Coalition governments have become prevalent across South Africa's diverse political landscape. However, little research has explored the practical implications for policy-making within municipal administrations. This research addresses this gap by delving into the specific context of Johannesburg, South Africa. A qualitative case study design was employed, utilising a sequential mixed-methods approach that began with document analysis followed by focus group discussions. The findings suggest that formal systems embodying the coalition government are polarised and politicised. Therefore, strong negotiation skills, along with an awareness of the influence of public opinion, are essential. Policymakers also frequently depend on informal, personal relationships to circumvent the shortcomings of formal processes. The study argues for a predictable and meritocratic system that is resilient amidst inevitable political changes. The findings contribute to the broader scholarly discussion of coalition politics and highlight key implications of coalition governance for policy-making processes across local governments in Southern Africa.
South African municipalities are constitutionally mandated to support Local Economic Development (LED). In townships, common businesses anchoring LED activities such as spaza shops, salons, car washes, shisanyamas and internet caf & eacute;s increasingly rely on access to data for their optimal functioning, accessing the markets, and becoming profitable and competitive. However, current municipal SMME support programmes largely overlook data as a critical LED resource. Using a mixed-method approach, this study analysed literature, policy documents, and collected primary data through stakeholder interviews, expert engagements, and a web-based survey of 110 SMMEs in the City of Tshwane. The findings show that reliable and affordable data access is essential for local business sustainability. Yet many SMMEs struggle with network limitations and high data costs. Over 90% of Tshwane SMMEs reported a need for data, while 79% of them rely on Tshwane free-Wi-Fi. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for municipalities to strengthen digital inclusion.
This article analyses how technology-driven procurement reforms in cities of the Global South address three interconnected policy goals: (1) expanding market access for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), (2) advancing climate change mitigation through sustainable procurement, and (3) reducing corruption risks. Through a reflexive thematic analysis of 36 cities, the study identifies three waves of reform: from addressing informational asymmetries via e-tendering to integrated business process automation and, finally, the emergence of data science and machine learning for pre-emptive fraud detection and predictive demand modelling. The analysis shows that digital transformation is not merely a technical fix but a political project shaped by local conditions and national frameworks. The paper concludes that while Artificial Intelligence holds potential for real-time transparency, city governments must guard against 'techno-solutionism' and ensure that algorithmic management does not displace civil society oversight or erode democratic decision-making.
South Africa faces a trade and industrial policy crisis. Over the past decade, deindustrialisation has continued, with manufacturing's share of employment declining. Exports have stagnated, reflected in falling real exports relative to GDP, fewer exporters, and reduced export diversity and complexity. Policy responses have turned inward through localisation, based on the view that tariff liberalisation drove deindustrialisation. This paper argues instead that long-term drivers include the collapse of mining and investment, relatively rapid productivity growth in manufacturing, domestic supply constraints such as electricity, and a failure to transition towards export-led growth. A reorientation towards building a competitive, export-oriented industrial sector is required. This involves facilitating access to imports, implementing firm-focused horizontal policies, and strengthening coordination between government, business, and labour through revised Master Plans that prioritise exporting. Trade policy should simplify tariffs, remove duties on non-produced goods, pursue trade agreements with new markets, and reduce regulatory barriers to services trade.
