Balancing Compliance and Innovation: Challenges for Public Servants in Local Government

Dr Botshabelo Maja highlights a significant challenge for South African local government: the appointment of unqualified individuals to manage complex tasks, specifically in sectors like power generation.

According to him, this issue stems from a lack of thoroughness in verifying candidates' qualifications, experiences, and knowledge.

He contrasts these expectations with the rigorous training, systematic processes, and gradual progression to expertise in industries like education, medicine, and aviation.

Furthermore, Dr Maja criticizes the appointment of political principals to jobs for which they are unqualified, arguing that the issue permeates from the top down.