Local government must capitalise on 4IR
Municipalities must develop the skills and capacity to adopt new technology to improve service delivery
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) or digitisation is changing how the world functions, offering the opportunity to rethink development.The 4IR provides more efficient and cost-effective technologies, including increased connectivity, E-commerce, E-government, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 3D printing, the internet of things, electric vehicles, drones, additive manufacturing and blockchain technology.
In the face of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this increased connectivity has been ramped up, enabling more people to work from home using videoconferencing and conference calls. Technology increases access to banking, jobs, transport and delivery. It changes mobility patterns, public transport, road and rail networks and impacts spatial patterns. However, it also presents new challenges, particularly around jobs and skills, and has the potential to deepen inequality due to skewed access.
Some new technologies eliminate jobs, whilst others demand new jobs and skills. Actions need to be taken now to embrace the opportunities the 4IR presents.
A recent research report by the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) studied the huge potential of the 4IR to transform our economy and society, examining the opportunities it provides for local government.
New technology
The research looked at implications of the 4IR for South African municipalities, particularly their skills needs and how municipalities address the 4IR in their strategic planning.The research shows that to capitalise on the 4IR, municipalities need to have the skills and capacity to adopt new technology to improve service delivery and deepen democracy.
Concerns about job losses associated with the 4IR are valid, with well-publicised examples such as the recent closures of bank branches. However, new jobs are also being created, for example automation in Volkswagen's Uitenhage plant enables the plant to reach full capacity for extended periods and
added 300 new jobs in 2018.
New jobs are being created in the science, technology, engineering and maths fields and include data analysis, computer science and engineering.
The 4IR also means an even greater demand for soft skills such as creativity, complex problem solving, relationship building, communication, collaboration and critical thinking. Our current education system needs to focus on these, and provide opportunities for lifelong learning and continuous retraining.
National government can play a critical role in diffusing the 4IR technologies. This could include providing financial incentives, an appropriate legal framework, expanding connectivity, protecting data security, promoting research and innovation and developing new education programmes.
Local government can also take proactive steps to address skills needs. Municipal 4IR development strategies should be focused, tailored to local contexts and integrated with a regional strategy that is supported by the private sector and citizens.
Although most strategies of national government departments and major private sector players acknowledge the 4IR changes, our ICT infrastructure remains poor.
Collaboration needed
Government spending on ICT is relatively low, given other national priorities. While South Africa's political leadership has recognised the 4IR's potential, implementation requires collaboration between government, business and social partners to address challenges and leverage opportunities.
Existing applications in certain countries enable residents to identify issues and get feedback.They foster transparency and enhance trust. In disaster management, the internet of things and artificial intelligence can predict and communicate potential shocks and disasters, while blockchain can enhance cybersecurity, drones can deliver urgent supplies to hard-to-reach areas and 3D printers can print medical supplies, build temporary shelters and rebuild infrastructure.
In health, 4IR technologies have recently supported disrupted industrial supply chains in the COVID-19 crisis. Examples of this include an Italian hospital using a 3D printer to produce valves for an intensivecare device and China using drones to minimise risk and improve delivery speed when transporting medical samples and quarantine materials to high-risk areas.
Further opportunities include integrated waste management, waste reduction through sharing economies and intelligent packaging,‘living' buildings, green spaces, urban food production and water management. Biotechnologies include cleaner energy sources, bioplastics and improved microbial waste management. For housing, drones, 3D printing and robots can construct multi-functional buildings quicker.
Energy innovators use the internet of things, blockchain and bioengineering to develop virtual power plants, sensorbased electric and water grids and solar cells. 3D printing can produce solar roof tiles and components for small-scale wind turbines.
Smart technology
The research conducted by LGSETA found that in South Africa, 4IR technology is already having an impact at a local level. Municipalities have implemented smart technology such as E-services, citizen portals, broadband fibre rollouts, CCTV networks, data centre facilities, private cloud offerings, internet access in libraries, smart fines and building-management systems.These range from large-scale, costly systems to small-scale, relatively cheap smartphone applications.
It is important to focus on how technology can help overcome the barriers to a sustainable future. Municipalities must plan now for potentially disruptive 4IR technology, despite mixed information and limited resources.
However, the LGSETA report notes that the adoption of new technologies has varied across the country.An analysis of ICT skills in municipalities showed that across the eight metros and 249 local and district municipalities, 4 279 employees occupy base ICT positions. Of these, 2 641 are in metros and 1 638 in local and district municipalities.
In 2018/19, 27 more people in base-ICT posts left municipalities than were recruited. Worrying, is the significant loss of managers and professionals among them. Almost 3 000 high-demand ICT persons work across municipalities, with over 70 percent of these in the metros.
Overall, the data in LGSETA's report confirms conventional wisdom that technical skills at local government level are in short supply, particularly in ICT. Losing more people in critical positions raises concerns.
The 4IR provides an opportunity to promote democracy and sustainable development, particularly at a local level. Managed well, 4IR innovations can help municipalities tackle major challenges, improve service delivery, safety and security and promote inclusion.
However, although the 4IR is firmly on the national agenda, it has yet to be factored into municipal planning. Challenges include the lack of integration of 4IR strategies into the
Integrated Development Plans; failure to see a
4IR programme as an overarching framework; lack of integrated, coordinated operations; a heavily regulated environment; insufficient funding; limited stakeholder buy-in; and inadequate internal capacity.
Finally, the shortage of key ICT skills across municipalities is a significant concern, as is the digital divide between more adequately staffed metros and less resourced local and district municipalities.
Government can play a crucial role in developing and promoting the skills needed for a successful shift to the 4IR.Whilst many efforts are the responsibility of national government, local government can take proactive steps to address skills needs. A collaborative and cooperative approach is essential.