Beyond The Cabinet Reshuffle – What Will It Take To Renew South Africa’s Public Sector?

BRIAN LEVY|

SOUTH Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has linked his cabinet reshuffle to a larger purpose. As he put it: “We are unwavering in our determination to build a capable state, one which is ably led and which effectively serves the needs of the people.”

Realising this vision will take a transformation in the way in which South Africans conceive of how to achieve public purposes – one that prioritises people and problem-solving over a preoccupation with plans and systems.

South Africans of many ideological hues have in their minds an image of the public sector as a well-oiled, top-down machine – always effective in delivering on clear goals set by planners and political leaders. “Get the plans right.” “Co-ordinate effectively.” “Fix the systems.”

These become the mantras of reform. But continuing pursuit of these dicta will not get the country where it needs to go.

For one thing, the