Public Administration Officer

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.

As public administration officials, one may get involved with bookkeeping, auditing, financial control, personnel administration, correspondence and a great deal more.

Personal 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

How to Enter

Schooling & School Subjects

National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course

Each institution has its own entry requirements.

What to Study

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

Employment

state departments
provincial and municipal governments
state trade undertakings
state corporations
various product marketing boards
research institutions
universities and universities of technology

Further Information

Further information may be obtained from the abovementioned 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

Getting Started