The effective administration of the policy of the government-of-the-day is totally left in the hands of the government officials. On provincial and municipal level it is also the same. The provincial and municipal councils take care of the stipulation of the policy and the approval of the budget, but the real administration of the policy and the implementation of the budget is left to the provincial and municipal administration official.
It is expected of the public administration officials, either on central, provincial or municipal government level, to administer the broad political policy trend of the government-of-the-day, so that the community may be served.
When a state institution, provincial or municipal government or government corporation, or any other public institution is studied carefully, one will find that they have common activities, for example all public institutions must:
- strive after a central goal, government policy and departmental policy
- employ personnel to do the work
- obtain funds, spend and control them carefully
- be organized according to a fixed pattern to define authority guidelines and communication lines
- function according to fixed procedures and methods to legalize work proceedings
- be efficiently and effectively managed
- be controlled carefully and with responsibility.
Without the above-mentioned functions, no public institution can function effectively.
As public administration officials, one may get involved with bookkeeping, auditing, financial control, personnel administration, correspondence and a great deal more.
Satisfying Aspects
- working with people
- helping others
Demanding aspects
- administrative tasks like filing reports
- routine nature of the tasks
- very demanding due to heavy responsiblity
Requirements
- be friendly, helpful and patient
- must honour the community values of others and take them into account
- must be responsible people and not make careless mistakes
- must honour the rulings of the lawmaker
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics (for study at a university).
Recommended Subjects: Accounting, Economic
Training
Degree: The BAdmin degree may be studied at most universities. NWU, UFH, UV, UWC, UNISA also offer courses in Public Administration and UFS in Public Management.
People with a BAdmin degree may be employed on a junior management level and may advance from there to management level, for example Director General, city clerk or chief manager of various institutions.
Diploma: The BTech degree in Public Management is offered at CPUT, DUT, TUT.
Employer
- state departments
- provincial and municipal governments
- state trade undertakings
- state corporations
- various product marketing boards
- research institutions
- universities
- universities of technology
Contact
Further information may be obtained from the above-mentioned employers, universities and universities of technology. The following addresses may be of use:
The Director
School for Public Management and Administration, University of Pretoria
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 420-3334
The Head
Department of Public Management
Private Bag X680
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 318-5587/318-5575