Context
Good governance and an efficient and transparent public administration are prerequisites for sustainable development and poverty reduction. The lack of basic services throughout the country has repeatedly led to unrest in South Africa. In the National Development Plan 2030, the South African Government has analysed the challenges facing the country. This document points to an effective state capable of providing citizen-centred public services as the most important instrument for reducing both poverty and social inequality.
Objective
Working together with the private sector and civil society, public institutions have improved their service delivery.
Approach
The programme provides technical, policy and process advice to support the South African Government in redressing the systemic weaknesses in public service provision. Such weaknesses relate to the social infrastructure and basic social services, as well as administrative services. Functioning structures and processes are being developed, together with the relevant technical and management skills, and improvements are being made to the cooperation between, and coordination of partner organisations at national, provincial and local levels.
The programme is working with governmental, non-governmental and private actors at all levels, most notably in the provinces of Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape. It also fosters partnerships with the private sector in South Africa, since this is becoming increasingly important, especially in areas such as fighting corruption, local economic development, taxation, public service training and the provision of public services. Meetings of national and international experts, study visits and knowledge management complete the package of measures designed to develop skills, resources and capacity.
Results achieved so far
A national model for measuring the efficiency of the public administration and a government-wide monitoring system have been developed and are now being implemented. Efforts have begun to develop an urban policy, which, in turn, has led to the publication of a discussion paper. Anti-corruption toolkits and legislation on administrative procedures have been developed on a model basis and are now being expanded so as to broaden their impact. In addition, an instrument has been devised for the universal application of the law which ensures administrative processes adhere to the rule of law; this instrument has been introduced in all provinces.
Solid and transparent financial management is strengthening the level of trust and confidence that citizens have in government actions. Thanks to strategic partnerships with the private sector and civil society, untapped resources have been mobilised. These are having a positive impact on both local governance and the municipal system as a basis for the structure of the South African state.