Page 5 - DPSA_SDR Vol 12 No.2 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

Laying the pipeline for a

developmental state

Chapter 13 of the National Development Early this year we, had an opportunity therefore about tilting the scales so that
Plan (NDP) is clear about the kind of to visit a number of service delivery more South Africans have a positive
developmental state that is required in sites across the country as part of experience each time they encounter the
order to address the triple challenges the community outreach programme Public Service.
of unemployment, poverty and of the Ministry for Public Service and
inequality. The NDP also recognises Administration (MPSA). The visits The Constitution and its attendant
that a developmental state can only be confirmed that the many services that legislation lay down the letter of the law,
realised through a purposeful, brick-by- public servants provide daily are often which defines the kind of public servants
brick building process over time. the only lifeline to the majority of South who are worthy of a developmental state.
Africans who cannot privately access However, there is also the spirit of the
A considerable part of this work has essential services, such as health and law, or the norms and values that define
been in the form of legislative, policy education. the attributes of an ideal public servants,
and regulatory frameworks over the such as high professional ethics,
past two-and-a-half decades of our As we crisscrossed the length and accountability and responsiveness.
freedom. However, pivotal to building breadth of the country, we also witnessed
a developmental state is the invaluable the high levels of professionalism and In the end, any talk of a developmental
experience and lessons gained from commitment that many public servants state without a focus on strategic people
those at the forefront of service delivery. displayed in discharging their duties, at issues would be incomplete. We need
After all, it is ultimately the behaviour times going the extra mile under trying to focus on getting the right people and
and conduct of public servants that will circumstances. Needless to say, we also maximising their potential when they are
cultivate the kind of developmental state witnessed sloppy service and listened on board. This means that all human
that the NDP envisions. to complaints about uncaring and resource (HR) practices (from recruitment
corruption-prone public servants. to performance management) ought
The question is: do we have the kind of to form a skills pipeline that supports
public servants who are fit enough for This two-sided view is, unfortunately, a a caring and capable developmental
the purposes of a developmental state? true reflection of public servants and a state. n
If not, is the public service capable of feature of governments, not only here
creating a pipeline for the kind of public in South Africa, but also the world over.
servant who would make a meaningful In reality there are many good and
contribution to creating a capable bad public servants, with just as many
developmental state? falling between the two shades. A caring
and capable developmental state is

Volume 12 No.2 of 2019 | SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW 3