PROPOSAL FOR FREE WIFI TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SERVICES BY MAKING USE OF E-GOVERNANCE Free WiFi For Africa NPC, trading as Project Isizwe NPO Registration 133-371 NPO 156 DORP STREET, STELLENBOSCH, 7600, SOUTH AFRICA
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION TO E-GOVERNANCE... 3 THE LEGAL AND GOVERNMENTAL PERSPECTIVE... 4 SUCCESS STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICA USING E-GOVERNANCE TO BENEFIT THE PUBLIC... 4 ADVANTAGES AND CHALLENGES... 5 E-SERVICES TO GOVERNMENT AND ITS CITIZENS... 6 2
INTRODUCTION TO E-GOVERNANCE 1 Defined broadly, e-governance is the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to promote more efficient and effective governance, facilitate more accessible Government services, allow greater public access to information, and make Government more accountable to citizens. e-governance has emerged beyond electronic service delivery and is part of the ongoing reform and transformation of government, enabling participatory governance and partnerships to improve efficiency and effectiveness. e-governance should not be viewed as a replacement for the current operation method, but as a supplementary tool in order to provide more effective governance to the public. The success of e-governance is based on a relationship between the public sector, the private sector, and most importantly, the citizens. Active participation and openness to new technology will transform the attitude and willingness of citizens when interacting with the Government. 2 As an umbrella concept, e-governance includes: 1. e-service (interface with customers) 2. e-commerce (cash transactions) 3. e-democracy (political dialogue with citizen) 4. e-decision-making (better informed public interest decisions) 5. e-management (improved management of ICT resources and staff) 1 The Working Group on E- Government in the Developing World, Roadmap for E- government in the Developing World, 10 Questions E- Government Leaders Should Ask Themselves, April 2002:1. 2 Van der Walt, G. 2002. E- Governance: Where do we stand and what are the challenges? Administratio Publica, 11(2). 3
THE LEGAL AND GOVERNMENTAL PERSPECTIVE Evaluating section 152 of the Constitution of South Africa, it is conspicuous that the strategic objectives of COGTA relates to that of Local Governance. The objectives from both mandates are to promote social and economic development, to strengthen accountability and provide a democratic government for local communities, to foster development partnerships by encouraging the involvement of communities in local government matters, to accelerate service delivery in a sustainable manner and to support the vulnerable. 3 A number of policy measures have been identified as critical in creating an enabling environment for the implementation of e-government and include: 1. Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS) 2. Handbook on Minimum Interoperability Standards (MIOS) 3. Electronic Communications Transaction Act of 2002, and the 4. Law Commission Issue Paper on Privacy Public Service Act SUCCESS STORIES OF SOUTH AFRICA USING E-GOVERNANCE TO BENEFIT THE PUBLIC The South African Revenue Service (SARS), has successfully implemented the e- filing system, which enables tax payers to file their tax returns electronically. With the e-filing system, a taxpayer s IRP5 is loaded automatically, which saves time and effort, as opposed to standing in long queues to manually complete the required forms. SARS has even gone a step beyond by adding an online help service, with a capable consultant who will call you immediately when you have requested the service. By adding this option, SARS has created job opportunities along with more proficient usage of their services. 3 Farelo, M. & Morris, C. The Status of E- governance in South Africa. 2006:5. 4
Most municipalities have transformed their red tape method to an easy, accessible and digitalised way of operandi. 4 The goal of e-governance is to transcend traditional organisational boundaries and provide customers with a true one stop shopping experience for Government services online. With an updated website, Municipalities have placed official documentation, public information such as supply chain management procedures for tenders, news and notices, warnings, online registration forms and contact details of the various functions in a Municipality, on their portal. This information can be viewed and downloaded without entering a Municipal building. A thorough record of all payable services is kept online, thus no duplication or loss of documentation occurs during the payment process. ADVANTAGES AND CHALLENGES When considering the economic advantages of e-governance, the possibilities are endless. As new technology evolves, new ideas and markets open up for the public to take initiative and build on their own development. By providing guidelines, platforms and online consulting services, an ordinary citizen has the opportunity to create their own small enterprise that can deliver local products or services that not only benefit themselves, but the economy as a whole. Linking to economic growth, the reduction in cost of making use of an e-governance system could mean a better re-allocation of funds to improve development and sustainability. E-Governance spreads over a wide variety of ways to connect. Not only by using the world wide web, but to make use of free applications such as Viber (free phone calls and messages to friends and family), Whatsapp (free messages, sending of pictures, videos, location, contacts and voice notes), Skype (free online videocalling application) and other social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, government can easily connect with citizens in a more cost- effective manner. 4 Hobbs, I. 2001. Incentives will speed arrival of quality e- government. Government Computer News, 20(16) 25 June: 46 5
Human beings in general are reluctant to change. A great majority of bureaucratic systems and outdated methods of the relationship between citizen and governance is due to resistance from decision-makers. 5 However, the South African Government followed a consultative process in terms of achieving buy-in from all Government stakeholders. E-Government has generally been accepted as the term governing general aspects of modernising government s busines processes and it has been mandated by the Governance and Administration Cluster of Cabinet to the Department of Public Service and Administration to forge a common approach to the understanding and implementation of e-government. Through e-governance, a Government can now strive to achieve the goals of a private sector business. Through online communication with citizens and the provision of information and assistance, trust between citizen and government is established. 6 Government and businesses are using the same tools to transform themselves, such as electronic commerce, customer relationship management (CRM) and knowledge management. E-SERVICES TO GOVERNMENT AND ITS CITIZENS A case study of the Town of Pepperell, USA, provides insight in the short and long term benefits held by connectivity and specifically the reduced cost of a free WiFi approach. The Town of Pepperell found that the network improved emergency preparedness, increased efficiency of municipal services and encouraged business development, simultaneously erasing the digital divide. The direct benefits were reduced telecommunications cost with respect to phone and internet connections. Other new technology features that can be used to optimize the network include communications via VOIP, establishing VPNs and communicating with smart meters, telemetry (remote measurement) of dams and control of pumps and the use of CCTV, impacting safety and quality of life. 5 Farelo, M & Morris, C. 2002. The Status of E- governance in South Africa. 2006:9. 6 Van der Walt, G. 2002. E- Governance: Where do we stand and what are the challenges? Administratio Publica, 11(2). 6
7 Other E-Services offered to various stakeholders are designed to streamline interaction with government by providing access 24/7. Services and website strategies observed and that are available in terms of best practices in other countries and offered online to employees, citizens and government as an institution are: Online payments Online permit centers Customer service centers Search of public records Document centers FAQs Bids Employment opportunities Social media and information sharing City census Online submit forms Online maps Where to vote and related info Free WiFi access Employee portal Contact us Project Isizwe, a Non-Profit Organisation came up with an innovative solution to offer free WiFi as a basic service which will allow for the internet access embarked on by the three spheres of government. Project Isizwe and its approach to facilitate the establishment of Free Internet Zones is detailed in the accompanying information. A partnership with Isizwe will result in increased levels of connectivity, affordable WiFi and the envisaged outcomes of improved e-governance as a developmental government and Constitutional mandate and NDP objective. 7 www.worcesterma.gov accessed on 14 March 2015 7