Institutional legitimacy and equity: The case of blacks in the South African public service

Apartheid Ideology and practice In the Republic of South Africa has been at Its most unyielding in matters pertaining to Black participation in state institutions. Black exclusion from the legislative branch of Government has long been the subject of detailed dissection and prognosis, and It continues to be a topic of Intense national and International attention In the debate on ‘change’. The equivalent exclusion of Blacks from the public service executive organs of state has largely been Ignored In this debate. This article examines some of the historical and contemporary dimensions of this latter situation and. utilizing a broadly conceived affirmative action perspective. It advances a number of possible remedial strategies. The Intention Is to launch debate on the Inclusion of a pressing but neglected Item on the nation's business agenda en route to a post‐apartheid future.

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Professor, Department of Development Administration and Politics, University of South Africa.