Governance and Public Administration

Situation at the outset

Making available and implementing public services to the citizens still lags behind the ambitious goals of the government and the expectations of the population. The reasons are manifold;

Making available and implementing public services to the citizens still lags behind the ambitious goals of the government and the expectations of the population. The reasons are manifold; the quality of public administration of South Africa is one of them: the public service, after the end of apartheid in 1994, is still in the middle of a far-reaching transformation process. The administrative system needs to be adapted to the new structure of the state territory consisting of 9 provinces and 282 municipalities (e.g. dissolution of previous black homelands, see map). Public Servants of all spheres of government must “practise” how to deal with new responsibilities and demands as well as a democracy based on participation of its citizens. Lack of capacity, inefficiency and corruption complicate the governing and administration of South Africa.

Lack of perspectives: In addition, the consequences of the apartheid regime are still clearly noticeable: disrupted family structures, poor living conditions in the townships and a lack of perspective (approx. 40% of the young people in the townships are unemployed) are critical factors contributing to high crime rates.

Strengthening and promoting “good governance” is thus an essential prerequisite for sustainable development, combating poverty and social inequity in South Africa.

Development Cooperation

The central points of development cooperation focusing on good governance and administration are:

• Reform of public administration, combating corruption and support to the judicial system
• Decentralisation and local governance
• Prevention of violence and crime