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Public Administration Courses In South Africa:

What Is Public Administration?

"Public Administration" refers to the carrying out of the policies of governments. The term also applies to governments and departments of State that determine what the policies of governments should be and put them into effect. Public administration is responsible for the overall planning, organising, co-ordinating, directing and controlling of government operations and activities.

Systems of government throughout the world have some form of public administration. They have some process to put public policy into effect. Public administration as a discipline is part of central government, federal governments, regional governments, provincial governments and a variety of local authorities. There are several levels of government in any modern state and these have some form of interrelationship. It is this interrelationship that is the concern in this Module.

What You Will Learn In This Public Administration Diploma

During the course of the 1900s, public administration received attention from social scientists. The German sociologist, Max Weber (1864-920), was the first social scientist to examine bureaucratic organisations and attempt to create a general theory concerning public administration.

Another factor that influenced public administration in the 1900s was the emphasis on efficiency and economy. Although this, in itself, is a worthy goal, it can at times have negative effects on notions such as justice, equal treatment for all citizens and public needs generally.

Tasks of the Public Administrator

In modern society the role of the public administrator is of utmost importance for several reasons. The modernisation process brings with it a number of problems that must be faced by governments and, as a result, the public administrator who has to put government policy into practice.

In an urban area there are numerous problems that are dealt with by the administrator. They include limiting the size of cities and their growth rates, which in a number of developing societies is very rapid.

Central Government in South Africa

South Africa's new political-administrative system came into existence after the first democratic elections in 1994. The country's new system of government was at first based on the Interim Constitution (1993). It is now based on the Constitution of 1996.

Parliament is the legislative authority of South Africa and has the power to make laws for the country in accordance with the Constitution. It consists of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

Central Legislative Process in South Africa

The legislative process in South Africa is divided into two bodies: the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. These two institutions make up the country's Parliament, but they are not the only legislative bodies in the country. The provinces also have legislatures.

Local Government in South Africa

In 1998, a new era dawned for local government authorities which, for the first time in South African history, were represented in Parliament and were entitled to participate in the legislative process as it affected their sphere of government.

Local governments, through the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), are entitled to send representatives to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). This is regulated by the Organised Local Government Act of 1997), which became effective on 12 November 1997.

Human Rights Commission

In accordance with the Constitution and the Human Rights Commission Act of 1994, the tasks of the Human Rights Commission are to:

• Develop an awareness of human rights among the people of South Africa.
• Make recommendations to the state to improve the carrying out of human rights.
• Undertake studies and report to Parliament on matters relating to human rights.
• Investigate complaints of violations of human rights and seek appropriate relief.

By definition, ethics concerns itself with what is morally good or bad and what is right or wrong. The field of ethics deals with the process of analysis and evaluation of moral issues and problems. The word "ethics" is derived from the Greek word "ethos". Ethics deals with the morality of persons as individuals and also that of groups of individuals.

Ethics assesses not only what people are seen to be doing, but also examines what they think is right, fitting and just. People are often judged by what they do or by what they are seen to be doing. But their actions do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or feelings, or what they are often saying. People often act within the context of traditions and customs, but, and this is important, ethics always involves "reflective evaluation". It is a serious thought process that takes place before action happens. In other words, individuals like to feel that what they do is right, just and accepted as correct.

Who Will Benefit From This Public Administration Diploma?

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any student who cannot afford to go to university to study but wants to acquire more knowledge and understanding in this specific working environment and thus making them employable.

What Qualification Will I Have After I Have Studied This Public Administration Diploma?

We also offer the following provider programmes that is well suited to this area of study:

Skills Diploma Government Studies (DIP4014-08)
Skills Diploma Local Government (DIP4036-08)
Skills Diploma Public Management (DIP4038-08)

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