The main research question of this paper is: to what extent has the South African public service been influenced by New Public Management (NPM) reforms from 1999 to 2009. This article looks at key areas which are generally considered to be part of the NPM range of ideas. One of the tenets of NPM reform is decentralisation. While a framework has been put in place, in practice there has not been as much decentralisation as is normally presumed. Instead, there have been moves towards a stronger central state in recent years. For example, there has been the strengthening of the core centre of government, the growth of the stronger developmental state and greater Treasury control. Public service staff were cut in the 1990s. This was not a particularly successful strategy because it led to the exodus of skilled staff. Since 2000 there has been targeted growth to create a more professional public service. Corporatisation is another widely u