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South African municipal performance through the lens of Batho Pele principles: a public perspective
No full textThis study analyses the performance of municipalities in South Africa from the public's viewpoint, using the lens of the Batho Pele principles. Batho Pele, meaning "People First" in Setswana, emphasizes the importance of citizen-centered service delivery, characterized by accountability, transparency, responsiveness, and quality services in the public sector. This paper applied a quantitative research method, using data from the South African Social Attitude Survey (SASAS). The study used SPSS version 27 for statistical analysis in four stages. These included univariate analysis, constructing the Batho Pele Index, comparing means across provinces, and conducting multivariate analysis through multiple and logistic regressions. The Batho Pele Index (BPI) findings indicate a prolonged period of public discontent (2007-2020) regarding how municipalities engage with communities regarding basic services. There is a perception that municipalities are slow to address citizens' complaints regarding service delivery issues and to rectify reported problems. The mean BPI score supports these observations, showing a consistent trend of dissatisfaction (2007-2020), with a 40% decrease in satisfaction likelihood. This study proposes significant strategies that could enhance municipal performance excellence and provide valuable insights for policymakers.
Saving lives, reducing loss: the leadership of women in disaster risk reduction
No full textHSRC Policy Brief, OctoberClimate-related disasters are not neutral; they disproportionately affect women and girls due to unequal access to resources, decision-making and support systems. Pre-existing inequalities – such as limited control over assets, discrimination, caregiving burdens, reduced representation in public spaces and heightened risks of violence –compound vulnerabilities in times of crisis. Women’s resilience and ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from disasters are directly tied to their access to financial resources, stable livelihoods, equal and non-discriminatory support systems and meaningful participation in disaster risk reduction (DRR).N/
Beyond the digital divide: rethinking science and technology engagement in South Africa
No full textPromoting engagement with science and technology (S&T) information through both traditional and digital media is essential for building a scientifically literate and engaged society. Drawing on findings from the 2022 South African Public Relationship with Science (SAPRS) Survey, this article examines public interest in S&T, access to and consumption of related information, and patterns of internet use that reveal opportunities for online engagement. The analysis highlights the importance of tailored communication strategies and inclusive digital infrastructure to foster broad participation in science and technology discourse and to support an informed, innovation-oriented society.
Youth entrepreneurial pathways: gendered experiences of African graduates
No full textPaper presented at the 5th International Sociological Association (ISA) Forum Rabat, Morocco, 10 JulyN/
Bridging innovation and inequality: job losses and African perspectives on artificial intelligence
No full textArtificial intelligence (AI) is transforming South Africa’s labour market, social systems and cultural identity. This article assesses its socio-economic effects from an African perspective, focusing on the voices of marginalised communities. It emphasises the need for ethical governance, inclusive innovation and policies that reflect local culture to ensure AI promotes shared values like ubuntu rather than worsening inequality or undermining human dignity.N/
Evidence-based medicine
No full textLecture presented at the University of Kwazulu Natal, Howard College Campus, 6 OctoberN/
Reframing digital peacebuilding in Africa: the role of AI and local agency
No full textHSRC Policy Brief, DecemberTraditional peacebuilding centres on conflict management and resolution through institutional frameworks and reconciliation processes. More modern and reframed peacebuilding incorporates technological solutions while prioritising social justice principles to achieve and sustain peace. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is a critical development in peacebuilding processes in Africa. It offers the potential to enhance the capabilities of peacebuilders and local practitioners, as well as increase local agency. Incorporating AI and digital technologies into peacebuilding frameworks is not merely a technological enhancement but a fundamental transformation in the conception, implementation, and maintenance of peace initiatives. Despite emerging regulations around military applications of AI, there remains a significant gap in comprehensive global policy frameworks addressing AI’s broader implications for peacebuilding mechanisms. Reframing digital peacebuilding in Africa necessitates that African countries and the international system have clear policy guidance to guarantee that technological innovation reinforces the fundamental principles of sustainable peace development rather than undermining them. Policy instruments are needed to guide how AI and digital tools improve traditional peacebuilding goals and mechanisms, such as countering electoral misinformation and assisting with post-conflict reconstruction. This brief provides guidance to policymakers seeking to use AI technologies responsibly in peacebuilding
initiatives in Africa.N/
Causes and impact of Famo music Ganga violence in Lesotho
No full textThis article discusses the causes and impact of violence related to Lesotho’s traditional famo music in Mafeteng district, one of the poorest of the country’s ten districts. Using a qualitative methodology, the article draws on both secondary and primary data. Due to its phenomenological approach, this study limited the choice of respondents to those with a clear understanding of issues related to famo violence and its impacts. The core argument
of the article is that while socio-economic deprivation constitutes a major driver for famorelated violence, other trigger factors are important, including the famo gangs’ links with political parties and the security forces, and the nexus between these gangs and illegal mining in South Africa. Famo-related violence has intensified in Lesotho and the Mafeteng district since the early 2000s. The article investigates this violence and uses the illustrative case study of the Ribaneng community in the Matelile area to highlight the micro-level causes and consequences. The complexity of famo-related violence is complicated further by an intricate spider’s web of linkages with key government institutions and political parties. These informal networks compound efforts aimed at arresting the violence and addressing its adverse societal impacts.
Democracy@30: voters’ experience of access to water services in Mxekazi and Cwebe
No full textThe Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) national Democracy@30 study, on which this chapter is based, explored the views of both rural and urban communities after 30 years of democracy. In the Eastern Cape, the focus was particularly on Makhanda, Kwazakele, Mxekazi and Cwebe. The Makhanda study reflected on a community grappling with systemic challenges but maintaining aspirations for a better future. In Kwazakele, the focus was on key reasons for the government’s failure to deliver on the democratic promise of 1994. This chapter focuses specifically on the two rural communities of Mxekazi and Cwebe.