SA Leaders Urge Reforms to Bridge Politics and Administration Effectively

In a pivotal roundtable discussion hosted by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi delivered an impassioned call for a more transparent, ethical, and efficient relationship between South Africa’s political leadership and public administration. The gathering, held as part of the Presidency’s broader campaign to implement the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, spotlighted the urgent need to rebuild trust, efficiency, and effectiveness across all levels of government.

The roundtable brought together a diverse array of stakeholders—Ministers, senior officials, Commissioners, and policy experts—to address long-standing issues that have hindered governance and weakened state capacity in the post-apartheid era.

The Interface Between Politics and Administration: A Crucial Pillar

Minister Buthelezi, in his keynote address, emphasised that the interface between political heads and accounting officers—including Ministers and Directors-General—is one of the most critical pillars of a capable state. He advocated for clearly defined roles, mutual respect, and alignment in purpose between political directives and administrative execution.

“This interface forms a crucial pillar of their capacity, as it invites us to look deeply at the architecture of our governance,” said Buthelezi. “Instability in these relationships, political interference in administrative decisions, and weak accountability mechanisms are among the core challenges we must urgently address.”

These governance weaknesses, the Minister warned, erode public trust and undermine effective service delivery, which is vital to fulfilling the country’s developmental goals.

National Development Plan and the Vision for 2030

The NDP 2030 calls for the creation of a capable, developmental, and people-centred state to confront South Africa’s socio-economic challenges. The roundtable aligned closely with this vision, underscoring the importance of leadership that is ethical, focused, and accountable.

Buthelezi proposed key reforms, including:

• Stronger tenure protection for Directors-General to ensure institutional memory and continuity.

• Transparent and performance-based contracts for senior officials.

• Cross-departmental coordination mechanisms to prevent siloed planning and execution.

• A deliberate agenda for professionalising the public service, including clearer appointment criteria and capacity-building frameworks.

He insisted that governance is not merely a technical discipline, but a moral and democratic imperative.

Public Service Commission’s Insights: Lessons from Global Best Practice

Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Commissioner of the Public Service Commission (PSC), provided a sobering analysis of the systemic issues plaguing South Africa’s public administration. Drawing comparisons with high-performing developmental states such as Singapore and South Korea, Fikeni highlighted the importance of professional civil services that operate in harmony with political leadership.

“The public sector is the single largest employer and service provider in South Africa. It holds the key to unlocking national prosperity or deepening systemic crisis,” Fikeni stated.

Fikeni warned of recurring challenges, including:

• High turnover of leadership in senior government roles.

• Persistent political interference in merit-based appointments.

• Unclear institutional mandates and fragmentation of responsibilities.

• A disconnect between party politics and the national interest.

He urged stakeholders to transition from dialogue to implementation, reminding attendees that sectors such as business, security, and education all depend on the ethical capability of the state.

Reimagining Public Service for a Democratic Society

The roundtable concluded with a consensus on the urgency of governance reform. Participants acknowledged that factional politics, inefficiencies, and poor coordination have hampered government performance and called for:

• Evidence-based policymaking

• Citizen-focused service delivery models

• De-politicised administrative structures

• Institutional resilience against external interference

The dialogue highlighted that the South African public service must evolve from being reactive and compliance-driven to being visionary, agile, and accountable.

Buthelezi closed with a rallying message:

“Let us lead with clarity and empower the institutions entrusted to us. Governance must deliver results—not just for the state, but for every South African whose dignity depends on a government that works.”

A Turning Point for Democratic Governance

As South Africa grapples with economic recovery, public unrest, and persistent inequality, this roundtable stands out as a critical moment of introspection and course correction. The initiative demonstrates a renewed political will to confront structural inefficiencies, reclaim ethical leadership, and rebuild a capable state that can deliver on its constitutional mandate.

Moving forward, success will depend not just on visionary ideas, but on concrete implementation, sustained accountability, and a collective commitment to nation-building beyond party lines.