The Contours of Digitally Smart Local Government the Contours of Digitally Smart Local Government
Title: The Contours of Digitally Smart Local Government the Contours of Digitally Smart Local Government
Authors: Professor Siphamandla Zondi is the Director of the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg and acting Co-Director of the Institute for Global African Affairs co-hosted by UJ and the University of the West Indies, Barbados, Bengekile YC Mvuyana and Nduduzo C. Ndebele
Publisher: SAAPAM
Direct Purchase: Coming soon
About the Book: In Africa, there is a growing embrace of digital smart local government based on the integration and harnessing of digital technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and generative AI tools to enhance the functioning of the local government. This book advances the idea that this development is pregnant with the promise that the use of new digital technologies will enhance service delivery, grow local economic development, improve the efficiency in local governance, ease local government interface with citizens, and enable the flow of information and data for wiser decision-making. This may have a positive bearing of the quality of life of people on the ground. But smart local governments must overcome various challenges including the digital divide, digital exclusion, infrastructure limitations, access to digital devices, and digital literacy in government and among residents. Digitalization may also not overcome long-standing structural deficits that have always constrained service delivery and local development. The book made up of select papers from the 2024 SAAPAM Conference should be helpful for practitioners, researchers and activists alike.
Ms Zoliswa Ntsoko (South Africa) is the Institute’s Administrative Assistant who assists with general administration and research. She is a seasoned professional with a background in Disaster Management. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Management from Milpark Business School, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management from Regenesys Business School. She also holds certificates in Project Management, and in Disaster Management. Previously, she has worked as a Disaster Management Specialist at the City of Johannesburg – Disaster Management Centre.
Ms Cecilia Lwiindi Nedziwe-Moyo is the Research Coordinator at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation. She previously served as a Regional Coordinator at the Centre for Peace Initiatives in Africa (CPIA) in Zimbabwe between 2007 and 2013. She completed her master’s degree in International Studies, Peace, and Conflict Resolution at the University of Queensland in Australia as a Rotary Peace Scholar. She has just completed her doctoral studies at Rhodes University. Her areas of interest include: gender, foreign policy, regional organisations and conflict resolution.
Ms Thembeka Somtseu is a seasoned professional with a background in the textile and construction sectors. She holds a National Diploma in Business Administration from the Durban University of Technology, and studied Development Communication and Media Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. She worked as a corporate communications specialist for more than ten years, serving in both local and multinational companies.