FROM DATA TO ACTION: A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

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By Cuma Pantshwa

  •  The Fourth Industrial Revolution is making an impact on building an inclusive public sector, with data-driven information allowing government departments to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their services.
  • Nowhere has this been clearer than in its use during the 2024 National Senior Certificate examinations, with the Integrated Justice System used to track citizens, particularly vulnerable children, to understand better the dynamics of South Africa’s communities.
  • The Department of Social Development has worked closely with the Integrated Justice System to gain a comprehensive insight into the families and communities it works with, allowing the department to allocate resources faster and smarter.

Digital public infrastructure is the backbone of a modern, effective, and inclusive public sector, according to the Minister for Public Service and Administration Mzamo Buthelezi.

As South Africa continues to build this infrastructure, it is becoming increasingly evident that digitalisation is a cornerstone in professionalising the state and building a capable, ethical, and developmental public service.

The transformative power of technology in service delivery has been demonstrated during the 2024 National Senior Certificate examinations.

Tonight, the spotlight is on the Class of 2024 as the nation awaits the announcement of the matric results.

It is critical to acknowledge how data-driven innovation has enabled the government to improve efficiency and ensure targeted support for its most vulnerable citizens.

Through the Department of Social Development’s collaboration with the Integrated Justice System (IJS), government has been empowered to drive the digital transformation.

Understanding the dynamics of South Africa’s communities

The IJS is pivotal in tracking citizens, especially vulnerable children, and understanding the dynamics of South African households and communities.

By linking administrative data systems across various departments, the government now has a comprehensive view of individuals and families, allowing it to allocate resources smarter and faster.

The Grade 12 examinations are a key measure of the country’s educational outcomes and the broader social context in which learners operate.

The Department of Social Development revealed the numbers yesterday, showcasing the lay of the land. Out of the 882 336 registered learners who wrote the 2024 matric exams, 697 502 (79%) were social grant beneficiaries. Of these, 657 980 were recipients of the Child Support Grant, and 35 200 were beneficiaries of the Foster Child Grant.

Significantly, integrated data systems revealed that 653 290 learners continued receiving grants while writing their final exams, with 34 710 grants coming to an end as learners reached the age of 18.

Technology plays a critical role

These insights underscore the critical role of technology in ensuring accountability and improving service delivery. The government’s ability to link data across systems, facilitated by IJS technology, ensures that services reach the right people at the right time.

In addition, collaboration with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) demonstrates how technology can empower the next generation.

Of the 272 098 social grant beneficiaries who applied for financial assistance, 261 950 have been provisionally accepted, pending their results. These outcomes reflect a government leveraging technology to create a seamless pathway for vulnerable learners from school to higher education.

“The success of driving integration and the department’s alignment with the IJS reflects the government’s broader commitment to building a developmental state. By leveraging data integration and ICT infrastructure, the Department of Social Development is enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability across its programmes,” the IJS Senior Portfolio Manager Unathi Ngumla.

Changing lives

Digitalisation is not just about adopting technology, it is about using it strategically to transform lives, Ngumla added. “With the support of the Integrated Justice System, we are able to track vulnerable children, understand the challenges within households, and design interventions that are responsive and impactful.”

Chapter 10 of South Africa’s Constitution outlines the principles of professionalism, efficiency, and transparency in public administration. These principles are given life through the Public Service Corporate Governance of Information and Communication Technology Policy Framework (2022) and other strategic initiatives.

Through these frameworks, the department and the IJS are working in tandem to ensure that digitalisation serves as a bridge to equity and inclusivity.

Over the past year, the IJS not only facilitated integration but also contributed to upskilling through its human capital provisions of data scientists. These experts developed advanced data models that predicted government investments in the education of the Class of 2024.

“The data model predicted that government would have spent R51-billion on this cohort. Later, SASSA (the South African Social Security Agency) datasets confirmed that government’s actual expenditure amounted to R53-billion,” said the Manager of Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence at the Department of Social Development, Osborne Nongqunga.

Working faster and smarter

“This success highlights new opportunities for government to leverage predictive analytics in many areas, enabled by the integration and interfacing of administrative datasets.” Such predictive capabilities are transformative, Nongqunga added. They empower government departments to make informed decisions, optimise resource allocation, and anticipate future needs.

Nongqunga’s comments underscore how data integration can enhance not only accountability but also foresight, ensuring that investments are impactful and strategic.

As the class of 2024 anticipates their results tonight, they symbolise the real impact of this transformation. Their journey is a testament to how data and technology can connect government departments, improve service delivery, and provide vulnerable learners with opportunities to thrive.

In closing, the words of the Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube spoken this morning to the top 39 learners in the Class of 2024 are particularly fitting: “We require leaders who are innovative and who will take this country forward.”

This is the promise of digital innovation – to deliver smarter, faster, and more inclusive services, ensuring no one is left behind, and empowering the next generation of leaders to build a brighter future.

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