Public Service and Administration Deputy Minister, Dr Chana Pilane-Majake says it is only through proper commitment, strategies and planning that South Africa can find solutions to its citizens’ day-to-day challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and crime.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement under the theme: “Promoting Multi-Sectoral Collaboration and Creating Innovative Avenues”, the Deputy Minister said there is a need to continue to interrogate and put in context the implications of the advancement of the status of women in the public service.

“Consideration of quotas in public service shouldn’t be overlooked in terms of employment practices and service delivery. This must be addressed in the background of challenges we are grappling with as a nation.

“These challenges are but not limited to, unemployment, poverty, the rising cost of living, crime, corruption, gender-based violence and femicide, violent protests, population explosion, filth, and litter in our society.

Through proper commitment, strategies, planning and funding, it is possible to find solutions – like any other developed country. It begins with patriotism,” she said.

Dr Pilane-Majake said she firmly believes that through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, the country can overcome those challenges and build a brighter future for all.

“As we conclude the month of August, we celebrate the realisation of Women’s Socio-Economic Rights, the progress we have made and recognition of the work that lies ahead.

“Throughout the month of August, we focused on empowering women with a sharp focus on what is required from the public service to fast-track their economic advancement,” she said.

Today, 31 August 2023, marks the launch of the Public Service Month (PSM) at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in East London, Eastern Cape by Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Ms Noxolo Kiviet.

Public Service Month

In September, public servants rededicate themselves to the principles of Batho Pele that re-energise them and in general improve morale.

Deputy Minister Pilane-Majake further said public servants must commit themselves to rebuilding a strong public service that manages to decisively deal with challenges that become an impediment to growth and development.

“Through growth and development, we aspire for, the country will thrive, and the future of South Africans will look bright and have hope,” she said.

The PSM is a country programme meant to promote good governance with the continental programme being the AU Africa Public Service Day (APSD).

PSM focuses on the public service machinery, how it discharges its constitutional responsibility to deliver services to the citizenry, as well as gives recognition to diligent public servants upholding the values and principles of public service and administration.

The annual commemoration of PSM is an integral part of the government’s Batho Pele Revitalisation strategy.

This strategy seeks to re-affirm the significance of Batho Pele/people’s first principle of providing services to secure maximum delivery benefits for citizens in line with their constitutional rights to dignity, courtesy, and sustainable public services.

Objectives of the IPSM include:

  • Reminding public servants about the meaning of service.
  • Assessing the impact of government’s service delivery.
  • Recommitting and rededicating public servants to the ethos of Batho Pele.
  • Instilling pride in being a public servant and improving the morale of public servants.
  • Enhancing the health and wellness of public servants.
  • Integrating all September month activities that the government typically commemorates, such as Arbor Day/Week, Heritage Day/Month, Tourism Day/Month, and Police Day.

PSM promotes the professionalisation of the public service towards building a capable developmental state that provides effective, efficient, and development-oriented public service.

The NDP also highlights the need for well-run and effectively coordinated state institutions with skilled public servants who are committed to the public good and capable of delivering consistent, high-quality services.