PUBLIC POLICY

 

Public policy as a field should be considered first and foremost as an interdisciplinary field for the application of the liberal arts and sciences  aimed at resolving important civic issues. In its own right public policy serves as governments intent, in which government implements and sets out plans that are developed to improve not only the standard of living of the South African citizenry but also to improve that of the quality of life. According to Do Phu Hai (2007:1) in so doing government public policy is a large and dynamic process functioning in the interest of serving the people by focusing on issues such as poverty, inequality, growth and development. This where public policies such as the Redistribution and Development Programme (RDP) as well as that of the National Development Plan (NDP) were created with the hopes of moving South Africa as an independent state and nation towards development, first by addressing issues of unemployment, inadequate service delivery, poverty and inequality.

The benefits of public policy are that it breaks down the complexity of the process into a number of stages and sub-stages so that it can be investigated separately or in relation to other policies. It allows for numerous and complex cases to be analysed in a comparative manner and at each stage of the cycle. Public policy can be used at local, national and international level (Phu Hai, 2007:1).

INDUSTRY 4.0

Rubmman et al. (2015:1) argues that the fourth industrial revolution also known as industry 4.0 is a concept and a development that contains fundamental change to the society and economy. In this regard the emergence of the above mentioned industry  was that which was ignited by the development of technology and technological sciences. The fourth idustrial revolution arose and replaced small-scale workshops and craft studios, while textile and pottery factories were the first to recognize the new dawn of technology and all its benefits.

 

 The benefits of the fourth industrial revolution or otherwise known as industry 4.0, according to MacDougall (2015:6) is atrend of automation and that of the exchange of data in manufacturing technologies. It connects the fixed fxed system production of technologies and smart production proceses to pave the way towards a new technological age. The fourth industrial revolution bought about significant change to the larger society, in which new infrastructure of canals and railway lines enabled efficient distribution and trade amogst neighbouring countries and their cities. The advantage here was then that the trade network was gradually expanding and large investments were made in the economies of  growing countries.

POVERTY AS A SOCIETAL DIVIDE AND HOW TECHNOLOGY AIMS TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION.

Poverty in its many definations is said to be the effects that are relevant to a significant proportion of the stories that dominate the daily news agenda. In ceating an understanding of what poverty is and  what it entails we must focus on how it is measured.  Poverty is a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials to enjoy a minimum standard of life and well-being that is considered acceptable in society (Aliber, 2003:472).

According to Aliber (2003:473) the irradiation of poverty is a long-term project that South Africa only started to work on recently. In following the elections of 1994 the government of South Africa placed strategies and procedures in action with the hopes of erradicating poverty. However in the light of this these efforts have been slowed down by that of the continued shedding of jobs from the formal economy. In addressing poverty policy makers must take into consideration that poverty eradication has nothing to do with delivery capacity or financial resources, but rather that of understanding the nature of poverty as well as its approriate measures for the diferent types of poverty and their levels.

The baclash that surrounds the establishment of indusrty 4.0 is that it will undoubtly enlarge the onset of poverty. This as due to the increase in not only the lack of experience and labor deemed necessary to implement systems but also those of the surrounding issues brought forward by large investors such as big trade companies in technology. The challenge surrounding the existence of industry 4.o is also that of the extent at which it is to grow. For instance the capability of so-called third world countries to handle such change and shifts within the economy.From this standpoint, the implication that industry 4.0 will have on the eradication of poverty and the policies set in place to aid this action will be strenuous on the functionality of policies.  This were policy formulation will need to be waterproof, consisting of regulations and rules that must not only be acknowledged but also fitted into the execution of actions as to protect the interests of the south African citizenry and its communities.

 

 

 

 

 

Reference list

Aliber, M. 2003. Chronic Poverty in South Africa: Incidence, causes and policies. World development, 31(3):472-473   

Do Phu Hai. 2007. Process of Public Policy Formulation in developing countries. 1^st ed. Vietnam, Faculty of Public Policy Graduate Academy of Social Science.

MacDougall, W. 2015. Industry 4.0: a smart manufacturing for the future.  1^st ed. Berlin, Germany Trade and Invest.

Rubmman, M., Lorenz, M., Gerbert, P., Waldner, M., Justus, J., Engel, P. & Harnish, M.  2015.  Industry 4.0: The Future of Productivity and Growth in Manufacturing Industries. http://www.inovasyon.org/pdf/bcg.perspectives_Industry.4.0_2015.pdf Date of access: 15 April 2017.

 

Unequal service delivery in South Africa: A local problem?

 

Service delivery in its definition is the standard procedure of implementing and executing a set of principles, policies, standards and constraints that a service provider must oversee to ensure quality services to a customer. Service delivery is thus the responsibility of government and the state in its entirety, this were government must take it upon themselves to cater and provide for the needs of the public.

In achieving this, government needs to have a direct connection with its people and thus the creation of local municipalities that are tasked with the day to day job of providing basic services to the people of South Africa. Service delivery in South Africa has however been an ongoing problem this from the post-apartheid era to that of the beginning of Democracy and the challenge that exists is that of finding new and innovative ways to tackle this dilemma. Challenges pertaining from the inefficient use and distribution of state finances and resources plays a major role in the development of the above mentioned crisis. Most of our people are still living under the shackles of poverty and education is still a need in many rural areas of South Africa. Statics have also highlighted that not more than three out of five people have access to safe and clean water, health, sanitation as well as safety and security.

An important facet of service delivery as a concept, which I will focus on is that of the acquisition and distribution of adequate healthcare. The Democratic elections of 1994 were a hope to inspire change in all spheres of government this in particular were political change was to aimed to limit and reduce inequality in the distribution and acquisition of adequate medical services. Although this was the vision and goal, challenges soon came into play and the vision has never really been accomplished.

HIV and AIDS has been on the increase and medical facilities have had inefficient resources needed to alleviate the problem. Tuberculosis has also taken an unexpected rise over the years and has claimed the lives of many South Africans who could not get help on time. This resulting in increased death rates and decreased life expectancy rates in South Africa.

The question that we now need to ask ourselves as citizens of South Africa, as tax payers and as scholars of the subject and study of public management is how can we improve and better the rate at which services are rendered out to our people?, Can we find new and better ways of dealing with state finances without misusing them and using them for other less important ventures that are not to the benefit of the future?

To accomplish this we need to start thinking out the box, getting involved and a taking a deeper look at issues. From this we will be able to share information and learn from the knowledge and experiences of others on how to better ourselves and those around us. We need to form strong ties with one another and work together closely to move forward as a nation and as a people.

Gavin Mageni, an expert in his field has shared some light on this, he states that we need to look at the state of circumstance that we face in South Africa and work together as a people to resolve these issues. He talks about conveying research for development rather than conveying research and development. In this, new and better ways to think will be inspired, problem-solving techniques will also be dynamic and on a wider spectrum, so solutions to problems will always be different.

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Tlhalefang Mongake   

@tlhale9x on twitter and Instagram