South Africa is facing a significant challenge in filling key leadership positions within its national departments. A staggering 12 out of 42 departments are currently without permanent directors-general, a situation that has been ongoing for an extended period. This has resulted in some departments being led by acting administrators for years, with the Government Communication & Information System being without a department head for over four years.
The absence of permanent directors-general has significant implications for the effective implementation of government policies and the efficient functioning of departments. Directors-general play a crucial role in ensuring that budgets are correctly spent and that their departments operate smoothly. The lack of stability in these positions has raised concerns about the impact on governance and the ability of the government to deliver essential services.
The issue of vacant director-general positions has sparked a growing appreciation across the political spectrum for the need for security of tenure for this layer of administration. There have been suggestions that directors-general should be offered 10-year contracts that are not directly linked to the term of office of a cabinet minister. This move aims to ensure greater stability in government and allow directors-general to focus on implementing policies without fear of arbitrary dismissal.
Despite the recognition of the need for stability, politicians seem to be perpetuating the problem by not filling some of these posts on a permanent basis. A department without a permanent director-general often ends up under the charge of an acting head whose primary preoccupation is to appease a minister in the hope of securing the post permanently. This has been referred to as the “political economy of inefficiency” by Public Service Commission chair Prof Somadoda Fikeni.
The lack of permanent directors-general has significant implications for the attraction and retention of top talent in the public sector. To build a modern and capable state, South Africa needs to attract the best minds to lead its various departments at a national level. However, such talent is often enticed by lucrative employment packages in the private sector and may not find public service appealing if offered no security of tenure.
The situation is particularly concerning in critical departments such as the State Security Agency, which has been under acting administrators since the establishment of the government of national unity two years ago. The absence of permanent leadership in such departments raises questions about the government's ability to ensure the effective functioning of essential services and the implementation of key policies.
To address the issue, policymakers will need to take a firm stance on filling vacant director-general positions and ensuring that those appointed are given the necessary security of tenure to perform their duties effectively. This may involve revising the current appointment and contract systems to ensure that directors-general are not unduly influenced by political considerations and can focus on implementing government policies without fear of arbitrary dismissal.
Key points
- 12 of 42 national departments in South Africa lack permanent directors-general.
- The absence of permanent directors-general has significant implications for effective governance and the implementation of government policies.
- Policymakers are considering offering 10-year contracts to directors-general to ensure greater stability in government.
