Public management is an important field that helps organise, administer, and coordinate public resources and services. In South Africa, public-sector professionals are employed by State-Owned Entities (SOEs), municipalities, national governments, provincial governments, universities, and agencies. Public managers are responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and efficient running of government departments and public-sector organisations in South Africa. They are also responsible for ensuring policies are implemented and services are delivered to the public.
If you have ever been interested in managing the efficiency and operations of these organisations, then you might be interested in pursuing a career in public management.
Let us gain a deeper understanding of what is public management, its advantages, requirements, career prospects and more.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Public Management
Public management meaning refers to effectively managing and operating public sector enterprises. Public managers help to lead public-sector companies efficiently by effectively allocating resources, removing inefficient departments, and promoting overall change in the company. They try to replicate successful private sector practices in the public sector, which leads to the organisation working at its optimum to meet public needs.
Public management and governance are interlinked. For a government to be successful, it needs to meet the people’s basic needs for electricity, water, and general well-being. In South Africa, effective public management allows the government to streamline processes, create transparency, and improve service delivery.
Difference Between Public Administration and Public Management
We have examined what is public management, and now let us understand how it differs from public administration. While students who complete their education in public administration or public management work in the government sector, the reach of their job profile is different. Here are some key differences between public management and public administration:
| Key Differences | Public Management | Public Administration |
| Focus | Managing operations, directives, and employees of a public sector organisation | Focuses on implementing and overseeing government policies |
| Scope of work | Involved in day-to-day operations, resource allocation, and employee management | Broader focus on policy development and administrative tasks |
| Job Profile | Roles such as Finance Manager, Legal Advisor, Project Manager | Roles include Policy Analyst, Mayor, Public Sector Consultant |
| End Goal | To improve the efficiency and smoother operations of public sector services | To ensure the implementation of government policies and government functions |
| Required Skills | Leadership, strategic management, conflict resolution, operational management | Pubic policy development, policy analysis, strategic planning |
Public Management Course Requirements
So far, we have explored what is public management and its differences from public administration. This section will give an overview of the criteria for admission into a public management programme.
The requirements for entry into bachelor’s and master’s programmes differ across institutes in South Africa. Now that you understand public management and its differences from public administration let us look at the education required for public management careers.
High school students interested in working in the public sector could apply for a higher certificate or undergraduate programme in Public Management. Regenesys offers Public Management as a one-year higher certificate, a three-year bachelor’s and a two-year postgraduate programme.
The Higher Certificate in Public Management at Regenesys School of Public Management requires one of these qualifications for admission:
- Matric with certificate
- Matric with diploma pass
Students who apply for this programme must also have basic computer skills. It offers strong foundational knowledge that can benefit individuals who wish to work in public management. The certificate can also be used to gain admission to the undergraduate programme.
The Bachelor of Public Management offered at Regenesys School of Public Management requires students applying for the programme to have one of the following:
- Matric with a bachelor’s pass
- an NQF Level 4 qualification
- relevant NQF Level 5 qualification
- Regenesys Higher Certificate in Public Management
Students can choose to apply for the offline or online programme to complete their bachelor’s in public management. The three-year Regenesys programme curriculum includes critical courses such as public management, economics, and public finance management. It also includes electives such as quality and customer management and labour relations. This is a CHE-accredited programme, and students earn an NQF Level 7 certification.
To apply for the two-year postgraduate Master of Public Management at Regenesys students need the following qualifications:
- Honours degree at NQF Level 8
- Postgraduate Diploma at NQF Level 8
- Professional bachelor’s degree at NQF Level 8
The programme is divided into coursework and a dissertation. The programme curriculum includes main courses such as organisational development, public policy development and implementation, and strategic public project management. Electives include negotiation and conflict management, and comparative management trends among others.
Advantages of Studying Public Management
An education in public management helps prepare students to work for individuals who rely on the public sector for goods and services. Once you understand what is public management and the curriculum, it is easy to see the benefits of studying public management.
The skills and knowledge they gain from the programme help them manage and distribute these services effectively. Listed below are some of the advantages of studying public management:
- Public policy: Students will learn how to interpret and implement public policy. This allows students to understand the interlink between politics, law, and economics. Studying this in-depth for over three years will prepare students to interpret and understand how it affects their public sector company effectively.
- Strategic management skills: When working with multiple key players, strategic management skills come in handy to resolve issues and implement change. These essential skills will be important in changing the organisational structure or implementing innovative strategies.
Management skills such as conflict resolution, risk management, and communication can help leaders implement changes quickly. They can also help them better communicate short—and long-term goals, visions, and results for the public sector organisation.
- Ethical practices: The public management programme emphasises the importance of working within ethical boundaries and towards the greater good of the people. It also conveys that it is their professional responsibility to meet the needs of the people.
The public management programme instills the need to work within ethical boundaries and towards the greater good of the public. It also teaches them that it is their professional duty to serve and fulfil the needs of the public, which is the primary stakeholder.
- Leadership skills: Public management careers demand strong leadership skills to effectively plan, organise, and oversee government policies. Strong leadership skills help public management professionals to better convey their goal, and motivate all relevant teams to work towards it. Strong leadership and effective management skills speed decision-making which leads to better public sector performance.
- Crisis management: These skills help manage and contain emergencies without causing collateral damage. Strong crisis management skills will help public managers devise solutions quickly, limit damage, and restart services quickly.
The skills and knowledge that students learn in this programme will lead them to successful careers in the public sector. We have answered what is public management and the skills that it provides. These are some of the prime benefits of working in the public sector:
- Impact on society: Those who choose public management careers leave a long and lasting impact. Strong leadership is effective in public sector companies, and managers can quickly see the impact of their decisions. They play a crucial role in enhancing lives by delivering essential services such as water, education, and healthcare.
- Stable career: Government jobs offer greater stability than the private sector as they are not prone to fluctuations in the job market. Public sector employees in South Africa also receive medical benefits, pensions, and a housing allowance.
- Career advancement: A career as a public manager can lead individuals to work in various public sectors. As they gain experience, they can progress to crucial government roles. It is also possible to work on career advancement by switching departments.
Public Management Careers
After you understand what is public management and the advantages of studying the course, it is time to learn more about where to apply for public management jobs. Just like in the private sector, public sector managers can hold positions in finance, supply chain management, and public relations.
Individuals who choose public management careers in South Africa work under the Department of Public Service and Administration. Vacancies are displayed on the government website and updated weekly. Candidates should fill out form Z83 and submit all the required documents. The job opportunities cover various departments under the South African government.
According to Talent.com, most entry-level positions in public management start from R228,000, while experienced workers can take home R2,280,000 annually as of 2024. In addition to the base salary in South Africa, public management salaries include housing allowance, medical benefits, and pension.
These are some of thejob profiles available in the public sector in South Africa as of September 2024:
- Executive Account Manager: Responsibilities include managing and executing business in the public sector, building strategic relationships, and educating the team on industry factors such as regulation, products, etc.
- Project Manager – Infrastructure management: The project manager needs to plan, implement, and oversee infrastructure programmes on behalf of municipal, provincial, and national clients. The manager also needs to monitor ongoing projects and report risk analysis. This is a mid to senior-level profile that expects candidates to have at least two years of experience working in the public sector.
- Administrative Support and Coordination Officer: The professional will be responsible for managing the administrative activities for the executives and serving as a liaison between internal and external players. To qualify for this role, candidates should have a diploma or degree in public management and 3-5 years of entry-level management experience.
- Director-Communication Management: Candidates will be responsible for building and promoting the department to both internal and external players. Design and monitor communication strategies across digital and offline media. Individuals should be competent in problem solving, people, and financial management.
Public management careers can lead individuals to work in diverse sectors within the South African government. Some of the sectors that hire public managers in South Africa include:
- Healthcare: The public healthcare system in South Africa includes hospitals, primary healthcare clinics, and community clinics. Public managers help allocate medicine, equipment, and staff resources. They also help with daily operations and data storage.
- Water and Sanitation: Public managers in this government sector help regulate water distribution, implement conservation projects, and work towards reducing waste.
- Education: Public managers in the education sector can help implement government policy and innovative teaching methods. They also work towards allocating programme budgets, managing staff, and implementing innovative technologies.
Conclusion
Public management is fulfilling for those who wish to contribute to the greater good. In short, ‘what is public management?’ can be answered as a career with public sector enterprises. Individuals in this position help to manage and oversee the management and distribution of resources and services.
It also allows managers to implement innovative solutions and practices for optimum efficiency. The theoretical knowledge and skills gained from the Bachelor of Public Management programme at Regenesys will help prepare individuals for a successful life as public servants.
Check out Regenesys to learn more about the various programmes offered under the School of Public Management.
FAQs on What is Public Management?
What is public management?
Public management refers to working in a managerial position with public sector companies.
What are public management course requirements?
Public management is offered as an undergraduate and postgraduate course in South Africa. A secondary school certificate or an NQF Level 5 qualification is required for the bachelor’s degree. An NQF level 8 qualification is a must to apply for the postgraduate programme.
What are the advantages of studying public management?
Studying public management allows you to work within public sector companies. It allows individuals to improve many’s lives and bring private-sector solutions into public enterprises.
What are the differences between public administration and public management?
Public administration has a broader scope, and it helps implement policies on a national or regional level. Public managers work on a smaller scale and try to make their organisations more efficient in order to provide better services.
What are some public management careers that students can pursue?
Public management students can work in various sectors of the South African government. Job profiles can include communications manager, administrative support, project managers, and personal assistant.
