The study examined the effects of Public Service Reform in the appointments of
management cadres in the Public Service of Namibia from 1990 to 2005. Specific focus
was given to the Office of the Prime Minister, the core institution in the management of
the Central Government operations. The study found that the need for a new post-colonial
dispensation compatible with the requirements of statehood prompted the structuring of
Government institutions. The Research Question explicitly sought to explain the extent to
which the Post-independent Public Service Reform initiatives have transformed the
structures and reoriented the government institutions to adopt the New Public
Management principles, which can ensure efficiency and effective delivery of services.
The legislative frameworks, particularly the Constitution of Namibia and the Public
Service Act, 1995 (Act 13 of 1995), have provided the bases for analyzing the
Recruitment Policy in the Public Service of Namibia.
A systematic semi-structured interview with respondents has significantly unveiled a
highly structured institution, with complex mechanisms of planning and executing
programmes within managerial frameworks. The empirical research conducted for the
study explored the political, economic, social and historical significance of Public
Service Reform and indeed produced sufficient evidence confirming the adoption of new
ways of improving performance and of enhancing accountability of the civil servants.
Qualitative research methods were employed to evaluate the participants’ daily life
experience for the purpose of describing the Public Service Reform from the insider’s
perspective.