Professor Thokozani Ian Nzimakwe celebrated his academic promotion to full professor of Public Governance at UKZN with the presentation of an inspirational and insightful inaugural lecture titled: Big Data and Public Service Delivery: Harnessing Data for Efficient and Effective Public Services.
The lecture was attended by local and international researchers and practitioners in the field of Public Governance.
Acknowledging public service delivery as the cornerstone of governmental functions and rapid technological advancements, Nzimakwe’s lecture called on governments to embrace the use of Big Data to ensure efficient, transparent and responsive delivery of services for the betterment of the lives of all people. ‘By harnessing data, government institutions can gain valuable insights into the needs of their citizens, enabling them to tailor services more effectively and efficiently. Data analytics facilitates informed decision-making and proactive service improvements,’ he said.
The lecture explored the intersection of Big Data analytics and public service delivery, highlighting the benefits of Big Data in the public sectors, including (1) open government and data sharing which promotes greater trust and transparency between government and citizens; (2) citizen sentiment analysis which can help policy makers prioritise services and be aware of citizens’ interests and opinions; and (3) citizen segmentation and personalisation while at the same time preserving privacy, economic analysis, tax agencies and cyber security.
Nzimakwe spoke about the significance of Big Data in the improvement of decision-making, enhanced citizen engagement, and the streamlining of the allocation of resources. He encouraged public institutions to embrace and invest in data-driven strategies to enhance their service delivery.
Nzimakwe is a respected contributor in the public governance sector having assessed master’s and PhD theses from various universities across South Africa. He is a member of the Editorial Board of Administratio Publica and serves as its Deputy Editor; and is a reviewer for several journals, including the Journal of Public Administration, the Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation, Africa’s Public Service Delivery and Performance Review, the African Journal of Public Affairs, Politeia, and the African Journal of Governance and Development.
Nzimakwe has presented his research at local and international conferences, receiving the 2009 Productivity Award of the College of Law and Management Studies.
He keeps abreast of developments in the sector by participating in various professional bodies such as being a member of the Institute of Local Government Management Accreditation Committee; the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM); the Association of Southern African Schools and the Department of Public Administration and Management (ASSADPAM), the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM); and the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA).
Nzimakwe’s passion for public governance has seen him complete the supervision of 32 doctoral and 85 master’s students and the mentorship of two postdoctoral fellows.
He has published more than 66 research articles in DHET, Scopus and ISI-indexed journals as well as publishing 13 book chapters in journals in his research focus areas. He is currently supervising six doctoral students.
One of Nzimakwe’s former students, Professor Nokukhanya Jili, the Acting Head of the Department of Public Administration at the University of Zululand, attended the lecture and congratulated her mentor saying: ‘Well done Professor Nzimakwe, you taught me at undergraduate level and you then supervised me at a PhD level, and today I am an associate professor. A big thank you for your contribution to my academic journey. This lecture provided inspiration for me as I look forward to becoming a full professor.’
Impressed by Nzimakwe’s aptly themed lecture, Professor Henry Wissink, emeritus professor in the School of Management, IT and Governance, said: ‘The future lies in integrating innovation with public governance and management. As scholars, we look forward to some future research and innovations to ensure we can employ these innovations to transform the public service in South Africa.’
Nzimakwe used the occasion of his inaugural lecture to acknowledge people who influenced his career including his late parents, his wife, children and extended family. He thanked the University for affording him the opportunity to conduct research saying he was also grateful to colleagues in the public governance sector for collegiality and for collaborating with him.
Words: Hazel Langa
Photograph: Supplied
