Defining the concept of civic interest in post-apartheid South Africa : a question of administrative philosophy in the making

Abstract

The article seeks to engage readers in questioning the realisation of civic interest in practice, as well as reviewing the academic implications of the concept in theoretical terms. The relevance of this phenomenon in a post-apartheid period is also discussed. The post-1994 period in South Africa will be seen in the history of this country as a turning point in promoting civil popular governance characterised by civil liberties, universal franchise and unconditional opportunities of public participation. This reflects a shift in thinking from that of the apartheid era, when police were viewed with suspicion by the very communities whom they were supposed to serve. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence and survival of the civic interest are also discussed. To this end the actions of public officials are measured according to this phenomenon, where public decisions are made by those in power in the name of the majority. To a large extent the actions of public officials are justified in the name of the public interest.