The Critical Need for an Integrated Leadership Approach to Improve Service Delivery by the South African Public Service

Abstract

The South African Government recognizes that its public service requires effective leadership. However, it has
 repeatedly expressed concerns about poor and ineffective leadership and its impact on service delivery outcomes.
 Nevertheless, government has undertaken many leadership and management training and development initiatives,
 and has adopted a managerial leadership approach in the public service. However, there is little evidence of the
 effectiveness of these training and development initiatives and the leadership approach adopted. The conventional
 initiatives and approach adopted by the South African public service appear to have failed to improve service
 delivery. It is argued that successful and sustainable public service delivery requires a consideration of local
 narratives and local issues and an integrated leadership approach in South Africa. The literature suggests that
 leadership challenges in the South Africa public service have a direct impact on effective service delivery. It is clear
 that service delivery has not led to satisfaction of communities in South Africa because the country still has one of
 the highest deficits in the provision of basic services and the lowest level of access to basic services. This paper
 argues that there is a critical need for an integrated leadership approach and leadership training and development in
 multifaceted competencies in the South African public service. Such an approach should improve the leadership
 competencies required of managers in the South African public service. It should also promote good governance
 practices at all levels and ensure that this is done to achieve service delivery outcomes.

Public Administration