Getting To Grips With Government Capacity And Delivery

DATE: Tuesday 3 August 2010
TIME: 08h30 for 09h00 (until 10h30)
VENUE: Sasol Polymers: 56 Grosvenor Road , Bryanston

Why This Seminar Now?

There is legitimate concern about the effectiveness of the South African public service and about its ability to respond to the democratic and developmental challenges of the country. While these worries have produced endless debate, most of this focuses on two issues – affirmative action and the politicisation of senior government management. What too many of us fail to consider is the history of the public sector, the many significant changes that have taken place, and the impact that these changes have had on the situation today. Persistent failure to understand and consider these issues will continue to result in conversations that are at best, only partly informed.

Join Professor Ivor Chipkin as he discusses key circumstances from the 1990's that fundamentally changed the organisation and management of the South African public sector; illustrates the principles that informed these changes; shows the dramatic impact these changes have had on the public sector, and asks whether ideas that appeared promising in theory have actually worked in practice. During this discussion Professor Chipkin will touch on the potential for ‘public-private partnerships’, state engagement with corporate South Africa, and the so-called ‘enabling environment’ for civil society enshrined in various pieces of legislation.

Professor Chipkin will then open debate on options for going forward, including improved
cross-sectoral cooperation for transformation and sustainable development, and a more
robust engagement with civil society.

Professor Ivor Chipkin is a graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand and received his PhD in Sociology and Politics from the Ecole Normale Superieure in France. He is well-known author of Do South Africans Exist? and is a frequent contributor to the print media. He was previously a senior researcher at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), and is currently Executive Director of the Public Affairs Research Institute (Pari), a new initiative working on the institutional and social aspects of the public sector.

Seminar Fee: Corporates R285, NGOs R228 (incl VAT)

There will be opportunity to network with friends and colleagues over refreshments before the seminar begins.

To book: please fill in and submit the booking form below.

To assist us with catering arrangements please respond by Thursday 29 July.

If you would like additional details please contact: Mihloti Mgimeti at CAF Southern Africa:
mmgimeti@cafsouthernafrica.org
Tel: + 27 11 726 1148
Fax: + 27 11 726 3877
or Colleen du Toit at: + 27 11 726 1148

Our sincere thanks and appreciation to Sasol CSI for facilitating use of this seminar venue.

To subscribe to CAF Southern Africa’s electronic newsletter Isiphala Online please click here.

Booking Form

Please complete and submit this form once for each delegate.

Payment Details

Electronic transfer / direct deposit payments: made to

Charities Aid Foundation
Nedbank, Parktown branch
Branch code 194405
Account number 1944 183 795
Please send proof of payment, Quote reference ‘Morning Seminar & Delegate Name' to mmgimeti@cafsouthernafrica.org.

For further information, contact Mihloti Mgimeti at mmgimeti@cafsouthernafrica.org, or call 011-726-1148.

Cancellation policy

• All cancellations must be in writing/email. No cancellations will be received by phone.
• Cancellations received before 29 July will receive a full refund less 20% administration fee.
• No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 30 July
• Approved re-funds will be issued after the seminar