The centralisation of government departments in Northern Province, 1994-1998.

Abstract

This study is an investigation of how the policy of centralising government departments of the former homelands affected various stakeholders in the province. There is general concern from the people of this former homelands that there is poor service delivery in these areas since the creation of the new provincial government. In attempt to cover social, economic and, political impacts of centralisation, data were gathered through face to face interview, mailed questionnaires and, telephone interviews. The study concluded that there is a great need of devolving power to the former homelands which are now called regions in the province, as an attempt of bringing back service to where people are. In a calculated move to use the offices in the former homelands, the government may also remove the pietersburg components of government departments which are not critical to the functions of headquarters and place them in Venda, Gazankulu and, Lebowa.