The research seminar on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 is expected to wrap up with empirical and evidence-based strategies that will enhance state resilience, says Public Service and Administration Director-General, Ms Yoliswa Makhasi.
Delivering her remarks at the 3-day seminar currently underway in Cape Town from 30 May 2023 to 01 June 2023, Ms Makhasi said: “The strategy should be a whole-of-government approach dissuading working in silos but bringing all stakeholders together for a concerted effort.
“We are glad that this forum shares this spirit with stakeholders from academia and practitioners converging here today.”
The Seminar is attended by delegates from Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa. Ms Makhasi was addressing the Seminar in her dual capacity as DPSA Director-General of the DPSA and Vice President of the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM).
According to DG Makhasi, AAPAM and DPSA have had a long-standing collaboration, having hosted joint research programmes since 2016.
The inaugural research seminar was held in Pretoria and since then, research programmes have been held annually with the view of strengthening research capacities as a channel to address challenges in public administration.
Last year, AAPAM in collaboration with DPSA, the University of Western Cape, the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM), African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) held the 41st Roundtable conference at the University of the Western Cape.
The theme of the research seminar according to Ms Makhasi actualizes the recommendations from the 41st Roundtable conference by focusing on the critical role that human resource managers play to enhance state resilience in times of crises, pursuant to the continental Agenda 2063 and SDGs.
The AAPAM Vice President also used the platform to reaffirm AAPAM leadership’s commitment to entrench a multipronged approach to strengthening partnerships and collaborations as well as training, capacity building and research.
International programmes
Ms Makhasi also announced that in July later this year, there will be international programmes in Palestine, supported by the Palestinian State, which will result in 27 extraordinary applicants drawn from both government and academia receiving training.
She said the training sessions will focus on ethics and accountability, strategic planning in the public sector, human resource management, project management, design thinking, digital transformation, Communication, reporting and presentation, effective leadership, anti-corruption, and public finance.
“Applications for the second cohort will be open in August this year and I encourage you all to apply for this programme,” she said.
The 42nd Roundtable conference will be held in Livingstone, Zambia from 5th – 8th December later this year under the theme Building Resilient Societies in Africa through Effective Governance and Public Administration: An Imperative for the Realizations of the SDGs and Agenda 2063 Aspirations.
Also speaking at the same event, the People’s Republic of China’s Consul General Wenze You on behalf of Mr. Chen Xiaodong, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa said: “ South Africa identified this year’s BRICS cooperation priorities as strengthening multilateralism, promoting trade and investment, addressing climate change, accelerating post-COVID recovery, the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and deepening exchanges on vocational education and China fully supports them.”
According to You, China strongly believes that under the guidance of South Africa, new results will be achieved in BRICS cooperation across the board new progress will be made in BRICS expansion, and new dynamics will be brought to the long-term development of BRICS.
“All BRICS countries are faced with tough tasks of sustaining economic growth, ensuring people’s livelihood, and promoting development. The African Continental Free Trade Area is a milestone in the African economic integration process.
“China will continue to support its development and explore ways to strengthen practical cooperation in all areas under the BRICS framework,” said Consul General You.
