Enhancing Border Security through Public-Private Partnerships in South Africa

Abstract

This study sought to explore the opportunities in forming effective partnerships between the public sector and the private space technology sector to address border security challenges in South Africa using space technology. The study focused on border security authorities and the space technology sector in South Africa. To achieve the above objective, a qualitative research methodology was used to ascertain the possibilities and opportunities of adopting Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to enhance border security in South Africa through the adoption of space technology. Findings indicate that there is a need for effective PPPs for the purpose of enhancing border security through the application of space technology in South Africa. The findings further highlighted the massive benefits of partnership but also highlighted the possible challenges of engaging in PPPs. This study revealed that it is reasonably expected for the South African border security authorities to collaborate with the private space technology sector for the purpose of developing and providing effective space technology for border security.