Browsing by Author "Qina, Luzuko Luntu"

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    Contextualising e-governance in the public participation debate : the Sassa electronic payment system
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-12) Qina, Luzuko Luntu; Theron, Francois; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: E-governance is but one of the many public participation strategies a government can use to engage with its citizens. E-governance improves government processes, connects citizens and builds interactions with and within civil society. Through the provision of improved processes and information access, egovernance paves the road to good governance goals and development targets. Governments in developing countries can benefit greatly from e-governance as the world is technologically driven but, at the same time, the social realities of poverty; inequality and unemployment are becoming more apparent. Many developing countries are being left behind as they do not have sufficient technical infrastructure and human capital to provide internet access and are thus unable to provide online services and programmes. E-government must be accessible, interactive, transactional and transformational, and services offered electronically should not be seen as new, but rather as alternative methods for time saving, convenience, cost reduction and equitable distribution of services. In this study the Mooiplaas Community is used as a case study. It has become apparent that the electronic payment system implemented by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is not accessible to its intended beneficiaries. This study argues that authentic and empowering public participation based on an appropriate mix of context-specific strategies is required for the SASSA to successfully implement their electronic system. The public must be afforded space to influence, direct, control and own the development it is introduced to. In the light of the model developed in this study for public participation that empowers communities, it is evident that public participation in Mooiplaas is at the level of tokenism, yet the ideal level is that of public control whereby the public influences, directs and takes ownership of its own development. This study adopted a qualitative research method. Interviews were conducted on the basis of probability sampling to collect primary data. An evaluative research design was used, aimed at answering the question of whether a development intervention programme or strategy has been successful or effective. A public participation strategy has been developed to achieve the appropriate level of public power with the consequence of improved service delivery, free from complaints and protests.