PUB5970
Assignment 2 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 12 June 2026
Position Paper on Alternative Priority Public Policy Issues Requiring Intervention in
South Africa
1. Outline of Contents
1.1 Definition of the problem
The problem is that South Africa has several serious public problems that affect daily life, but
government must choose which issues need urgent policy action first.
1.2 Prioritised policy issues
The five priority policy issues identified in this paper are poor basic literacy, informal housing,
household food insecurity, road safety, and HIV prevention and treatment.
, Position Paper on Alternative Priority Public Policy Issues Requiring
Intervention in South Africa
1. Outline of Contents
1.1 Definition of the problem
The problem is that South Africa has several serious public problems that affect daily
life, but government must choose which issues need urgent policy action first.
1.2 Prioritised policy issues
The five priority policy issues identified in this paper are poor basic literacy, informal
housing, household food insecurity, road safety, and HIV prevention and treatment.
1.3 Recommendation
This paper recommends that government should prioritise education and food
security first, while using stronger administrative and operational systems to deal
with housing, road safety and HIV services.
2. Definition of the Problem
2.1 Background to the problem
The problem is that many South Africans still struggle with basic needs that affect
their future opportunities, safety and health. Public policy must therefore focus on
problems that are urgent, supported by evidence and possible for government to
address. Webb argues that public policy issues should be prioritised by considering
urgency, available resources, risk, cost, benefit and the state’s capacity to respond
(Webb, 2025). This means that government should not only respond to loud political
pressure, but should also look at proper statistics and research before deciding what
must come first.
2.2 Extent of the problem
The selected issues affect different levels of public policy. Poor literacy needs
political and executive action because it affects the whole education system. Informal
housing and food insecurity need executive and administrative planning. Road safety
Assignment 2 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 12 June 2026
Position Paper on Alternative Priority Public Policy Issues Requiring Intervention in
South Africa
1. Outline of Contents
1.1 Definition of the problem
The problem is that South Africa has several serious public problems that affect daily life, but
government must choose which issues need urgent policy action first.
1.2 Prioritised policy issues
The five priority policy issues identified in this paper are poor basic literacy, informal housing,
household food insecurity, road safety, and HIV prevention and treatment.
, Position Paper on Alternative Priority Public Policy Issues Requiring
Intervention in South Africa
1. Outline of Contents
1.1 Definition of the problem
The problem is that South Africa has several serious public problems that affect daily
life, but government must choose which issues need urgent policy action first.
1.2 Prioritised policy issues
The five priority policy issues identified in this paper are poor basic literacy, informal
housing, household food insecurity, road safety, and HIV prevention and treatment.
1.3 Recommendation
This paper recommends that government should prioritise education and food
security first, while using stronger administrative and operational systems to deal
with housing, road safety and HIV services.
2. Definition of the Problem
2.1 Background to the problem
The problem is that many South Africans still struggle with basic needs that affect
their future opportunities, safety and health. Public policy must therefore focus on
problems that are urgent, supported by evidence and possible for government to
address. Webb argues that public policy issues should be prioritised by considering
urgency, available resources, risk, cost, benefit and the state’s capacity to respond
(Webb, 2025). This means that government should not only respond to loud political
pressure, but should also look at proper statistics and research before deciding what
must come first.
2.2 Extent of the problem
The selected issues affect different levels of public policy. Poor literacy needs
political and executive action because it affects the whole education system. Informal
housing and food insecurity need executive and administrative planning. Road safety
