Public service reform philosophies : a re-think of Nigeria’s “Servicom” and South Africa’s “Batho Pele” principles in an era of global restructuring and reform

Abstract

This paper explores the notion of participative governance and service in a democratic character. It focuses on the notion that citizens must have the right in ensuring the full participation in public sector management and service delivery. It examines the cases of Nigeria and South Africa, in the procurement of service delivery mechanism and how both nations attempt to guarantee full citizens participation, reduce corruption, guarantee accountability and entrench sustainable democracy. This paper further examines and extrapolates the exigencies that exist between Nigeria and South Africa in the areas of service delivery. It also attempts to understand the correlation or deviations with the delivery mode of services in these two countries. It further attempts to draw a significant parallel contextually in both countries within the Nepadization notion of Africa’s development.