23 July 2007
In the years following the arrival of democracy in 1994, many South Africans still missed out on quality public services. By 1999, it became clear that the benefits of new, inclusive policies were not reaching far enough into the country, so the central government, backed by DFID, decided to take action.
Over seven years, the Integrated Public Service Programme (IPSP) worked in South Africa's five poorest provinces to change the way that crucial services like health care and social benefits were delivered. Under the slogan "Batho Pele!", the programme used a range of innovative methods to put "People First!"
Reaching into rural areas
In rural parts of Limpopo province, many eligible citizens were failing to qualify for social grants because they lacked the necessary certification. Taking action, the IPSP's Mobile Service Delivery Project sent its fleet of trucks into hard-to-access areas, where it registered births and provided identity books. To help with administration, clerks were appointed from within communities, ensuring that local people were closely involved throughout. A United Nations award for public service innovation recognised the scale of the project's achievement.
Also in Limpopo, the Hospital Turn-Around Project took two dilapidated state hospitals, Letaba and Maphuta Malatji, and renovated the buildings and grounds, improved the supply and quality of bed linen, and overhauled catering. Access to medical services was also improved, allowing patients to access x-rays 24 hours a day, for example. The project, the success of which merited a special mention by the Minister for the Department for Public Service and Administration in the national parliament, is now to be rolled out to other hospitals in the province.
Sharing knowledge and changing lives
In the Eastern Cape (EC), the IPSP's development of an electronic filing system for social grants made a major difference to thousands of lives. As well as leading to the registration of an additional 100,000 grants, 50,000 children were provided with birth certificates (making them eligible for child benefits). The project also enabled 95% of disability grant applications to reach approval, which is well above the national average of 55%. Its effectiveness in reducing backlogs saw the project receive a service excellence award from the EC's Premier.
The IPSP has also piloted home care schemes for HIV/AIDS patients in two provinces. It is hoped that these schemes will generate models for effective service delivery that can be applied in future projects. Although these schemes are in their early days, the government is interested in developing them further.
A Learning Academy and four national learning networks have also been established. The Academy brings together people from different government departments involved in public services and invites them to share knowledge and experience. This pioneering initiative has led to the publication of the "Legacy Book", which collects lessons learnt. Guidelines for public service practitioners have also been compiled. "So many people are keen to learn and share," says Khaya Ngema, the IPSP's national coordinator. "It’s amazing how little is usually documented in government but how much people choose to engage when given the right platforms."
Spreading the message of People First!
Although DFID funding ended in 2006, the Government is committed to the Batho Pele! principle. For instance, it has pledged more money this year and next to expand the Hospital Turn-Around Project and increases in government spending have ensured that more South Africans are now receiving social grants. Of all the public services improved through IPSP, the expansion of the social grants system has done the most to alleviate poverty.
There have also been unexpected spin-offs from the Programme, such as the Treasury's Infrastructure Improvement Plan, which was designed with IPSP in mind. And the rallying call of "People First!" will soon be heard elsewhere in Africa, as the government exports IPSP models to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.
Key facts
- DFID provided £19 million for the Integrated Public Service Programme (IPSP) between 1999 and 2006.
- The five provinces where the IPSP worked were Limpopo, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga and Orange Free State.
- The government has given R1.9 billion to the Treasury to continue with the Hospital Turn-Around Project in 2007 and R2.8 billion in 2008.
- Government spending on social grants is now R61 billion compared to R22 billion in 2000, and 10.98 million people are now receiving grants (up from 2.58 million). Social grants are monies provided by the government to children, old people and the handicapped.