Page 12 - Service Delivery Review

News in Brief

ICT exists for the effectiveness of the Public Service,
says DG Makhasi

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) “With the professionalisation framework approved
exists for the effectiveness and efficiency of the by Cabinet, public sector modernisation is no longer
public sector to deliver quality service to citizens. an option, but a necessity as it will help departments
to respond to changing societal needs and maintain
These were the words of Public Service and competitiveness in an uncertain environment.
Administration Director-General, Yoliswa Makhasi,
while speaking at the Annual General Meeting “We must move government to understand that
and strategic planning session of the Government Information Technology (IT) is not a support function,
Information Technology Officers Council (GITOC) that but an enabler of business processes and strategy…
was recently held in Cape Town. Only Chief Information Officers (CIO’s) can assist
government to move this way.
“It is clear therefore, that ICT does not exist only for
itself but for the “effectiveness and efficiency of the “As part of Professionalisation of CIO, I have asked
public service and its service delivery to the public.” the Government Chief Information Officer to assist
us by undertaking a similar exercise to that which
GITOC still relevant National Treasury did for the Chief Financial Officer
According to DG Makhasi, the Presidential Review role.
Commission Repor which led to the establishment of
GITOC after it “identified a lack of strategic direction Professionalisation of CIO roles
in the utilisation of Information Management, “We need to define the role of the CIO, standardise
Information Systems and Information Technology the job descriptions, inherent qualifications, and
(IMST), to support government goals” remains competencies.
relevant and must be attended to.
“This will allow GITOC to clarify the role of the CIO
“Looking at the challenges still facing government, and redefine its relationship with SITA as you focus
we can conclude that a lot is still required from the your efforts within the service delivery environment,”
GITOC to ensure that it lives up to its responsibility she said adding that if the strategic planning session
for “IT strategies to align with the strategic direction fails to at least start this conversation, it will have
and management plans of the department,” she said. abandoned its space.

DG Makhasi further said the approved framework According to DG Makhasi, the role of the CIO requires
to professionalise the public service clearly a person with cross-functional capabilities and a wide
demonstrates that public sector modernisation is no variety of skills to align the IT space with the strategic
longer an option, but a necessity to help departments direction of the department as well as to re-engineer
to respond to changing societal needs. business processes.

12 SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW | Volume 15. No. 3 of 2023