Unequal service delivery in South Africa: A local problem?

Service delivery in its definition is the standard procedure of implementing and executing a set of principles, policies, standards and constraints that a service provider must oversee to ensure quality services to a customer. Service delivery is thus the responsibility of government and the state in its entirety, this were government must take it upon themselves to cater and provide for the needs of the public.

In achieving this, government needs to have a direct connection with its people and thus the creation of local municipalities that are tasked with the day to day job of providing basic services to the people of South Africa. Service delivery in South Africa has however been an ongoing problem this from the post-apartheid era to that of the beginning of Democracy and the challenge that exists is that of finding new and innovative ways to tackle this dilemma. Challenges pertaining from the inefficient use and distribution of state finances and resources plays a major role in the development of the above mentioned crisis. Most of our people are still living under the shackles of poverty and education is still a need in many rural areas of South Africa. Statics have also highlighted that not more than three out of five people have access to safe and clean water, health, sanitation as well as safety and security.

An important facet of service delivery as a concept, which I will focus on is that of the acquisition and distribution of adequate healthcare. The Democratic elections of 1994 were a hope to inspire change in all spheres of government this in particular were political change was to aimed to limit and reduce inequality in the distribution and acquisition of adequate medical services. Although this was the vision and goal, challenges soon came into play and the vision has never really been accomplished.

HIV and AIDS has been on the increase and medical facilities have had inefficient resources needed to alleviate the problem. Tuberculosis has also taken an unexpected rise over the years and has claimed the lives of many South Africans who could not get help on time. This resulting in increased death rates and decreased life expectancy rates in South Africa.

The question that we now need to ask ourselves as citizens of South Africa, as tax payers and as scholars of the subject and study of public management is how can we improve and better the rate at which services are rendered out to our people?, Can we find new and better ways of dealing with state finances without misusing them and using them for other less important ventures that are not to the benefit of the future?

To accomplish this we need to start thinking out the box, getting involved and a taking a deeper look at issues. From this we will be able to share information and learn from the knowledge and experiences of others on how to better ourselves and those around us. We need to form strong ties with one another and work together closely to move forward as a nation and as a people.

Gavin Mageni, an expert in his field has shared some light on this, he states that we need to look at the state of circumstance that we face in South Africa and work together as a people to resolve these issues. He talks about conveying research for development rather than conveying research and development. In this, new and better ways to think will be inspired, problem-solving techniques will also be dynamic and on a wider spectrum, so solutions to problems will always be different.

Should you have any opinions on the above topic talk to us on twitter, Facebook and Instagram?

Tlhalefang Mongake   

@tlhale9x on twitter and Instagram

Dear Tlhlale, well done! You have managed to construct a well written and though provoking blog. I hope that this is only the beginning of us seeing the evidence of your well appreciated thoughts. I wonder what it would be like if you added real statistics, backed by sources to empower your statements, and furthermore, I wonder what the results would be if you enticed your readers with initial examples of innovative initiatives on how to address the serious problems that you mention here in your blog. The potential is unimaginatively big. :)

Dear PUMA 314 Students I encourage you to engage with Tlhale on the matters raised above.

Good day Tlhlalefang
I do agree with the matter mention above,that service delivery is one local problem that we as South African face. Thus it is also essential for us South Africans to work together in building a better nation, one example would be by creating strategic policy's that would not only be created but implemented as well. In addition it would be strategic to get powerful leaders of the economy, who would be able to better service delivery and reduce corruption within the spheres of government. We need to take into consideration that corruption is one issue that ensures the downfall of the economy, what am trying to imply by this is that tax money is not used to better the economy but it is used for personal use.In addition I also agree with the fact that problem solving dynamic on a wider spectrum is essential to the local problem we are facing as a country. Lastly I would like to say the matter you raised above is well put and should be taken into action!!keep up the good work.

great work as it outline the current issue that affect society at large,i do agree with you as you have mentioned the things that hold service delivery but i would like to say that the very government that have created a chasm in between is because of the great promise that they might not even fulfill and society starts to have doubts in local government but i think that government can provide service delivery that can reach each society only when the public servant can be loyal to their country and society

Dear Tlhalefang, I would like to congratulate you on writing a very challenging piece. Based on the insightful facts stated above, Service delivery still remains a major challenge in most municipalities. This phenomenon can be blamed on a number of reasons, one of them which is common is corruption. This is a major challenge which acts as a threat to human rights. By reason of this trigger mentioned the delivery of services to the community gets derailed.
The Question that I have as a Public Administration student, if you are to find yourself in a setting where the system is deeply infiltrated by corruption keeping in mind the whistle blowers act which is systematically failing, how do you work in a manner that is transparent and constitutional to bring about change and do away with corruption?

Wow, well done miss Tlhalefang. I really do believe that service delivery will definately not remain a challenge if only services were delievered with integrity, be focused on citizens, and rapidly respond to their needs, especially those groups that are most vulnerable. This process though requires improved transparency in order to enable citizens to evaluate the quality, sufficiency and effectiveness of basic services.