Page 13 - index

E-govErnmEnt

DIGITISED CITIzEnS:

from e-government to e-governance

In this article Brent simons argues that while South Africa has an impressive array of e-government initiatives, more
still needs to be done in the areas of e-participation and accountability.
Economists and political analysts agree Furthermore, the World Bank states slow and uneven progress
that electronic government, through that e-government can produce “better
Information and Communication delivery of government services to Despite Africa recording phenomenal
Technologies (ICTs), has played a citizens” while improving interactions with growth in ICT revenues and infrastruc-
significant role in Africa’s economic business and industry. This empowers ture investment by the private and pub-
(and political) development in recent citizens by giving them access to lic sectors, serious challenges remain
years. It is therefore not surprising that information and encourages a more for the strategic development of e-gov-
the National Development Plan (NDP) efficient management of government. ernment. This is why the E-Government
identifies ICT as a “critical enabler of The benefits of e-government, ac- Survey cautioned that progress in Africa
economic activity” in South Africa (SA). cording to the World Bank, “can be less remains relatively slow and uneven.
The NDP also recognises access to, corruption, increased transparency,
and the application of, ICT as critical greater convenience, revenue growth, Some of the challenges include
enablers in the fight against poverty. and/or cost reductions” in the delivery of governments not playing their part by
services to ordinary citizens. developing and introducing “effective
As a result, the South African government policies to reduce access costs for
allocated billions of rand to ensuring right signals mobile broadband,” and failing to
greater broadband access in the increase connectivity and decreasing
country. In line with NDP priorities, the When it comes to e-government in SA, the digital divide.
National Treasury allocated R1,9 billion we are considered to be moving in the
to SA Connect to invest in high-speed right direction! The 2016 United Nations According to the E-government Survey
internet connections in public buildings, E-Government Survey - conducted and several other research reports,
schools and hospitals. This allocation during 2015 and 2016 - revealed a in 2001 SA was initially ranked first in
gave life to SA Connect’s first phase, positive trend towards adopting and Africa for e-government. However, it has
which the national government adopted implementing e-government. According since either remained static or slipped
as its broadband policy in 2013. The to the UN, “countries in all regions are lower in the global ranking. Tunisia and
policy was to deliver internet access to increasingly embracing innovation Mauritius are now regarded as the two
90% of the country’s population by 2020, and utilising ICTs to deliver services, highest-ranked countries in Africa, with
and 100% by 2030 compared to today’s increase transparency and engage South Africa, Egypt, Seychelles and
low level of access, which hovers just people in decision-making processes.” Morocco following closely behind.
below 30%.
The UN E-Government Development The World Economic Forum’s Global
Both the 2014 and 2016 United Nations Index (EGDI) focuses on “three ICT report for 2015 also confirmed that
E-Government Surveys recorded a pos- components: provision of online South Africa had dropped five places
itive global trend towards higher levels services, telecommunication to 75th on its Network Readiness
of electronic government development connectivity and human capacity.” It Index (NRI). The NRI “measures 143
in Africa. The surveys noted that also “highlights a number of trends, economies in terms of their capacity
governments were increasingly adopting insights and recommendations in the to prepare for, use and leverage ICTs.”
e-government applications to close the areas of integrated services, open data, Initially, SA occupied position 37 on the
gap between their bureaucracies and e-participation and bridging the digital Global ICT report. Linked to this, the
citizens. To this end, e-government divide.” NDP confirmed that South Africa had
is widely seen as fundamental to lost its status as the “continental leader
ensuring more transparent and The 2016 E-Government Survey in internet and broadband connectivity.”
accountable government. But what also revealed a new trend towards
exactly is e-government? According implementing integrated online one- The Western Cape Government
to the United Nations, e-government is stop public service platforms, aimed at (E-Government Strategy 2012-2019)
the use of information and communi- making it easier for citizens to access also acknowledged that the province
cation technology to facilitate and interact with their governments. and South Africa “have regressed
“policy integration, enhance public However, despite e-government making significantly when compared to other
accountability, promote participation it easier for people to interact with public developing countries and cities.”
for more inclusive societies as well as administration, no African country made
ensure equitable and effective public it into the top 50 of the list of countries However, the NDP identified that through
services for all, particularly for the leading in e-government development. e-government:
poorest and most vulnerable groups.” • Technology could be used to solve
The UN believes that e-government can Mauritius, ranked 58th overall, is ranked some of the biggest challenges in
ensure that governments become “more first in Africa, with Tunisia ranked second education and health
efficient, provide better services and and South Africa coming in third. • Educational materials could be
respond to demands for transparency delivered electronically to remote
and accountability.” villages
Volume 11 No. 3 of 2018 | SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW 11