The Role of Alternative Service Delivery Models in Improving Access to Health Care, Education, and Water Services in the South African Public Service

  • Regina Mapula Mokgolobotho University of Johannesburg, South Africa https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9300-6257
  • Simon Matome Nkgapele Sol-Plaatje University, South Africa
Keywords: Alternative Service Delivery Models, Healthcare, Education, Water

Abstract

This study examined the role of alternative service delivery models (ASDM) in improving the availability and quality of health care, education, and water services in the public service of South Africa. The research used secondary data sources to assess the impact of various ASDMs on important public services such as healthcare, education, and water and provided a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of these models in meeting the vital needs of South African communities. The study found that the adoption of ASDMs in South Africa has contributed in part to improving access to basic services such as health care, education, and water, but there are still minor difficulties in ensuring the full effectiveness of ASDMs. These challenges include a lack of knowledge of the way to innovate, resistance to innovation, cases of health negligence, and issues related to public and private partnerships (PPPs). The study suggested that in order to further optimise the impact of ASDMs, South Africa's Government should invest more in information and communications technology (ICT), implement training and awareness programs on ASDMs' role, and regularly monitor PPP projects.

References

Adom, R.K. and Simatele, M.D., 2021. Analysis of public policies and programmes towards water security in post-apartheid South Africa. Water Policy, 23(3), pp.503-520.

Alam Siddiquee, N., 2008. Service delivery innovations and governance: the Malaysian experience. Transforming government: people, process and policy, 2(3), pp.194-213.

Assembly, G., 2024. General Assembly Economic and Social Council. Agenda, 2, p.27.

Barron, P., Subedar, H., Letsoko, M., Makua, M. and Pillay, Y., 2022. Teenage births and pregnancies in South Africa, 2017-2021–a reflection of a troubled country: Analysis of public sector data. South African Medical Journal, 112(4), pp.252-258.

Basson, N., Traut, D., Maleke, M. And Meyer, F., Partnerships for Community-Based Water Management: A Case Study.

Behera, B.K., Prasad, R. and Behera, S., 2022. Healthcare Strategies and Planning for Social Inclusion and Development: Volume 2: Social, Economic, and Health Disparities of Rural Women. Academic Press.

Beyers, L.J.E., 2016. Service delivery challenges facing municipalities: A case study of Fetakgomo local municipality in Sekhukhune District municipality, Limpopo Province. Bangladesh e-Journal of Sociology, 13(2).

Bopape, M.A., Mothiba, T. and Bastiaens, H., 2019. What Are the Experiences and Training Needs of Home-Based Carers in Dealing with Diabetes in a Rural Village in South Africa? An Explorative Study. Global Journal of Health Science, 11(3), p.52.

Business Tech., 2024. Ramaphosa finds a pen – NHI to become law this week, Ramaphosa finds a pen – doctors and taxpayers find the door. Available at: = (Accessed: 24 July 2024).

Chomunorwa, S. and Mugobo, V.V., 2023. Challenges of e-Learning Adoption in South African Public Schools: Learners' Perspectives. Journal of Education and E-Learning Research, 10(1), pp.80-85.

Chomunorwa, S. and Mugobo, V.V., 2023. Challenges of e-Learning Adoption in South African Public Schools: Learners' Perspectives. Journal of Education and E-Learning Research, 10(1), pp.80-85.

Chowdhury, J. and Ravi, R.P., 2022. Healthcare Accessibility in Developing Countries: A Global Healthcare Challenge. Journal of Clinical & Biomedical Research, 4(152), pp.2-5.

Cilliers, L., 2019. Reimplementing telemedicine in the eastern cape. Muma Case Review, 3, pp.001-012.

Coovadia, H., Jewkes, R., Barron, P., Sanders, D. and McIntyre, D., 2009. The health and health system of South Africa: historical roots of current public health challenges. The lancet, 374(9692), pp.817-834.

Cronje, J., 2023. Landmark Medical negligence ruling orders SA hospitals to treat - not pay - victim, Business. Available at: https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/landmark-medical-negligence-ruling-orders-sa-hospitals-to-treat-not-pay-victim-20230213 (Accessed: 24 July 2024).

De Villiers, C., Cerbone, D. and Van Zijl, W., 2020. The South African government's response to COVID-19. Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, 32(5), pp.797-811.

Djalante, R., Bisri, M.B. and Shaw, R. eds., 2021. Integrated Research on Disaster Risks: Contributions from the IRDR Young Scientists Programme. Springer Nature.

Du Plessis, P. and Mestry, R., 2019. Teachers for rural schools–a challenge for South Africa. South African Journal of Education, 39.

Greunen, R.V., Kativu, K. and Veldsman, A., 2021. Enhancing ICT readiness of schools in South Africa.

Gumede, D.M., Taylor, M. and Kvalsvig, J., 2020. An innovative strategy to address shortages of healthcare personnel in South Africa. Research Square Preprint.

Heller, D.E. and Callender, C., 2016. Student financing of higher education. Abingdon: Routledge.

Herrera, V., 2019. Reconciling global aspirations and local realities: Challenges facing the Sustainable Development Goals for water and sanitation. World Development, 118, pp.106-117.

Institute of Natural Resources ., 2019. Development of a National rainwater harvesting strategy for South Africa as part of the climate change near-term priority flagship programmes. Rainwater harvesting strategy framework for South Africa.

Irene, K. and Zuva, T., 2018, August. Assessment of e-learning readiness in South African Schools. In 2018 International Conference on Advances in Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems (icABCD) (pp. 1-7). IEEE.

Islam, F., 2015. New Public Management (NPM): A dominating paradigm in public sectors. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 9(4), p.141.

Lapuente, V. and Van de Walle, S., 2020. The effects of new public management on the quality of public services. Governance, 33(3), pp.461-475.

Lebek, K. and Krueger, T., 2023. Conventional and makeshift rainwater harvesting in rural South Africa: exploring determinants for rainwater harvesting mode. International journal of water resources development, 39(1), pp.113-132.

Lieketseng, N., Cloete, L. and Mji, G., 2017. The experiences and challenges faced by rehabilitation community service therapists within the South African Primary Healthcare health system. African Journal of Disability, 6(1), pp.1-11.

Mabharwana, N., 2021. Food security at the University of the Western Cape: An exploration of actions and programmes to address student hunger.

MacGregor, R.G., Ross, A.J. and Zihindulai, G., 2018. A rural scholarship model addressing the shortage of healthcare workers in rural areas. South African Health Review, 2018(1), pp.51-57.

Mahlalela, P.T., Blamey, R.C., Hart, N.C.G. and Reason, C.J.C., 2020. Drought in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa and trends in rainfall characteristics. Climate Dynamics, 55, pp.2743-2759.

Majuru, B., Suhrcke, M. and Hunter, P.R., 2016. How do households respond to unreliable water supplies? A systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 13(12), p.1222.

Makhubela, O.J., 2022. Investigating the causes and impact of infrequent water supply on the wellbeing of communities: a case Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Limpopo Province (Doctoral dissertation).

Malakoane, B., Heunis, J.C., Chikobvu, P., Kigozi, N.G. and Kruger, W.H., 2020. Public health system challenges in the Free State, South Africa: A situation appraisal to inform health system strengthening. BMC health services research, 20, pp.1-14.

Maphalala, M.C. and Adigun, O.T., 2021. Academics' Experience of Implementing E-Learning in a South African Higher Education Institution. International Journal of Higher Nyathikazi, S.H., 2022. The adoption of E-Learning as a remote teaching and learning methodology in tertiary institutions during Covid-19: a case study of the University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal (Doctoral dissertation).Education, 10(1), pp.1-13.

Maphumulo, W.T. and Bhengu, B.R., 2019. Challenges of quality improvement in the healthcare of South Africa post-apartheid: A critical review. Curationis, 42(1), pp.1-9.

Matimolane, S., Strydom, S., Mathivha, F.I. and Chikoore, H., 2023. Determinants of rainwater harvesting practices in rural communities of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Water Science, 37(1), pp.276-289.

Mbunge, E., 2020. Effects of COVID-19 in South African health system and society: An explanatory study. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, 14(6), pp.1809-1814.

Meier, C. and West, J., 2020. Overcrowded classrooms–the Achilles heel of South African education? South African Journal of Childhood Education, 10(1), pp.1-10.

Mhlanga, D. and Moloi, T. 2020. COVID-19 and the digital transformation of education: What are we learning on 4IR in South Africa?. Education sciences, 10(7): 180.

Mostert, C.M., 2021. The impact of the school feeding programme on the education and health outcomes of South African children. Children and Youth Services Review, 126, p.106029.

Mostert, C.M., 2021. The impact of the school feeding programme on the education and health outcomes of South African children. Children and Youth Services Review, 126, p.106029.

Msiza, G.M., Malatji, K.S. and Mphahlele, L.K., 2020. Implementation of an e Learning Project in Tshwane South District: Towards a Paperless Classroom in South African Secondary Schools. Electronic Journal of E-learning, 18(4), pp.pp299-309.

Msiza, G.M., Malatji, K.S. and Mphahlele, L.K., 2020. Implementation of an e Learning Project in Tshwane South District: Towards a Paperless Classroom in South African Secondary Schools. Electronic Journal of E-learning, 18(4), pp.pp299-309.

Munje, P.N. and Jita, L.C., 2019. The implementation of the school feeding scheme (SFS) in South African public primary schools. Educational Practice and Theory, 41(2), pp.25-42.

Ngqulu, N. and Nomnga, P., 2023. Covid-19 pandemic: A necessary catalyst for e-learning adoption and application. South African Computer Journal, 35(1), pp.115-130.

Nhlapo, N., Lues, R.J., Kativu, E. and Groenewald, W.H., 2015. Assessing the quality of food served under a South African school feeding scheme: A nutritional analysis. South African Journal of Science, 111(1-2), pp.01-09.

Nyathikazi, S.H., 2022. The adoption of E-Learning as a remote teaching and learning methodology in tertiary institutions during Covid-19: a case study of the University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal (Doctoral dissertation).

Republic of South Africa (RSA). Department of Basic Education Annual Report 2022/2023.

Republic of South Africa (RSA)., 2020. Department of Health. National Expanded Program on Immunisation. Pretoria.

Republic of South Africa (RSA)., 2023. National Health Insurance. South African Government News Agency.

Tantoh, H.B., 2018. Community-Based Management Systems: The response to rural water supply and sustainability problem in Northwest Cameroon. South African Geographers, 1, p.428.

Thusi, X. and Chauke, R., 2023. Strategies for retaining scarce skills and reducing turnover in the South African Public Sector. International Journal of Management, Entrepreneurship, Social Science and Humanities, 6(1), pp.120-134.

Townsend, B.A., Mars, M. and Scott, R.E., 2020. The HPCSA's telemedicine guidance during COVID-19: a review. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, 13(2), pp.97-102.

Yusuph, M.L. and Guohua, W., 2017. Challenges for Implementing New Public Management Reforms in Local Government in Tanzania: Evidence from Six Selected Local Government Authorities. Public Policy and Administration Research, 7(6), pp.31-45.

Published
2024-10-09
How to Cite
Mokgolobotho, R., & Nkgapele, S. (2024). The Role of Alternative Service Delivery Models in Improving Access to Health Care, Education, and Water Services in the South African Public Service. International Journal of Social Science Research and Review, 7(10), 14-26. https://doi.org/10.47814/ijssrr.v7i10.2231