African Journal of Public Affairs Volume 1, Number 1 (2007)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/59590

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Front matter, African Journal of Public Affairs, Volume 1, Number 1
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2007) Kuye, Jerry O.
Multiplicity in public policy implementation
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2007) Brynard, P.A. (Petrus)
Failures in service delivery or policy outcomes are in some instances ascribed to single and linear causes. Similarly, the successes of policy outcomes are seemingly due to one success factor. This article attempts to indicate the multiple factors influencing implementation outcomes. The emphasis of multiplicity provides a clearer understanding of real policy implementation. Investigation into multiple policy actors and the relation with structures and outcomes provide a meaningful perspective on policy implementation.
Accelerating public service delivery through the management of intergovernmental relations in Nigeria and South Africa
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2007) Kuye, Jerry O.; Ile, I.U.
The practice of inter-governmental relations ( IGR) and its management has become an important element for facilitating service delivery in the public service. This paper departs from the premise that IGR presents an opportunity for improved service delivery that is yet to be fully harnessed. In order to fully actualise the facilitative potential that is inherent in IGR, it has become essential to identify critical elements that can assist public administration practitioners to harness the possible gains that can be made through effective IGR management. These critical elements are identified in this article and are linked to the generic activities of public administration which are described as involving decision-making, planning, advising, co-ordination, conciliation, arbitration, command and data gathering through which government carries out its responsibilities. The article commences with an overview of the case study contexts - the Nigerian public service and the South African public service. This contextualisation provides an opportunity to highlight and present cross-country findings (lie, 2006: 146-196) that may assist in improving IGR effectiveness in both federalist and unitary states.
A decade review of Higher Education in South Africa
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2007) Kuye, Jerry O.
The evaluation of higher education at the cluster of a decade of democracy should clearly note the starting point of governmental policy in all sectors of society. It is imperative to take note of the fact that the decade spanning 1994 to 2004 does not represent a stagnant stage in policy development in South Africa. The year 1994 signifies a radical departure from the past regarding all policies, financing systems, organisational structures, human resource utilisation and democratically based representivity and public accountability.
Globalising public ethics and interests : policy alternatives for developing countries
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2007) Ljeoma, E.O.C.
Since the end of World War II, trillions of dollars have been poured into development schemes by multinational development banks, bilateral aid agencies, and private enterprises. Revolutionary new technologies have transformed the at!agriculture industry and service sectors alike. Tariffs have been drastically reduced and vast transnational corporations have systematically replaced national corporations that catered for the domestic economy. Similarly, the nation states have largely replaced small companies that catered for the domestic economy and governments seem to have been ignored. If conventional wisdom held true, then the world should have been transformed into a veritable paradise. Poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, homelessness, disease and environmental disruption should be but vat!ue memories of an underdeveloped past. But, to the contrary, these problems have become more serious and more widespread. The service delivery and social welfare ideals of the traditional nation states seem to be far from being realised. This article explores reasons why the signing of the Uruguay Round of General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATI) by Governments has further stalled the envisaged accelerated global economic growth and development through the gobalisation process, by removing all constraints on trade, regardless of social, ecological and moral implications. Instead of accepting the incontrovertible empirical evidence that economic globalisation will only increase many of the problems that face the world today, governments under pressure from transnational corporations insist on pursuing it further. To solve these problems, society will have to follow almost the very opposite path. Instead of seeking to create a single global economy controlled by vast and ever less controllable transnational corporations, it should seek to create a diversity of loosely linked, community-based economies managed by much smaller companies and catering above all (though not exclusively) for local or regional markets. It is not economic globalisation that society should aim for but the reverse, economic localisation to counter-balance today's substantially unfettered globalisation.
Agriculture, land reform and development in South Africa : public policy for social upliftment
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2007) Moeti, Kabelo Boikutso
The dislocation (within national borders) of indigenous Africans from their land, represents one of the most tragic and explosive remnants of colonialism to befall the African continent. In recent times, the Governments of Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa (among others) have been under immense pressure from their majority black population groups to address the 'land question' in an attempt to reverse the negative outcomes of colonial exploitation. European colonial rulers contributed greatly to poverty among Africa's majority populations, as they sought to enrich themselves and their settler populations at the expense of blacks. The legacy of poverty still persists to this day, as does the legacy of dis-enfranchisement of blacks from access to and use of land. Some have argued that land reform should take place as a matter of 'righting' past wrongs' and also to alleviate poverty and contribute to development. The contrary argument is that returning land to indigenous Africans would be disastrous, as they do not have the necessary acumen and skills to make productive use of the land. Land reform in the South African context is the focus of this paper. More specifically, the article assesses the appropriateness of Government's land reform policy.
Performance management : a local government perspective in South Africa
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2007) Pillay, P.
Performance management is increasingly gaining momentum in the public sector. It is a strategic approach to the management of public resources and involves the quest for efficiency, effectiveness and economy. This approach has become a statutory performance measure to deliver quality services in a dynamic and diverse public sector environment. The aim of the article is to provide a conceptual framework of performance management from a holistic perspective. In addition, this article seeks to conceptualise, contextualise and operationalise performance management within a local government perspective. Furthermore, several barriers to performance management are identified and some remedial action is highlighted.
Globalisation : administrative effects for Africa
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2007) Thornhill, Christopher
Globalisation is an accepted phenomenon in most if not all, states in the contemporary world. States are influenced by their membership of international bodies, e.q. the United Nations, the International Labour Organisation and the World Health Organization. They are also required to comply with the standards set by various supranational structures, e.g. the African Union and the Southern African Development Community. However, little attention is paid to the administrative effects of these requirements on individual governmental structures. This article introduces the issue by considering the capacity of a state, such as the Republic of South Africa, to formulate and implement policies, develop the required organisational structures, acquire and assign sufficient human resources and budget adequate funds to give effect to its international commitments.
Measuring deliverables and employee ownership through organisational performance management
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2007) Van Dijk, Hilligje Gerritdina
In the article the case is made for the effective and efficient implementation of a performance management system to ensure the appropriate measuring of deliverables. A number of issues that hamper determining and measuring deliverables are identified. Providing measurable deliverables are dependent upon the definition of both quantity and quality of services provided. However, an over-emphasis on input deters appropriate determination of output and outcome. Emphasis also has to be placed on establishing an effective link between individual and organisational performance management and indicators. If the link is absent, so will employee ownership be. Without employee ownership and self-efficacy, organisations are unable to sustain their development initiatives. The article makes the case for appropriate identification, monitoring and evaluation of both individual and orqanisational performance indicators.
Reflections on community participation in the context of good governance
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2007) Van Rooyen, Enslin
South Africa is nearing its 14th year of democracy during which significant advances have been made on route to realising its development objectives. However, since sustainable development implies a continuous process in which fairly limited governance models exist, certain problems often occur. In this article the issue of community participation in the context of good governance finds scrutiny. The researcher reflects upon certain issues and aspects associated with community participation and poses certain suggestions, drawn from practical public administration experience. Specifically, the concepts of community participation, stakeholder involvement, negotiation, capacity and consultation are considered against the picture of an ideal democratic system of governance. It is hoped that the thoughts contained in the article would serve to stimulate a debate, which may lead to a critical re-thinking of the way ahead for South Africa and other young African democracies.

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