The impact of the global crisis on ethical leadership: A case study of the South African public sector

Abstract

The African economy has been impacted by the global crisis as it is integrated into the world economy. African governments have used their strengths, fiscal opportunities, financial regulatory frameworks and the resourcefulness of labour and institutions to address the challenges of the crisis. The aim of the article is to examine the challenges facing ethical leadership within the context of the global crisis and to question whether a mere response to the crisis without complementing it with a deliberate ethical focus is adequate for sustaining an effective and efficient public service. The approach that is followed is a critical qualitative assessment of the current literature on the topic. In addition to examining the effect of the crisis on the public sector and initiatives to control the impact of the global crisis on South Africa with a special focus, the article explores the extent to which the crisis will place greater strain on ethical leadership. Since South Africa ranks quite high on the global list of most corrupt nations in the world, the article argues that strategies in response to the crisis must be underpinned by more effective measures driving ethical leadership.