The purpose of this analysis is to demonstrate the extent to which turnover among national ministers and directors-general has negatively impacted on continuity and stability in the national administration under President Jacob Zuma for the period May 2009 through July 2017.

In any national government department leadership resides in two parallel authorities: the national minister (the political head of any given ministry, responsible for policy direction, oversight and communication); and the director-general (the administrative head of a department, responsible for the implementation of a policy programme, procurement, the performance of staff and the financial management of that department, as prescribed by the Public Finance Management Act). Each of these roles must work closely with the other in order to deliver on a mandate.

Together, in any given department, these two people sit at the apex of the administration and delivery rests primarily upon their shoulders. Although supplemented by a range of other key positions, ultimate responsibility for that department’s performance lies with them, individually and collectively.

Report by the Institute of Race Relations