VISION

"Building Capacity for Service Delivery"

Michael Lipsky, former Senior Programme Officer of the Governance and Civil Society Peace and Social Justice Programme at the Ford Foundation, writing on the value of international award programmes, says:

 “Recognition of local innovations can both counter cynicism toward government and catalyse better practices. Looking globally, it is clear that effective local government is extremely important to building overall citizen trust in government. At the local level citizens can see directly whether their participation in election is having an effect and can hold politicians accountable. These award programmes communicate to public officials and the general public that involvement in government can pay real dividends and foster healthier government overall. They also dramatically increase the likelihood that successful programmes will be replicated”.

Impumelelo award winners demonstrate that there are 'South African solutions to South African problems'. By unearthing and rewarding what works in the public sector and civil society, Impumelelo hopes to use these award winners to assist in improving service delivery in other contexts.