Abstract:
According to the World Bank (1994:12), good governance is “epitomized by
predictable, open and enlightened policy making; a bureaucracy imbued with a
professional ethos; an executive arm of government accountable for its actions; and
a strong civil society participating in public affairs; and all behaving under the rule
of law”. Good governance requires strong leadership and an ethos of integrity. In
the South African public sector, there is currently a serious shortage of leadership
with integrity. Great leaders model integrity by being honest and by doing what is
right, irrespective of the circumstances. The concept is used as a term indicative
of virtue. Integrity emanates from the Latin word “integer”, a mathematical term
referring to whole numbers. Integrity thus means something that is truly holistic,
complete. Leading with integrity implies a combination of the two words: leading
completely. This article examines the principles of good governance and seeks
synergy between good governance and leadership. It describes leadership with
integrity as a key to combatting the nature and extent of corruption in the South
African public sector.
