scholarly journals Community development workers programme: mentoring for social transformation in the public service in post-apartheid South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Geber ◽  
Bona Motlhake
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Development Workers

scholarly journals Fostering public accountability in South Africa: A reflection on challenges and successes

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pandelani H. Munzhedzi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Public Accountability ◽  
The Public ◽  
Current State ◽  
Public Service Provision ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Government

Accountability and oversight are constitutional requirements in all the spheres of government in the Republic of South Africa and their foundation is in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996. All spheres of government are charged with the constitutional mandate of providing public services. The level of responsibility and public services provision also goes with the level of capacity of a particular sphere. However, most of the direct and visible services that the public receives are at the local sphere of government. As such, enormous resources are channelled towards this sphere of government so that the said public services could be provided. It is imperative that the three spheres of government account for the huge expenditures during the public service provision processes. The parliaments of national and provincial governments exercise oversight and accountability over their executives and administrations through the Public Accounts Committees, while the local sphere of government relies on the Municipal Public Accounts Committees. This article is theoretical in nature, and it seeks to explore the current state of public accountability in South Africa and to evaluate possible measures so as to enhance public accountability. The article argues that the current public accountability mechanisms are not efficient and effective. It is recommended that these mechanisms ought to be enhanced by inter alia capacitating the legislative bodies at national, provincial and local spheres of the government.

Public Service Transformation and Affirmative Action Perspectives in South Africa

1996 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.S. Reddy ◽  
R.B.G. Choudree
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Affirmative Action ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Bill Of Rights ◽  
Employment Equity ◽  
Effective Mechanism ◽  
The Public ◽  
General Acceptance

Affirmative action is on the agenda in South Africa. It is generally accepted that the new constitution will include a bill of rights which will contain a clause ensuring equality of all persons. It is this clause which will outlaw discrimination and which will sanction affirmative action. However, it is probably that the bill of rights will have to be supplemented by legislation on discrimination, affirmative action and employment equity, which will determine, for example whether and how the Public Service (and the private sector) are compelled or permitted to implement affirmative action. While approaches and strategies to affirmative action vary considerably, there is general acceptance that it may be an effective mechanism of ensuring social justice in the public service. It can play a pivotal role in equalizing and democratizing public instirutions in South Africa.

scholarly journals The illusion of ethics for good local governance in South Africa

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Ababio ◽  
Shikha Vyas-Doorgapersad
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Ethical Framework ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
The Public

Ethics, the legislation and upholding of good conduct by public officials is a sine qua non for sustenance of good governance and service delivery. The White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service 1994 identified the need for a code of conduct in South Africa as an essential element to enhance high standards of ethics and professionalism. In 1996, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa prescribed the values and principles of Public Administration. Subsequently, the Public Service Commission developed a Code of Conduct in 1997. The legitimacy of local government is based on the same principles of ethics and professionalism as that of the national government. It is imperative to implement an ethical framework for social and economic development at the grass-root level. This article examines the theoretical terrain of ethics in public management and posits that, whereas there exist some state-of-the-art legis lation that regulate the conduct of public functionaries at the local government sphere, outcomes of ethics in practice are rather unethical and illusive. There is therefore an advocacy for the need to intensify implementation of ethical guidelines for councillors and municipal employees. The fiduciary, management, operational and accountabil ity framework is further upheld through the implementation of a code of conduct for local officials. Theoretically, the framework should be scientifically accountable and practically feasible in implementation.The article recommends the need to strategise measurable implementation plans, conduct the on-going fraud risk assessments and sensitise the community through education and training regarding good governance and the code of ethics. The approach used is descriptive, though analytical.

scholarly journals From “life support” to collaborative partnership: A local/global view of academic libraries in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reggie Raju
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
The Public ◽  
South Africans ◽  
Global View ◽  
Basic Services ◽  
K 12

South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy has been labeled a success. The growth in democratic institutions, transformation of the public service, extended basic services, and stabilization of the economy have been used to measure this success. Despite these successes, it is acknowledged that far too many South Africans are trapped in poverty, and South Africa still remains a highly unequal society. A major contributor to poverty and an unequal society is the poor quality of K–12 education for the majority and the continuation of that into higher education.

scholarly journals African Initiated Churches’ potential as development actors

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Öhlmann ◽  
Marie-Luise Frost ◽  
Wilhelm Gräb
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Community Development ◽  
International Development ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Development Interventions ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Do So

African Initiated Churches (AICs) are not yet recognised as relevant actors of community development interventions. While it has been acknowledged that many of them provide coping mechanisms in adverse environments, support in social transformation and social capital, little information is available on their role as development actors. In this article, we evaluate the potential of AICs as partners of international development agencies for community development. We draw on interviews and focus group discussions with leaders of various AICs conducted in South Africa in February and March 2016. In particular, we examine the churches’ understanding of development, their view on the separation of spiritual and development activities and their priorities. Moreover, we outline the development activities which they are currently engaged in and analyse the structures they have in place to do so. Our findings indicate that AICs are increasingly active in community development and offer various entry points for possible cooperation.

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