Track: Master Thesis Competition

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4rth IR) has immensely challenged cities across the world to review, adjust, and
recalibrate their strategies, systems, and processes to adapt to new ways of interfacing and engaging with their
citizens/stakeholders. The study investigated stakeholder involvement in the conceptualization and implementation of
smart city concepts in Africa. The study used the City of Tshwane, South Africa, as a case study. Empirical data was
collected through interviewing local government practitioners in the capital city of South Africa. The study found that
there is a need for engagements with communities. However, even though by law, municipalities in South Africa must
consult communities, the study found that the level of stakeholders’ engagement in the CTMM is at best minimal, if
not non-existent. Where it happens, it is merely ‘information sharing’. So, the CTMM needs to embark on dedicated
educational programs as part of the stakeholder engagement process. The city also needs to establish dedicated
ongoing focus groups with communities on smart cities applications. The reality is that not everybody will be served
efficiently with smart technologies, and CTMM needs to find innovative ways to accommodate different stakeholder’s
needs.
Keywords: Smart cities, City of Tshwane, South Africa