A Proposed Framework for the Adoption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies in Municipal Water Governance in South Africa
Main Article Content
Keywords
Water Governance , Fourth Industrial Revolution, SDG 6, Municipal innovation , South Africa
Abstract
The Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which focuses on ensuring universal access to water for all, remains at the center of the sustainable development agenda; however, its realisation continues to be hindered by the persistent water governance challenges. This is particularly concerning given the critical role that effective governance plays in addressing the global water crisis. The advent of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies offers transformative potential to strengthen municipal water governance systems. Yet, the adoption and implementation of these technologies, especially within South African rural municipalities, has been notably slow. Using a selected district municipality in the Eastern Cape in South Africa, the paper aims to develop a framework to facilitate the adoption of 4IR technologies in municipal water governance. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the study purposively selected participants from the municipal officials, stakeholders, and experts who provided insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with 4IR adoption. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. The findings reveal a slow uptake of 4IR innovations, underpinned by capacity, infrastructure, and policy gaps. The paper, therefore, proposes a contextually grounded framework designed to guide and accelerate digital transformation within rural municipalities. Thus, the framework provides a roadmap and direction in accelerating the integration of 4IR technologies to strengthen municipal water governance, foster inclusive technological advancement, and ensure that rural communities are not excluded from the benefits of digital innovation. The paper, therefore, underscores the urgency of this shift by highlighting that the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is rapidly transforming all sectors. Consequently, the failure of rural water service authorities to adopt 4IR technologies risks deepening existing disparities and leaving rural municipalities further behind.
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References
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[39] G. Montmasson-clair, G. Chigumira, D. Mclean, S. Makumbirofa., Water and Sanitation Industry Master Plan Policy Report. Pretoria: South Africa, Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (2022) 1-30.
[40] Q. Mpofu, P. Nemashakwe., The role of leadership in adopting the Fourth Industrial Era technologies in developing economies, The Fountain: Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies 7(1) (2023) 41-58
[41] H. Mutandwa, S. Vyas-doorgapersad., Benefits And Challenges to Implement Public-Private Partnerships in Water Infrastructure Development in Zimbabwe. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People 12(1) (2023) 57-71.
[42] M. Munsamya, A. Telukdariea, P. Matjuta., Water systems modeling and optimization 4th International Conference on Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing, Procedia Computer Science 217(2023) 699-708
[43] V. Naidoo., Is the water sector ready for Industry 4.0? Water &Sanitation Africa 14(3) (2019) 8-8.
[44] National Planning Commission., Draft Digital Features: South Africa’s Readiness for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Pretoria, National Planning Commission (2020)
[45] National Planning Commission., Digital Futures: South Africa’s Digital Readiness for the Fourth Indus-trial Revolution. National Planning Commission, with support from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung & International Development Research Centre. Research ICT Africa (2022b).
[46] P. O’Callaghan, LM. Adapa, C. Buisman., How can innovation theories be applied to water technology innovation? Journal of Cleaner Production 276(2020)1-10.
[47] K. Naidoo, E.van der Lingen., Navigating the waves of change and ripples of challenges in the water supply chain sector, South African Journal of Industrial Engineering 35(3) (2024) 1-14.
[48] D. Plekhanov, H. Franke, TH. Netland., Digital transformation: A review and research agenda. European management journal 41(6) (2023) 821-844.
[49] RN. Raja Ariffin, S. Sawon, NH. Abd Rahman, H. Hanafi, RK. Zahari., Contextualizing institutional capacity in water governance framework: a literature review, Water Policy 26(1) (2024)18-36.
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[51] EM. Rogers., Diffusion of Innovations. Simon and Schuster, New York (2010).
[52] A. Terlizzi., The digitalization of the public sector: A systematic literature review, Rivista italiana di politiche pubbliche 16(1)(2021)5-38.
[53] CN. Ugwu, HU. Eze Val., Qualitative research, International Digital Organization for Scientific Research (IDOSR) Journal of Science and Technology 8(1) (2023) 20-35.
[54] United Nations., The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024. United Nations (2024).
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[60] P. Salehi, D. Corbett, R. Dunbar, S. Sadeh, AD. Torres, A. Jones, H. Shekhar, J. Plecha, P. Koroleva, P. Visetti, A. Benazzouz, H. Ballal, Y. Ashenafi, A. Dubey, SK. Mandal, C. Cadena, L. Indah, C. Barthelt, E. Tambo, S. Sandholz, A. Asadzadeh, P. Dzurovčinova, J.Noll., Digitalization: A Game Changer for Local Governments & Communities: Enhancing Capacities to Deploy Transformative Solutions, ICLEI World Secretariat (2023) Available at: https://iclei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2022-Academy-Digitalization-Policy-Brief-ICLEI.pdf [Accessed 5 March 2025].
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[68] SY. Chivanga, PB. Monyai., Back to basics: Qualitative research methodology for beginners, Journal of Critical Reviews 8(2) (2021) 11-7.
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A Proposed Framework for the Adoption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies in Municipal Water Governance in South Africa. (2025). Journal of Digital Food, Energy & Water Systems, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.36615/py1j5325
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How to Cite
A Proposed Framework for the Adoption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies in Municipal Water Governance in South Africa. (2025). Journal of Digital Food, Energy & Water Systems, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.36615/py1j5325
