Page 17 - Service Delivery Review

National Development Plan and State Capacity Conference

A product of diversity tives. The effectiveness of the state highly relies on
The NDP is rooted in various sections of society, performance and performance management in the
working together to advance the NDP of a just and Public Service that should be preceded by effective
equitable South Africa. The realisation of this ambi- recruitment strategies and development plans to ca-
tious plan heavily relies on the capacity of the state pacitate public servants. Thus the Professionalisa-
that was interrogated today in this conference. Much tion of Public Service Framework lately adopted by
has been said and done about what is debilitating Cabinet and the Retention of Head of Departments
regarding service delivery. Therefore, it is of utmost (HODs) Framework both advocate for an increase of
importance that the great minds of thinkers in our the term of office of HODs and DGs to ten years that
country come together to help step up government is performance-linked.
business.
In essence, a capacitated state and capable gov-
The NDP is a product of diversity, which is reflect- ernment are critical foundations of a developmental
ed in its multi-disciplinary nature and the character and interventionist state. The work of the NDP and
of the NDP. While government plays a significant role
State Capacity Conference should, therefore, go to
in mobilising and channelling developmental resourc-
the foundation of NDP, which requires constant stim-
es, collaborative efforts by various stakeholders to
ulation. The following are identified as the strategic
advance the developmental agenda of society are
pillars towards the realisation of the above overarch-
required. For this reason, the NDP is not the sole ing state capacity vision:
preserve of the government, but a cross-sectoral re-
sponsibility.
• Building a professional public service with
clear norms and standards.
Therefore, the multispectral character of the NDP
phenomenon must be multiplied across government • Building a social compact with the people of
at national, provincial and local levels. South Africa.
• Building an effective and efficient state ca-
pable of responding timeously to the needs
Chapter 13 of the NDP, identifies critical interventions
to build professional Public Service and a state ca- of society.
pable of playing a transformative and developmental • Proper management of the political-admin-
role in addressing vision 2030 towards eradicating istrative interface for ease of government
poverty and inequality. The NDP requires collabora- business.
tion between various sections of society and strong • Use of technology to fast-track government
leadership by government. business.
• Working towards one public service.
An overarching vision of state capacity • Consolidation of governance of State-
With our history of deep social and economic divi- Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
sions, there can never be any social and economic
transformation without an effective state with skilled We must continually reflect upon these commitments
public servants committed to the public good and through the kind of intellectual leadership and out-
capable of delivering consistent high-quality services comes that the NDP and State Capacity Conference
while prioritising the nation’s developmental objec- aptly demonstrate.

SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW | Volume 15. No. 3 of 2023 17