On 17 July 2025, Yoliswa Makhasi, Head of the Public Service Reform Programme at the New South Institute (NSI), appeared on Views and News with Clarence Ford on CapeTalk to discuss the condition of South Africa’s public service and the importance of placing reform at the centre of the government’s ongoing National Dialogue process.

Makhasi outlined a range of structural challenges affecting public administration, including political-administrative interference, limited institutional capacity, declining budgets and insufficient accountability mechanisms. While South Africa has existing policy frameworks (such as the National Development Plan), implementation remains uneven.

She argued that the current National Dialogue, announced by the president, presents an opportunity to strengthen public understanding of state reform, clarify institutional responsibilities and build momentum for implementation. The process, she noted, can serve as a mechanism to re-engage stakeholders and recalibrate existing policy commitments in a changing environment.

The full conversation is available via CapeTalk.