During the conference on state capability hosted by Parliament recently, Professor Mzukisi Qobo from the Wits University School of Governance school defined state capacity as skills, technical knowledge, finance and other resources at the disposal of the state, while state capability involves a much broader set of resources and capabilities.
Prof Qobo said state capacity is much more than solving a narrow set of problems. “Good governance is an important part of building state capacity. Improving governance is essential. The state should be clear about its mission to shape markets and leading social and economic change.”
The Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Sylvia Lucas, said recommendations of the conference on state capacity will be taken further with follow up conferences and parliamentary workshops. In response to a question from National Assembly member Mr Nareng Singh about how the conference’s resolutions will be carried forward, the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Sylvia Lucas, said there will be follow-up workshops on the conference recommendations as very important issues have been raised.
The State Capability Conference was scheduled through the institution’s Sector Parliaments programme. The conference was attended by members of provincial legislatures, cabinet ministers, councillors, academics and Members of Parliament.
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