African Journal of Public Affairs Volume 7, Number 2 (2014)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/59909

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Front matter, African Journal of Public Affairs, Volume 7, Number 2
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2014)
“Making the road while walking” : statecraft in contemporary times
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2014) Khan, Firoz
State construction is messy and complex, brimming with contradictions, fraught with conflict and unpredictability. This article identifies a few hurdles likely to be encountered in the simultaneous making and walking of this road. In order to do so, it examines the structure and behaviour of the state, the concept of political settlements, and the “good governance” agenda. The article outlines some implications for public policy that relate to issues of governance, and explores the possibility of working with clientelism and patronage as enablers and contributors to growth, rather than seeing them as pathologies that need to be “corrected” by administrative reforms. Successful delivery of socially inclusive and empowering developmental programmes and projects in the proposed framework hinges on the comprehension and negotiation of social change and transformation in novel and realistic ways.
Municipal financial management to fight corruption and enhance development : a holistic approach
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2014) Mantzaris, E.A.
This article posits that financial management systems that function well and that have been developed based on collective international and national experience can be an important deterrent to corruption in both the private and public sectors. The various weaknesses identified in the Auditor-General’s and the National Treasury’s recent reports are analysed in relation to municipalities and are examined in a comparative overview which includes research that identifies key elements of financial management essentials. The article identifies and explores various interrelated steps, systems and models that form the basis of solid financial management, as well as the basic elements of the accountability systems and governance arrangements that are meant to act as a shield against corrupt practices. These strategies focus on preventing management fraud and fraudulent financial reporting as key elements to ensure good financial management. The Auditor-General’s 2012 report is used as a recent forensic report on major financial mismanagement in South African municipalities to relate the conceptual and theoretical framework with empirical manifestations of the corruption it aims to combat.
Navigating through the political/administrative corruption conundrum : South African case studies
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2014) Mantzaris, E.A.
Corruption in the public and private spheres and entities in both South Africa and the rest of the world has generated much research and debate, eliciting many perspectives, ideas and beliefs and resulting in a number of theories. Although there is some disagreement about whether corruption threatens societies’ welfare, there is some agreement on the fundamentals, regarding issues such as integrity, ethics and the dichotomy between collective and individual corruption. There is also a common thread on the direct connection between the political and administrative aspects of the phenomenon. Especially in the public sphere, the link between political and administrative leadership has direct and indirect repercussions on all aspects of public management. This implies that such relationships are an integral part of a process that, on many occasions, leads to corruption. A collaborative, cooperative and deeply moral relationship between political and administrative leadership can act as a shield against corruption at all levels of public administration. This can only occur when such a relationship is based on an ethical foundation and integrity, and on solid knowledge management, innovative and comprehensive initiatives and multi-dimensional initiatives. This article focuses on key issues in South Africa’s public administration arena and the sometimes antagonistic or colluding relationships amongst political and administrative leaderships in the country in relation to corrupt practices and their processes, presenting specific cases studies of relations and involvement in corruption in municipalities as examples of the conundrum.
Public procurement, tendering and corruption : realities, challenges and tangible solutions
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2014) Mantzaris, E.A.
This article analyses a number of key elements and processes of the procurement and tendering systems in the South African public service systematically, with the emphasis on a number of key processes, risk management, and anti-corruption systems and initiatives. The article starts with some definitions and a brief analysis of the existing legislative framework, and briefly examines the functions and importance of budgetary control in procurement management, as well as the different categories of tenders in South Africa and their particularities. Tender processes are outlined in this context, in relation to various forms of corruption in the public sector. The roles that systems, risk management imperatives and procurement management can play in combating corruption are discussed as shields against fraud, collusion, extortion and similar corrupt activities. In response to recent examples where procurement practices led to corruption in South Africa’s national and provincial departments, the article provides a tangible plan that supplements the preceding analysis and outlines monitoring and evaluation procurement procedures that could be implemented as a serious weapon to combat corruption. The discussion concludes that the most crucial element in combating corruption in South Africa is political will.
Revitalising the “good” in good local governance : calling for active participatory citizenship
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2014) Mchunu, N.; Theron, Francois
Good governance is a principle and a practice much sought after in the contemporary world, but most countries, including South Africa, struggle to meet the ideals of (the) “good” in “good governance”, despite the fact that the relevant principles have been institutionalised in policy frameworks, and despite the scrutiny of “compliance watchdogs” to safeguard compliance. This article explores the roles that active citizenship and citizen participation should play in holding the State accountable and in instilling a “culture of good governance” in the sphere of local government. Government processes created to ensure good local governance should allow citizen participation spaces through which citizens can experience a sense that they can influence, direct, control and own their own development. Active citizenship, citizen participation and protest action are fundamental instruments to hold local government accountable and to ensure good governance in order to enable social transformation. The article is based on a literature survey, previous research and participatory observation by both authors, as well as the outcomes of participatory workshops with municipal officials during the facilitation of programmes on citizen participation and good governance. Good governance as a concept and universal norm is unpacked, and active citizen participation as a key governance tool is explored. The article makes recommendations on improving good local governance through active citizenship.
Integrity leadership
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2014) Pillay, P.
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.
The public sociology of ethics, corruption and public administration : a South African case study
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2014) Pillay, P.
This article examines the relationship between the public sociology of ethics, public administration and corruption. The significance of public sociology in understanding ethics, ethical dilemmas and possible solutions in the municipal sphere is explored by articulating the relationships between different areas of knowledge created through social science research and public administration realities, as exemplified in a South African municipal case study. In this context, the relationships between human behavioural elements and the concomitant psychological and sociological considerations in public administration are important, because the reality is that, despite the fact South Africa has abundant anti-corruption legislation and institutions, the plague of corruption is increasing. Hence, the article provides a number of steps to creating and implementing an ethical code that can make a positive difference to municipalities and other state institutions, and that can serve as a shield against corrupt practices. These steps are rooted in ethical awareness, ethical reasoning and consciousness, the development of skills combined with practice, and decisive ethical action.

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