Reforming the public service in South Africa: a policy framework
By: Ncholo, Paseka.
Material type:
ArticlePublisher: 2000Description: p.87-102.Subject(s): Civil service - South Africa | Administrative reform
In:
Public Administration and DevelopmentSummary: This paper examines the measures taken to reform a state bureaucracy that was orientated to the needs of the white minority and which was the backbone of the apartheid system. This was a state, which in addition to its inherently racist nature, was structured according to closed models of public and development management. It was thus characterised by outdated management practices, corruption and mismanagement of resources. This article highlights the steps taken to create a more representative and legitimate public service and one that is reflective of the demographic composition of the majority. The second challenge has been to reform outdated management systems and practices and to ensure improved service delivery and accountability. The achievements of integrating the ethnically fragmented public service and in promoting a more representative bureaucracy and the promotion of a more transparent form of administration are highlighted in the Paper. However, this process has not always run smoothly. The author was a chairperson of a departmental investigation into the operations of provincial governments which uncovered extensive evidence of administrative malpractice, poor delegation and co-ordination as well as delegation of the employment of large numbers of supernumeracies and `ghost workers'. - Reproduced
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Articles
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Indian Institute of Public Administration | Volume no: 20, Issue no: 2 | Available | AR45777 |
This paper examines the measures taken to reform a state bureaucracy that was orientated to the needs of the white minority and which was the backbone of the apartheid system. This was a state, which in addition to its inherently racist nature, was structured according to closed models of public and development management. It was thus characterised by outdated management practices, corruption and mismanagement of resources. This article highlights the steps taken to create a more representative and legitimate public service and one that is reflective of the demographic composition of the majority. The second challenge has been to reform outdated management systems and practices and to ensure improved service delivery and accountability. The achievements of integrating the ethnically fragmented public service and in promoting a more representative bureaucracy and the promotion of a more transparent form of administration are highlighted in the Paper. However, this process has not always run smoothly. The author was a chairperson of a departmental investigation into the operations of provincial governments which uncovered extensive evidence of administrative malpractice, poor delegation and co-ordination as well as delegation of the employment of large numbers of supernumeracies and `ghost workers'. - Reproduced
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