Impact of COVID-19 on Municipal Policy Making Matrix in the North-West Province, South Africa

Abstract

Policy making matrix remains a structural line for explaining the formulation and implementation process. More often, the matrix hosts some elements with different standards and improvement actions. The application of the standards differs in terms of how each item of policy will be implemented in practice. Meanwhile, COVID-19 pandemic has brought about dynamic to governance and policy making matrix. Hence, it becomes imperative to examine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on policy making matrix with particular reference to municipalities in the North-West Province. This study employed a desk study analysis, including the collection of literatures as data collection tools. Key studies on COVID-19 pandemic and policy responses made up the majority of the literature review, while institutional policy input was added to get opinions on certain policy formulation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study heavily depends on government published and academic materials for findings. Content analysis was utilised for data analysis. The study reveals the peer influence, policy emulation and mimicry were the drivers of the policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic within the municipalities in the North-West Province.