Topic 1: Human resource management: Definitions and legislation - Advise the ministers on a variety of issues that pertain to their departments partments. She tried to engage the minister on the question of the political adminis- Instructions - Implement government policies and ministerial decisions trative relationship regarding the running of GCIS with a view to achieving its objec- Read the case study and answer the questions - Manage their departments in an efficient and effective manner tives in an effective and efficient manner. Modisane indicated that, as the adminis- Managing human resources in complex and dynamic political contexts - Give account to the ministers - and when necessary to Parliament - on matters the provide political leadership Mpho Modisane had just been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Govthat concern their departments with regard to the vision and policy direction of the department. However, the minister ernment Communication and Information System (GCIS). Her appointment in the was adamant that, as the political head, he should have been involved throughout public service came at a time when fundamental strides have already been made in transforming the system of state administration in South Africa. The current system vironment conducive to accounting officers being innovative in implementing governultimately face parliamentary wrath if anything went wrong. of state administration, which was approved by Cabinet in 1996, is ingratiated in the ment policies and programmes. She started her job as CEO of GCIS with great ennotion of managerialism. The managerial system of state administration, in juxtapothusiasm. GCIS is under the Minister in the Office of the Presidency. Its objective is Modisane was disappointed by the attitude of the minister. She felt that he involved sition with the traditional model of public administration, puts more emphasis on into foster a good relationship between government and citizens by providing effective himself too much in the details of administration, and that this made innovation and stitutional outcomes than bureaucratic procedures and regulations. It is aimed at communication systems to facilitate dissemination and publicity of information on a dynamic system of governance difficult. The misunderstanding between the minister achieving a more dynamic, efficient, effective, economic and responsive public servariety of matters that pertain to governance. and the CEO resulted in a serious conflict that impacted negatively on the efficient vice system through the decentralisation of responsibilities, delegation of authority, and effective running of the department. Having realised that her plan could not be innovation in the delivery of public services and accountability for performance. GCIS also markets South Africa to the international community. Modisane's perfor- implemented without the political support of the minister, Modisane eventually de- cided to quit her position as CEO in the public service, as she felt that the minister's mance contract was directly linked to the objectives of GCIS. It was expressly stated involvement in the day-to-day administrative activities of GCIS made a mockery of The Public Service Laws Amendment Act 47 of 1997 legitimated this new model for in the contract that Modisane should develop and put in place an effective commu- nication and information system with the capacity to realise the objective of GCIS as the new policy and regulatory framework which emphasises management autonomy state administration, which introduces a much more decentralised management sysstated above. Acting on the basis of the new policy and regulatory framework for tem in the public service. The roles of the ministers in this regard are to: public service, which delegates more authority to the accounting offices, Modisane Discussion questions: - Provide political leadership with regard to the vision and policy direction of their developed a strategic plan for GCIS. The plan focused on two aspects that are very critical in realising the objectives of GCIS, namely an effective way in which the gov- 1. What were the implications for managers considering the legislative changes? - Ensure that government policies are properly carried out ernment could communicate with the citizens, and an effective way in which South Writes an interpretation of how the legislative changes influence the managerial - Represent their departments in Cabinet and Parliament for administrators and highlights the complexity involved in ensuring that political - Give an account for the performance and actions of their departments to their Tor minister rejected Modisane's plan when she submitted it to him for approval on buy-in is achieved through their management function. - Take collective responsibility for cabinet decisions this as, in terms of the new policy and regulatory framework for the public service, the responsibility and competency to make decisions regarding plans to achieve the policy objectives of government are devolved to the administrative heads of the de- The roles of the directors-general as accounting officers, which in the case of Modisane would refer to the CEO, are to