Johannesburg, 21 June 2024 – On 21 June, Ivor Chipkin, executive director and co-founder of the New South Institute (NSI), was interviewed by Vuyo Mvoko on Newzroom Afrika to discuss the crucial issue of public service reform in South Africa. The discussion is particularly timely given recent legislative developments and the release of two major reports by the NSI.

During the interview, Chipkin highlighted the recent amendment to the Public Service Act, passed by the National Assembly earlier this year. This amendment aims to constrain the discretion of politicians in recruiting public servants and making operational decisions within departments. “It effectively rebalances power inside departments away from politicians in favor of senior officials,” Chipkin noted, emphasizing the potential impact on the efficiency and integrity of public administration.

Chipkin also presented the NSI’s latest reports, which outline a concrete programme of action for public service reform. These reports, written in collaboration with Rafael Leite, an NSI researcher based in Brazil, were launched on the same day as the interview. “We launched that report this morning, and one of the people discussing the report with us was Leon Schreiber, who could potentially become the next Minister of Public Service and Administration if the DA gets that portfolio,” Chipkin stated, underscoring the relevance and timeliness of the NSI’s work.

Addressing the broader context of South Africa’s political landscape, Chipkin remarked, “We are on the cusp potentially of a historic change, not just in the political situation of coalition governments or government of national unity but also in driving through profound and fundamental reforms to the organization of government itself and public administration more generally.”

Chipkin also cautioned against the oversimplified notion that a smaller, leaner administration automatically leads to more efficiency. He pointed out that South Africa’s public service is not particularly bloated when compared to other countries. “In many instances, we don’t have enough public servants in key positions, which means the crisis of government is not because it’s bloated but because we don’t have enough people in key positions,” he explained.

The interview concluded with Chipkin’s call for cautious and informed discussions about public service reform, focusing on the need for depoliticized and effectively managed public administration rather than merely reducing the number of officials.

For a deeper understanding of these critical issues, readers are encouraged to explore the newly launched NSI reports, which provide comprehensive insights and detailed proposals for the future of public service in South Africa.

Read the full report here and stay updated with more insights from the New South Institute.