An examination of the implementation of selected batho pele principles: A case study of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and its selected clients

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Date

2018

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of the Western Cape

Abstract

The Batho Pele principles can be seen as a tool to help transform the South African public sector by making it more responsive to the needs of its citizens. The White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service strives to enhance service delivery to all South Africans (Taylor,2007).The role of the Batho Pele principles is to improve service delivery within the public sector and to assist with the transformation of a public sector that is more effective and people centred. However, if these principles are ignored, it will lead to a public sector that only caters to the needs of the middle class and higher-income groups, thus leaving the lowerincome citizens with a substandard of service delivery. Batho Pele means to put the people first; however, that can only take place if these principles are implemented correctly and continuously and their successes and challenges monitored and addressed (RSA, 1997b). If the people are not valued, it will lead to a scenario where citizens lose trust in government. This in turn, could lead to a decrease in active public participation. By not engaging and consulting with the people, government will not adhere to the very first of the Batho Pele principles. Service delivery to all citizens and a responsive public sector are yet to be achieved (Taylor, 2007. Matas argues that the South African public sector lacks effectiveness and efficiency and as a result of this, unequal service delivery is experienced by millions of South Africans (Matas, 1994. The main research objective of this study is to examine the implementation process of the Batho Pele principles through the case of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and how it influences its interactions with relevant clients/citizens. The reason why this department was selected was due to the fact that this department within the Western Cape was solely responsible for assisting wine farm owners across the country with the necessary submissions of wine samples and scientific laboratory reports. This process facilitates the testing, approval and marketing of the wines produced.

Description

Magister Administrationis - Madmin

Keywords

Batho Pele, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Western Cape, South Africa, Public participation, Provincial government, Transformation, Public sector, Service delivery, Public management, Publis administration

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