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Across the country, communities are experiencing a steady deterioration in service delivery. Water outages stretch into days. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

When service becomes a favour: Reclaiming accountability in South Africa’s public sector

South Africans deserve better. They deserve a public service that works, that listens and that cares. They deserve assurance, not uncertainty that when an issue is reported, it…

Former public service director-general Yoliswa Makhasi

Pressure mounts over parliamentary vetting after Yoliswa Makhasi’s appointment

Internal correspondence reveals that parliament is assessing whether due diligence was conducted before appointing Makhasi, as union complaints resurface

Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, chair of the Moral Regeneration Movement

The journey to restore morality in South Africa

The Moral Regeneration Movement chaired by Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa is focusing on action against violence, declining social cohesion and moral decay

Former finance minister, Tito Mboweni. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

Business leaders remember Mboweni as self-starter, resolute

He leaves a legacy as a champion of labour rights, fiscal and monetary reform and prudent government spending

Formr Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni and President Cyril Ramaphosa after last year’s budget speech. (Photo by Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

‘We have lost a leader and compatriot’ – Ramaphosa on Tito Mboweni’s death

Ramaphosa extended his condolences to Mboweni’s family and friends, calling the news “a shock”

The municipality is the coalface of service delivery — this is where citizens experience value for their votes, taxes and rates. It is one of the single most important spheres of governance, which cannot afford such vulnerability. (Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)

Local government reform: strengthening democracy in a coalition era

With the advent of coalition politics at local and national level, policies are needed that help to maintain stability

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi(Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Measures to reform public service offer some hope

However, allowing politicians to be involved in the hiring process might be the sticking point

Shortage: Numbers of state healthcare (above) and education workers have not kept up with population growth since 1994, nor have there been enough efforts to rectify apartheid inequalities. Photo: Marco Longari/AFP

Expand the public service, especially in healthcare and education

The state has to employ another one million people to match international standards

The size of South Africa’s LGBTI market — comprising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people — contributes at least R250 billion to the economy every year. (RAJESH JANTILAL/AFP via Getty Images)

We need more black gay men in the public sector

Government structures in South Africa have been shown to host the greatest, albeit subtle, homophobia towards black gay men

President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Rajesh Jantilal/AFP)

Skills crunch in the state? Use outside experts

Advisers – not consultants – can help close critical gaps in government where the loss of key skills leaves the president desperately needing to enhance the state’s capacity to…

Still, the South African Medical Association says government doctors in the country aren’t paid enough (Photo by Pradeep Gaur/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Medical association considers legal action over government’s failure to place junior doctors

More than 2 400 interns and over 2 200 community service doctors are still awaiting placements, which are necessary to complete the statutory requirements so they can practice

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has highlighted the shortcomings of the government in service delivery, non-payment of suppliers, professionalisation and corruption and mismanagement in the public service.  (Photo by Papi Morake/ Gallo Images via Getty Images)

PSC lambasts poor government ethics and service delivery

Administrators exert political influence in the recruitment process, the Public Service Commission says

Executive officer of the National Skills Authority Thabo Mashongoane believes in upskilling and co-operation

A humble helping hand in the NSA

‘Ultimately, we’re stronger when we have one common vision’

According to the department of public service and administration, a candidate will be subjected to a personnel suitability check before an appointment. (Paul Botes/M&G)

State workers must disclose crimes

​Jacob Melusi Motha has not been the only convict to work in the public service

(Graphic: John McCann)

Disintegrating state capacity is a betrayal of democracy

South Africa is repeatedly failing to live up to its declared policies because of corruption, ineptitude and political patronage

Ray Phiri

How to grow an effective public service

The National School of Government is training officials to be committed, passionate and on-board.

This “season of madness” as Ramatlhodi described it, only really began after the ANC elective conference at Mangaung in 2012, where Zuma was re-elected for a second term as the party’s president. (Mujahid Safodien/AFP)

​State to discipline employees doing business with government

The 1 000 public servants who didn’t resign from their companies face disciplinary action or suspension under the Public Service Act.

US president Donald Trump

​Don’t blame neoliberalism, blame the state

It’s not the private sector that’s failing our poor. It’s badly executed public policy that’s at fault.

South Africa’s economy expanded by 0.8% during the second quarter of 2025, following a marginal increase of 0.1% during the first quarter.

State coffers have R456-million in unclaimed pensions

The Government Pensions Administration Agency is attempting to trace the beneficiaries of R456-million in pension money.

Both rich and poor are losing faith in the state

The growing black middle classes show no signs that they will behave differently from rich white folk.