Government in transition: A South African perspective
| Author | Zola Skweyiya,Sibusisio Vil‐Nkomo |
| Published date | 01 November 2006 |
| Date | 01 November 2006 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1002/pad.4230150307 |
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT, VOL.
15,217-223 (1995)
Government in transition: a South African perspective
ZOLA SKWEYIYA
and
SIBUSISIO
VIL-NKOMO
South
Africa
THE
NATURE
OF
THE
TRANSITION IN SOUTH AFRICA
The South African Government, unlike many other governments, may be regarded
as experiencing a dual transition. First, South Africa is experiencing
a
constitutional
and political transition. Not long ago, last year, it adopted an interim constitution
after three years of difficult negotiations. In terms of this constitution, the first
democratic elections were held and governments of national unity established at
both national and provincial levels. The new constitutional and political
arrangements reflect the spirit of reconciliation that
so
dramatically changed
South Africa’s course. The transition at this level is, however, far from complete. We
still have to draft and reach agreement on a final constitution.
Second, we are also experiencing
a
transition at the institutional level of
government. Our situation is special in the sense that we are required to change the
actual nature of the South African state.
To understand the challenges we have to contend with, one has to understand the
present state of South African society. The legacy of apartheid has left
us
with
a
country characterized by huge imbalances and tremendous inconsistencies.
To
some,
South Africa is a country of affluence and luxury, to others a country of dismal
poverty and deprivation. Poverty amicts fewer than
2
per cent of whites, but more
than half
of
the black population. Ten per cent of black children, compared to one
per cent of white children, die in infancy. Per capita, whites earn
9.5
times the income
of blacks and live, on average,
1
1.5
years longer. These are just some of the statistics
that indicate the anomalies prevalent in our society. There is, in fact, not a single
sphere in our society that has not been affected by the consequences of apartheid.
The challenges of reconstruction and development of our country and the
community as a whole are consequently enormous, and obviously we need a
comprehensive approach and coherent plan if we are to restore law and order,
improve peoples’ lives and bring about a more just society. For this purpose, we have
drafted a programme for reconstruction and development that articulates
our
The
Hon.
Dr.
Skweyiya is Minister
for
Public Service and Administration; Dr. Vil-Nkomo is Member
of
the
Public Service Commission, Office of Public Service Commission, Private Bag
X121,
Pretoria,
South
Africa.
CCC
027
1
-2075/95/0302 17-07
0
1995
by
John
Wiley
&
Sons,
Ltd.
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