African Journal of Public Affairs Volume 6, Number 1 (2013)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/59614

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Front matter, African Journal of Public Affairs, Volume 6, Number 1
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2013)
The right to lawful administrative action : a public administration perspective
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2013) Brynard, D.J.
Defining lawfulness in all its dimensions and knowing its true meaning in the context of public administration is no easy task. The research on which this article is based, explains the practical functioning of the requirements for lawful administrative action and decision-making. The aim of improving an understanding of the requirements for lawful administrative action and decision-making is to produce a set of guidelines to be used by public officials. The frequent judicial intervention into public administration by means of judicial review of administrative action has produced inputs, which gradually facilitates an incremental understanding of the requirements for lawfulness. The said inputs will probably have a positive guiding effect on the execution of administrative action and decision-making. The requirements for lawful administrative action have the potential not only to enhance accountability in public administration but also to enrich the administrative justice system.
Policy and institutional mechanisms to address climate change and human development issues in Uganda
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2013) Kakumba, Umar
Uganda has established numerous policy and institutional frameworks to counteract the negative impact of Climate Change (CC), since the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in 1992. There have been concerns, however, that the implementation progress is debilitated by a surge of deficiencies ranging from policy to institutional mechanisms. Several institutional actors, for example, were said to remain anonymous, disparate and uncoordinated, causing parallel initiatives that could stifle the effort to address CC. This article, presents results of a fieldwork and desk research study conducted to analyse the major policy and institutional mechanisms, as well as, the actors involved in CC efforts in Uganda. The article reviews major CC-related policies, actors and institutional arrangements, to establish how far they represent suitable mechanisms of dealing with the problem; and in essence fostering human development (HD). The discussion highlights on who is doing what, with whom and with what progress – across the spectrum of government, development partners, NGOs, private sector and research institutions. The study established a great effort by different stakeholders, but their initiatives remain largely disparate and weak. This is due to poor coordination and communication, exacerbated by weak organisational structures, poor inter-agency relations, limited human skills and technical capacity, and failure to enlist the private sector and local governments to support responses to CC-HD. The need to establish a national CC policy (currently lacking), create more formal and authoritative institutions, promote institutional and human resource capacity, and strengthen monitoring are advocated.
Advancing democracy via responsive tertiary public administration offerings
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2013) Lues, L.
Some foremost authors have suggested that democracy is not what we have but what we do, and that democracy and sustainability are two intangible drivers of economic growth and prosperity. Although the literature points to the importance of citizen participation in the governance of a democracy, it is evident that participation does not always prove to be effective and that members of society are not always aware of what is expected of them in order to sustain and strengthen a democracy. This article reports on a survey targeting students enrolled for modules in Public Administration at a South African university, to establish what the current generation (Generation Y) is doing to contribute to and strengthen the South African democracy. The findings show that the issues of participation, education, job creation and equality were considered important by the respondents.
The New Growth Path (NGP) for South Africa : can the policy be applied in the local government sphere
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2013) Meyer, Daniel Francois
In October 2010, with the introduction of the New Growth Path (NGP), the new national economic policy for South Africa by the Minister of Economic Development, Minister Ebrahim Patel, the government was severely criticised on all fronts. It was claimed that the NGP policy is not investment friendly; contains no new concepts or innovative ideas; and is too vague. According to economic analysts, the policy is similar to the Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) and the Accelerated and Shared Growth South Africa (ASGISA) economic policies, neither of which made a significant impact on economic development in South Africa. Since the release of the NGP policy, a debate has raged on what exactly the policy aims were to accomplish and how it can be implemented, specifi cally in the local sphere. This article analyses the content of the NGP to determine the feasibility and potential of its implementation in the sphere of local government. National government has provided the broad framework within which local government must implement the NGP policy and has undertaken to make the necessary resources available. The article will also investigate comparative case studies on national growth plans in the BRICS group of countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and provide guidelines on how implementation can be achieved in South Africa. Furthermore, a better understanding of the NGP is provided which will assist municipalities in the successful implementation of the NGP by the creation of a positive investment environment.
Contracting/outsourcing in the public sector : main factors determining their outcomes
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2013) Nemec, J.; Merickova, B.M.
The purpose of this article is to explore the effectiveness of contracting/outsourcing as an alternative way of improving the quality of public service delivery in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The findings from the research have been used to establish the trends of contracting/outsourcing when applied in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and even in other countries. Contracting/outsourcing has been considered to be the solution for poor public service delivery. In cases where governments have been struggling to achieve their mandate of efficient, cost-effective and timeous provision of public goods and services, contracting/outsourcing has been viewed as the most viable alternative. The private sector has been called upon to fill the gap regardless of the fact that they are profit oriented. Thus this article examines the effectiveness of contracting/outsourcing. The findings of the research reveal that contracting/outsourcing remains problematic unless the issue of accountability is reinforced so that it becomes not only real but also binding. Intervention strategies should focus on both processes and results if contracting/outsourcing is to play a positive role in public service delivery.
Formulating sustainable policies to accelerate service delivery
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2013) Nzimakwe, T.I.
Government policy is the springboard from which all government activity takes place. Policy does not take place in a vacuum, but is usually the result of a need, or perceived need, that originates in society as a whole. When the needs are articulated by society, interest groups and individuals, government is obliged to respond positively where practically possible. When a need has been identified it is incumbent on government to formulate policies to address such a need, and such policies must be sustainable. A sustainable policy will work towards the creation of a healthy environment, equitable society and a sustainable economy. A policy should be regarded as a framework or guideline for achieving specific outputs and outcomes. It should impact positively on the environment and improve or maintain the quality of life of citizens, now and in the future, thereby strengthening the economy in the long-term. The formulation of a policy requires the exploration of issues that need to be dealt with from different perspectives or dimensions. The article argues that within a developmental state such as South Africa, there is an urgent need for government to formulate sustainable policies that will ultimately accelerate service delivery in the local government sphere. Further, the article contends that formulating sustainable policies requires an integrated approach from all spheres of government and various stakeholders, including political functionaries, leading public officials, and interest/pressure groups. These institutions and people cannot play a central role in policy formulation if adequate information relevant to policy is not available.
Towards best practice financial performance management : a plaform design for stewardship in Public Administration
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2013-03) Fourie, D.J. (David Johannes); Jordaan, Johan
Since the start of human civilisation, the field of public administration has changed to a landscape of modern public administration unrecognisable to second-generation theorists and their normative theories. Rising aspirations of people are placing more demands on effective mobilisation of financial resources. the emphasis of the citizenry is on value for money measured in terms of economy, efficiency and effectiveness, thus making public financial performance management increasingly vital. The success of the public service of the future will be its ability to balance continuity and change; and the need to devote significant intellectual energy to the subject of stewardship as a concept for the enhancement of organisational performance becomes evident. Stewardship in the context of public administration underlines the relationship between the public administration environment, the generic functions of public administration and management and the application of good governance principles in order to provide the opportunity for enhanced public financial performance. High-performing organisations have moved beyond bureaucracy to a commitment-based (platform) approach and are able to mobilise themselves within a complex and rapidly changing environment. “Performance management is seen as an integrated framework of systems and processes for the alignment of strategic intentions, decisions and activities across and within public service organisations.” The stewardship theory recognises the importance of structures that empower the steward and offer maximum autonomy built on trust. It stresses the position of public managers to act more autonomously so that the shareholders’ returns are maximised. The act of stewardship relies on a performance platform that is provided by the functions of public administration based on good governance for the economic, efficient and effective delivery of goods and services, meeting the needs of society.
Public-private and institutional partnerships as a driver for strengthening the Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA)
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2013-03) Peet, Michael Andrew; Kuye, Jerry O.
Nations that trade internationally expect proven compliance of imported agricultural products and manufactured goods, against increasingly sophisticated technical requirements. These requirements can easily become perceived or real Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT’s) by their trading partners. After a suitably detailed introduction to the topic, the role of and approaches to conformity assessment in addressing TBT’s is investigated. Using examples taken from the Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA), gaps in the provision of conformity assessment services, as well as the possible future roles of both the private and public sector are then explored. The article concludes by noting the important role of an appropriate and sustainable conformity assessment infrastructure as part of the industrial policy framework needed to deliver the intended benefi ts of ASGISA not only for South Africa but also for the SADC region.
The application of earned value management to manage project costs within the South African municipal infrastructure sector
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2013-03) Pillay, D.; Steyn, Herman; Sommerville, Jaqui E.M.
If not managed properly, the cost of South African municipal infrastructure projects could represent a major financial burden on the country’s fiscus. Cost management on these projects is, therefore, a significant parameter that needs to be managed appropriately. Earned Value Management (EVM) is a control tool that integrates a project budget and schedule in a single monitoring and control mechanism that has the potential to improve overall project performance in this sector. However, it is necessary to first investigate factors that would lead to increased acceptance of EVM within the sector. To solicit the perceptions regarding project cost management within the sector, a survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to project managers working in the municipal infrastructure sector in South Africa. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data received. Indications are that project managers working in the municipal infrastructure sector recognise the importance of managing project costs. However, attention should be paid to a formal cost control system that interfaces with the current reporting practices; is integrated into and accepted by the whole project team; and is supported by national norms and sector (e.g. water or energy) norms.

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