Service delivery in the South African public service : an overview from 1994 to 2003

Abstract

This paper examines the issues and debates of service delivery in South Africa since 1994. The dialogue generated in this paper attracts so much intellectual and political interests and these must also be viewed from the practical realities, which impact on the delivery of goods and services in South Africa. At the same time, the present debate in the South African public service on the methods of improving service delivery, takes place in the context of a changing public service. Both politicians and stakeholder analysts argue that service delivery is not being addressed at the pace that is needed in South Africa to redress service backlogs. This paper examines service delivery initiatives and the outcomes of the South African public service from 1994 to 2003 in order to determine whether the public service has achieved the service delivery objectives set out by government.