Original Research

Procurement challenges in the South African public sector

Intaher M. Ambe, Johanna A. Badenhorst-Weiss
Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management | Vol 6, No 1 | a63 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jtscm.v6i1.63 | © 2012 Intaher M. Ambe, Johanna A. Badenhorst-Weiss | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 30 November 2012 | Published: 30 November 2012

About the author(s)

Intaher M. Ambe, University of South Africa, South Africa
Johanna A. Badenhorst-Weiss, University of South Africa, South Africa

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Abstract

This article reports on an exploration of challenges experienced in the field of procurement within the South African public sector. To institute procurement best practices, a supply chain management system was adopted in South Africa in 2003. The procurement process was granted constitutional status and has been used to address past inequitable policies and practices. It promotes aims which are, arguably, secondary to the primary aim of procurement. For the exploration, a conceptual analytical approach was employed and some of the key guiding pillars of public procurement in South Africa divulged. The challenges restraining effective and efficient implementation of public procurement are also revealed. The article concludes by recommending the development of competency through customised (separate) training materials and programmes, the involvement of stakeholders in the bidding process and the employment of good strategic sourcing practices.

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