PUB1601 Assignment 2 Semester 2 2025 (Answer Guide) - Due 26 September 2025

PUB1601 Assignment 2 Semester 2 2025 (Answer Guide) - Due 26 September 2025 The Responsibilities of Key Parties in the Management of South African Public Services: A Case Study of the Department of Basic Education Introduction The management of public services in South Africa requires the participation of various actors who are constitutionally and administratively mandated to ensure effective governance, equitable access, and accountability in service delivery. Public services form the cornerstone of democratic governance, as they allow the state to translate constitutional rights into tangible benefits for citizens. Effective management requires coordination among different role players: The Executive Authority, the Legislature, and Public Servants (Administration) (Cloete & Thornhill, 2019). This essay critically analyses the responsibilities of these three parties by using the Department of Basic Education (DBE) as a case study. The DBE is central to promoting social justice and development by ensuring access to quality education, as guaranteed under Section 29 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Republic of South Africa, 1996). The Executive Authority The Executive Authority is primarily responsible for setting policy, providing leadership, allocating resources, and ensuring accountability in public service management. In the DBE, the Minister of Basic Education exercises this authority at national level. Firstly, the Executive sets the strategic vision for education through policies such as the Action Plan to 2024: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2030 (DBE, 2020). This plan identifies key priorities including improving literacy and numeracy, expanding access to early childhood development, and ensuring equity between urban and rural schools. Secondly, the Executive Authority allocates financial resources to support departmental priorities. For example, in 2023, the DBE receiv