The Memorandum of Agreement signed by the Department of Public Service and Administration, research sector, higher education institutions and the professional association will drastically assist the country to professionalise the public service space.
These were the words of Public Service and Administration Acting Minister, Mr Thulas Nxesi during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the DPSA, the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM), Wits School of Government and Regenesys.
“Tonight, we witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Agreements- a landmark occasion for the DPSA and for government–drawing on the skills of the Higher Education training and research sector, as well as the professional association – necessary resources to assist us, as a country, in professionalising the public service,” he said.
Minister Nxesi was speaking at the gala dinner on the eve of the final day of the three-day Public Service Compliance and Human Resources conference in Boksburg on Thursday night.
He also touched on the need for a new kind of public servant who is imbued with a spirit of public service to the community and the values of Batho Pele and the constitution; with the necessary skills and competencies to thrive in the digital age; who is driven by an almost entrepreneurial spirit of getting things done and all in pursuit of service delivery to South Africans.
According to Dr John Molepo from SAAPAM, the MOU they signed with the DPSA is designed to govern the partnership for research, capacity building and professionalisation.
“The MOU will deepen cooperation and collaboration on research and scholarship in the field of Public Affairs between government and these important organisations in South Africa. SAAPAM is keen on consolidating its strategic relations with strategic institutions in the country and signing this cooperation agreement will go a long way in enhancing the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and scientific research with the DPSA.
“SAAPAM as a leading Association of Public Administration is ready to provide all forms of support required to achieve the common vision of building a professional public service, which is critical for the advancement of a developmental state,” he said.
The conference aimed at reducing the reporting burden, improve the analysis of data collected for improved service delivery and good governance wrapped up today, Friday.
Last year, Cabinet approved the professionalisation framework, which is viewed as a step towards the establishment of a single public administration that applies to the national, provincial, and local government as well as state owned enterprises (SOEs).
The framework seeks to ensure that only qualified and competent individuals are appointed into positions of authority in pursuit of a transformed, professional, ethical, capable, and developmental public administration. Public officials must have the right qualifications, technical skills, and be inducted into Batho Pele principles.
