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Title:Transforming the public service to serve a diverse society: can representativeness be the most decisive criterion?
Author:Wessels, J.S.
Year:2008
Periodical:Politeia: Journal for Political Science and Public Administration
Volume:27
Issue:3
Pages:21-36
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:civil service reform
affirmative action
equal opportunity
Abstract:One of the most important criteria used to measure progress with the transformation process of the South African public service is representativeness. This article investigates whether rerpresentativeness is a sufficient condition for transforming South Africa's public service to render the best possible service to a diverse society. It presents a conceptual framework as an instrument to untangle the major transformation-related concepts in the public service and to determine whether equality and equal opportunities can be achieved for all members of the diverse South African society if representativeness is the most decisive criterion for public service employment. The framework distinguishes between the ends of transformation (equality and equal opportunities), the various transformation interventions (affirmative action and diversity management), the subjects of these interventions (designated groups and previously disadvantaged individuals), and the prerequisite conditions for these interventions (equity, justice, merit, diversity and representativeness). The article concludes that equality and equal opportunities cannot be achieved for all members of South African society should representativeness be regarded as a sufficient condition for public service employment. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]
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