Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to critically assess professionalism amongst municipal officials within the City of Johannesburg (CoJ). As stewards of public resources, and representatives of the community, municipal officials are constitutionally mandated with the responsibility of upholding high standards of professional ethics in their conduct, decision-making, and interactions with citizens.
This study adopted a qualitative approach using the CoJ as a case study. Empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews which was thematically analysed and linked to a water-tight literature review thereby allowing for the triangulation of the data obtained. The findings of the study indicated that the CoJ had established various policies and a code of conduct to promote professionalism among its officials. However, the inaccessibility and inconsistency of professional development and training opportunities across departments hindered professional development.
Furthermore, the study revealed that political interference and frequent changes in leadership often disrupted administrative processes and service delivery within the CoJ. This underscores the need for training frameworks that are resilient to political volatility and environmental changes so as to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services. Despite the CoJ's efforts to promote professionalism, the findings of the study suggest that there are large gaps in ensuring professionalism within the CoJ. The effective implementation and consistent application of the established policies and frameworks to support professionalism are crucial to achieve the objectives of City.
By delving into the nuances of the CoJ's experiences to professionalise its officials, this study could contribute to broaden its reach in better understanding professionalism in other local government settings. Additionally, the findings could stimulate discussion on the role of technology, transparency, and citizen engagement in enhancing professionalism and service delivery within the public sector at large.
KEYWORDS: Professionalism, local government, service delivery, public administration, City of Johannesburg