Performance Management in Africa’s Public Service: Focus on Namibia and its Challenge to Change Customs and Cultures

A country’s public service tends to mirror the quality of public leadership it is given and the management and executives that are employed to oversee public policy implementation. Anyone who has lived in Namibia through the last two decades will easily recognize http:// flickr.com/photos/nalilo/4511587/the mediocre performance of the public sector and the disingenuousness of some parastatals that declare profit and dividends only to revert shortly to the Treasury for State subvention, guarantees, loans, or bail out. According to the 2014 World bank report and the 2014 Mo Ibraham Leadership Foundation report, Namibia was among the 5 best run countries in Africa in 2013. On paper, this is admirable. In reality, it is not sufficient for comfort given Namibia’s vision to be developed country by 2030. But, if one thinks that Namibia Public Service is bad, we need to take a closer look at situations in the rest of Africa, outside of Mauritius, Botswana and, perhaps, South Africa. The painful scenario painted above is evident as we speak, while citizens’ expectations of their public sector have risen sharply in terms of quality, affordability, product range, choice, price, services and facilities. Not to mention delivery times, respect and courtesy for customers. Beyond these, citizens are generally concerned with getting better value for money. In fact, they are demanding more productivity and higher performance from public and private sectors to the extent that they are permitted to insist, on more public accountability and administrative transparency. Citizens also want to be engaged in development of public policies and to be a fundamental partner in the implementation processes. This transition calls for massive and fundamental transformation in the prevailing cultures, systems, structures, and consequently policies and strategy. It is not an add-on scheme but a strategic approach that must be bought by and sold to every citizen if positive change in culture is to occur.