Role of managers towards a transformed public service

Abstract

A guiding principle for the South African public service is that of service to people. In terms of Section 11.1 of the White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service meeting basic needs through service delivery should be addressed by providing the necessary infrastructural support to open up previously suppressed economic and human potential in both urban and rural areas. This in turn will lead to community empowerment and increased outputs in all the sectors of the economy. The Batho Pele White Paper requires that all users of public services be consulted regarding their needs, priorities and standard of services required. This means that public managers will have to transform their management functions to accommodate the requirements of the Batho Pele White Paper. The members of the public should be accepted as customers, meaning that a position in the public service implies that the occupant is a public servant, rather than merely a public official. This paper will provide an overview of the methods to increase employee commitment and productivity through the identification of the barriers towards effective information flow. This paper will conclude with a management model depicting the methods and processes involved in ensuring a transformed work ethic.