South Africa – Building State Capability

City Infrastructure Projects in South Africa are not Being Delivered on Time or Budget

Publication date January 29, 2025

Guest blog by Kayla Brown, IPP ’24 The Implementing Public Policy course at the Harvard Kennedy School has taught me many things, particularly pertaining to the three aspects of my work: research, implementation and facilitation. Beyond, that it has given me tools that can be applied to my personal life too, particularly for my relationships. …Continue Reading City Infrastructure Projects in South Africa are not Being Delivered on Time or Budget

The Elated PDIA Enthusiast: Minimizing Waste in Johannesburg

Publication date December 9, 2024

Guest blog written by Pinky Ferland, IPP ’24 Are you struggling with implementing your organizational or country policy? If your answer is yes, then read on and experience the journey I travelled with Harvard Kennedy School which led to my capability of implementing my organizational policy with success. A catalyst for change – that is…Continue Reading The Elated PDIA Enthusiast: Minimizing Waste in Johannesburg

New Podcast: Reflections on Applying PDIA to PFM in Africa

Publication date June 3, 2024

Danielle Serebro presenting at a CABRI conference in South Africa

We have released a new episode in our podcast series A Decade of Building State Capability. In this episode, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews Joana Bento and Danielle Serebro, Programme Managers at Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI). They discuss the Building Public Finance Capabilities (BPFC) programme, developed by BSC in collaboration with CABRI in…Continue Reading New Podcast: Reflections on Applying PDIA to PFM in Africa

Reducing Income Inequality in South Africa

Publication date October 12, 2023

Aerial image of income disparity in South African neighborhoods

Guest blog by Sibusiso Thami Gambi, LEG’23 A key learning from the course is that, simply put: context matters. One cannot simply apply “best practices” blanketly. There is a ready example in South Africa’s public spending on education. The country’s spending (as a share of GDP) is higher than the OECD, but education outcomes have…Continue Reading Reducing Income Inequality in South Africa

Exploring Economic Complexity in South Africa

Publication date September 13, 2023

Guest blog by Yolanda Smit, LEG’23 Your problems are never what you think your problems are, and neither are your solutions. PDIA is helpful for problem identification and identifying the binding constraint but also as part of finding solutions. A key takeaway is that your problem is never what you think your problem is, and…Continue Reading Exploring Economic Complexity in South Africa

High HIV Incidences Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa

Publication date June 27, 2023

Guest blog by Masindi Mashapha PDIA is influencing my outlook at a personal level because how I am managing my PhD study has changed drastically. While using the project management processes, I try and balance time and quality. I use learning and leads, moreover the iteration that brings different, improved, sometimes confusing results….Continue Reading High HIV Incidences Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa

Supporting vulnerable children in South Africa using lessons from IPP Online Course

Publication date November 28, 2022
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Guest blog by Lungile Magqibelo, IPP 2021 I am employed by the government of South Africa in the Department of Social Development which has a core mandate of providing social welfare services to marginalized and vulnerable communities. Amongst my key responsibilities is to develop policies and programs that are responsive to the needs of vulnerable…Continue Reading Supporting vulnerable children in South Africa using lessons from IPP Online Course

Using IPP to tackle HIV, Substance Abuse, and Gender Violence in South Africa

Publication date November 7, 2022
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A red ribbon attached to a person's shirt for HIV awareness

Guest blog by Chris van Rooyen, IPP 2021 I had several expectations when I signed up for the Harvard Implementing Public Policy (IPP) course. First, I was privileged to represent Africa at one of the best global universities. Second, the IPP course was the first international study program of my career. I had preconceived ideas about…Continue Reading Using IPP to tackle HIV, Substance Abuse, and Gender Violence in South Africa

Civil unrest and misinformation in South Africa

Publication date July 7, 2022
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A fire burning in the middle of the street in South Africa

Guest blog written by Collin Mashile A few weeks before the closing date, I received an e-mail request from my then Authoriser (Acting-Director General) to consider applying for the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Implementing Public Policy Program (IPP). Her exact words: “there is this amazing academic from South Africa, Professor Matt Andrews, he is offering…Continue Reading Civil unrest and misinformation in South Africa

A Journey of Inward Looking and Quick Wins in South Africa

Publication date February 28, 2022
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Guest blog by Busikazi Futshane My expectations of IPP I enrolled in Implementing Public Policy programme because I since learned that I am dealing with a complex policy challenge. My interest was to understand how to deal with uncertainty and unknown factors in policy implementation. I wanted new insights, tools to ease bottle necks, and ways…Continue Reading A Journey of Inward Looking and Quick Wins in South Africa