Professionalization of Public Service Delivery in the Southern African Region

Background: Public service delivery in Africa has been hijacked by politicians who want to advance their political interests and deploy people, not based on how they can contribute to public service delivery. Most countries in Africa have been classified as corrupt states because of corrupt public officials. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to show the importance of professionalizing public service delivery by ensuring that the public servants in Africa put the citizens first. Objective: The objective of this article is to provide suggestions on how African governments can professionalize public service delivery. Public servants should not see their employment as means of their survival to earn a salary but as a calling to serve the people. Research methodology: The study collected the existing data that is related to public service delivery in the countries of the Southern African region. Secondary data was collected to reach the findings and conclusions of this study. Results: The study found that the existing gap in public service delivery in Africa is based on public servants themselves not owning up to their responsibilities, they need to offer the services to the public the same way they would expect the public services to be delivered to them. Conclusion: The focus of this article is not on the processes and documentation required by public servants to be seen as professional individuals but the focus is on the existing gap.