Osman, Shareen2015-03-112015-03-112015-03-11http://hdl.handle.net/10539/17244Thesis (M.M. (Public and Development Management))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Governance, 2014.Successful implementation of policy interventions requires co-ordination between departments. The challenge for government is the establishment of co-ordination structures that enhance collaboration between government departments. To achieve South Africa‟s developmental objectives requires national departments to co-ordinate and collaborate on the implementation of key policy interventions. The Cluster system was implemented in 1999 as a co-ordination mechanism for the implementation of key government programmes. The purpose of the research was to explore whether the Economic Cluster in particular improved co-ordination between the dti and its partners in the Cluster during the period between April 2004 and March 2008. A qualitative research approach was adopted as it was believed that this would be appropriate given the context of the study. The findings of the study show a need for improvements to be made in the Economic Cluster as a co-ordination mechanism. These weaknesses include the lack of a clear leader or executive authority within the Cluster, the inconsistent participation of Directors-General in Cluster meetings and the budgeting process not being aligned to Cluster policy initiatives. The research recommends that despite its relative success, the Presidency does not consider the Cluster system as the only option that the government has for enhancing co-ordination amongst government institutions. The Presidency should play a leadership role and interrogate what the minimum and maximum levels of co-ordination are needed within the State to successfully plan and implement policy initiatives to address South Africa‟s developmental challenges.enThesis