Leon Gwaka
Biographic Data
| ID | 4154629 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Leon Gwaka |
| GIVEN NAMES | Leon |
| FAMILY NAME | Gwaka |
| SIGNATURE | GWAKA L |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Pennsylvania |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-2931-7234 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 5 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 3 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 5 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2021 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Estimating the impact of Value Added Tax exemptions on smartphone penetration in Colombia using the synthetic control method
Device affordability is one of the key barriers to Internet access and use in most low- and middle-income countries. Reducing or eliminating taxes on devices has emerged as a major way to make devices more affordable. However, the empirical evidence on the impact of tax reductions on device access remains limited. To help fill this gap, this study estimates the impact of Colombia's Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption, announced in late 2016, on smart…
Digital discourses
Digital governance presents a transformative opportunity for enhancing citizen engagement and improving public service delivery, particularly in South Africa's urban contexts characterized by complex socio-economic challenges. This study analyzes the official city X (formerly Twitter) accounts of Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Tshwane, examining their role in promoting participatory governance. Drawing on 8441 tweets through sentiment analysis, top…
We have a lot to say about loadshedding”
The persistent energy crisis in South Africa, characterized by widespread loadshedding, emerged as a critical point of social and political discourse, particularly in the lead up to the 2024 general elections. Within this context, digital democracy played a pivotal role, as citizens leveraged social media platforms to voice their frustrations, demand accountability, and engage in political debates, shaping public sentiment and influencing the pol…
Community networks as models to address connectivity gaps in underserved communities
The mounting evidence that current efforts to meet international goals for increasing Internet connectivity are likely to fall short has heightened interest in alternative connectivity models such as community networks. Already, there are many such initiatives globally taking differentiated approaches towards their setup and operation. This results in fragmented knowledge on the initiatives and systematic analysis of these models is limited. This…
Social media use for public engagement during the water crisis in Cape Town
This study examines social media use for public engagement during the Cape Town water crisis in South Africa. The study applies technology affordance and attribution theories to explore social media features (affordances) utilised by local authorities and the public, meanings embedded in the social media posts and the attributions of the water crisis cause among the actors. Data gathering and analysis followed mixed methods. Qualitative data were…
Social media use for public engagement during the water crisis in Cape Town
This study examines social media use for public engagement during the Cape Town water crisis in South Africa. The study applies technology affordance and attribution theories to explore social media features (affordances) utilised by local authorities and the public, meanings embedded in the social media posts and the attributions of the water crisis cause among the actors. Data gathering and analysis followed mixed methods. Qualitative data were…
Social media use for public engagement during the water crisis in Cape Town
This study examines social media use for public engagement during the Cape Town water crisis in South Africa. The study applies technology affordance and attribution theories to explore social media features (affordances) utilised by local authorities and the public, meanings embedded in the social media posts and the attributions of the water crisis cause among the actors. Data gathering and analysis followed mixed methods. Qualitative data were…
Community networks as models to address connectivity gaps in underserved communities
The mounting evidence that current efforts to meet international goals for increasing Internet connectivity are likely to fall short has heightened interest in alternative connectivity models such as community networks. Already, there are many such initiatives globally taking differentiated approaches towards their setup and operation. This results in fragmented knowledge on the initiatives and systematic analysis of these models is limited. This…
Digital discourses
Digital governance presents a transformative opportunity for enhancing citizen engagement and improving public service delivery, particularly in South Africa's urban contexts characterized by complex socio-economic challenges. This study analyzes the official city X (formerly Twitter) accounts of Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Tshwane, examining their role in promoting participatory governance. Drawing on 8441 tweets through sentiment analysis, top…
We have a lot to say about loadshedding”
The persistent energy crisis in South Africa, characterized by widespread loadshedding, emerged as a critical point of social and political discourse, particularly in the lead up to the 2024 general elections. Within this context, digital democracy played a pivotal role, as citizens leveraged social media platforms to voice their frustrations, demand accountability, and engage in political debates, shaping public sentiment and influencing the pol…
Estimating the impact of Value Added Tax exemptions on smartphone penetration in Colombia using the synthetic control method
Device affordability is one of the key barriers to Internet access and use in most low- and middle-income countries. Reducing or eliminating taxes on devices has emerged as a major way to make devices more affordable. However, the empirical evidence on the impact of tax reductions on device access remains limited. To help fill this gap, this study estimates the impact of Colombia's Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption, announced in late 2016, on smart…
Political science (4 works) · Public relations (3 works) · Sociology (3 works) · E-Government and Public Services (2 works) · ICT Impact and Policies (2 works) · ICT in Developing Communities (2 works) · Media studies (2 works) · Psychology (2 works) · The Internet (2 works) · Affordance (1 work)