African Journal of Public Affairs Volume 4, Number 1 (2011)

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Front matter, African Journal of Public Affairs, Volume 4, Number 1
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011)
The potential of South Africa as a developmental state : a political economy critique
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011) Tshishonga, N.; De Vries, M.S.
At a time when most countries in the world adopted the principles of the Washington consensus with regard to government and the principles of New Public Management with regard to its governance, developments in South Africa from the early 1990s onward seemingly went the other way. Departing from an apartheid-system before 1994 the new democratic state of South Africa inherited a regime based on neoliberal principles with regard to socio-economic development with consequently a minimalist role of the state in terms of its intervention in the economic arena. Where everywhere in the world government was seen as the problem, the ANC government evidently had other views regarding its role in socio-economic development. The government enacted and promulgated various people-centred policies and strategic programmes, and the ANC adopted the principles of the developmental state with the belief that state economic intervention could enhance and strengthen the government or state capacity to deal with the challenges of poverty, unemployment and gross inequalities. The questions this article tries to answer are whether it is possible for a nation state to go counter to dominant international developments, which dilemmas it faces, which hurdles it has to overcome and whether it could have been effective and efficient in a globalised world in which the dominant powers were clearly opposed to such policies. The article further explores the potential as well as challenges embedded within an aspiring developmental state endorsing a policy philosophy in favour of state intervention within an international context in which the dominant policy theory is opposed to state intervention. The main question to be answered is what kind of difficulties a state government faces when it moves, with regard to its presumed role vis-à-vis society, against the (international) grain and whether it is possible in this era of globalisation to survive nonetheless.
Public accountability at the local government sphere in South Africa
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011) Sikhakane, B.H.; Reddy, P.S.
One of the major challenges faced by municipalities in South Africa is quality service delivery and lack of accountability. Public accountability is an important component of local governance as it promotes community involvement and participation. Local government is viewed as the vehicle for service delivery given the notion of wall-to-wall local government. All programmes and projects such as, interalia, housing, water supply, sanitation and roads require accountable municipal functionaries, so that they gain the confi dence and trust of local communities who will then take ownership of it thereby ensuring that it is successful and in the final analysis sustainable. The continued success of a municipality is determined to a large extent, on the accountability of all key role players and stakeholders in the local governance process. Public accountability is a tool for participatory local democracy. The Government has introduced legislation to ensure that all the key local role players and stakeholders discharge their respective obligations and responsibilities to facilitate the delivery of quality municipal services. Despite these measures and initiatives, public accountability remains a buzzword and is certainly not taken seriously by particularly the municipal functionaries. The recent marches by the local citizenry in protest against poor service delivery countrywide bear ample testimony to this. This article critically reviews public accountability in the local sphere highlighting some of the key challenges that has to be addressed to ensure good local governance.
Legislative and administrative directives governing procurement procedures : a local government perspective
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011) Raga, K.; Nano, N.
To enact a comprehensive body of rules to regulate public procurement is only one element in fostering compliance with the norms and objectives of a sound public procurement programme. The development of a sound legal framework is a core element in the modernisation and improvement of public procurement systems. The task of government institutions is to achieve the policy objectives which have been set by the government for societal life. As public policy-maker, the government strives to establish a generally preferred future for society. Any deliberations by the policy-maker on the establishment and realisation of such a preferred future should, of necessity, include, interalia, the setting of standards and respect for the administrative legal framework to guide functionaries in government institutions on how to execute policy. The essence of public procurement legislation is to define and enforce those procedures that will deliver a productive and efficient result, while respecting the public nature of the process and the duty of fairness to the suppliers. Government institutions are not usually established with a view to profit-making, with the consequence, the objectives of their procurement function will differ considerably from the objectives of an establishment in the private sector. In this article, the legislative and administrative directives which impact and govern the procurement system in South Africa will be discussed. The article will conclude with recommendations based on an empirical survey to establish attitudes towards public procurement policies with specific reference to the local sphere of government.
Using a performance measurement framework to overcome the odds against performance management in the public sector
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011) Nabaho, L.
The importance of measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of governmental programmes features prominently in almost every discourse related to programme monitoring and evaluation. Phrases like ‘what gets measured gets done and if you cannot measure it you cannot manage it’ attest to the significance attached to measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of governmental programmes. Despite the apparent appreciation of the benefit of performance measurement, how to measure the performance of governmental programmes continues to elude academics and practitioners of public management. This article, informed by available literature on performance measurement in the public sector and the New Public Management paradigm, contends that measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of governmental programmes requires development of a performance measurement framework or logical model consisting of outcomes, outputs, activities and inputs for the programme. Performance indicators, that specify what to measure, should consequently be developed for each component in the results framework. Since performance measurement hinges upon availability of timely and reliable information, identification of the sources of information on performance indicators; determination of the methods and frequency of data collection; and assignment of the responsibility for data collection are stressed in discussion.
Capacity constraints of civil service leadership : an overview of the training and development of higher civil services in India
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011) Mishra, R.K.
The dawn of independence for India in 1947 led to a flurry of activities by the government to expedite the process of modernisation and nation-building and the responsibility was promptly shouldered by the civil services of the day considered to be the steel frame known for its vigour, vitality, impartiality and effectiveness. Although the civil services were inexperienced in the concept of a welfare state, they have come out with flying colours both in stabilising the fluid and turbulent society, economy and polity and also propelling the growth and development from vanguard; all of which necessitated constant and continuous learning on the part of civil services through training and development activities. The research provides an overview of the role of training and development activities with specific reference to training institutions, training activities and training curriculum, of the higher civil services in India in enhancing their capacity in the formulation and execution of public policies and also critically focus the areas which have incapacitated the system as a whole in delivering public services to the citizens of the country. The article intends to bring out the issues pertaining to the needs of the civil servants in the era of a liberal and global world where the citizen expects better and qualitative services and the role that can be played by the training and development activities towards the fulfilment of the goals. The article discusses the content, pedagogy, effectiveness, review and the present state of training in civil services. The article endeavours to present the civil service training in India in international perspective and offers suggestions to make it relevant to the present day needs of a developmental state.
Deepening democracy through effective public spaces in Africa - reality or fallacy
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011) Ile, I.U.
Over the years, there has been an increasing call for the deepening of democracy through the democratisation of governance processes across the continent, the extent to which this has been translated to practice through viable and authentic means needs to be further engaged. Democratic governance is in theory characterised by the existence of genuine public spaces that allow for a vigilant, strong and robust state and civil society engagement. This process ensures that government remains connected to the people and conducts its activities in a way that benefits the majority of the people. In theory, these ideals may exist but in reality, are these forums really available for community/citizen participation? Even when they do, are they able to significantly shift government policy? Or are they stage-managed, not been fully optimised or even hijacked by proxies who seek to ensure that the decision-making structures of society serve the objectives of the local elite? The article reflects on the efficacy of selected public spaces or forums that are available to citizenry for making inputs into policy processes. Africa’s record has been somewhat mixed, ranging from the disenfranchisement of civil society in democratic processes, the harassment of the media, suppression of public opinion and the high-jacking of public spaces. The article will draw on specific scenarios from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. It will identify and critique selected forums or public spaces, reflect on their value-added to democratic processes and lastly identify enabling or hindering factors for quality policy engagement.
Measuring effectiveness and efficiency of governmental programmes in developing countries : significance, techniques and challenges
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011) Dassah, M.O.
This article discusses the significance, techniques and challenges of measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of governmental programmes and highlights the need for developing countries, particularly in Africa, not just to monitor, but also evaluate and utilise findings. A shift from implementation of monitoring to results-based monitoring and evaluation (RBM&E) in public sector management has put governments globally under pressure to show tangible results produced by programmes they initiate. Governmental programmes are results-based, designed and deployed to achieve specific external social objectives. RBM&E involves performance monitoring and evaluation, that is, tracking programmes, comparing their initial results with targets, providing feedback and facilitating corrective action, and establishing why programme outcomes and impacts are, or are not, being achieved. Therefore, it is essential to improving service delivery, achieving effectiveness, efficiency and providing value for money. The article also examines techniques of assessing programme effectiveness and efficiency. Creation of the Ministry of Planning and Ministry of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation within the South African Presidency is seen as signalling a new attitude to effectiveness and efficiency measurement in government. Challenges to measuring programmes’ effectiveness and efficiency are highlighted as well as the sporadic use of evaluation in Africa. The need for an entrenched evaluation culture in the public sectors of African countries, which tend to have a not-so-successful record of programme performance, is argued as essential for widespread successful management of governmental programmes. Greater focus.
Achieving better outcomes in education challenges, interventions and issues in Gauteng province of South Africa : the significance of a quality education system for building the Gauteng Global City Region
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011) Creecy, Barbary
Policies and poverty in Southern Africa
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011) Brynard, P.A. (Petrus)
Policies can address poverty, but policies are not a guarantee to eradicate poverty. Many factors figure into the poverty policy scene. Government’s understanding of poverty, the particular type of poverty and the environment will naturally determine the nature of the policies. In some instances policies are blamed for the failure to address poverty, but at the same time the type of poverty makes it cumbersome for government to address all types of poverties with a single policy. This article is going to take an overview of policies and poverty in a Southern Africa context. Poverty remains one of the biggest challenges in Africa. The poorer one is, the more difficult it is to escape poverty, despite the policy of government. There are quite a number of different policies addressing poverty, but there still seems to be a lack of a single holistic policy to address poverty in all its facets. The question is whether the South African poverty policies are overly optimistic or is poverty just too vast a problem.
A strategic leadership model for policy implementation
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011) Bekker, J.C.O.; Van Heyningen, H.
South Africa suffers from a doubtful history of its ability to implement policies successfully. The disastrous effect of this legacy is that the apparent lack of expertise and excellence may lead to a complete loss of the institutional memory in terms of effectiveness and client satisfaction. Responsible and competent leadership is needed by managers who understand the complexities of policy implementation. They must weed out outdated practices the public sector is burdened with and do all they can to attract and retain competent managers who are able to put public service delivery on the track of excellence again. In the final analysis, the quality and impact of policy implementation will be given determined expression to by committed and competent leaders and those they lead. In this article an effort will be made to present a model that will show that leadership and performance are influenced by the commitment and competencies of officials. The performances of people are stimulated by the ability of leaders to provide vision and direction and to influence, inspire and empower them to collectively achieve policy goals. Apart from the external impact (leadership) on their performance, successful implementation of policies also requires internally located driving forces, which, for purposes of this model include: • Commitment depends on a person’s self-confidence and motivation. Strong leadership by managers boosts the self-confidence of junior staff and peoples’ motivation is determined by their level of interest in their work and their enthusiasm. • Competencies of employees in South Africa are affected by skills development legislation as well as existing skills development practices. A survey was done among staff members of different provincial government departments and municipalities in the Free State and North-West provinces
Conceptualising labour turnover and retention management in the senior management service
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011-06) Omotoye, Abiodun Marumo Tito; Malan, Lianne Priscilla
Human resource management is regarded as one of the fundamental components of the discipline of Public Administration. The employees of an institution are considered to be the most important assets that an institution possesses, primarily because they determine the success or failure of the institution in question. Employee attraction and retention is known to scholars of human resource management as one of the prominent challenges constantly confronting institutions, both public and private. As labour markets become more globalised, the phenomenon of employee mobility surges, which results in these public and private institutions needing to develop and implement measures that would assist them in attracting skilled personnel, whilst also ensuring that they have the ability to retain such personnel. This article will highlight some of the critical issues that influence labour turnover and retention, with particular reference to senior managers in the South African public service.
Spheres of government : contributions to sustainable service delivery
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011-06) Thornhill, Christopher
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, provides for the establishment of three spheres of government, constituted as national, provincial and local. These spheres are distinctive, interdependent and interrelated. The three spheres have to exercise their powers and functions in such a manner that their policies and executive actions can be effectively co-ordinated to facilitate efficient service delivery. Although various intergovernmental forums have been established, some services appear to be fragmented and communities do not receive the services as promised in manifestos and defined in policy statements. The issue requiring attention is whether the composition of the three spheres and the allocation of functions as contained in schedules 4 and 5 of the Constitution, 1996, promote effective service delivery by especially the provincial and local spheres of government. The policy statements in legislation and white papers only represent the intentions of government regarding the services to be provided. However, considering the annual Division of Revenue Act and the reports of the Auditor-General, the raison d’être and the operational actions of the three spheres need to be reconsidered. The justification of the devolution of governmental powers and functions to regional and subregional units is not questioned. However, the implementation of the policy as contained in the Constitution needs to be revisited. In the article arguments will focus on the challenges facing the provincial and local spheres of government to delineate their individual competencies; obtain sufficient funds to finance the functions allocate to them; and whether the policies they are required to give effect to are clearly defined. The interpretation of schedules 4 and 5 of the Constitution, 1996, as well as related policy documents regarding e.g. housing, health and social welfare have to be reconsidered to eliminate possible uncertainties. Specific attention will also be paid to the challenges faced as a result of an apparent tendency to centralise decision making and nationally controlling policies and executive actions. These tendencies are exemplified by the proposed 17th Amendment to the Constitution, 1996, concerning section 156 executive powers of municipalities and the proposed Public Administration Management Bill (the socalled single public service bill). Both of which seems to have been put on hold, but still poses a latent threat. It is argued that the continuation of provincial sphere of government in its current form should be re-evaluated and that the local sphere’s powers and functions as entrenched in the Constitution should be honoured, but that the funding formula of municipalities must be revised.
Civil service in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011-06) Tshiyoyo, Mudikolele Michel
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a vast country endowed with huge natural and mineral resources. However, for decades, the country has been through coups d’état, civil wars, rebellions, political turmoil and instability, and it has also faced aggression from its neighbouring countries in recent years. All these events have impacted negatively on the state and have provoked the decay of public institutions, making the country one of the notorious ‘failed states’ of the world. With the introduction of independence in 1960 the DRC inherited a civil service that was successful as an instrument used in meeting the interests of the colonial power that ruled the country. In spite of the fact that the colonial structures were not wholly suitable for the needs of the newly independent citizens, it is clear that, if only these administrative structures could have been reformed and adapted in line with the country’s circumstances, they could have allowed the country to be on the path of development. Instead most of the Congolese leaders neglected the maintenance of the institutions of the state and never committed themselves to establishing a system able to ensure good governance of the country’s resources. However, 30 June 2010 marked the fiftieth anniversary of independence for the DRC. This occasion brought mixed emotions, as some Congolese citizens were celebrating, while others were shocked by the current situation facing the country. For the latter group this was an opportunity not only to look back and speculate on what went wrong in Congolese public affairs, but also to come up with a strategy to tackle the many challenges faced by the public service particularly. This article focuses on the state of the public service in the DRC after a half century of independence. It attempts to examine the extent to which various policies have influenced the current configuration of the public service and the way it operates. The article will therefore provide a historical background of public affairs and it will consider some of the major civil service reforms that took place in the country from 1960 to date. Finally, the article will outline some of the hindrances to the proper functioning of the public service in the country before it concludes with some recommendations.
Profiling the success in land reform : cases of South African women doing it for themselves
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011-06) Van Dijk, Hilligje Gerritdina; Moeng, J.K.
Women are given specific opportunities to benefit from the Government’s land reform policies. Specifically, women contribute to their own sustainable development when accessing and developing land. The article describes the different land reform programmes currently implemented from which women can benefit. The article also describes the research methodology used in the study to identify specific characteristics which enable women to contribute to their own sustainable development. The research is built on observations from five land reform cases in the Gauteng Province. Each of these cases is described in detail and highlights the products developed on and delivered by these farms. Specific observations regarding the commitment, education and availability of women are made, while emphasis is also placed on the cultural and physical environment as contributor to women’s sustainable development.
Post-NPM and governance redefined : instituting a whole-of-government ethos to restore growth in the South African public finance
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011-06) Fourie, D.J. (David Johannes); Schoeman, Linda
Rising debt deficits and debt service burdens combined with complex challenges in health care, social security, education, crime and infrastructure threaten economic and social breakdown as unemployment and poverty rises. Governments worldwide are forced to take a critical role in resolving the crises and more so than ever before, must discharge their functions effective and efficiently. The importance and power of government finance in responding to the crises and controlling the effects of recession worldwide now demand deeper and faster reforms, supported by managerial excellence. The article investigates how the expanded role of government in developing countries meets the demands in response to the economic crises. This article further explores how the impact of policy decisions taken on spending cuts in the developed countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and European Union influence existing tools and methods applied within the South African government. Public private partnerships are described as illusionary ways of raising money that are more expensive than direct government borrowing. The legitimacy of such statements is proven by the strength of lessons learnt and the examination of alternative ways to cope with the pressure to deliver more, faster and with fewer resources towards a comprehensive service that meet the needs of its customers. Embracing an integrated approach to whole-government transformation consequently pulls on varied improvement levers such as lean-operation techniques, information technology and performance management. It highlights the fact that government departments are people businesses that depend on the quality and capabilities of its employees. Restoring growth in public fi nance is thus attainable through effective and efficient performance management and calls for leadership skills that can entrench multi-level governance (MLG), thereby maneuvering a range of tasks well beyond the scope of traditional policy and public services. Conclusions are drawn from lessons learnt as this provides opportunities to refine, improve and change existing performance outcomes towards service excellence
Leadership and governance imperatives in a developmental state : the debate for a public policy dialogue
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2011-06) Kuye, Jerry O.
The importance of this debate sets out to explore and examine current arguments for and against the developmental state in Africa and globally. A fundamental case for the developmental state is the pursuit of an interventionist agenda and in some cases, orchestrated economic policies as against absolute neo-liberalist and even protectionist policies. However, in a highly globalised and utilitarian world, the gains of the developmental state examples of the Asian Tigers are considered as difficult to replicate in other developing regions like Africa by public governance scholars and global economic policy watchers. Thus, the development arena is pervaded with Western prescribed conditions for aid such as a free market economy and democracy. The developmental state is not a new idea in post colonial African governance set ups. The pro-poor stance of local economic development policies, government infrastructural expansion programmes, social welfare grant policies, as well as employment and business equity policies show a level of government intervention in the redistribution of wealth and social justice. Whether these policies have translated into measurable strides in terms of development indicators is yet to be seen. Nevertheless, this article will explore the character of the developmental state as extracted from some recent successes and try to isolate core issues that can be factored into an African policy agenda and development environment.

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