Fragmented systems, outdated hierarchies hold back innovation in South Africa's public sector - Prof Somadoda Fikeni (Public Service Commission)

702's John Perlman chats to the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Professor Somadoda Fikeni.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

President Cyril Ramaphosa has raised concern over the deepening skills crisis in South Africa’s public service in his latest newsletter, pointing to issues of outdated systems, inconsistent delivery, and corruption. 

Fikeni says the problem is not just a lack of skilled professionals, but a system that too often prioritises loyalty over competence and frustrates those who try to bring in innovation.

"In such instances, you are more likely going to get a person who doesn't have the knowledge presiding over skilled persons who will then be crowded out of the system."

- Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Chairperson - Public Service Commission

He highlights how many capable engineers, scientists and specialists are either pushed out or reduced to managing tenders rather than applying their expertise. 

Young professionals, Fikeni adds, often face resentment and institutional cultures that resist change, treating new ideas and skills as threats rather than assets.

"The institutional culture that resists any innovation and outsiders, but also some arrangements which have made it easy for a person who has been in the system for 30, 40 years - they are bountifully rewarded but for the newcomers they are often signalled that to be where I am, you'll have to take all the years to be promoted to where I am. In a world where you want to be innovative, competitive, high impact, that culture clashes directly with the one of innovation, with the one of absorbing younger people."

- Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Chairperson - Public Service Commission

He further criticises the current public sector model, where upward mobility is tied to management positions rather than technical excellence. 

"...everybody wants to be a manager instead of rewarding people who have specific technical skills... You take a manager who is not technically informed to preside over specialists, you are going to frustrate those people precisely because all you will be doing is flexing your muscle...just to demonstrate to them that you have the final word..."

- Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Chairperson - Public Service Commission

Unless the public sector rethinks its structure and culture, Fikeni warns, South Africa risks losing a generation of skilled workers who could strengthen state capacity.

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.