⋆
]]
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PUB3703: PUBLIC POLICY III
Scenario-Based Exam — May/June 2026
⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆
[ Public Policy and Administration [
_ Exam Revision Guide
PUB3703
Module Code:
Public Policy III
Module Name:
Scenario-Based Assessment (POE)
Paper / Exam:
2026
Year:
Friday, 22 May 2026, 4:00 PM
Due:
Use this guide to revise thoroughly. Focus on understanding, not memorisation.
Exam Revision Notes | PUB3703 | 2026
, PUB3703 | Exam Revision Public Policy III — May/June 2026
Scenario Background
ò The Scenario
South Africa’s energy policy has historically depended on coal, which provided over 80%
of the nation’s electricity, fostering industrial development and job creation, particularly
in Mpumalanga. However, this reliance also led to significant challenges including en-
vironmental degradation, high carbon emissions, ageing infrastructure, and persistent
electricity shortages (load shedding). By the late 2010s and early 2020s, frequent power
outages began to severely impact economic growth, public services, and household well-
being, highlighting the limitations of the existing energy framework and necessitating
policy reform.
Question 1 [50] marks
Question: Within the context of South Africa’s energy crisis, discuss the various factors
that can necessitate a change in public policy and illustrate with the use of suitable public
sector examples.
Answer:
Introduction
Public policy rarely remains static. Governments periodically review and reform their
policies in response to a wide range of internal and external pressures. A policy change
occurs when government acknowledges that an existing policy is no longer achieving
its intended outcomes and needs to be revised, replaced, or supplemented. The South
African energy sector illustrates many of the classic triggers that force governments to
revisit and reform public policy.
1. Policy Failure and Underperformance
One of the most direct reasons for policy change is when an existing policy fails to
deliver its stated objectives.
• South Africa’s coal-heavy energy policy, anchored by Eskom, was designed to ensure
affordable and reliable electricity.
• From the mid-2000s onward, Eskom struggled to maintain supply, leading to Stage 1
Page 2 of 13
]]
⋆
PUB3703: PUBLIC POLICY III
Scenario-Based Exam — May/June 2026
⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆
[ Public Policy and Administration [
_ Exam Revision Guide
PUB3703
Module Code:
Public Policy III
Module Name:
Scenario-Based Assessment (POE)
Paper / Exam:
2026
Year:
Friday, 22 May 2026, 4:00 PM
Due:
Use this guide to revise thoroughly. Focus on understanding, not memorisation.
Exam Revision Notes | PUB3703 | 2026
, PUB3703 | Exam Revision Public Policy III — May/June 2026
Scenario Background
ò The Scenario
South Africa’s energy policy has historically depended on coal, which provided over 80%
of the nation’s electricity, fostering industrial development and job creation, particularly
in Mpumalanga. However, this reliance also led to significant challenges including en-
vironmental degradation, high carbon emissions, ageing infrastructure, and persistent
electricity shortages (load shedding). By the late 2010s and early 2020s, frequent power
outages began to severely impact economic growth, public services, and household well-
being, highlighting the limitations of the existing energy framework and necessitating
policy reform.
Question 1 [50] marks
Question: Within the context of South Africa’s energy crisis, discuss the various factors
that can necessitate a change in public policy and illustrate with the use of suitable public
sector examples.
Answer:
Introduction
Public policy rarely remains static. Governments periodically review and reform their
policies in response to a wide range of internal and external pressures. A policy change
occurs when government acknowledges that an existing policy is no longer achieving
its intended outcomes and needs to be revised, replaced, or supplemented. The South
African energy sector illustrates many of the classic triggers that force governments to
revisit and reform public policy.
1. Policy Failure and Underperformance
One of the most direct reasons for policy change is when an existing policy fails to
deliver its stated objectives.
• South Africa’s coal-heavy energy policy, anchored by Eskom, was designed to ensure
affordable and reliable electricity.
• From the mid-2000s onward, Eskom struggled to maintain supply, leading to Stage 1
Page 2 of 13
