Digitalisation and the provision of good governance in South Africa.

Abstract

This study examines the impact of digital technologies on the delivery of good governance in South Africa, addressing critical gaps in transparency, accountability, and service delivery. Weak institutional frameworks, political dominance, and inadequate stakeholder engagement persistently undermine governance effectiveness, contributing to ongoing socio-economic challenges. This conceptual paper adopts the Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) framework to examine how digital innovations, including artificial intelligence, e-government platforms, the Internet of Things (IoT), and mobile governance applications, can enhance governance capacity. Through systematic literature review and content analysis of empirical studies from developed and emerging economies, the study identifies three critical dimensions: digital innovation's role in economic growth, e-government adoption patterns, and digital governance strategies. Findings reveal that while digital technologies offer transformative potential for streamlining administrative processes, enhancing transparency, and fostering citizen engagement, their effectiveness is contingent upon enabling policy frameworks, digital infrastructure investment, and capacity-building initiatives. The study recommends collaborative governance models, context-sensitive digital platforms, and targeted interventions to bridge the digital divide. These recommendations align with South Africa's Vision 2030 National Development Plan, positioning digitalisation as a strategic enabler of democratic consolidation and sustainable socio-economic development.