SCORE: C Minister for Public Service and Administration Mzamo Buthelezi has stepped up efforts to reform South Africa’s public service, placing a strong focus on fighting corruption and improving performance. Under his leadership, the government intensified ethics training, lifestyle audits, disciplinary oversight and protections for whistleblowers. Buthelezi also released a Presidential Productivity Report that exposed […]
SCORE: C The Department of Health earns a C this year. Unlike previous years of total decline, the department hit major targets, particularly in its massive HIV and TB programs. By ensuring 96% of people with HIV know their status, South Africa remains a global leader in epidemic control. However, this grade reflects a department […]
SCORE: D Nyhontso inherited a backlog of just over 5 700 land claims from 1998 and a further 130 000 that were lodged in 2014 with the ministry, which was paired with agriculture up until May 2024. In January, he said declining budgets meant that he could not set a targeted date to settle all outstanding land […]
SCORE: B- Macpherson tackled the construction mafia in 2024. Since June 2024, 40 non-performing contractors have been blacklisted from doing business with the department. Macpherson also suspended funding under the Expanded Public Works Programme to the Free State municipality of Matjhabeng following allegations of inflated salaries paid to politically connected individuals — pending a full […]
SCORE: C Under Ndabeni-Abrahams, the department this year outlined an ambitious agenda focused on expanding funding, supporting new economic sectors such as the ocean economy, and formalising informal businesses. In its first quarterly performance and financial report for the 2025/26 financial year, the department achieved 82% of its planned targets, meeting 27 of 33 targets […]
SCORE: C- McKenzie entered his second year at the helm of the department with bold statements and ambitious rhetoric, but the follow‑through has been inconsistent and often overshadowed by optics rather than outcomes. On the positive side, he reaffirmed his commitment to school‑level sport and grassroots cultural programmes, reiterating that taxpayer funds should focus on […]
SCORE: D The department has hardly made strides in addressing the national gender-based violence and femicide crisis besides awareness campaigns and public statements condemning each violent case as it occurs. As the “custodian of strategic leadership, advocacy, and coordination to mainstream the socio-economic empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities” the department has often […]
SCORE: E Tolashe’s 2025 has been marked by a combination of policy initiatives and ongoing controversy. On the policy front, she prioritised efforts to root out fraud and corruption within the South African Social Security Agency, introducing biometric enrolment and targeted investigations aimed at protecting public funds and ensuring grants reach legitimate beneficiaries. She also […]
The new minister inherits partial successes in biodiversity, climate adaptation and renewable energy from his predecessors but faces ongoing environmental crises, governance weaknesses and public mistrust
SCORE: D Under De Lille’s leadership, international and domestic tourism increased during the 2024–25 financial year, boosting South Africa’s economic and employment prospects. The department also maintained unqualified audit outcomes on financial and non-financial indicators. She also successfully led South Africa’s tourism promotion at international events, including ITB Berlin 2025, raising the country’s profile and […]