SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of public affairs 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
336018  Demonstrate an understanding of public affairs 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Public Relations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Public Relations 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  7 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is intended for learners across a multitude of sectors, but was specifically developed for the Public Relations sector. The learner credited with this Unit Standard is able to explain the organisational need for public affairs and the differences between national, provincial and local government in relation to the implementation of public affairs programmes. Learners will also have an understanding of how to use and select various techniques in public affairs to achieve the aims of the public affairs programmes and the medium and/or combinations of media that will be used to reach the internal and external target audiences.

Learners credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Explain the need for public affairs.
  • Describe the nature and techniques of public affairs.
  • Describe the governmental structures relating to public affairs. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Public affairs refer to the relationship between private organisations and government departments. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the need for public affairs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation is given of the organisational need for public affairs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The various types of government relations programmes are discussed in relation to citizen participation and regulatory programmes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The public affairs policy of the organisation is analysed for adherence to the social investment programme. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the nature and techniques of public affairs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different types of public affairs programmes practised are analysed from a given range. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An explanation is given of the aim of implementing public affairs programmes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A description is given of the various techniques used in public affairs to select public affairs programmes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The various techniques may include but are not limited to issue management, community relations, coalition building and lobbying.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A description is given of the identification of the target publics for a public affairs programme. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A description is given of various media activities for a public affairs programme. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the governmental structures relating to public affairs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A description is given of the structures within the South African Government in terms of the formulation of public affairs strategy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A description is given of the legislative and executive authorities in terms of the formulation of public affairs strategy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A description is given of the differences between national, provincial and local government in terms of the implementation of public affairs programmes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A description is given of the communication structures in government in relation to the implementation of a public affairs programmes. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • The need for public affairs.
  • The nature and techniques of public affairs.
  • The governmental structures relating to public affairs. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  73129   National Diploma: Public Relations Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.