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youth PartICIPatIoN IN MuNICIPaL MatterS through SMartPhoNe aPPS: exPLorINg the PerCePtIoNS aNd attItudeS of StudeNtS of hoWard CoLLege, uKZN
Ngidi, N.I.
School of Social Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nqoba-ngidi/
Nkomo, S.L.
School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Orcid: 0009-0005-7939-6662 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sphumelele-Nkomo
*Correspondence: ngidinqoba@gmail.com, ngidin5@ukzn.ac.za
abstract
This paper examines the challenges of youth participation in South African municipal decision-making processes and proposes smartphone applications as a potential solution. The research outlines existing mechanisms for public participation, highlighting their limitations, especially for young people. It argues that conventional methods such as public hearings and ward committees are inaccessible and unappealing to youth, leading to political apathy. Drawing on theories of the Technology Acceptance Model by Fred D. Davis (1989), the study aims to explore young people’s attitudes toward using smartphone applications for engaging with their municipal councils. By addressing key questions about the effectiveness, concerns, and benefits of mobile-based participation, the research seeks to contribute to the literature on democratic governance and youth involvement. The research employed a qualitative research methods approach, utilising qualitative data collection techniques. Thematic analysis was conducted on an open- ended questionnaire. The qualitative data gathered from the questionnaire provided insight into the level of app usage, perceived challenges, and preferences for app features. Results indicate that while youth are generally motivated to engage in municipal matters, they face significant barriers such as poor app design, network issues, and concerns over data privacy. Key motivators for participation include the desire for real-time information, ease of use, and access to essential municipal services. The study also reveals that young people favour interactive features and user-centric design, with real-time notifications, event calendars, and customisable dashboards being the most desired features in municipal apps. Ultimately, the findings suggest that smartphone applications, when designed with youth- friendly features and proper support, can enhance youth
engagement in local governance, fostering more inclusive and effective decision-making.
Keywords: local government, municipal engagement, municipal matters, smartphone applications, youth participation.
Introduction
From its initial introduction, the mobile phone was recognised as a revolutionary medium with unparalleled potential to enhance communication among users, primarily due to its mobility (Lev-On and Rosenberg 2021). It significantly reduced the physical constraints associated with accessing a fixed terminal – limitations that had long shaped the nature of traditional participatory methods. The mobile phone’s ‘mobile potential’ has not gone unnoticed by government agencies and organisations (Lev-On and Rosenberg 2021). The rapid proliferation of smartphones and their exceptional accessibility have positioned them as effective communication tools. Over the past decade, the evolution of e-government has been marked by an increasing reliance on diverse platforms, including websites, social media, and more recently, mobile applications (Roblek et al. 2020).
In the first wave of e-government, websites served as a primary means for governments to communicate with citizens. These websites were largely information- oriented, offering limited opportunities for interaction (Chohan and Hu 2022). The second wave introduced social media platforms, which, unlike traditional e-government websites, are inherently interactive and foster two- way communication. However, studies indicate that municipalities often approach social media with caution. Concerns over the potential for users to post profanity, upload critical content, or generate negative publicity have led municipalities to adopt a restrained approach. As a result, social media is often used hesitantly to disseminate static information or to repurpose content from existing websites and other media forms.
The third and current wave of e-government, referred to as m-government, builds on the capabilities of mobile technology. Mobile government services, as extensions of web-based and social media platforms, leverage the unique features of smartphones – mobility, widespread availability, and interactive interfaces – to enhance communication between citizens and public authorities (Milakovich 2021).
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