TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
2
......................................................................................................
Context of Public Sector Change and Development
3
........................................
NSG's Mandate and Strategic Approach
3
..........................................................
Training Programmes Supporting Professionalisation
4
...................................
Supporting Change Through Continuous Professional Development
5
.............
Practical Examples of NSG Impact
6
..................................................................
Challenges and Opportunities
7
..........................................................................
Conclusion
7
........................................................................................................
References
8
........................................................................................................
1
, The Role of the National School of Government in Supporting Public Sector
Change and Development
The National School of Government (NSG) occupies a central position in South Africa's
efforts to build a professional and capable public service. As outlined in its Strategic
Plan (2015-2020) and Annual Report (2018/19), the NSG is mandated to contribute to
the professionalisation of the public service and to build a capable developmental state
(NSG, 2015:8). My assignment evaluates the role of training, learning, and
development programmes offered by the NSG in supporting public sector change and
development, drawing on theoretical perspectives from the study guide and providing
practical examples from the NSG's initiatives.
The Context of Public Sector Change and Development
Public sector change and development in South Africa must be understood within the
broader context of transforming a public service that serves all citizens equitably and
efficiently. The study guide emphasises that organisational change in the public sector
involves systematic efforts to improve performance, enhance service delivery, and
adapt to evolving societal needs (Pauw et al., 2015:97-108). This requires not only
structural reforms but also fundamental shifts in the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of
public servants.
The concept of a "developmental state" implies that government plays an intimate role
in economic and social planning to achieve growth and development (Pauw et al.,
2015:11). Building such a state requires public servants who possess not only technical
competence but also the ideological know-how, regulatory knowledge, financial
understanding, and bureaucratic navigation skills necessary to drive development
agendas effectively.
2
Introduction
2
......................................................................................................
Context of Public Sector Change and Development
3
........................................
NSG's Mandate and Strategic Approach
3
..........................................................
Training Programmes Supporting Professionalisation
4
...................................
Supporting Change Through Continuous Professional Development
5
.............
Practical Examples of NSG Impact
6
..................................................................
Challenges and Opportunities
7
..........................................................................
Conclusion
7
........................................................................................................
References
8
........................................................................................................
1
, The Role of the National School of Government in Supporting Public Sector
Change and Development
The National School of Government (NSG) occupies a central position in South Africa's
efforts to build a professional and capable public service. As outlined in its Strategic
Plan (2015-2020) and Annual Report (2018/19), the NSG is mandated to contribute to
the professionalisation of the public service and to build a capable developmental state
(NSG, 2015:8). My assignment evaluates the role of training, learning, and
development programmes offered by the NSG in supporting public sector change and
development, drawing on theoretical perspectives from the study guide and providing
practical examples from the NSG's initiatives.
The Context of Public Sector Change and Development
Public sector change and development in South Africa must be understood within the
broader context of transforming a public service that serves all citizens equitably and
efficiently. The study guide emphasises that organisational change in the public sector
involves systematic efforts to improve performance, enhance service delivery, and
adapt to evolving societal needs (Pauw et al., 2015:97-108). This requires not only
structural reforms but also fundamental shifts in the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of
public servants.
The concept of a "developmental state" implies that government plays an intimate role
in economic and social planning to achieve growth and development (Pauw et al.,
2015:11). Building such a state requires public servants who possess not only technical
competence but also the ideological know-how, regulatory knowledge, financial
understanding, and bureaucratic navigation skills necessary to drive development
agendas effectively.
2
