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The purpose of this study is to explore the IDP process for improved public participation and thereafter assess the barriers to the design and implementation of the IDP. The IDP process was developed to improve strategic planning and ensure that no one is left behind at the grassroots. This was done by promoting public participation in municipal affairs. Many South African municipalities have been struggling to use the IDP process to improve public participation. A mixed-methods approach to investigate the participative IDP process and barriers, using the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) as a case study was adopted. The methodology included 400 respondents who were chosen through a probability sampling technique and probed to complete the online survey using a closed-ended questionnaire guide, and 10 respondents were also chosen through a non-probability sampling technique and were face-to-face interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The key results revealed that poor public participation exists in the study area due to a lack of encouragement from responsible authorities. Many barriers hinder the effective design and implementation of the participative IDP process, such as protests, working in silos, a lack of institutional resources to address the competing needs of communities, and a lack of transparency, accountability, and consultation. Lastly, the lack of oversight by the municipality in the adoption of e-participation has been discovered as a barrier to the design and implementation of participative IDP process during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study concludes by providing a few recommendations to enhance participative IDP process. The GTM should at all times uphold democratic principles by ensuring active and effective public participation, transparency, and accountability in municipal affairs. South African municipalities, especially GTM, should develop innovative institutional and organizational skills to make better use of their resources, solve socioeconomic barriers, and enhance service delivery.

A formal performance management (PM) system was adopted and put into place in Zimbabwe in 1995 because of many suggestions made by the Public Service Review Commission (PSRC). However, the human resource management (HRM) period since the 1980s has had flaws that led to the implementation of the Results-Based Personnel Performance System (RBPPS) in 2005, particularly in terms of the Africanisation drive following Zimbabwe's independence and the PM system that followed in 1995. The study's objective is to examine the effectiveness of RBPPS in improving the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) performance in Zimbabwe. Information was gathered and compiled using a qualitative research methodology. The research identified elements that contributed to PM's failure in the MOHCC, including management's lack of commitment, a lack of ongoing training, and flaws in the planning and execution of PM. As a result, the government eventually implemented the RBPPS to improve the PM process. The study considers empirical and scholarly findings that may lead to more significant outcomes for Zimbabwe's public sector.

Although Knowledge Management was introduced as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for all senior management in South Africa 15 years ago, its implementation has been slow and inconsistent. This paper aimed to identify the factors that contribute to or deter the implementation of Knowledge Management in the South African government. The issue was explored through a review of literature on Knowledge Management, as well as results of an interview and questionnaire completed by government officials doing Knowledge Management practitioner work in the South African government. The quantitative data was analysed using DATAtab. The findings identified two key factors that deter the implementation of Knowledge Management in the South African government: most departments in the South African government do not value Knowledge Management, and public officials responsible for implementing Knowledge Management in their departments lack implementation skills. A lack of research on Knowledge Management in developmental governments exists. More research on this subject is necessary. The research will benefit Knowledge Management and Public Administration practitioners alike.

This article intends to uncover the ongoing challenges that South African municipalities are confronted with in realizing SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and also explore common good governance principles for sustainable development. To realize SDG 6, good governance principles should be promoted and pragmatically implemented. This is a conceptual article which assesses secondary data covering SDG 6 challenges and good governance principles. Existing literature was systematically reviewed from Google Scholar, online newsletters, and other databases from May–July 2022. Secondary data was analyzed using a Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) approach. The theoretical findings of this article show that there is growing concern about attaining SDG 6 due to the bad or weak governance practices in SA. In SA, progress on good governance has been encouraging, but challenges remain. Thus, this article recommends good and inclusive governance because, without it, SA will not achieve its socio-economic goals, like SDG 6. If SA is to achieve its development goals, it must establish mechanisms that promote constitutionalism, accountability, democracy, and good governance. Weak governance, which is characterized by corruption, bribery, mismanagement, and lack of public involvement, transparency, and accountability, should be addressed. SA should have sound governance that is responsive to community needs and fights toward the achievement of the localized SDGs.

This article aims to assess the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) process for improved community participation. The IDP process was developed to improve strategic planning and community participation at the municipal level. Many South African municipalities have been struggling to use the IDP process to improve community participation. The methodology included 400 respondents who were chosen through a probability sampling technique and probed to complete the online survey using a closed-ended questionnaire guide, and ten respondents were also chosen through a non-probability sampling technique and were face-to-face interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The key findings revealed that poor community participation exists in the study area due to a lack of encouragement from responsible authorities. The Tzaneen municipality does not provide adequate feedback to the communities, and the inputs of the communities are not considered. There is a continuous lack of community consultation during the annual review of the IDP. The ineffective IDP process for improved community participation presents several challenges. Thus, this article concluded by providing a few recommendations to enhance the application of the IDP process and community participation. The Tzaneen municipal area should at all times uphold democratic principles by ensuring active public participation, transparency, and openness in municipal affairs. It also recommends making it easier for marginalised and previously disadvantaged people to participate in municipal policy and decision-making without prejudice. South African municipalities, including Tzaneen municipality, should develop and innovate institutional, and organisational capabilities to better utilise their resources, mitigate socio-economic challenges and enhance service delivery.

This study aims to identify problems in the implementation of bureaucratic reform in the field of employment, especially civil servants’ promotion. This study is carried out using a qualitative approach with the case study method. The data collection technique is done using observation, documentation study, and interviews with two key informants. The data is then analyzed in several stages, namely data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that there is an injustice and non-transparent phenomenon in civil servants’ promotion, especially in the initial promotion, promotion by extraordinary work performance, and promotion by graduation certificate. This condition has the potential to cause corruption, collusion, and nepotism, and might reduce employee performance in providing public service.

The article was based on an interpretive paradigm, which adopts a qualitative desktop review approach. Various document sources that inform 4IR and talent management within the local government context in South Africa were employed. The two cities of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni were used as case studies to examine their talent management strategies in the 4IR. The analysis of documents has shown that the 4IR can enable accelerated delivery of services; increase access to services; improve community participation; and more significant social accountability. Nevertheless, some municipalities in South Africa do not have enough resources and skills capacity to implement ICT/4IR measures to improve services; hence managing talent in key technical jobs has become an impediment. The absence of institutional readiness among local municipalities is a huge deterrent to managing talent needed to drive service delivery in the 4IR. The study concludes that to achieve efficient public service delivery within the 4IR, local municipalities should retain talent to manage the digital technologies that demand skilled expertise. The article recommends the government develop policies that offer guidance to local municipalities on managing specified sets of talents that are deemed crucial to enhancing socio-economic development in the 4IR.

This paper examines how employee empowerment impacted the South African public sector. A qualitative research approach was utilised based on the narratives and stories of seven employees operating in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa from the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affair Tourism (DEDEAT) and East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) gathered through the use of in-depth interviews. It was found that the concept of empowerment has not been fully institutionalised in the Public sector. The research suggests strategies that managers can adopt to assist instutionalise Employee empowerment in the Public sector. This study extends and advances the literature on employee empowerment and more particularly psychological empowerment. The study found employee empowerment to be a vital tool to improve service delivery in the Public sector. However, it was found that more personalised approaches like delegation and mentorship can be institutionalised for psychological empowerment purposes. In general, the findings indicated that Employee empowerment has a positive influence on organisational performance and service delivery.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the Key Success Factors in the operationalization of BP. Tapera (Public Housing Savings Implementing Agency), so that solutions to the challenges faced by institutions in the future will be found, as well as ways to achieve successful performance.  As results of external analysis research, showing several key success factors, including high economic growth, large population, implementation of mandatory Tapera membership, high yielding Tapera fund accumulation, transparent and accountable Tapera administration principles, the culture of mutual cooperation and humanity, availability of adequate office/branch services, availability of integrated IT, Decrease Termination of Employment, Employment Increase, Price Stability, Equitable Development Results, Participant Awareness and Trust, Employer Support, Land Bank Availability. As a follow-up study, BP. Tapera must immediately develop and perform strategies to implement these key success factors.

This study aims to identify and analyze and formulate a model for implementing the Apparatus Performance Assessment System Policy (Sikerja) at the IPDN Cilandak Jakarta Campus. The type of research used is descriptive with a qualitative approach. To formulate a model for the implementation of the apparatus performance appraisal system policy (Sikerja) at the IPDN Cilandak Jakarta campus, researchers used Soft System Methodology (SSM). In this study, an analysis of the implementation of the Sikerja policy was carried out with the dimensions studied were communication, resources, disposition and bureaucratic structure. The results showed that the implementation of the Sikerja policy at IPDN CIlandak Jakarta campus has been carried out quite well in the disposition and bureaucratic structure dimensions, however in the communication and resource dimensions there are still obstacles. The Implementation Model of the Apparatus Performance Appraisal System (Sikerja) policy at the IPDN Cilandak Jakarta Campus is a model that adds a dimension of commitment as an additional dimension in implementing the Sikerja policy. 

This study aims to examine the effect of professionalism, accountability, transparency, excellent service, participation, and rule of law on the regional financial performance of East Tanjung Jabung regency moderated by human resource knowledge. This research was conducted on 89 respondents in 28 OPDs of the Government of East Tanjung Jabung Regency. The data analysis method used SEM-PLS with the WarpPLS 7.0 application. The results of this study indicated that the principles of good governance which referred to Government Regulation Number 101 of 2000 concerning Education and Training for Civil Servant Positions that can positively affect the regional financial performance of East Tanjung Jabung Regency include professionalism, accountability, and participation. Meanwhile, the principles of transparency, excellent service, and rule of law have not been able to maximally affect the regional financial performance of East Tanjung Jabung Regency. Human resource knowledge as a moderating variable was able to strengthen several variables from the principles of good governance, namely human resource knowledge was able to strengthen the effect of professionalism, accountability, transparency, and excellent service. However, the result of research on human resource knowledge was also unable to moderate the effect of participation and rule of law on regional financial performance.

In order to push development to the grassroots and ensure citizens contribute meaningfully to development, many African countries have adopted the devolved governance system.  However, it has been observed that the devolution of political powers has not translated equally to envisioned overall development. In Kenya County governments have achieved various milestones towards development demonstrated through the infrastructure, social amenities, and standards of living. However, corruption has been increasing mainly due to a lack of transparency. This paper sought to examine the contribution of transparency levels in County government service delivery.  The study adopted mixed method approach using survey and in-depth interviews concurrently.  Stratified multi stage cluster sampling was deployed. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires and qualitative data using interview schedules. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and a typological theory developed to explain the study results. The study findings showed that the level of transparency in the counties was low which affected service delivery.  The study concluded that county governments should ensure that public participation and sharing of information is bidirectional to involve both users and management so as to improve service delivery.

The devolved system of governance was adopted to ensure development in all regions and effectiveness in service delivery for all Kenyans. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the consensus orientation practices on the performance of county governments in Kenya. The study used a descriptive and explanatory cross-sectional survey method. The unit of analysis was the county government. The counties in which data was collected helped in the generalization of findings to all the Kenyan 47 counties. For this study, a sample of 354 was arrived at. A simple random sampling method was adopted for selecting the respondents. The study used a questionnaire for the collection of primary data. Data analysis was done with the help of a statistical analysis program. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were obtained for the study’s variables and this information was presented in graphs and frequency tables. Inferential statistics included regression analysis that was used to test the significance between dependent and the independent variables. The researcher observed respondents’ rights to privacy and safety. The study established that consensus orientation had a significant influence on the performance of county governments in Kenya and concluded that consensus orientation influences the performance of county governments in Kenya. The study recommends that Governors need to sensitize county directors to work in consultation with other stakeholders to ensure that all feel part of the developmental agenda for the county. There is a need for county governments to set effective regulations through the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority to regulate and shape the county’s procurement procedures.

The purpose of this study is "Designing an excellent service model on Population and Civil Registration Service in the city of Metro ". The conclusions obtained from this study are (1) Problems in excellent service at Population and Civil Registration Service in the city of Metro based on their nature are divided into two types, which is uncontrolled (missed) and which is controlled (difficult). Uncontrolled problems are problems that should not need to exist, but they appear as an unavoidable problem whereas problems that are controlled are problems whose level of difficulty can be controlled. (2). The focus of service in population administration services in an institutional model emphasizes speed and convenience and does not pay attention to the simplicity of requirements and so to improve its quality it is necessary to pay attention to safety factors. (3) There are still many brokers in the services of the city of Metro Population and Civil Registration Service due to lack of supervision from the relevant agencies, not yet clear the application of Procedure Service Standards as well as the lack of socialization to the public about the service rates and service procedures.
 Keywords: Excellent Service Model; Soft Systems Methodology