The implementation of the basic values and principles governing public administration and service delivery in South Africa

Abstract

The basic values and principles of public administration guide the service delivery in the South African context. Despite the government's commitment to improve basic service delivery to the citizens in this era, the South African municipalities are still faced with serious challenges of service delivery and governance. This study discusses the basic values and principles governing public administration in the context of municipal service delivery. Thus, the purpose of this study is to unpack the implementation of the values and principles of public administration on service delivery as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. Accountability, transparency, public participation, professional ethics, and access to information are some of the basic values and principles provided by section 195(1) of the Constitution. In this pandemic of COVID‐19, municipal officials in local government are expected to conduct their business in line with the values and principles as enshrined in the Constitution. Theoretically, this study relied on the theory of implementation sometimes referred to “Policy Implementation” by Pressman and Wildavsky (1973). Pressman and Wildavsky defined “implementation” as “to carry‐out, accomplish, fulfil, produce, complete.” Thus, this theory is relevant to this study as it discusses the implementation of the basic values and principles governing public administration. The study proposes how municipal officials should execute their duties within the Thuma Mina program which requires them to be at the forefront of service delivery. Furthermore, municipal officials should provide services within the parameters of basic values and principles of public administration.

Can the Policy Environment Improve Policy Implementation Practice?

“…Moreover, social capital can enhance the quality of governance in three ways: by widening the scope of accountability, by facilitating agreements, and by enhancing the capacity for innovation in the decision-making process (Zhang et al, 2019; Ko and Kim, 2021). Mamokhere et al (2021), explain that the quality of government is ultimately determined by a several factors, including: 1) the performance of government refl ects the contours of the value system that takes place in its niche, therefore the intelligence of government actors, including bureaucrats and other offi cials, in adopting these values in the form of a commitment and then incorporating them into the government process is an important investment so that government is not alienated from the public; 2) how the centralization of the civic value system in government can aff ect the overall eff ectiveness of government.…”

The contemporary challenges municipalities face in effectively implementing municipal service partnerships

“…-Accountability for services Accountability is a crucial component of MSPs according to the South African Local Government Association [25]. According to [26], Public accountability is a tool for participatory local democracy. The government has introduced legislation to ensure that all the key local role players and stakeholders discharge their respective obligations and responsibilities to facilitate the delivery of quality municipal services.…”

Pragmatic implementation and promotion of good governance principles in realizing Sustainable Development Goal Six (6) in South Africa

“…During the pandemic, gains made in poverty reduction and inequality were lost, and the divide between the rich and the poor increased. It is widely acknowledged that the pandemic has, since its outbreak in December 2019, resulted in increased poverty and food insecurity, reduced access to clean water and healthcare, the unequal distribution of vaccines, job losses, and interrupted education (Mamokhere, Musitha & Netshidzivhani, 2021).…”