In the speech delivered at the joint conference of the Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT) Public Management Department, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the South African Association of Public Administration and Management - Gauteng Chapter (SAAPAM-G) on 'Service delivery in the changing political landscape in South Africa', Maserumule made a very important observation, which could be used to contextualise the theme of this Special Issue of the Journal of Public Administration.