PUB3720 PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE 2026 QUESTION 1 The fictional African country of Mawela has introduced a national programme to improve access to clean water in rural communities. Although the national government has allocated funding and established

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Table of Contents

Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 3

Question 1: The African Policy Environment (25 marks) ................................................. 3

Question 2: Evaluating Public Policy (25 marks) ............................................................. 7

Question 3: Role Players in South African Policymaking (50 marks) ............................ 10

Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 15

List of References ......................................................................................................... 17




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Introduction

Public policy provides a framework through which governments identify societal
problems, establish priorities and develop interventions to improve citizens’ living
conditions. Effective policymaking requires an understanding of the social, economic,
political and institutional environments in which policies are developed and
implemented. It also requires continuous evaluation to determine whether government
interventions achieve their intended objectives and use public resources responsibly. In
South Africa, policymaking is shaped by constitutional principles, public participation,
intergovernmental relations and the need to address historical inequalities. The
participation of citizens, civil society organisations, traditional leaders and other
stakeholders is particularly important because public policies affect communities
differently. This portfolio examines the African policy environment through the fictional
Mawela Rural Clean Water Programme, explains the evaluation of public policy, and
critically assesses the roles of different participants in South African policymaking using
the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act 32 of 2024 and the August 2026
draft regulations as a case study.

Question 1: The African Policy Environment (25 marks)

The African policy environment is shaped by historical inequalities, socioeconomic
challenges, institutional capacity, cultural practices and relationships between
governments and communities. These factors influence which problems receive
attention, how policies are designed and whether intended outcomes can be achieved.
The fictional Mawela Rural Clean Water Programme illustrates these complexities
because providing safe water to rural communities requires more than constructing
infrastructure. It requires financial resources, technically capable institutions, community
cooperation and sustainable arrangements for operating and maintaining water
systems. An African-centred approach should therefore recognise local knowledge and
community priorities while drawing on relevant international experience and regional
development commitments.


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