Conference Agenda

Public sector reform has emerged as a critical priority in the Global South, where governance challenges, institutional inefficiencies, and limited public service delivery have hindered socio-economic development. This paper explores the historical context and contemporary dynamics of public sector reform in developing regions across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It highlights how colonial legacies, political instability, and fiscal constraints have shaped the evolution of bureaucratic systems, often resulting in fragmented governance structures. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of various reform initiatives—ranging from decentralization, digital governance, and performance-based management to anti-corruption measures—and to evaluate their impact on transparency, accountability, and service delivery.

The main objectives of the paper are to (1) identify the driving forces behind recent reform efforts, (2) analyze the outcomes of selected case studies, and (3) propose actionable recommendations for sustainable transformation. Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative evidence from the existing literature, the paper underscores the importance of context-specific strategies, political will, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

Key recommendations include strengthening institutional capacity through skills development, fostering citizen participation in governance processes, and leveraging digital technologies to enhance service delivery and data transparency. Furthermore, the study calls for adaptive policy frameworks that are resilient to political shifts and economic shocks.

In conclusion, while notable progress has been made, public sector reform in the Global South remains an ongoing and complex endeavour. Long-term success hinges on locally owned reforms that prioritize equity, accountability, and responsiveness to the needs of diverse populations.

1. Problem Statement and Purpose

There is a prevailing belief within society that moving from one model of governance or system of political organisation to another may resolve South Africa’s socio-economic challenges. Transferring sovereignty from the constitution to parliament is being considered and touted as the next linchpin to the emancipation of Black people in South Africa. This move would lead to constitutional supremacy as a principle of the political system being replaced by parliamentary sovereignty. Constitutional supremacy is the current approach pursued by the post-apartheid state. Parliamentary sovereignty is obviously another approach or model for governing the modern state.

This paper aims to question the idea of switching political system models while leaving historical structures of socio-economic organisation intact. By providing analysis of approaches to the political system and the doctrine of separation of powers, this study seeks to identify factors that influence the incidence of failure and misgovernance within the South African State.

2. Methodology

This study employs a qualitative research design and historical research as a methodology. Historical research was employed to uncover the usage of the different models of governance in South Africa referring to the period of parliamentary sovereignty during apartheid as well as constitutional supremacy within the democratic dispensation. This is a desk top study that relies on secondary data sources. Thematic analysis was utilised to generate common themes in approaches to governance.

3. Findings

The study reveals that governing the modern state is a complex matter that goes beyond mere change in approaches to the political system and governance models. Constitutional supremacy is the current approach pursued by the post-apartheid state. Parliamentary sovereignty is obviously another approach or model for governing the modern state. These approaches become situated within a broader context of the ecosystem of the state where there is a multiplicity of political actors and bureaucrats. Governance requires thorough interrogation not only of the doctrine of separation of powers, the three arms of the state, and the location of supreme authority in one of the branches of government but also of capacity amongst those in charge of the state. The short history of South Africa during the democratic dispensation has revealed that numerical superiority in government and state institutions such as parliament can be rendered useless if those in power have no vision, capacity to govern, and a coherent plan to be implemented. The majority position can be misused to further narrow party and personal interests of certain individuals.

4. Proposal

Parliamentary sovereignty as a model of governance may be re-introduced to replace constitutional supremacy but that will hardly resolve the underlying socio-economic challenges within society. Governance requires thorough interrogation not only of the doctrine of separation of powers, the three arms of the state, and the location of supreme authority in one of the branches of government but also of capacity amongst those in charge of the state. The short history of South Africa during the democratic dispensation has revealed that numerical superiority in government and state institutions such as parliament can be rendered useless if those in power have no vision, capacity to govern, and a coherent plan to be implemented.

This study performs a detailed bibliometric analysis of academic discussions on public sector reforms, viewed through five major public governance paradigms: (Neo)Weberian, New Public Management (NPM), New Public Governance, Digital-Era Governance, and Hybrid Governance. Using data from the Scopus database spanning 2000 to 2025, the research tracks trends in scholarly output, citation patterns, and identifies leading authors, journals, and institutions in the field.

A key aspect of the study is its categorization and exploration of reform-related subtopics unique to each governance paradigm. This is achieved by analyzing titles, abstracts, and keywords provided by authors, alongside the application of advanced text mining methods, such as topic modeling and clustering via embedding techniques. Additionally, the study maps publications that establish conceptual connections between these governance paradigms, offering valuable insights into their theoretical progression. Special focus is given to how these cross-model relationships might shape future research directions, particularly in response to the rising influence of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) in public administration.

Initial findings point to significant growth in publication volume during the studied period, with New Public Governance and Digital-Era Governance attracting the most sustained academic attention. Geographic analysis highlights the United States and the United Kingdom as dominant contributors, while China's involvement is increasing, especially in newer governance frameworks. Prominent journals such as Government Information Quarterly and Public Administration Review are identified as central platforms for dissemination; each reflecting specific thematic focuses tied to different governance paradigms.

By providing a detailed, data-driven examination of the evolution, connections, and thematic trends in public governance research, this study enhances our understanding of public sector reforms. It also lays the groundwork for identifying common subtopics, including those centered on reform initiatives within the public sector and those driven by digital transformation and AI technologies in governance practices.

Problem statement and purpose: South Africa’s public service is caracterised by suboptimal service delivery, illustrated by inefficiencies, delays, and uneven access to public services. These problems are rooted in the public service sector’s complex processes which are exacerbated by, inter alia, the lack of envisioning change, capacity for change management, planning and implementation of change, and lastly sustaining change efforts. The lack of effective change management communication that matched the distinctive context of South Africa further impedes the realization of effective public service delivery. The purpose of this paper is therefore to examine the strategic role of change management communication as a vital aspect of institutional growth and continuous adaptation informed by legislative and policy amendments, technological innovation, as well as political, social and economic factors which serves as a catalyst for the professionalisation of the public service in South Africa.

Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative approach, which falls within the positivist research philosophy. Data were collected from 200 identified and selected respondents using purposive and stratified sampling techniques. The sample comprised heads of departments (HoDs), project managers, and change management practitioners in the public service of South Africa. In the former sampling technique, respondents were selected based on their ability to provide data for research. The study used ordinal logistical regression (OLR) and structural equation modelling (SEM) to attain the research objective. In addition, descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to analyse frequencies and means, mode, and standard deviations respectively.

Findings: The study found that transparent communication of change is a critical aspect of change management and stakeholder engagement, both which are critical for overcoming resistance, confusion and low morale during the change process. In addition, lack of change management communication led to reduced public service performance which negatively affect public trust in government. The success of any change initiative largely depends not only on the strategy itself but on how effectively change is communicated to all stakeholders and role players. The professionalisation of the public service is a strategic imperative for modern governance, aimed at enhancing the efficiency, integrity, and responsiveness of government institutions. As public expectations evolve and societal challenges become more complex, there is a growing demand for a public service that operates with high levels of competence, accountability, and ethical standards. Professionalisation refers to the process of developing a merit-based, skilled, and value-driven public workforce equipped to deliver high-quality services and uphold democratic principles.

Proposal: That change management communication be institutionalised through a change management communication framework as a foundational element of public service transformation. Through change management communication, public sector institutions can bridge gaps, build trust, and mobilise support for change efforts. When executed effectively, it builds alignment, fosters commitment, and enables the public service to navigate change with resilience and agility. The professionalisation of the public service is not merely an administrative exercise but a key element of effective governance and sustainable development.