The concept of a developmental state (DS) is controversial, misunderstood and often presented as a panacea for Africa's development challenges; but seemingly reflects more hopes than practical solutions for such challenges. It appears that public servants, who have to implement the policies for building the DS, play a minimal role in articulating the vision or relevant approaches for such a state. South Africa and Botswana are frequently cited in the literature as African examples of a DS (see Maserumule, 2007; Mbabazi, 2005; Mkandawire, 2001; Naidoo, 2006; Osei-Hwedie, 2001 and Sindzingre, 2004). The defining characteristics of a DS are that it must have a professional public or civil service, a "strong bureaucracy" along with a cocktail of other requirements for building a DS; such as a prominent state role in the economy similar to what the "Asian Tigers" (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea) experien