and sector-specific governance. The findings point to a variety of existing capabilities that could be relevant to responsible AI; from existing model management procedures used in banking and air quality assessment to efforts aimed at enhancing public sector skills and transparency around public–private partnerships, and the way in which existing electronic transactions legislation addresses accountability and human oversight. All of these point to the benefit of wider engagement on how existing governance mechanisms are working, and on where AI-specific adjustments or new instruments may be needed.
Innovating climate policy in South Africa: integrating technology and indigenous knowledge for resilient futures
No full textHSRC Policy Brief, OctoberThe challenge extends beyond environmental concerns – it reflects poorly coordinated policies that overlook local knowledge, and fail to leverage modern technology effectively. Policymakers are constrained by bureaucratic and institutional barriers, limiting their capacity to implement effective adaptation and mitigation strategies (Cashore et al., 2024). Despite strong frameworks such as the National Climate Change Response Policy and the National Development Plan, implementation remains challenging. Intergovernmental departments are weak, coal dependency persists, and local governments often lack the skills and resources required to carry out effective climate action. This brief highlights four key approaches: to strengthen South Africa’s climate response: enhancing coordination across all levels of government, utilizing digital technology like artificial intelligence for climate planning, formally including indigenous knowledge in policies, and expanding public–private partnerships beyond renewable energy to support broader climate resilience. By adopting these approaches, South Africa can move from fragmented climate action to a system that adapts well, includes all communities and builds lasting resilience.N/
Tracking social norms and behaviour change in South Africa: measuring attitudes to corruption, 2024/25
No full textReport developed in support of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), AugustThe study is entitled the ‘Tracking Social Norms and Behaviour Change in South Africa: Measuring Attitudes to Corruption’ and it was conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). The aim of the study is to provide reliable, evidence-based insights into the factors driving and enabling corruption, as well as efforts to combat it. The study’s ultimate goal is to support the NACS. The baseline phase (2023-2024) combined a nationally representative public opinion survey, conducted as part of the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS). In the second year of the study (2024-2025), a follow-up public opinion survey was conducted, incorporating expert feedback to refine research tools and deepen our understanding of relevant social norms and social values. The survey findings from the 2024/25 SASAS round are organised into nine distinct sections, each addressing a specific aspect of the study. The report offers an analysis of the key findings from the second-year research survey. Where relevant, the study will provide subgroup analysis; we offer definitions of these subgroups in Section 13.2. To complement the quantitative research component, the second-year study included a qualitative vignette-based research component. This component used a focus group approach to explore the social norms and values around corrupt behaviour amongst young South Africans. Eight focus group discussions were conducted with South African youth. Since the second-year study aimed to build upon the baseline research, this report will, where relevant, reflect on the findings from year one (2023-2024) of the study.N/
Funding South Africa’s food and nutrition policy: estimates for the 2018-2022 funding cycle
No full textSecuring enough funds to roll out South Africa’s National Food and Nutrition Security Plan (NFNSP) has gained renewed momentum since 2017 when projections of cost to deliver on its outcomes were determined. Funding to implement the policy during the initial 5-year cycle (2018–2023) also involved identifying sources from which to finance actual policy actions as well as strategies to close funding gaps. Against the backdrop of global debates on food assistance financing, we used an elementary funding gap equation for a systematic calculation of the funds needed for NFNSP. To determine available funding sources, we built a unique data set based on historical spending information for 2018–2022. A key finding is that national and subnational government departments dominate funding sources for food and nutrition policy activities. Unlike poorer countries, non-state donors make ad hoc and smaller contributions, but this source of food and nutrition assistance is less accessible. Aggregation over all available funding sources reveals that authorities only met 50% of the Plan’s funding needs after 4 years and thus fell short of meeting its 2017 target. Our findings reinforce the case to urgently strengthen the principles, design and implementation systems for adequate food and nutrition policy spending.
Factors associated with the early onset of hypertension: insights from the South African General Household Survey, 2024
No full textEarly-onset hypertension, defined as high blood pressure diagnosed before age 55, is an emerging public health concern associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This cross-sectional study used data from the 2024 South African General Household Survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise sample characteristics. The Pearson Chi-Square Test of Independence was used to assess differences in the prevalence of early-onset hypertension across sample characteristics. A bivariate Generalised Linear Model (GLM) with a binomial distribution and log link function identified significant individual associations, and significant variables were included in a multivariate GLM to determine factors associated with the early onset of hypertension. Of the 32,717 participants aged 20–54 years, 5.3% (95% CI: 5.1–5.6) self-reported having hypertension. The final model showed the factors associated with a higher prevalence of the early onset of hypertension were being aged 35–44 years (aOR= 4.02 [95% CI: 3.32–4.86], p<0.001) and 45–54 years (aOR= 10.13 [95% CI: 8.39–12.24], p<0.001) compared to 20–34 years; females (aOR= 2.23 [95% CI: 2.05–2.64], p<0.001) compared to males; married (aOR= 1.45 [95% CI: 1.27–1.64], p<0.001) compared to never married; Other races (aOR= 1.56 [95% CI: 1.34–1.82], p<0.001) compared to Black African; those who reside in urban areas (aOR= 1.37 [95% CI: 1.19–1.57], p<0.001) compared to rural areas; self-reporting good (aOR= 2.21 [95% CI: 1.73–2.84], p<0.001) and fair or poor health status (aOR=5.74 [95% CI: 4.64–7.11], p<0.001) compared to excellent/very good; having at least one other chronic illness (aOR= 2.04 [95% CI: 1.73–2.41], p<0.001) compared to no other chronic illness. These findings highlight the need for early prevention and screening efforts targeting young adults, with a specific focus on the high-risk groups identified in this study. Public health interventions should be tailored to address these demographic and health-related risk factors to halt the rising burden of hypertension among younger populations in South Africa.
Appetite for forages&#63; the adoption and multidimensional impacts of improved forage grasses in Uganda
No full textSmallholder dairy farming has the potential to contribute to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including income and employment generation, food security, nutrition, and health. A key constraint to enhancing dairy productivity is the limited availability of high-quality, nutritious feed. Improved forage grasses (IFGs) are considered a promising lever for sustainable intensification of livestock systems. However, limited evidence exists on the multidimensional impacts of IFGs at the farm household level. This study addresses this knowledge gap by applying a mixed-methods approach to assess both the determinants of adoption and the impacts of feeding IFGs on productivity, income, food security, and land management practices. We focus on Uganda, where several IFGs were introduced and disseminated through two livestock development projects. Adoption barriers and impact pathways are analyzed, and inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) is used to address selection bias. Key barriers to adoption include limited experience with forage cultivation, use of local breeds, non-practice of zero-grazing, and lack of membership in producer organizations. Feeding IFGs to dairy cows significantly increases daily milk yield per cow by 13%, household income by 18%, and the number of food items consumed by 0.9. These findings highlight the potential of IFGs to improve productivity, incomes, and food security in smallholder dairy systems. They offer practical insights for the design and implementation of future dairy development programs aimed at scaling sustainable livestock intensification.
AI as a catalyst for good governance
No full textArtificial intelligence (AI) can be a powerful ally in promoting good governance. By reviewing global case studies, HSRC researchers identify how AI tools can enhance fraud detection, improve public procurement, and combat cybercrime and disinformation, offering a path to rebuild public trust and strengthen South Africa’s democratic institutions.