Yearbook

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S outh A frica 2020/21 Government Systems

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S outh A frica
Yearbook
2020/21
Government Systems
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the Constitution, and represent the interests of provinces in the

Government Systems Founding provisions national sphere of government.
South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tier South Africa is a sovereign and democratic State founded on
Members of Parliament (MPs) elect the President, provide
system of government and an independent judiciary. The the following values:
a national forum for the public consideration of issues, pass
national, provincial and local levels of government all have • human dignity, the achievement of equality and the
legislation, and scrutinise and oversee executive action.
legislative and executive authority in their own spheres, and advancement of human rights and freedom;
Parliament’s policy priorities set out long-term policy and
are defined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, • non-racialism and non-sexism;
outcomes. These are aligned with the priorities and outcomes
1996 as distinctive, interdependent and interrelated. • supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law; and
of the National Development Plan (NDP). To ensure that these
Operating at both national and provincial levels are advisory • universal adult suffrage, a national common voters’ roll,
outcomes and priorities are met over feasible timeframes, five-
bodies drawn from South Africa’s traditional leaders. It is a regular elections and a multiparty system of democratic
year, 10-year and 15-year milestones have been set. Since
stated intention in the Constitution that the country be run on a government to ensure accountability, responsiveness and
1994, a number of steps have been taken to make it more
system of cooperative governance. Government is committed openness.
accessible and to motivate and facilitate public participation
to building a free, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, united
in the legislative process. The official governmental website,
and successful South Africa. Fundamental rights www.parliament.gov.za, encourages comment and feedback
The fundamental rights contained in the Constitution seek to from the public.
The Constitution protect the rights and freedom of individuals. The Constitutional
The Constitution was approved by the Constitutional Court on Court guards these rights and determines whether actions by
Legislative and policy framework
4 December 1996 and took effect on 4 February 1997. It is the the State are in accordance with constitutional provisions.
The mandate and functions of Parliament are based on the
supreme law of the land. No other law or government action
following core pieces of legislation:
can supersede the provisions of the Constitution. Government • The Constitution, which sets out the composition, powers and
The signing of the Constitution was a commemorative gesture Government consists of national, provincial and local spheres, functions of Parliament;
in remembrance of the people who died during a peaceful which are distinctive, interdependent and interrelated. The • the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and
demonstration against the pass laws on 21 March 1960. powers of the law-makers (legislative authorities), government Provincial Legislatures Act, 2004 (Act 4 of 2004), which defines
South Africa’s Constitution is one of the most progressive in the (executive authorities) and courts (judicial authorities) are and declares certain powers, privileges and immunities of
world and enjoys high acclaim internationally. Human rights are separate from one another. Parliament, provincial legislatures, members of the NA,
given clear prominence in the Constitution.
delegates to the NCOP and members of provincial legislatures;
The year 2021 marked 25 years since South Africa adopted Parliament • the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters
its Constitution on 8 May 1996 – one that is still hailed as Parliament is the legislative authority of South Africa and has Act, 2009 (Act 9 of 2009), which provides for a procedure
being amongst the best in the world. Government approved the power to make laws for the country, in accordance with the to amend Money Bills before Parliament, and for norms
a year-long national commemorative programme for the 25th Constitution. It consists of the National Assembly (NA) and the and standards for amending Money Bills before Provincial
Anniversary of the Constitution. National Council of Provinces (NCOP). Parliamentary sittings Legislatures; and
are open to the public. • the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial
The Preamble The role of Parliament, as the representative of the people, Legislatures Act, 2009 (Act 10 of 2009), as amended by Act
The Preamble states that the Constitution aims to: is to promote and oversee adherence to the values of human 34 of 2014, which regulates the financial management of
• heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based dignity, equality, non-racialism, non-sexism, and all other rights Parliament in a manner consistent with its status in terms of
on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human enshrined in the Bill of Rights, and to oversee the implementation the Constitution. Its objective is to ensure that all revenue,
rights; of constitutional imperatives. Through legislative and other expenditure, assets and liabilities of Parliament are managed
• improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential measures, Parliament also ensures that the independence, efficiently.
of each person; impartiality, accessibility and effectiveness of the Judiciary and Other legislation relevant to the work of Parliament are:
• lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in other State institutions is upheld. • the Permanent Delegates Vacancies Act, 1997 (Act 17 of
which government is based on the will of the people, and in The mandate of Parliament is based on the provisions of 1997);
which every citizen is equally protected by law; and Chapter 4 of the Constitution, which establishes Parliament • the Determination of Delegates (NCOP) Act, 1998 (Act 69 of
• build a united and democratic South Africa that is able to take its and sets out the functions it performs. Parliament is elected to 1998); the Mandating Procedures of Provinces Act, 2008 (Act
rightful place as a sovereign State in the family of nations. represent the people, ensure government by the people under 52 of 2008); and

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• the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act, 1998 (Act Office Bearers of the NA
20 of 1998). At its first sitting after a general election, the NA elects the
The joint rules of parliament, rules of the NA and rules of the Speaker, the principal office bearer of the NA. The Speaker has
NCOP augment these Acts, as the Constitution empowers many responsibilities which include constitutional, statutory (in
Parliament to make rules and orders concerning its business. terms of the law), procedural and administrative powers and
Additional frameworks of relevance to the work of Parliament functions. The duties of the Speaker fall broadly into three
include the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development categories:
Goals, the African Agenda 2063, The Southern African • presiding over sittings of the House, maintaining order and
Development Community (SADC) Regional Indicative applying its rules;
Strategic Plan, the NDP 2030 and the Medium Term Strategic • acting as representative and spokesperson for the NA
Framework (MTSF). and (with the Chairperson of the Council) for Parliament;
and
Cabinet • acting as Chief Executive Officer for
The Cabinet consists of the President, as head, the Deputy Parliament, in conjunction with the Chairperson
President and Ministers. The President appoints the of the Council.
Deputy President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Though the Speaker is a member of
assigns their powers and functions, and may a political party, he or she is required
dismiss them. to act impartially and protect the
The President may select any number of rights of all parties. The Speaker
Ministers from the members of the NA, and is assisted by the Deputy
may select no more than two Ministers Speaker and three House
from outside the assembly. Chairpersons, each
The President appoints a with specific areas
member of the Cabinet to be the of responsibility
leader of government business determined by the
in the NA. Speaker.
The leader of the
National Assembly opposition – a leader of the
The NA is elected to represent the people largest minority party (or largest
and to ensure democratic governance as party that is not in government) –
required by the Constitution. It does this by enjoys a special status in Parliament.
electing the President, providing a national forum The post is specified in the Constitution
for public consideration of issues, passing legislation, and is accorded a specific salary, though
and scrutinising and overseeing executive action. the holder has no specific duties in terms of
The NA consists of no fewer than 350 and no more the rules.
than 400 members elected through a system of proportional
representation. The NA, which is elected for a term of five Committees
years, is presided over by the Speaker, assisted by the Deputy In accordance with the powers given to it by the
Speaker. Constitution, the NA establishes a range of committees
with assigned powers and functions. The committees
are required to report regularly on their activities and to
make recommendations to the House for debate and
decision.

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There is a portfolio committee for each corresponding The NCOP must have a mandate from the provinces before legislation falling within a functional area listed in Schedule 4 of
government department. The composition of the committees it can make certain decisions.Special calculations of the the Constitution or other legislation referred to in Section 76(3),
reflects, as far as is practicable, the numerical strengths of popular vote in elections make sure that minority interests are except Money Bills.
the parties represented in the NA. The committee deliberates represented in each province’s delegation to the NCOP. The Constitution distinguishes between four categories of
on Bills that cover the respective department’s area of The NCOP Online links Parliament to the provincial Bills:
jurisdiction and scrutinises and reports on its annual budget legislatures and local government associations. It also provides • Bills amending the Constitution (Section 74);
and strategic plan. Members of the committees determine information on draft legislation and allows the public to make • Ordinary Bills not affecting provinces (Section 75);
whether government departments are delivering on what they electronic submissions. The NCOP came into existence in • Ordinary Bills affecting provinces (Section 76); and
promised and whether they are spending the public money February 1997. • Money Bills (Section 77).
they receive in a responsible manner. As part of their oversight Whilst any of these categories of Bills may be introduced in the
work, committees may also do site visits where they find out NA, only Bills referred to in Section 76(3) of the Constitution
directly from the people at ground level whether government is may be introduced in the NCOP.
delivering on its promises. Money Bills, such as the Appropriation Bill and the Division
If a committee reports on a matter and makes certain of Revenue Bill, may only be introduced in the NA and not in
recommendations, the report is debated in a full sitting or plenary the NCOP.
to give other members of the House an opportunity to engage The Constitution and the Rules of the NA and NCOP outline
with the content. Once the report has been debated, the House the processes that Parliament must follow when passing each
decides whether to adopt the committee’s recommendations. category of Bills. Furthermore, Section 18(1) of the Traditional
The House may also decide to only note the report or it may Leadership and Governance Framework Amendment Act, 2003
refer the report back to the committee with an instruction to do (Act 41 of 2003), obliges the Secretary to Parliament to refer
further work. any Parliamentary Bill relating to customary law or customs
of traditional communities to the National House of Traditional
National Council of Provinces Leaders (NHTL) for comment before it is passed by the House
The NCOP is mandated to represent the provinces to ensure of Parliament in which it was introduced. The NHTL has 30
that provincial interests are taken into account in the national days to comment on a Bill so referred.
sphere of government. As the representative of the people of South Africa, Parliament
The NCOP consists of 90 provincial delegates (10 delegates realises the importance of processing and/or passing quality
for each of the nine provinces). A provincial delegation consists legislation aimed at improving the quality of life of the people
of six permanent delegates and four special delegates. The and involving the public in the processing of legislation. To this
permanent delegates, who are appointed by the nine provincial end, it plans to develop a legislative model to guide MPs and
legislatures, are based at Parliament in Cape Town. Function of Parliament staff in the processing of legislation.
The four special delegates consist of the Premier of the The core functions of Parliament include making laws, The main aim of the model is to enhance the law-making
province and three special delegates, assigned by each overseeing the work of the Executive and state institutions, processes and procedures of Parliament to enable the
province from Members of the Provincial Legislature and facilitating public participation, international participation and institution to pass quality laws that will improve the quality of
rotated depending on the subject matter being considered by cooperative governance. life of all.
the NCOP.
The Premier of a province is the head of the province’s Law-making Oversight
delegation but he or she can assign any other delegate to lead Section 43(a) of the Constitution vests the legislative authority The parliamentary oversight function is one of the cornerstones
the delegation in his or her absence. of the national sphere of government in Parliament. This of democracy. It holds the Executive accountable for its actions
Organised local government is also represented in the NCOP confers on the NA the power to consider, pass, amend or and ensures that it implements policies in accordance with the
through the South African Local Government Association reject any legislation before the NA and to initiate or prepare laws and budget passed by Parliament.
(SALGA). The SALGA is entitled to 10 representatives who legislation, except Money Bills. It also confers on the NCOP The robust monitoring of the Executive by Parliament is an
may participate in the debates and other activities of the NCOP the power to consider, pass, amend, propose amendments or indicator of good governance, as it is through oversight that
but may not vote. reject any legislation before the council and initiate or prepare Parliament can ensure a balance of power and asserts its role

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democracy by actively involving the public in the decision-

Structure and functions of the South African Government making processes of government. The Constitution requires the
NA and the NCOP, respectively, to facilitate public involvement
Legislative authority Executive authority Judicial authority in the legislative and other processes of the houses and
Parliament Cabinet committees by conducting business in an open manner.
• President Constitutional Court Whilst Parliament may take reasonable measures to regulate
• National Assembly
Supreme Court of Appeal access, it may only exclude the public from a sitting of a House
(350 – 400 members) • Deputy President
High courts or committee if it is reasonable and justifiable to do so in an
• National Council of • Ministers
Magistrates’ courts open and democratic society.
Provinces (90 delegates)
In an effort to streamline public participation processes and
make it more effective, the legislative sector has developed a
Public Participation Framework to guide the public participation
Provincial governments Deputy ministers Judicial Service Commission activities of Parliament and provincial legislatures. The
framework provides certain minimum norms and standards
Eastern Cape State institutions supporting democracy to ensure alignment in public participation processes and
Free State activities. Based on this framework, Parliament has developed
• Public Protector
Gauteng • Human Rights Commission the Public Participation Model, which provides the institution
KwaZulu-Natal • Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious with minimum requirements for public involvement and
Limpopo and Linguistic Communities participation.
Mpumalanga • Commission for Gender Equality Specific public participation mechanisms outlined in the
Northern Cape • Auditor-General of South Africa model include the People’s Assembly, the NCOP’s Taking
North West • Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Parliament to the People Programme, oversight visits by
Western Cape • Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) parliamentary committees, sectoral engagements such as
youth and women’s parliaments, petitions and other forms of
Legislative Authority Executive Authority participation in law making and other processes.
Provincial Legislature Executive Council
• Premier International participation
• Members of the Executive Council Parliamentary international relations is the continuation of a
political process and dialogue among legislatures of the world.
At different international meetings, MPs and presiding officers
as the defender and/or the legitimate custodian of the people’s votes, questions for executive reply, members’ statements, have the opportunity to exchange views with their counterparts
interests. The Constitution envisages a specific oversight role notices of motion, debates on matters of public importance and from other countries on a range of international challenges.
for the NA and the NCOP, respectively. constituency work. The Parliament of South Africa participates in several
To this end, it places an obligation on the NA to provide for One of the significant features provided for in the model international forums and organisations, including the:
mechanisms to ensure that all Executive organs of state in is the establishment of a Joint Parliamentary Oversight and • Pan-African Parliament;
the national sphere of government are accountable to it and Governance Assurance Committee to pursue all assurances, • SADC Parliamentary Forum;
to maintain oversight of the exercise of national executive undertakings and commitments given by Ministers on the floor • Commonwealth Parliamentary Association;
authority, including the implementation of legislation. The of the Houses and the extent to which these assurances have • Inter-Parliamentary Union; and
Constitution requires the NCOP to exercise oversight over been fulfilled. • African, Caribbean, Pacific-European Union Forum.
national aspects of provincial and local government. Parliament has identified four guidelines that inform its
The Oversight and Accountability Model makes provision for Public participation international relations programme of action:
various oversight mechanisms, including exercising oversight Participatory democracy is based on the premise that public • Developing and strengthening partnerships in Africa:
through committees, oversight visits, the passing of budget participation processes strengthen institutions of representative Parliament, in line with the country’s foreign policy, gives
special attention to Africa in its overall international relations

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policy framework. This includes engaging proactively with

Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers, as at October 2021
some of the legislative assemblies of countries where the
South African Government has been involved in peace Portfolio Minister Deputy Minister
building efforts. Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza Zoleka Capa
• Advancing multilateralism: evolving international structures Mcebisi Skwatsha
have placed a greater responsibility on parliamentarians, in Basic Education Angie Motshekga Regina Mhaule
view of their oversight role, to interact with one another on
Communications and Digital Technologies Khumbudzo Ntshavheni Mohlopi Philemon Mapulane
matters such as respect for the rule of law, human rights, and
governments’ transparency and accountability. Parliament’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Thembi Nkadimeng
participation in international parliamentary bodies is also Obed Bapela
aimed at making significant progress towards achieving Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise Thabang Makwetla
the Millennium Development Goals and getting support for
Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi Boitumelo Moloi
Africa’s development agenda.
• Bilateralism through friendship societies and strategic Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy Maggie Sotyu
groups: at this stage, Parliament is focusing on building Finance Enoch Godongwana David Masondo
bilateral relations with other legislative bodies through
Health Joe Phaahla Sibongiseni Dhlomo
proactively forming “friendship groups” with those bodies
rather than establishing formal ties. However, the NA has Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande Buti Manamela
signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the People’s
Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi Njabulo Nzuza
Assembly of the People’s Republic of China, the only formal
bilateral agreement it has entered to date. Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi Pam Tshwete
• Providing for public input: Parliament makes provision, International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor Alvin Botes
through the relevant offices, committees and other Candith Mashego-Dlamini
mechanisms, to ensure that there is ongoing engagement Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola John Jeffery
with the public on important international relations issues, in Inkosi Phathekile Holomisa
line with the vision and programmes of Parliament. Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe Nobuhle Nkabane

Cooperative governance Police Bheki Cele Cassel Mathale

The Constitution creates three spheres of government at The Presidency Mondli Gungubele Pinky Kekana
national, provincial and local level as distinctive, interdependent Thembi Siweya
and interrelated. It enjoins all spheres of government to observe The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Maite Nkoana-Mashabane -
and adhere to the principles of cooperative governance. The Presidency for State Security - Zizi Kodwa
Parliament plays a significant role in facilitating cooperative
governance through its work with the other arms and spheres Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan Phumulo Masualle
of government. This includes the appointment and dismissal Public Service and Administration Ayanda Dlodlo Chana Pilane-Majake
of office bearers of institutions supporting democracy,
various commissions, boards and councils. Parliament also Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia De Lille Noxolo Kiviet
ratifies international protocols and conventions, confirms the Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams Sdumo Dlamini
provisional suspension of magistrates, approves the salaries,
Social Development Lindiwe Zulu Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu
allowances and benefits of magistrates and judges.
The NCOP provides a forum for the representation of local Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa Nocawe Mafu
government at national level through the SALGA. Specific Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu Fish Mahlalela
cooperative governance mechanisms spearheaded by
Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel Fikile Majola
the council include the NCOP Oversight Week, Provincial Nomalungelo Gina
Week and Local Government Week. The NCOP Oversight
Transport Fikile Mbalula Sindisiwe Chikunga
Week enables members to follow up on matters arising from
the Taking Parliament to the People Programme to verify Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu Dikeledi Magadzi
David Mahlobo
information received.
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The 2020 Provincial Week was held from 26 to 30 October.The of FOSAD. Ministers enter into delivery agreements with the Co-Chairpersons:
Provincial Week is one of the flagship oversight programmes President, having to give progress reports on their departments’ • Minister of CoGTA
of the NCOP for all spheres of the legislative sector, including set targets. • Minister of Public Service and Administration
provincial legislatures and municipalities, to reconnect with the local
communities and identify service delivery challenges, seek Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment and Social Protection, Community and Human
solutions, as well as innovative ways to drive effective development Infrastructure Development Cluster Development Cluster
for all communities. The departments in this cluster are: The departments in this cluster are:
The Local Government Week aims to strengthen the • Mineral Resources and Energy (Chair) • Health (Chair)
relationship between the NCOP and the SALGA by, amongst • Tourism (Chair) • Basic Education (Chair)
others, debating matters relating to local government and • Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development • Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
seeking solutions to challenges facing the local sphere of • Communications and Digital Technologies • CoGTA
government within the context of cooperative government and • Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) • Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
intergovernmental relations. • Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment • Employment and Labour
The 2020 annual Local Government Week was held virtually • Employment and Labour • Higher Education, Science and Innovation
from 8 to 11 September under the theme, “Ensuring Capable • Finance • Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
and Financially Sound Municipalities”. • Higher Education, Science and Innovation • Justice and Correctional Services
The theme focused mainly on how the national and • Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation • The Presidency
provincial spheres of government intend to assist the local • International Relations and Cooperation • The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with
sphere of government in improving service delivery, financial • The Presidency Disabilities
management, and governance. • The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with • Public Works and Infrastructure
Sessions included conversations on building a coherent Disabilities • Small Business Development
oversight plan for capable and financially sound municipalities, • Police • Social Development
the challenges and opportunities of local government in • Public Enterprises • Sport, Arts and Culture
advancing the fundamental tenets of a developmental state, and • Public Works and Infrastructure • Transport
the role of the NCOP in overseeing a district-wide framework • Small Business Development Co-Chairpersons:
to enhance the functioning and financial sustainability of • State Security • Minister of Health
municipalities. • Trade, Industry and Competition • Minister of Basic Education
• Transport
Co-Chairpersons: International Cooperation, Trade and Security Cluster
Government clusters The departments in this cluster are:
• Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Government clusters are groupings of government departments • Sport, Arts and Culture (Chair)
• Minister of Tourism
with cross-cutting programmes. They foster an integrated • Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (Chair)
approach to governance that is aimed at improving government • Communications and Digital Technologies
planning, decision-making and service delivery. The main Governance, State Capacity and Institutional
• Defence and Military Veterans
objective is to ensure proper coordination of all government Development Cluster • Finance
programmes at national and provincial levels. The departments in this cluster are: • International Relations and Cooperation
The main functions of the clusters are to ensure the • CoGTA (Chair) • Justice and Correctional Services
alignment of government-wide priorities, facilitate and monitor • Public Service and Administration (Chair) • Mineral Resources and Energy
the implementation of priority programmes and to provide a • Finance • The Presidency
consultative platform on cross-cutting priorities and matters • Home Affairs • State Security
• Justice and Correctional Services • Tourism
being taken to Cabinet.
• The Presidency • Trade, Industry and Competition
The clusters of the Forum of South African Directors-General
• The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Co-Chairpersons:
(FOSAD) mirror the ministerial clusters. The FOSAD clusters • Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
provide technical support to the ministerial clusters. The Disabilities
• Public Enterprise • Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Director-General (DG) in The Presidency is the chairperson
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Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster processes developed by respective clusters of DGs. Youth Policy. The Presidential Hotline is also located in this
The departments in this cluster are: • Legal and Executive Services provides legal advice to the branch.
• Defence and Military Veterans (Chair) President, Deputy President, the Minister, as well as The The programme assesses the following:
• Police (Chair) Presidency as a whole, and is responsible for all litigation • Transport: driver’s licence testing centres.
• Finance involving the political principals. • Education: schools.
• Home Affairs The President, as the Head of State, leads the Cabinet. He or • Health: hospitals, clinics, community health centres.
• International Relations and Cooperation she is elected by the NA from among its members and leads • Home Affairs.
• Justice and Correctional Services the country in the interest of national unity, in accordance with • Local Government: municipal customer care centres.
• The Presidency: Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation the Constitution and the law. • The National Youth Development Agency.
• The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with The President appoints the Deputy President from among • The South African Police Service: police stations.
Disabilities the members of the NA. The Deputy President assists the • South African Social Security Agency: local offices.
• Social Development President in executing government functions. • Justice: magistrates’ courts.
• State Security
• Small Business Development National Development Plan Government priorities
Co-Chairpersons: The NDP is South Africa’s socio-economic policy blueprint that The NDP sets out a long-term vision for the country and is the
• Minister of Defence and Military Veterans focuses, among other things, on: programme through which South Africa aims to advance radical
• Minister of Police • eliminating poverty by reducing the proportion of households economic transformation through development planning.
with a monthly income below R419 per person from 39% to Government’s 2019 – 2024 MTSF outlines the priorities to be
The Presidency zero, and the reduction of inequality; implemented in the Sixth Administration and the interventions
As the executive manager of government, The Presidency is at • increasing employment from 13 million in 2010 to 24 million required across South Africa’s national development pillars.
the apex of South Africa’s government system. It is situated in by 2030; The seven priorities are:
the Union Buildings in Pretoria, and has a subsidiary office in • broadening the country’s ownership of assets by historically • Economic transformation and job creation;
Tuynhuys, Cape Town. disadvantaged groups; • Education, skills and health;
The Presidency comprises eight political principals: • ensuring that all children have at least two years of pre- • Consolidating the social wage through reliable and quality
• The President, who is the Head of State and Government; school education and that all children can read and basic services;
• The Deputy President, who is the Leader of Government write by Grade 3; • Spatial integration, human settlements and local government;
Business (in Parliament); • providing affordable access to healthcare; and • Social cohesion and safe communities;
• The Minister in The Presidency; • ensuring effective public transport. • A capable, ethical and developmental state; and
• The Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and • A better Africa and World.
Persons with Disabilities; Monitoring and evaluation Transforming South Africa into a developmental state requires
• The Deputy Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth Institutional Performance Monitoring and Evaluation building critical and necessary capabilities to foster an
and Persons with Disabilities; environment, which mobilises government and non-government
(IPME)
• Two Deputy Ministers in The Presidency; and This function monitors the quality of management practices contributions to realise changes in the socio-economic structure
• The Deputy Minister in The Presidency for State Security. in government departments through the Management and the culture of society.
The Presidency has three structures that support governance Performance Assessment Tool. The Frontline Service Delivery Over the medium term, government will prioritise engagement
operations directly. They are: Monitoring programme of IPME is responsible for designing and between the leadership of the executive, legislature and
• The Cabinet Office, which provides administrative support to implementing hands-on service delivery monitoring activities judiciary on strengthening governance and accountability.
Cabinet. It implements administrative systems and processes with Offices of the Premier and for setting up and supporting During this period, government further commits to manage the
to ensure the overall optimal functioning of the Cabinet and the implementation of citizens-based monitoring systems. political administrative interface more effectively, reduce the
its committees. It also facilitates the management of decision- The programme has also been successful in elevating levels of fraud and corruption in the private and public sectors,
making processes of the Cabinet and its committees. monitoring and evaluation to strategic levels in certain sector and rationalise the Public Service Governance System.
• Policy Coordination Advisory Services comprises a Deputy departments, several of which have developed their own
DG and five chief directorates, which support policy iterations of the programme. One of the key focuses of the
programme is on monitoring the implementation of the National

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Election process
Elections
There are two kinds of electoral systems:
Cooperative Governance and Traditional
National and provincial elections are held once every five
years. All South African citizens aged 18 and over are eligible • Constituency-based elections – voters in each local area Affairs
(constituency) elect an individual candidate to represent The CoGTA Ministry consists of the Department of Cooperative
to vote. The Constitution places all elections and referendums
them in Parliament. The person who wins the majority of Governance (DCoG) and the Department of Traditional Affairs
in the country in all three spheres of government under the
votes in each constituency becomes an MP. The party (DTA).
control of the IEC, established in terms of the IEC Act, 1996
(Act 51 of 1996). with the majority of MPs forms government. In this kind of
The obligations of the IEC are to: elections system, the individual MP holds the seat, not the Department of Cooperative Governance
• manage elections of national, provincial and municipal political party he or she belongs to. The DCoG is mandated to develop and monitor the
legislative bodies; • Proportional representation elections – voters in a large implementation of national policy and legislation aimed at
• ensure that the elections are free and fair; area vote for political parties. The political party chooses the transforming and strengthening key institutions and mechanisms
• declare the results of the elections; and people who will become its MPs. Each party is allocated a of governance in national, provincial and local government to
• compile and maintain a voters’ roll. number of seats proportional to how many votes it got in the fulfil their developmental role; develop, promote and monitor
The duties of the IEC are to: election. mechanisms, systems and structures to enable integrated
• compile and maintain a register of parties; Before 1994, South Africa made use of constituency-based service delivery and implementation within government; and
• undertake and promote research into electoral matters; elections, but since then national and provincial elections promote sustainable development by providing support to and
• develop and promote the development of electoral expertise have used proportional representation and party lists. exercising oversight of provincial and local government.
and technology in all spheres of government; Local government elections use a mixture of proportional Chapter 13 of the NDP outlines a vision for building a
• continuously review electoral laws and proposed electoral representation and constituency-based elections. capable and developmental state through interdepartmental
laws, and make recommendations; In August 2020, Cabinet approved the Electoral Laws coordination and strengthening local government. This vision
• promote voter education; Amendment Bill of 2020, which amends the Electoral is expressed specifically through Priority 4 (spatial integration,
• declare the results of elections for national, provincial and Commission Act, 1996 (Act 51 of 1996); the Electoral Act, 1998 human settlements and local government) of government’s
municipal legislative bodies within seven days; and (Act 73 of 1998) and the Local Government Municipal Electoral 2019 – 2024 MTSF, with which the work of the DCoG is closely
• appoint appropriate public administrations in any sphere Act, 2000 (Act 27 of 2000). aligned.
of government to conduct elections when necessary. Over the medium term, the DCoG will continue to focus
The IEC manages an average of Parliament elections on strengthening intergovernmental coordination and spatial
approximately 130 by-elections a year. Parliament is elected using proportional representation development, facilitating the delivery of basic municipal
By-elections are held when and party lists. Before the election, each political infrastructure and sustainable services, alleviating poverty by
ward councillors vacate their seats party submits a list of candidates in a numbered creating work opportunities, and enhancing proactive planning
for a variety of reasons, order of preference. The seats of Parliament are to reduce the severity of disasters when they occur.
including death, resignation allocated in proportion to the number of votes To increase access to basic services and improve spatial
or expulsion from the party or cast in the election. This means a party and economic development, R54.9 billion, over the medium
the council. The sixth that won 10% of the votes gets 10% of term, is allocated to the Local Government Support and
edition of the Local the seats. If a party wins 20 seats, Intervention Management programme and R245.8 billion to
Government Elections the first 20 people on its party list the Institutional Development programme. The bulk of these
were held become MPs. funds will be disbursed through the Municipal Infrastructure
1 November 2021. Grant, the Integrated Urban Development Grant and the Local
Government Equitable Share.
They will enable the DCoG to support 18 secondary cities
to improve planning for spatial and economic development
and 52 district municipalities per year to roll out the District
Development Model (DDM). During the first half of 2020/21,
the DDM, which aims to improve coherence in service delivery

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planning among the three spheres of government, was Entities

piloted in three municipalities. During the same period, 71 Municipal Demarcation Board
municipalities were assessed to ensure compliance with the The board is an independent authority responsible for
Municipal Property Rates Act, 2004 (Act 6 of 2004). determining municipal boundaries. It is also mandated to
To enable the department to create the targeted 250 000 work determine minucipal boundaries, delimit wards for elections,
opportunities in each year of the MTEF period, expenditure in and assess the capacity of municipalities to perform their
the Community Work Programme is expected to increase at an functions.
average annual rate of 2.1%, from R4.1 billion in 2020/21 to Over the medium term, the board plans to focus on finalising
R4.4 billion in 2023/24. amendments to the Municipal Demarcation Act, 1998 (Act 27 of
of 1998), to improve its administrative and legislative functions.
Legislation It is also in the process of finalising and updating the
The mandate of the DCoG is derived from the following municipal capacity model, which will assist in determining
legislation: whether municipalities have the institutional capacity to
• the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, execute their mandates.The board’s total budget for
2005 (Act 13 of 2005); 2020/21 was R68.1 million.
• the Municipal Property Rates Act,
2004 (Act 6 of 2004); Municipal Infrastructure Support
• the Disaster Management Act, Agent
2002 (Act 57 of 2002); The agent is mandated to
• the Municipal Systems Act, provide immediate support to
2000 (Act 32 of 2000); and municipalities struggling with
• the Local Government: infrastructure delivery by
Municipal Structures Act, facilitating the deployment
1998 (Act 117 of 1998). of engineers, scientists and
technicians to those municipalities,
Budget and providing oversight.
For the 2020/21 financial year, the CoGTA By offering technical advice, the
Ministry was allocated R107.188 billion. agent supports and strengthens the
Total expenditure is expected to increase capacity of municipalities to provide access
at an average annual rate of 0.4%, from to basic services, exercise their powers,
R106.9 billion in 2020/21 to R108.4 billion in and perform the functions required to develop,
2023/24. This low increase is due to the one‐off maintain and operate municipal infrastructure. It
allocation of R10.7 billion in 2020/21 to supplement also aims to improve the municipal management of
additional municipal operational costs arising from the infrastructure contracts, procurement and construction.
COVID‐19 pandemic, and Cabinet-approved reductions of These functions will remain focal over the medium term
R3.4 billion in 2021/22, R4.6 billion in 2022/23 and R8.1 billion as the agent aims to train 130 learners, 150 graduates and
in 2023/24, mainly on the Local Government Equitable Share. 250 municipal technical officials per year to improve municipal
Expenditure on compensation of employees is expected to capacity and assist 90 municipalities in developing spatial
decrease at an average annual rate of 3.7%, from R371.4 million development frameworks. The agent’s total budget for 2020/21
in 2020/21 to R331.7 million in 2023/24, in line with Cabinet‐ was R359.7 million.
approved reductions and a decrease in the department’s number
of personnel as a result of natural attrition.

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South African Local Government Association Provincial government • liquor licences

The SALGA is is an association of municipalities. The In accordance with the Constitution, each province has its own • museums other than national museums
association represents the interests of local government within legislature, consisting of between 30 and 80 members. The • provincial planning
the overall system of government, supporting its members to number of members is determined according to a formula set • provincial cultural matters
fulfil their developmental obligations and actively participate out in national legislation. The members are elected in terms of • provincial recreational activities
in intergovernmental relations. proportional representation. • provincial roads and traffic.
The association has requested that it be delisted from the The President’s Coordinating Council is a statutory body
The executive council of a province consists of a premier and
Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999), as a established in terms of the Intergovernmental Relations
a number of members of the executive council. Premiers are
public entity. This request is awaiting agreement from the Framework Act of 2005, which brings together the three spheres
appointed by the President. Decisions are taken by consensus, of government on matters of common interest and national
DCoG. To support its operations, particularly its attendance as is the case in the national Cabinet.
of mandatory governance structures, the association is set importance, thereby strengthening cooperative governance.
Besides being able to make provincial laws, a provincial
to receive transfers amounting to R123.1 million, from the legislature may adopt a constitution for its province if two thirds
department, over the medium term. Total transfers to the of its members agree.
Local government
association in 2020/21 amounted to R52.1 million. A provincial constitution must correspond with the national In accordance with the Constitution and the Organised Local
Constitution. According to the Constitution, provinces may have Government Act, 1997 (Act 52 of 1997), up to 10 part-time
legislative and executive powers, concurrent with the national representatives may be designated to represent municipalities
sphere, over: and participate in proceedings of the NCOP.
• agriculture The DCoG aims to build and strengthen the capability and
• casinos, racing, gambling and wagering accountability of provinces and municipalities.
• cultural affairs This includes:
• education at all levels, excluding university and university of • continued hands-on support through the established system
• technology education and capacity building programme, focusing on critical areas
• environment such as integrated development planning, local economic
• health services development (LED), financial management, service delivery
• human settlements and public participation;
• language policy • evaluating the impact of government programmes in
• nature conservation municipal areas, enhancing performance and accountability
• police services by improving the quality of reporting on the Local Government
• provincial public media Strategic Agenda and improving the monitoring, reporting
• public transport and evaluation of capacity in local government; and
• regional planning and development • coordinating and supporting policy development,
• road traffic regulation implementing the Local Government Strategic Agenda, and
• tourism monitoring and supporting service delivery.
• trade and industrial promotion
• traditional authorities Municipalities
• urban and rural development South Africa has 257 metropolitan, district and local
• vehicle licensing municipalities. This number comprises eight metropolitan,
• welfare services. 44 district and 205 local municipalities. They are focused
These powers can be exercised to the extent that provinces have on growing local economies and providing infrastructure and
the administrative capacity to assume effective responsibilities. service.
As directed by the Constitution, the Local Government:
Provinces also have exclusive competency over a number of
Municipal Structures Act of 1998 contains criteria for
areas, including:
determining when an area must have a category-A municipality
• abattoirs
(metropolitan municipalities) and when municipalities fall into
• ambulance services
categories B (local municipalities) or C (district municipalities).
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The Act also determines that category-A municipalities can only These are service delivery, governance, inancial management, • managing the LED Fund;
be established in metropolitan areas. infrastructure development and fighting corruption. • managing and providing technical support to nodal economic
Metropolitan councils have single metropolitan budgets, development planning;
common property ratings and service-tariff systems, and Municipal Infrastructure Grant • facilitating, coordinating and monitoring donor programmes;
single-employer bodies. The grant aims to eradicate municipal infrastructure backlogs and
The eight metropolitan municipalities are: in poor communities to ensure the provision of basic services • assisting LED capacity-building processes.
• Buffalo City (East London) such as water, sanitation, roads and community lighting. Through these interventions and resources, local role players
• City of Cape Town The DCoG is responsible for managing and transferring and interest groups are mobilised to achieve economic growth
• Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (East Rand) the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, and provides support and creating jobs to reduce poverty.
• City of eThekwini (Durban) to provinces and municipalities on implementing the grant
• City of Johannesburg projects. Department of Traditional Affairs
• Mangaung Municipality (Bloemfontein) The department is mandated to oversee issues related to
• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Port Elizabeth) Community Work Programme traditional affairs and support the development of stable and
• City of Tshwane (Pretoria). This is a key government initiative aimed at mobilising cohesive interfaith communities. The 2003 White Paper on
Metropolitan councils may decentralise powers and functions. communities to provide regular and predictable work Traditional Leadership and Governance sets out a national
However, all original municipal, legislative and executive opportunities at the local government level. framework, and the norms and standards that define the role
powers are vested in the metropolitan council. The purpose of the programme is to provide an employment of the institutions of traditional leadership in South Africa. It
In metropolitan areas, there is a choice of types of executive safety net for those without access to opportunities designed to seeks to support and transform the institutions in accordance
system: the mayoral executive system where executive lift them out of poverty. with constitutional imperatives and restore the integrity and
authority is vested in the mayor, or the collective executive The programme recognises that policies to address legitimacy of traditional leadership in line with the African
committee system where these powers are vested in the unemployment and create decent work will take time to reach indigenous law and customs subject to the Constitution.
executive committee. people living in marginalised areas where few opportunities South Africa also has provincial houses of traditional leaders
Non-metropolitan areas consist of district councils and local exist. in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo,
councils. District councils are primarily responsible for capacity Mpumalanga and North West.
building and district-wide planning. The Local Government: Local economic development National and provincial houses of traditional leaders enhance
Municipal Structures Act of 1998 provides for ward committees LED is an approach towards economic development that the cooperative relationships within national and provincial
whose tasks, among other things, are to: allows and encourages local people to work together to achieve government. Local houses of traditional leaders deepen and
• prepare, implement and review integrated development sustainable economic growth and development, thereby cement the relationship between municipalities and traditional
plans; bringing economic benefits and improved quality of life to all leaders on customary law and development initiatives.
• establish, implement and review municipalities’ performance residents in a local municipal area. Over the medium term, the DTA will continue to strengthen
management systems; LED is intended to maximise the economic potential of its regulation and oversight of, and the setting of standards
• monitor and review municipalities’ performances; municipal localities and enhance the resilience of macro- for, traditional leadership. Central to the department’s work
• prepare municipalities’ budgets; economic growth through increased local economic growth, is the strengthening of traditional leadership structures and
• participate in decisions about the provision of municipal employment creation and development initiatives within the institutions. This entails, among other things, capacitating
services; and context of sustainable development. The “local” in economic traditional leaders to resolve disputes and instituting uniform
• communicate and disseminate information on governance development points to the fact that the political jurisdiction at remuneration benefits for them.
matters. local level is often the most appropriate place for economic In working towards this objective, the DTA plans to implement
intervention, as it carries alongside it the accountability and the Traditional and Khoi‐San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act 3 of
Local Government Turnaround Strategy legitimacy of a democratically elected body. 2019), and monitor traditional structures to ensure compliance
The Local Government Turnaround Strategy was introduced as LED programmes provide support in the following areas: with the Act and its regulations. This will entail the establishment
a government programme of action and a blueprint for better • developing and reviewing national policy, strategy and of a commission on Khoi‐San matters to facilitate the recognition
service delivery aimed at responsive, accountable, effective guidelines on LED; of their communities and leadership, and the reconstitution of
and efficient local government. Five focus areas aimed at fast- • providing direct and hands-on support to provincial and local traditional Khoi‐San councils.
tracking implementation of the strategy have been identified. government;

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As a result of these interventions, expenditure in the The department is also working on a range of issues, including of traditional leaders deepens and cements the relationship
Research, Policy and Legislation programme is set to increase policies on unity and diversity, initiation, traditional healing, between municipalities and traditional leaders on customary
from R16.9 million in 2020/21 to R18.2 million in 2023/24 at an traditional leaders’ protocol, family trees, the remuneration and law and development initiatives.
average annual rate of 2.5%. benefits of traditional leaders based on uniform norms and It was established to:
This expenditure will also enable the department to strengthen standards, and involving the Khoisan people in the system of • represent traditional leadership and their communities;
its oversight role, over the MTEF period, by conducting nine governance in South Africa. • advance the aspirations of the traditional leadership and their
research studies on traditional leadership. Parliament extended the term of the Commission of communities at national level;
Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims from 2016 to 2020 • advance the plight of provincial houses of traditional leaders,
Legislation – to allow the commission time to finalise outstanding disputes traditional leadership and their communities at national
The department’s mandate is informed by the following and claims, and deal with the 320 traditional leadership disputes government level;
legislation: and claims per year that were envisaged. • participate in international matters that have to do with
• the Traditional and Khoi‐San Leadership Act of 2019; and custom, traditions and matters of common interest; and
• the Commission for the Protection and Promotion of the Traditional councils • influence government legislative processes at national level.
Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities Act, Legislation has transformed the composition of traditional
2002 (Act 19 of 2002). councils to provide for elements of democracy. It states Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and
that 40% of members must be elected and that one third of Claims
Entity members must be women. The commission was established in terms of the Traditional
Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Legislation has also opened up an opportunity for Leadership and Governance Framework Act, (Act 41 of 2003). It
the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic municipalities and traditional councils to achieve cooperative is tasked with restoring the dignity of traditional leaders and their
Communities governance. Traditional councils have been given a strong communities by investigating and ensuring that the institution
The commission supports communities in developing and voice in development matters and may now enter into of traditional leadership is restored to where it belongs. It also
fostering social cohesion, peace and tolerance. It plans to host partnerships and service-delivery agreements with government investigates all claims to any position of traditional leadership
a targeted 165 seminars, campaigns, dialogues, conferences, in all spheres. (king/queen/principal/senior traditional leader, and headmen
outreach events, road shows and colloquiums over the medium The National Khoisan Council aims to unite the Khoisan and headwomen), including disputes over the boundaries of
term. communities and create a platform through which they can traditional councils.
The commission also plains to produce four research reports raise issues affecting them as a group of communities. The Section 25 of the Traditional Leadership and Governance
per year to restore the diminished heritage of communities, most important issue is the statutory recognition and inclusion Framework Act of 2003 requires that the commission investigate
and conduct investigations into cases and resolve disputes of the Khoisan people in formal government structures. and make recommendations on cases where there is doubt as
emanating from cultural, religious or linguistic differences. to whether a kingship, principal traditional leadership or senior
The commission’s total budget for 2020/21 was R47.9 million. National House of Traditional Leaders traditional leadership and headmanship was established in
The Constitution mandates the establishment of houses of accordance with customary law and customs.
Traditional leadership traditional leaders by means of either provincial or national
The Constitution states that the institution, status and roles legislation.
Public Service and Administration
of traditional leadership, according to customary law, are The NHTL was established in terms of the then NHTL Act,
The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA)
recognised. 1997 (Act 10 of 1997). Its objectives and functions are to
draws its mandate from Section 195 (1) of the Constitution,
Government acknowledges the critical role of traditional promote the role of traditional leadership within a democratic
which sets out basic values and principles to which the Public
leadership institutions in South Africa’s constitutional constitutional dispensation, enhance unity and understanding
democracy and in communities, particularly in relation to the Service should adhere to; and the Public Service Act, 1994
among traditional communities and advise national government.
Rural Development Strategy. It, therefore, remains committed (Act 103 of 1994), which gives the Minister of Public Service
Provincial houses of traditional leaders were established in all
to strengthening the institution of traditional leadership. To this and Administration the responsibility to establish norms and
six provinces that have traditional leaders.
end, numerous pieces of legislation have been passed and standards relating to:
The national and provincial houses of traditional leaders
various programmes implemented to ensure that traditional • the functions of the Public Service;
enhance the cooperative relationships within national and
leadership makes an important contribution to the development • organisational structures and the establishment of departments,
provincial government, while the establishment of local houses
of society. and other governance arrangements in the Public Service;

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• the conditions of service and other employment practices for strengthening discipline management. The Public Administration term to the Service Delivery Improvement, Citizen Relations
employees; Ethics, Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit is and Public Participation subprogramme.
• labour relations in the Public Service; responsible for the development of guidelines on conducting Expenditure in the subprogramme is expected to decrease at
• the health and wellness of employees; lifestyle audits. an average annual rate of 17.6%, from R24.6 million in 2020/21
• information management in the Public Service; The guidelines are expected to be implemented in 2021/22. to R13.8 million in 2023/24.
• electronic government; The unit is also responsible for monitoring adherence by
• integrity, ethics, conduct and anti‐corruption in the Public designated employees in national and provincial departments Developing regulations and reviewing key
Service; and to the Financial Disclosure Framework. To carry out these legislation
• transformation, reform, innovation and any other matter to activities, R61.5 million has been allocated over the medium Over the medium term, the DPSA will focus on developing
improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Public Service term to the Public Administration Ethics, Integrity and regulations to enable the full implementation of the Public
and its delivery of services to the public. Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit subprogramme. Administration Management Act, 2014 (Act 11 of 2014), and
The DPSA is at the centre of government. It plays a major Over the medium term, the DPSA will also provide support to reviewing the Public Service Act of 1994 and related policies,
policy role in establishing norms and standards for Public all national and provincial departments to improve compliance which will be done concurrently with the development of the
Service, which ensure that service-delivery mechanisms, with public administration legislative prescripts. On a quarterly Public Administration Management Amendment Bill.
integrated systems and access, human resources, institutional basis, each of the line function programmes in the department The department expects the Public Service Amendment Bill
development and governance initiatives are responsive to the will contribute information on compliance by national and and the Public Administration Management Amendment Bill to
needs of citizens. provincial departments, which will be consolidated into an be tabled in Parliament in 2022/23. To carry out these activities,
The NDP articulates a vision of a capable and developmental annual report by the office of standards and compliance. R29.4 million has been allocated over the MTEF period to
state built through strengthening delegation, accountability To carry out these activities, R38.5 million has been the Legal Services subprogramme in the Administration
and oversight in the Public Service. This vision is supported allocated over the medium term to the Office of Standards and programme.
by Priority 6 (a capable, ethical and developmental state) of Compliance subprogramme.
government’s 2019 – 2024 MTSF, with which the work of the
Budget
DPSA is closely aligned. Developing measures to reduce government’s wage For the 2020/21 financial year, the DPSA was allocated
Accordingly, over the medium term, the department bill R565 707 million. The DPSA’s budget over the medium term
intends to address governance and operational challenges The DPSA is tasked to develop measures that government is R1.6 billion, of which 53.9% (R864.3 million) is allocated
in the Public Service sector, which, among others, include a needs to put in place to reduce the public sector wage bill and for compensation of employees, and 8.2% (R132.2 million)
lack of integration and coordination in services provided by bring it to an affordable level. Related activities will take place in is earmarked for transfer payments to the Centre for Public
departments; dissimilar experiences of the quality and quantity the Management: Negotiations, Labour Relations, and Dispute Service Innovation (CPSI).
of government services by the public; departments’ non‐ Management subprogramme. To this end, R19 million has been Baseline reductions, over the medium term, amount to R246.5
compliance with the Public Service Act of 1994 and regulations; reprioritised to conduct personnel expenditure reviews over a million, of which 92.5% (R227.9 million) is on compensation
and different conditions of service for employees in the local, two‐year period, ending 2022/23. of employees, which might affect the department’s ability
provincial and national spheres of government, including public
to implement its newly approved organisational structure in
entities. Ensuring adherence to Batho Pele Principles terms of filling vacant posts. A reduction of R15.1 million is
Responding to these and other challenges in the Public Adherence to Batho Pele Principles means putting people first effected on goods and services, mainly for spending on travel
Service, over the medium term, will entail intensifying the in the delivery of public services. Accordingly, over the medium and subsistence, rental and hiring, advertising, catering and
fight against corruption; developing measures to reduce term, the DPSA will focus on implementing the revised Batho printing, and meetings held in person.
government’s wage bill; ensuring adherence to Batho Pele Pele Programme. This will be done to ensure that measurable,
Principles; and developing regulations and reviewing key uniform Batho Pele standards are put in place in a manner that
legislation.
Entity
will enable recipients of public services to monitor adherence Centre for Public Sector Innovation
themselves. The responsibility for innovation in the Public Sector is vested
Intensifying the fight against corruption This will also be supported by the Batho Pele Awards and a in the Minister for Public Service and Administration. The CPSI
Over the MTEF period, the DPSA will intensify the fight against programme for Public Service Month (PSM). To carry out these is tasked to fulfil this mandate, which includes establishing
corruption in the Public Service by promoting a culture of activities, R41.9 million has been allocated over the medium norms and standards relating to transformation, reform and
accountability, and ethical and professional behaviour; and

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innovation to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Through the NSG, government continues to roll out courses the Administration programme. Activities in the programme
Public Service and its service delivery to the public. and training programmes for its officials, from entry level to mainly involve providing strategic leadership to ensure the
Over the medium term, the centre aims to use innovation senior management and the Executive. school’s functioning, and providing administrative support such
to solve service delivery challenges. This will be done through The NSG responds to its mandate by developing relevant training as human resources, internal audit, finance and supply chain
initiatives such as the annual Public Sector Innovation Awards, and development programmes for delivery to public service officials management services.
which serve as a means for identifying innovative solutions at all levels. Through education and training, the school promotes Expenditure is expected to decrease at an average annual
that can be replicated or upscaled in government institutions. the progressive realisation of the values and principles governing rate of 4.1%, from R243.4 million in 2020/21 to R214.7 million in
The centre also partners with other government departments, public administration, and enhances the quality of human resource 2023/24. This is mainly due to a once‐off allocation in 2020/21
non-governmental organisations, the private sector, tertiary capacity in public institutions. The school uses its trading account as to bridge a funding gap created by COVID‐19 lockdown
institutions, academics and international entities to unearth a delivery vehicle for its core output. restrictions.
innovative solutions for identified service delivery challenges. Over the medium term, the NSG will continue to focus on
Where existing solutions cannot be found, new solutions will contributing towards the fulfilment of the educational, training Entity
be developed through these innovation partnerships. These and development needs of the Public Service. Other specific NSG Training Trading Account
and other related activities are expected to be carried out at a focus areas include increasing the school’s active online The NSG Training Trading Account carries out its expanded
cost of R6.4 million over the MTEF period. learning interventions, and revising the NSG Trading Account’s mandate of building capacity in all spheres of government,
An estimated R1.5 million will be spent on facilitating one funding model to ensure that the school generates more state-owned entities and organs of state through its training
conference and four training sessions annually for public sector revenue. trading account. Over the medium term, the NSG expects to
officials on public sector innovation. The Ideas that Work: The The number of online learning interventions is expected to foster collaborations with training institutions, higher education
South African Public Sector Innovation Journal is a valuable increase from 34 in 2020/21 to 40 in 2023/24. The school will institutions, further education and training institutions, and
resource for case studies, projects and academic articles continue to outsource support services such as information and private‐sector training providers.
that promote service delivery innovation. The centre plans to communications technology, spending on which is expected In addition, the school expects to offer qualifications, part
publish one edition of the journal every year year, over the to account for 10.6% (R15.4 million) of its total allocation for qualifications and non‐formal education, as recognised by
medium term, with production and printing costs estimated at goods and services over the MTEF period. This expenditure is the National Qualifications Framework or the South African
R164 000 per edition. The centre will also participate in two within the Public Sector Organisational and Staff Development Qualifications Authority; and conduct training, examinations or
global innovation programmes for learning and sharing, and programme, which has a budget of R308 million over the tests that are required for specified appointments or transfers
the profiling of South African innovations to strengthen good medium term. to meet the development needs of any category of employees.
governance initiatives. These activities will be carried out in Due to the compulsory baseline reductions across The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a direct bearing on the
the Enabling Environment subprogramme, spending on which government, mainly to fund essential services during the NSG’s plans for fulfilling its mandate, making it necessary to
accounts for an estimated 47.6% (R29.4 million) of expenditure COVID‐19 pandemic, expenditure is set to decrease at an focus more on online training.
in the Public Sector Innovation programme. average annual rate of 8.7%, from R136.5 million in 2020/21 to
The centre’s budget increases at an average annual rate R103.7 million in 2023/24.
of 9.2%, from R42.6 million in 2021/22 to R45.4 million in The school plans to continue revising its funding model to Public Service Commission (PSC)
2023/24. Compensation of employees is the largest spending generate more revenue through training projects. Its executive The PSC is an independent institution established in terms
area, accounting for 56.7% (R72.4 million) of the centre’s management is responsible for revising this model, with related of Chapter 10 of the Constitution. The commission derives
budget, increasing at an average annual rate of 3.6%, from activities to be carried out in the Management and Corporate its mandate from Sections 195 and 196 of the Constitution,
R22.3 million in 2020/21 to R24.9 million in 2023/24. Services subprogrammes at an estimated cost of R109.1 million which set out the values and principles that govern public
over the medium term. administration. The commission is vested with custodial
oversight responsibilities for the Public Service; and monitors,
National School of Government (NSG) The budget for the training trading account comprises funds
evaluates and investigates public administration practices. It
The Public Service is at the coalface of government, and lack appropriated by Parliament and income derived from cost‐recovery
fees charged by the trading account for courses or modules has the power to issue directives on compliance with personnel
of professionalism does not only impact service delivery, it procedures relating to recruitment, transfers, promotions and
also dents public confidence. Advancing honesty, ethics and provided to clients.
Transfers to the training trading account constitute 50.4% dismissals.
integrity in the Public Service is critical if government is to build The NDP sets out a vision for building a capable and
a capable state. (R308 million) of the NSG’s budget over the medium term,
while the remaining 49.6% (R330.8 million) is allocated to developmental state and, in doing so, rooting out corruption by

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building a resilient anti‐corruption system. Priority 6 (a capable, Budget Batho Pele

ethical and developmental state) of government’s 2019 – 2024 For the 2020/21 financial year, the PSC was allocated R297.6 million. The Batho Pele initiative is aimed at improving service delivery
MTSF gives expression to this vision. Subsequent to that, there was a reduction of R10 million through to the public. Batho Pele is a Sesotho phrase meaning “People
Over the medium term, the commission will focus on the special adjustment budget that was tabled in Parliament First”. From this concept, eight principles for transforming
professionalising the Public Service, and monitoring compliance in June 2020 and R13.8 million reduction on compensation Public service delivery were derived. These are:
with constitutional values and principles in the service. Central of employees, that was implemented during the Adjustment • regular consultation with customers;
to these focus areas is the commission’s legislative reform Estimates of National Expenditure Budget process. The budget • set service standards;
project, which seeks to introduce a Bill that will allow it to be of the PSC was, therefore, reduced to R273.8 million, with • increased access to services;
supported by a secretariat that is intended to strengthen the effect from October 2020. • higher levels of courtesy;
commission’s independence. • more and better information about services;
Public Service Month • increased openness and transparency about services;
Promoting ethical leadership South Africa commeorates PSM in September each year. • remedying failures and mistakes; and
Over the medium term, the commission will focus on It is a regular national event that requires all the national • giving the best possible value for money.
professionalising the Public Service by promoting meritocracy and provincial departments to participate by putting in place
and ethical conduct. This will be done by facilitating and activities and campaigns to improve service delivery. PSM is a Batho Pele awards
monitoring research, and providing capacity development in follow-up to and mirrors the UN and Africa Public Service Day, The annual National Batho Pele Excellence
critical areas relating to, among other things, ethical recruitment which takes place on 23 June every year. Awards serve
practices, effective discipline management, the strategic The 2020 PSM celebrations took place when the country to recognise public servants who are
repositioning of human resources in departments, and the and the world was battling the COVID-19 pandemic. The selfless, dedicated, committed and go
effective management of continuous employee development. celebrations took an integrated government-wide programme the extra mile in servicing citizens.
The commission will also support the establishment of an of PSM from 1 September – 4 October 2020 across all three Eligible to public servants
administrative head for the Public Service, which is a critical step spheres of government. across the three spheres of
in professionalising the service and managing career incidents The 2020 PSM was commemorated under the theme; government, the awards seek
of heads of departments. These activities will be carried out in “Growing South Africa Together for an Ethical Public Service.” to entrench transformation
the Leadership and Human Resource Reviews subprogramme, The theme reinforced government’s commitment to instil and professionalism in
which accounts for 20.2% (R27.7 million) of spending in the a sense of pride in being a public servant and called on the Public Service.
Leadership and Management Practice programme over the government employees to abide by the Batho Pele Principles.
medium term. The overall goals of the PSM programme were to:
• instil and rebuild good ethics and professionalism in how
Monitoring compliance with constitutional values and public servants do their work;
principles • recommit and rededicate public servants to the Batho Pele
The commission will continue to focus on monitoring the Principles;
Public Service’s compliance with the constitutional values and • improve the morale and inculcate a sense of pride in being a
principles articulated by Section 195 of the Constitution. public servant; and
Accordingly, the commission plans to strengthen workforce • improve service delivery by exposing senior and middle
skills through its overarching monitoring and evaluation managers to the coalface of service delivery – so that they
system. This is necessary to provide real‐time data to enable can identify challenges and develop plans for corrective
the department to make decisions based on evidence. These action.
activities will be carried out in the Governance Monitoring The Constitution demands that the Public Service, amongst
subprogramme, which accounts for 19.9% (R25.8 million) of others, maintains and promotes a high standard of professional
spending in the Monitoring and Evaluation programme. ethics; promotes efficient, economic and effective use of
resources; and is accountable for its actions.

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