Pretoria: Deputy President Paul Mashatile has identified significant systemic weaknesses that undermine the effectiveness of the South African state, calling for the construction of a capable government and the reform of the political-administrative interface.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Deputy President cited the synthesis evaluation conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), which reveals deep-rooted challenges in public service delivery and institutional stability.
Key findings highlight critical issues, including high turnover among Directors-Generals (DGs), persistent political interference in administrative decisions, and weak performance management systems. The report found that these problems are eroding institutional memory, compromising policy continuity, and undermining public trust.
“The significance of today’s engagement cannot be overstated as we progress in our commitment to establishing a capable and developmental state, which continues to be a key priority of the seventh administration,” Mashatile said during a roundtable discussion at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria. The engagement is part of broader efforts by the Presidency to support the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030.
The NDP emphasizes the importance of establishing a capable and developmental state to address the country’s socio-economic challenges effectively. To tackle these challenges, Deputy President Mashatile stated that the government is implementing a comprehensive National Framework for Public Service Professionalisation. This initiative aims to create a more meritocratic, competent, and accountable public service, with plans to establish clearer lines of accountability and reduce political interference in administrative processes.
The Deputy President recognized that resolving these institutional weaknesses is crucial for achieving the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) strategic priorities of inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction, and building a developmental state. “Central to us attaining these three strategic priorities is ensuring sound institutional design that is responsive to the prevailing challenges and the nuances of a modern state that is agile enough to respond to a rapidly changing environment,” he remarked.
Mashatile defined a capable and developmental state as a government with essential resources and skills to successfully execute policies that foster economic growth and enhance the well-being of its citizens. He emphasized the need for skilled managers, especially DGs and Heads of Department, with clear lines of authority and accountability to execute their duties effectively.
He also called for the establishment of war rooms focused on the economy, poverty, and clean governance, aiming to improve payment cycles and procurement processes, especially for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi, who was present at the gathering, emphasized the critical need for a more transparent, ethical, and efficient relationship between political leadership and public administration. “The interface forms a crucial pillar of their capacity, as it invites us to look deeply at the architecture of our governance,” Buthelezi stated.
