Deputy Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga, said, “during the Public Service Month, government went around the country to demonstrate public service and public servants’ contributions towards their commitment to service delivery”.
She was speaking at the closing of the Public Service Month engagement with public servants at Nutting House Lodge, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga Province.
Deputy Minister said the engagement with frontline and public servants and their recommitment towards the Service Delivery Charter by reading the Pledge was one of the highlights of the Public Service Month.
She sighted other highlights during the Public Service Month around the Thusong Service Centre Indaba, the Public Sector service march against the Gender Based Violence and Femicide, discussions with Labour on the Service Charter and Values-Driven Public Sector Dialogue with the topic, ‘Building State Capacity through Professional Ethics and Integrity’.
During the Public Service Month the Deputy Minister also visited the Thuthuzela Centers, an initiative of relief for women and children who experience gender based violence.
“These facilities are critical more today because of the upsurge of gender based violence incidents in the country. Because violence against women and children is a scourge in our country, these centers provide the much needed relief for victims of sexual harassment and abuse,” the Deputy Minister said.
Speaking on corruption, the Deputy Minister said the shift towards emphasizing Constitutional Values and Principles, stems from a recognition that, despite a robust regulatory and policy environment that promotes ethics, integrity and the prevention of corruption, evidence suggests that most public institutions are struggling to deal with ethical dilemmas.
“This is evident from the number of commissions of enquiries established to deal with malfeasance in the country that Constitutional Values and Principles are not sufficiently embedded in most public institutions.
“Our desire at the end is to inculcate a culture where our public servants are not only aware of the eight Batho Pele principles, but they also live them in their daily lives through practice.
“Corruption, is a prevailing cancer in our public service that we should continue to get rid of at all times. Our country needs and deserves a public service that is free of corruption. Sadly, corruption does not only take away from the State’s coffers, but it also undermines service delivery”.
In denouncing gender based violence, the Deputy Minister said at the march by public servants against gender based violence last week Friday, led by the Public Service and Administration Minister Mr Senzo Mchunu, public servants signed a pledge of commitment to stand firm and fight all forms of violence against women and children.
She also spoke on the attacks on foreign nationals, saying government is committed to promoting a better Africa and a better world.
“Over the past few days, our country has been deeply disturbed by acts of violence directed against foreign nationals. Some have lost their lives and many have been injured.
“As government, we implore all citizens to desist from such acts or any other form of intolerance towards fellow Africans.
Deputy Minister Chikunga said the South African Government values its relations with other African countries and that South Africans need to work together to strengthen political, social and trade ties to develop the economy and those of the neighboring countries.
“Where communities have genuine grievances, these must be addressed through proper channels of engagement and dialogue,” she said.
Deputy Minister thanked the South African public servants for the good work that public servants continue to do for citizens.
“You sometimes perform your duties under trying situations, circumstances and environments. And sometimes, you continue to do the work that you do without any appreciation.
“On behalf of government, I thank you immensely,” the Deputy Minister said.