Assignment 3 Semester 2 2025
2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 20 October 2025
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AS AN INTEGRATED PROCESS IN THE SOUTH
AFRICAN PUBLIC SECTOR: FUNCTIONS, PRACTICES, CHALLENGES AND
OUTCOMES
1. INTRODUCTION
Human Resource Management (HRM) in the public sector is a central part of ensuring that
government institutions operate effectively and deliver quality services to citizens. In South
Africa, HRM has a special importance because the public service is one of the largest
employers in the country and plays a vital role in promoting equity, transformation and
service delivery (Van der Westhuizen, 2021). Unlike private sector HRM, public HRM is
guided by constitutional values, laws, and policies that aim to balance efficiency with
fairness and accountability.
The concept of HRM as an integrated process means that recruitment, training, policy-
making, financing, labour relations and employee care cannot be treated separately but
must be managed together in a coordinated way (Condrey, 2010). This approach helps
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HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AS AN INTEGRATED PROCESS IN THE
SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLIC SECTOR: FUNCTIONS, PRACTICES, CHALLENGES
AND OUTCOMES
1. INTRODUCTION
Human Resource Management (HRM) in the public sector is a central part of
ensuring that government institutions operate effectively and deliver quality services
to citizens. In South Africa, HRM has a special importance because the public
service is one of the largest employers in the country and plays a vital role in
promoting equity, transformation and service delivery (Van der Westhuizen, 2021).
Unlike private sector HRM, public HRM is guided by constitutional values, laws, and
policies that aim to balance efficiency with fairness and accountability.
The concept of HRM as an integrated process means that recruitment, training,
policy-making, financing, labour relations and employee care cannot be treated
separately but must be managed together in a coordinated way (Condrey, 2010).
This approach helps government departments to use resources efficiently, develop
skills among employees and respond to the needs of communities.
This portfolio will discuss and evaluate HRM in the South African public sector as an
integrated process. It will explain the key functions and practices, the management
tasks, the additional skills required and the outcomes of integrated HRM. Examples
and case studies will be used to highlight both achievements and challenges.
2. UNDERSTANDING HRM AS AN INTEGRATED PROCESS
Public Human Resource Management (PHRM) in South Africa is designed as an
integrated process because the different functions and tasks cannot be managed in
isolation. Integration means that all activities such as recruitment, training,
performance management, labour relations and employee care are connected and
aligned to support service delivery (Van der Westhuizen, 2021). For example,
recruitment of skilled workers must be followed by training and development, while