Governance of Contemporary Public Affairs Issues in South Africa: Lessons for the New Government of National Unity

Abstract

Amid globalisation, neoliberalism, and growing nationalist sentiment, governance is seen as the cornerstone for implementing policies and achieving results that meet the demands of citizens and advance human rights. Dealing with the many modern issues that millions of South Africans face is a daunting assignment for the recently established Government of National Unity (GNU). The ANC, which has held a majority of the vote since 1994 without pursuing a coalition to co-govern the nation, was among the registered political parties that ran in the 2024 national election, but it failed to secure an absolute majority of votes, leading to the formation of the GNU. Regretfully, South Africa has several enormous social problems, some of which have been classified as major challenges that need immediate attention and concerted efforts from the recently established government and various levels of non-governmental and non-state players. This editorial offers guidance to the GNU on how to overcome the triple threat of poverty, inequality, and unemployment, as well as several other current concerns facing the nation. This should be done in the face of complex issues brought on by rapidly advancing technology and shifting geo-political and globalisation-related challenges. This issue emanates from the 23rd Annual Conference of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM), which took place in the context of myriad trends shaping the form and content of the South African political landscape arising from the outcome of the 2024 national election. Ethics in the public sector, the implications of state-capture, building state capacity, rethinking the public affairs curriculum, and the fourth industrial revolution are some of the current issues that will be covered in this issue.