Innovative thinking in South African governance vis-a-vis policy plans lacking implementation

Abstract

In South Africa, the persistent problems in public service delivery together with an abundance of innovative plans which according to evaluations have only a minor impact, pose an interesting puzzle. One would expect that the plans do have some positive effects, but these are not visible. This article argues that failing implementation and neglect for implementation issues, might explain the difference between the high expectations and the meager outcomes. Based on a literature review and talks with senior, junior, and prospective public officials, it is recommended that the national politicians, as well as the national training institute give more attention to the proper implementation of policy plans. While government often presupposes that when a plan is decided upon and becomes a policy, it will out of itself, automatically be implemented accordingly, the literature on implementation suggests the opposite and is able to explain the subsequent policy failures. A key component of implementation is the unexpected consequences that policies may have on public sector institutions. Hence, the need to address policy failures as a consequence of failing policy implementation. As for public officials, it is especially important that they are enabled to overcome the hurdles that will inevitably appear when innovative plans need to be executed in practice.