, Strategic Public Management: A Critical Evaluation of South Africa's Strategic Priorities
on Health and Anti-Corruption
Introduction
Strategic management in the public sector represents a fundamental shift from traditional
administrative approaches toward a more deliberate, future-oriented, and results-driven
methodology for governing society. As public institutions face increasingly complex
challenges, the application of strategic management principles has become essential for
translating political mandates into tangible improvements in citizens' lives (University of South
Africa 2026). This assessment examines the conceptual foundations of strategic public
management and critically evaluates South Africa's government strategic agenda through the
lens of two specific priorities: improving the health profile of all South Africans and
intensifying the fight against crime and corruption. By analysing these priorities against
strategic management theory, this discussion illuminates both the promise and the persistent
challenges facing the developmental state in achieving its ambitious goals.
The South African government's strategic framework, anchored in the National Development
Plan and operationalised through the Medium-Term Development Plan, represents a
comprehensive attempt to address the country's most pressing socio-economic challenges (The
Presidency 2025a). The MTDP translates long-term vision into focused interventions over five-
year periods, establishing three interrelated strategic priorities: driving inclusive economic
growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a
capable, ethical, and developmental state (The Presidency 2025a). Within this framework,
health improvement and anti-corruption efforts emerge as critical enablers of broader
developmental objectives, requiring sophisticated strategic management approaches to achieve
meaningful progress.
The Conceptual Foundations of Strategic Public Management
Strategic public management may be understood as a comprehensive and systematic approach
to steering public organisations toward the achievement of long-term goals through deliberate
planning, resource allocation, implementation, and continuous evaluation (University of South
Africa 2026). Unlike traditional public administration, which often emphasises rule-following
and procedural compliance, strategic management introduces a forward-looking perspective
that requires public managers to analyse their environment, set priorities, mobilise resources,
and adapt to changing circumstances (Mlambo & Maserumule 2024). This approach recognises
on Health and Anti-Corruption
Introduction
Strategic management in the public sector represents a fundamental shift from traditional
administrative approaches toward a more deliberate, future-oriented, and results-driven
methodology for governing society. As public institutions face increasingly complex
challenges, the application of strategic management principles has become essential for
translating political mandates into tangible improvements in citizens' lives (University of South
Africa 2026). This assessment examines the conceptual foundations of strategic public
management and critically evaluates South Africa's government strategic agenda through the
lens of two specific priorities: improving the health profile of all South Africans and
intensifying the fight against crime and corruption. By analysing these priorities against
strategic management theory, this discussion illuminates both the promise and the persistent
challenges facing the developmental state in achieving its ambitious goals.
The South African government's strategic framework, anchored in the National Development
Plan and operationalised through the Medium-Term Development Plan, represents a
comprehensive attempt to address the country's most pressing socio-economic challenges (The
Presidency 2025a). The MTDP translates long-term vision into focused interventions over five-
year periods, establishing three interrelated strategic priorities: driving inclusive economic
growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a
capable, ethical, and developmental state (The Presidency 2025a). Within this framework,
health improvement and anti-corruption efforts emerge as critical enablers of broader
developmental objectives, requiring sophisticated strategic management approaches to achieve
meaningful progress.
The Conceptual Foundations of Strategic Public Management
Strategic public management may be understood as a comprehensive and systematic approach
to steering public organisations toward the achievement of long-term goals through deliberate
planning, resource allocation, implementation, and continuous evaluation (University of South
Africa 2026). Unlike traditional public administration, which often emphasises rule-following
and procedural compliance, strategic management introduces a forward-looking perspective
that requires public managers to analyse their environment, set priorities, mobilise resources,
and adapt to changing circumstances (Mlambo & Maserumule 2024). This approach recognises
