Professionalising public service key to build capable state-DM Kekana

One of the key imperatives for building a capable state is professionalising public administration, says Public Service and Administration Deputy Minister, Ms Pinky Kekana, while delivering her maiden Budget Vote Speech in Parliament on Friday.

Deputy Minister Kekana said the DPSA have a strategic intent to optimise Batho Pele to normalise efficient service delivery.

“Professionalising public administration is one of the key imperatives for building a Capable State.

“By professionalising public service, Government can improve the quality of education, social services, housing, access to healthcare, transport, labour and all areas of public service.

“This not only improves the quality of life for our people, but it potentially reduces legal actions and claims, which will have a positive impact on government spending and cost to taxpayers, while simultaneously reducing the pressure on already limited resources.

“Very importantly, professionalising public service results in higher staff morale, which leads to increased productivity and improved performance outputs,” she said.

The Deputy Minister’s speech focused on the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI) for the 2024/25 financial year, on the performance of the Government Medical Aid Scheme (GEMS), and the Government Employee Housing Scheme (GEHS).

The CPSI have maintained a clean-audit track record for the 6^th consecutive year, and 7^th year overall.

This impressive feat, according to Deputy Minister Kekana, speaks directly to professionalising public service through governance compliance, rigorous financial management, and robust accountability measures that have been institutionalised.

The CPSI spearheaded the ‘Let’s Talk’ citizen engagement app, developed by young innovator Moepi Setona, which facilitates two-way communication between citizens and representatives, enabling optimised service delivery and public engagement.

“For the next financial year, the 46-Million-Rand budget will be allocated to continued research; development of innovative solutions; increasing capacity by hiring more system developers; and supporting the advancement of digital skills among the youth.

“We will continue with Design Thinking workshops, 4IR EXPOs, and the annual Public Sector Innovation Conference, Hackathon and Awards Program, which are all platforms for young developers to showcase innovation, and address real-world challenges,” she said.

Ms Kekana also used the platform to congratulate the CPSI and the Western Cape Provincial Government for winning the UN Public Service Award at the UN Public Service Forum held recently in Korea.

GEMS

Deputy Minister Kekana told the National Assembly that GEMS is the fastest-growing medical Scheme, adding that by 31 December 2023, the scheme had 844,791 registered principal members and covered over 2.27 million beneficiaries.

This translates to 3.4% of the South African population and 22% of the entire medical scheme market.

In 2023, GEMS reached a record 2.27 million beneficiaries – a 5.8% increase year-on-year and it also demonstrated exceptional financial stewardship, with an impressive 94% of claims paid over the past 5 years.

“Most impressive of all though is GEMS’ focus on cost containment. The scheme’s non-healthcare expenditure, such as administration costs, are lower than both restricted and open medical schemes.

“GEMS manages its finances prudently, evidenced in the net healthcare deficit of R3.8 billion, of which R2.5 billion had been budgeted for, leaving an unbudgeted deficit of R1.3 billion.

“The Scheme however was able to partially offset this deficit through investment income of R2.4 billion – which exceeded the budgeted investment income of R1.6 billion, by R762 million,” she said.

This, according to Deputy Minister Kekana, resulted in an overall net deficit of R725 million, which was better than the budgeted net deficit of R916 million.

She further announced that GEMS aims to pursue strategic partnerships in pursuit of Universal Health Coverage fully supporting the National Health Insurance Policy (NHI).

In collaboration with the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), in 2017, the scheme transformed its Sapphire option into the Tanzanite-One option, offering private hospitalisation while still maintaining affordability and efficiency.

According to the Deputy Minister, Tanzanite-One option could be an effective template for the NHI benefits package.

“From our Tanzanite-One learnings, GEMS is poised to contribute meaningfully to the successful implementation of the NHI policy and remain committed to collaborating with the Department of Health to ensure that all citizens have equal access to quality, affordable healthcare,” she said.