Merit-based recruitment in the South African Public Service: Challenges and opportunities
Simon Matome Nkgapele & Sifiso Mofokeng
Abstract
Section 195 (i) of South Africa’s Constitution mandates that public administration must reflect the nation's diversity, with recruitment and personnel management practices based on competence, fairness, and impartiality, while addressing historical inequalities to ensure broad representation. This creates a dual obligation for public administration: to foster inclusivity and equity while ensuring merit-based recruitment. Merit-based recruitment is crucial for meeting the public service's human resource needs and achieving employment equity by making opportunities accessible to all societal groups. While the practical application of merit-based recruitment presents opportunities, it still encounters considerable obstacles, such as political interference, and fragile institutional structures. This paper explored both the challenges and opportunities of merit-based recruitment in the South African public service through an analysis of government reports, academic literature, and policy reviews. The findings reveal that while the concept of merit-based recruitment is embedded in policy, its execution is hampered by political interference, nepotism, a lack of institutional capacity, skills shortages, and tensions between affirmative action and meritocracy. The paper recommends strengthening monitoring and evaluation measures employed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to effectively promote and oversee the implementation of merit-based recruitment processes in the public service.
Keywords
merit-based recruitment, public service, affirmative action, diversity, political meddling
Author information & Contribution
Simon Matome Nkgapele. Corresponding author. University of Limpopo, Department of Public Administration. Email: nkgapelesimon@gmail.com
Sifiso Mofokeng. Nelson Mandela University, Department of Public Management and Leadership. Email: s217450857@mandela.ac.za
“All authors equally contributed to the conception, design, preparation, data gathering and analysis, and writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.”
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
AI Declaration
Notes
Acknowledgement
References
Adams, M. (2021). Nonideal justice, fairness, and affirmative action. J. Ethics & Soc. Phil., 20, 310. https://doi.org/10.26556/jesp.v20i3.1630 .
Adenlawo, E. F., & Chaka, M. (2024). The impact of cadre deployment on governance and service delivery in South Africa. International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 13(4), 264-272.
April, K., Dharani, B., & April, A. (2023). Affirmative action and empowerment. In: Lived Experiences of Exclusion in the Workplace: Psychological & Behavioural Effects (pp. 155-168). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2051-233320230000007006
Archibong, U., & Adejumo, O. (2013). Affirmative action in South Africa: Are we creating new casualties? Journal of Psychological Issues in Organizational Culture, 3(S1), 14-27. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpoc.21073.
Ashton, C. (2022). A single anti-corruption agency is a high-risk option for SA. Corruption Watch. Retrieved from https://www.corruptionwatch.org.za/a-single-anti-corruption-agency-is-a-high-risk-option-for-sa/
Cameron, R. (2009). New public management reforms in the South African public service: 1999-2009. Journal of public administration, 44(1), 910-942. https://journals.co.za/doi/epdf/10.10520/EJC51742
Cossette-Lefebvre, H. (2020). Direct and indirect discrimination: A defense of the disparate impact model. Public Affairs Quarterly, 34(4), 340-367. https://doi.org/10.2307/26965777
Dupper, O., & Garbers, C., 2012. The prohibition of unfair discrimination and the pursuit of affirmative action in the South African workplace. Acta Juridica, 2012(1), 244-269. https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/EJC125097
Egeberg, M., Gornitzka, Å., & Trondal, J. (2019). Merit-based recruitment boosts good governance: How do European Union agencies recruit their personnel? International Review of Administrative Sciences, 85(2), 247-263. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020852317691342
Enwereji, P. C., & Emmanuel, U. D. (2022). Talent management practices in the South African Public Service. Khazanah Sosial, 4(3), 417-433. https://doi.org/10.15575/ks.v4i3.19708
Fereday, J., & Muir-Cochrane, E. (2006). Demonstrating rigor using thematic analysis: A hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding and theme development. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 5(1), 80–92. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940690600500107
Fershtman, D., & Pavan, A. (2021). “Soft” affirmative action and minority recruitment. American Economic Review: Insights, 3(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1257/aeri.20200196
Foley, M., & Williamson, S. (2019). Managerial perspectives on implicit bias, affirmative action, and merit. Public Administration Review, 79(1), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13008
Gajduschek, G. (2007). Politicisation, professionalisation, or both? Hungary’s civil service system. Communist and Post-Communist Studies, 40(3), 343-362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postcomstud.2007.06.004
Haider, H. (2019). Merit-based recruitment in the public sector: Effectiveness and challenges. Institute of Development Studies.
Jarbandhan, D. B. (2022). The professionalisation of the South African public sector: Challenges and opportunities. Administratio Publica, 30(4), 24–51. https://doi.org/10.10520/ejc-adminpub_v30_n4_a3
Kaizer, R. M. (2022). From cadre deployment to professionalizing public service in South Africa: A reflective approach to service delivery improvement. African Journal of Development Studies, 2022(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3649/2022/SIv2a2
Kalonda, J. K., & Govender, K. (2021). Factors affecting municipal service delivery: A case study of Katima Mulilo Town Council, Namibia. African Journal of Public Affairs, 12(2), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.10520/ejc-ajpa_v12_n2_a2
Khaitan, T. (2017). Indirect discrimination. In: The Routledge handbook of the ethics of discrimination (pp. 30-41). Routledge.
Koman, G., Toman, D., Jankal, R., & Borsos, P. (2024). The importance of e-recruitment within a smart government framework. Systems, 12(3), 71. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12030071
Konateh, H., Duramany-Lakkoh, E. K., & Udeh, E. (2023). Cost and administrative effectiveness of recruitment and selection practices on public service delivery in public sector institutions. European Journal of Business and Management Research, 8(2), 21-30. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejbmr.2023.8.2.1814
La Cascia, J. H., Malik, I. A., Goncalves, E., Cordova, Y. M., & Kramer, M. (2020). Finding fraud: GovTech and fraud detection in public administration. World Bank
Legoabe, R., & Worku, Z. (2023). Municipal service delivery and shortage of civil engineers. The South African Public Sector Administration: Some Critical Contemporary Case Studies, 82(085), 129.
Mafunisa, M. J. (2014). Addressing public finance management skills shortage in the South African public service. Journal of Public Administration, 49(4), 1100–1112. https://doi.org/10.10520/EJC167099
Magomane, T. M. (2012). The impact of cadre deployment on service delivery: the case of Mopani Local Municipalities in Limpopo Province, South Africa (Doctoral dissertation, University of the Free State).
Mamokhere, J., & Kgobe, F. K. L. (2023). One district, one approach, one budget, one plan: Understanding district development model as an initiative for improving service delivery and socio-economic development in South Africa. IAHRW International Journal of Social Sciences Review, 11(3), 362-370.
Masenya, M. J. (2017). Neo-patrimonialism, corruption and governance in South Africa. African Journal of Public Affairs, 9(9), 146–156. https://doi.org/10.10520/EJC-c13d1b59e .
Masuku, M. M., & Jili, N. N. (2019). Public service delivery in South Africa: The political influence at local government level. Journal of Public Affairs, 19(4), e1935. https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.1935
Mavuso, V. (2024, May 1). Report on the qualifications of senior. https://www.psc.gov.za/documents/reports/2024/Updated_Report_on_the_Qualifications_of_SMS_members_in_the_Public_Service.pdf.
Mbandlwa, Z., Dorasamy, N., & Fagbadebo, O. M. (2020). Leadership challenges in the South African local government system. Journal of Critical reviews, 7(13), 1642-165. http://dx.doi.org/10.31838/jcr.07.13.260 .
McCrudden, C. (2017). Merit principles. In: Global Minority Rights (pp. 269-305). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315254203
Meyer‐Sahling, J. H., Mikkelsen, K. S., & Schuster, C. (2018). Civil service management and corruption: What we know and what we don’t. Public Administration, 96(2), 276-285. https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12404
Meyer-Sahling, J. H., Mikkelsen, K. S., Schuster, C., Bartula-Musikic, R., Ahmetovic, D., Ivanova, M., … & Vlajkovic, V. (2019). Merit recruitment in the Western Balkans: An evaluation of change between 2015 and 2019. https://www.respaweb.eu/download/doc/Merit+based+recruitment+Evaluation+Report%2C+Feb.+2019.pdf/a1242f71d4ff3e9b2a3c1cf9d066e7ce.pdf
Mkhonza, L., & Letsoalo, A. (2017). Understanding the skills gaps in the public service sector. Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority, Pretoria.
Mlambo, V. H., Zubane, S. P., & Thusi, X. (2022). Interrogating governance challenges and cadre deployment in South Africa. Cihan University-Erbil Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 6(1), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.24086/cuejhss.v6n1y2022.pp11-18
Mokgolo, M. M., & Dikotla, M. (2023). Ethical violations: Shortlisting and interviewing processes in the South African public service. Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review, 11(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v11i1.648
Moloele, R. L. (2021). Affirmative action in the Bela-Bela and Dr JS Moroka Municipalities: Traipsing towards goalposts. International Journal of Public Administration and Management Research, 6(4), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.36758/ijpamr
Msenge, P., & Nzewi, O. (2021). A proposed citizen participation–public trust model in the context of service delivery protests in South African local government. Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation, 2, 26. https://doi.org/10.4102/jolgri.v2i0.26
Mujtaba, B.G. (2023). Affirmative action initiatives in education and employment: Its necessity then, now and in the future. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, 24(1), 46-54. https://doi.org/10.1353/gia.2023.a897700
Musopero, O., & Lee, G. (2021). Examining the challenges of implementing merit-based civil servant recruitment in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Public Administration and Management Research, 6(2), 84-99. https://doi.org/10.36758/ijpamr
Nafukho, F.M., Hairston, N. & Brooks, K. (2004). Human capital theory: Implications for human resource development. Human Resource Development International, 7(4), 545-551. https://doi.org/10.1080/1367886042000299843
Nalubega, T., & Uwizeyimana, D. E. (2019). Public sector monitoring and evaluation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Implications for Africa. Africa’s Public Service Delivery and Performance Review, 7(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v7i1.318
National Treasury. (2022). National Treasury on State of Local Government Finances and Financial Management. South African government. https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/29052/
Ncholo, P. (2000). Reforming the public service in South Africa: A policy framework. Public administration and development, 20(2), pp.87-102. https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-162X(200005)20:2<87::AID-PAD117>3.0.CO;2-H
Nkgapele, S. M. (2024). The usability of e-government as a mechanism to enhance public service delivery in the South African government: Lessons from practices. Digital Policy Studies, 3(1), 116-132. https://doi.org/10.36615/w2sjk817
Nkgapele, S. M., & Mokgolobotho, R. M. (2024). Developing transformational strategies to improve the accessibility of e-governmental services in the South African local government. International Journal of Law, Social Science, and Humanities (IJLSH), 1(2), 56-68. https://doi.org/10.70193/ijlsh.v1i2.147
Nkoana, I., Mmachoene, M. & Selelo, M.E. (2024). Unravelling the intricacies: An in-depth analysis of the complexity within South African local government. Publica: Jurnal Pemikiran Administrasi Negara, 16(2), 129-145. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpan.v16i2.35087
Nkoana, I., Selelo, M. E., & Mashamaite, K. A. (2024). Public administration and public service delivery in South Africa: A sacrifice of effective service delivery to political interests. African Journal of Public Administration & Environmental Studies (AJOPAES), 3(1). https://doi.org/10.31920/2753-3182/2024/v3n1a4
Nzo, T. Z. L. (2019). Local government party politics and ANC councillor representation: the dynamics of council decision-making in South Africa. The University of Edinburgh. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/36059
Omar, F. (2020). Employment equity and employee morale at a selected public service organisation in Cape Town, South Africa (Doctoral dissertation, Cape Peninsula University of Technology).
Omar, F., & Kiley, J. D. (2022). Employment equity and employee morale at a selected public service organisation in Cape Town, South Africa. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 20, 12. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v20i0.1917
Public Service Commission. (2022). Annual reports, PSC. https://www.psc.gov.za/documents/reports/2022/FINAL_ETHICS_in_RECRUITMENT_and_SELECTION_REPORT.pdf
Ramafoko, M.S. (2015). Setting the sun down on affirmative action: A South African perspective (Doctoral dissertation, University of Johannesburg).
Republic of South Africa. (1996). Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Act 108 of 1996. Pretoria: Government Printers.
Rishi, S. (2020). Lateral recruitment in civil services: Standing the test of merit. Indian Journal of Public Administration, 66(4), 563–577. https://doi.org/10.1177/0019556120983966
Schotte, S., Gisselquist, R.M. & Leone, T., 2023. Does affirmative action address ethnic inequality? A systematic review of the literature (No. 2023/14). WIDER Working Paper. https://doi.org/10.35188/UNU-WIDER/ .
Sealy, R. (2010). Changing perceptions of meritocracy in senior women’s careers. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 25(3), 184-197. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542411011036392
Shava, E., & Chamisa, S. F. (2018). Cadre deployment policy and its effects on performance management in South African local government: A critical review. Politeia, 37(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.25159/0256-8845/3849
Silvanto, S., & Ryan, J. (2018). An investigation into the core appeals for nation branding to attract and retain talent to enhance a country’s competitiveness. Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, 28(5), 584-604. https://doi.org/10.1108/CR-05-2017-0036
Sunam, R., Pariyar, B., & Shrestha, K. K. (2022). Does affirmative action undermine meritocracy? “Meritocratic inclusion” of the marginalized in Nepal’s bureaucracy. Development Policy Review, 40(1), e12554. https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12554
Terry, G., Hayfield, N., Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2017). Thematic analysis. In: The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research in Psychology (2nd ed., pp. 17–37). SAGE.
Thaver, B. (2017). Affirmative action in South Africa: The limits of history. In: Race and Inequality (pp. 167-186). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315245430-15
Thusi, X., & Chauke, R. (2023). Strategies for retaining scarce skills and reducing turnover in the South African public sector. International Journal of Management, Entrepreneurship, Social Science and Humanities, 6(1), 120–134. http://dx.doi.org/10.31098/ijmesh.v6i1.1242
Thusi, X., & Mashabela, M. (2023). The role of civil society organizations in promoting public accountability: The perspective of the South African local government. IAHRW International Journal of Social Sciences Review, 11(2), 175–180.
Thusi, X., Matyana, M., & Jili, N. (2023). Lack of political will: a barrier to public service delivery in South Africa and a high cost for citizens. Journal of Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities (JSSSH), 9(2), 137-147.
Zondo, RMM. (2022). Judicial commission of inquiry into state capture report: Part VI https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/zondo-commission-reports/Part6Vol4-JudicialCommissionofInquiryintoStateCaptureReport.pdf
Zulu, P., Yalezo, B., & Mutambara, E. (2022). An assessment of cadre deployment practices in kwazulu-natal local government. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 21, 1-22.
Cite this article:
Nkgapele, S.M. & Mofokeng, S. (2024). Merit-based recruitment in the South African Public Service: Challenges and opportunities. International Review of Social Sciences Research, 4(4), 148-170. https://doi.org/10.53378/irssr.353136
License:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) International License.
Find this article in:
Most read articles
- Social media usage and the academic performance of Filipino junior high school students
- Exploring the factors influencing commuters’ satisfaction and the use of public utility buses in Quezon City, Philippines
- A narrative exploration of romantic experiences and ideal relationship standards among Filipino Gen Z
- Students’ exposure to social media and their radical involvement on the societal issues in the Philippines
- ChatGPT integration significantly boosts personalized learning outcomes: A Philippine study
- Tiktok made me book it: The impact of Tiktok on tourism destination selection of generation Z and millennials in Manila
- Senior high school students’ awareness and literacy on computer software applications
- Self-perception of ABM students towards their academic, social and emotional college preparedness
- Enhancing financial literacy among Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries
- Emotional intelligence and leadership efficacy of university student leaders