Designing management development programmes for improved service delivery

Abstract

Former President Thabo Mbeki’s call for the mobilisation of the public sector to speed up social transformation effectively captures the vision of the Integrated Management Development Programme. The South African government’s programme of action demands a level of capability that is commensurate with the scope and challenges associated with its effective implementation. Currently, when the government allocation of financial resources and priority setting appears to have advanced beyond the capability of certain parts of the public service to deliver, it becomes clear that the formation and outcomes of relevant skills formation are vital to the success of government’s development agenda. Human resource development in the public sector in general, and the Integrated Management Development Programme in particular, must contribute to the effective harnessing and development of the capabilities of the public sector to achieve on the goals of the Developmental State. This article will examine the Integrated Management Development Programme against the objectives of capacity building in the public service, with a particular focus on the professional competence development of managers and leaders. The question that needs asking is whether the Programme is capable of contributing to the development of a strong, efficient and effective public management cadre that can successfully meet the needs of the public service in the transformation of South African society.