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FOREWORD BY

THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL

Geographic location is an important factor in determining the provisioning
and accessibility of government services. Spatial disparities still stand in the
way of eliminating poverty and reducing inequality in South Africa and poorly
located and inadequate infrastructure can limit social and economic inclusion.
People in some rural and urban municipalities still travel long distances at
considerable expense and time to access employment opportunities, services
and basic amenities.

Accessibility studies can assist departments to determine the optimum
provisioning and geographic location of their service points with a view to
meeting the service delivery demand of the population and achieving a
more equitable distribution of services. Such studies determine generalised
locations where services should preferably be provided taking into account, among other things, access
standards of departments, actual travel distances, the location of existing service points and population
distribution.

It is important that spatial planning should bring together the service delivery interventions of various
sectors and spheres of Government in a way that maximises spending efficiencies and delivers
substantial developmental benefits. In making final decisions about where service points of departments
should be located, consideration should be given to the priorities that are set out in spatial planning
frameworks such as the integrated development plans of municipalities and districts with a view to
co-ordinating planning and investment in new facilities. This will contribute to the development of more
sustainable rural and urban settlements in the country.

This Guideline sets out a generic approach that can assist departments to plan and conduct accessibility
studies. It is important however that the steps that are set out in the various chapters should not be
interpreted and followed rigidly. There are various optional approaches and methodologies to conduct
geographic accessibility studies and departments should select the most appropriate approach and
combination of software, taking into account the objectives, required deliverables and context of their
studies.

Finally, people need to know where government service points are located and what services they provide.
Departments should hence establish interactive service point locators with search functionality on their
websites. These locators should be easy to find on the websites and they should make it possible for the
public to locate and obtain directions and information on service points of their choice.

MS. YOLISWA MAKHASI
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION