Emerging recognition of the need for joint programmes

Chapter 2 The challenge of evidence-based strategy development: Linkages between evidence, policy and practice

3 Assessing the context
3.2 Factors which might enhance the uptake of the Strategy
3.2.1 Emerging recognition of the need for joint programmes

There is increasing recognition amongst senior management within government as a whole of the need for joint programmes to more effectively deliver services. The Department of Public Service and Administration has recognised the ‘joined up' nature of developmental programmes and has prepared guidelines for joint programme management (Governance and Administration Cluster 2005).
Draft guidelines for managing joint programmes have recently been gazetted in terms of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act (IGRFA) (Ministry for Provincial and Local Government 2007).

This is also the impetus driving IGRFA, which sets out to use Premier's Forums as a basis for joint programmes and to enable shared prioritisation, practical co-operative governance, and programme and budget alignment.

This approach is consistent with the Minister's vision for land and agrarian reform and her emphasis on the need ‘to reposition the Department to deliver land reform' and realign DLA and NDA with respect to ‘governance, priorities setting and performance review process, programmatic integration, information and knowledge management and policy research and development' (DLA 2006).

As will become evident from the main body of the report, the Strategy proposes that land reform is conceptualised as a joint programme of government with DLA as the lead agency having direct responsibility for ensuring SIS once land has been transferred. It is recognised that DLA will need to play this leadership role in a close partnership with the NDA and the various provincial departments responsible for agriculture. It is envisaged that this process will build on existing examples of good practice, while simultaneously maximising opportunities for strategic partnerships with the private sector to deliver support services and engage in joint ventures where appropriate.