The critical need ffor an integrated leadership approach to improve service delivery by the South African public service

Abstract

repeatedly expressed concerns about poor and ineffect ive leadership and its impact on service delivery outcomes. Neverthe less, 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 fa iled 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 c lear 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 leadersh ip 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 de livery outcomes.