The relationship between public administration and good governance : the case of South Africa

Abstract

The article will demonstrate the relationship between public administration and good governance with special reference to South Africa. It begins with a conceptual analysis of public administration through a periodisation from its roots and historical development and its meaning and functions in the era of rampant globalisation as well as the repercussions of systemic and structural changes associated with changes. The conceptual definition and understanding of good governance follows, accompanied by an exposition of international debates on meanings, application, implementation and planning of good governance indicators and the relationship between theory and practice in its analysis world-wide. The examination of the approaches, comprehensive legislation, rules and regulations underlining the South African government’s efforts to enhance good, transparent, and corruption free governance are outlined. A brief outline of a process followed in state institutions and entities is proposed that concludes that without firm and innovative leadership and key ingredients and efforts to install and maintain transparent, accountable and corruption-free financial and human resources imperatives cannot lead to developmental service delivery to communities. The article concludes that financial viability is the key foundation of good governance performance of an entity. Without it, there is mismanagement of resources, which in most instances, is the result of weak human resources and financial management, political interference and the lack of a clear mission and leadership.