Speaking during his maiden Budget Vote Speech in the National Assembly today, 12 July 2024, the recently appointed Minister for the Public Service and Administration (MPSA), Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, said his tenure would be defined by an acceleration of reforms aimed at “Rebuilding Public Trust in a Purpose-Driven Public Service”.
Accompanied by the Deputy Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Ms Pinky Kekana, along with senior management from the MPSA portfolio, Minister Inkosi Buthelezi led the tabling of the Budget Vote for the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), the National School of Government (NSG) and the Public Service Commission (PSC).
In his speech, Minister Inkosi Buthelezi recognised the unfolding initiatives in the professionalisation of the Public Service, subsequent to Cabinet approval of the National Framework Towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service in 2022. However, the Minister also cautioned against misconstruing the drive to professionalise the Public Service with “the accumulation of qualifications by public servants” without positively impacting the quality of service delivery.
“[Professionalism] means to serve the people of this country with a renewed sense of pride and respect for their work. As public servants, we understand that our work is not about just pursuing a career but is a response to the highest calling to serve. And to serve them in a spirit of Ubuntu,” said Minister Inkosi Buthelezi.
Specifically, Inkosi Buthelezi outlined seven priority areas that would define the trajectory of the MPSA at the start of the 7th Administration, which are as follows:
 Improving trust in government and government services, by decisively dealing with corruption and corrupt officials.
 Improving discipline management to ensure that disciplinary processes are completed timeously. It is unacceptable that senior management within departments are on lengthy suspensions at the cost of the taxpayer while sitting at home and litigating their way through the system.
 Lifestyle audits must be conducted across the board when the system is abused for personal and selfish gain.
 Modernising our service delivery monitoring systems to ensure that complaints are handled efficiently. We need a government-wide system that will identify gaps where departments are lagging behind and reward departments that are efficiently working.
 Modernisation of public services through the digitisation and use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) innovations, including eRecruitment, HR Management and delivery of government services.
 Partnering with organised labour to ensure that the collective bargaining system works for improving the needs of public servants and government services.
 Improving the health and welfare of public servants by ensuring their wellbeing including on matters of mental health.
Minister Inkosi Buthelezi also acknowledged strides in the ongoing Public Service reform under the DPSA’s leadership, committing to strengthening these rather than reinventing the wheel.
“One of the department’s key achievements was the tabling of the Public Service Amendment Bill and the Public Administration Management Amendment Bill in Parliament in March 2023. These legislative reforms aim to enhance the professionalisation of the public sector and address longstanding challenges,” the Minister noted.
In his speech, Minister Inkosi Buthelezi highlighted the role of the PSC in the quest to rebuild trust in the Public Service, pledging his support in ensuring that the ground-breaking PSC Bill that was tabled in Parliament in September 2023 is carried out to its logical conclusion.
“This Bill seeks to enhance the Commission’s oversight role and expand its mandate to state-owned entities and local government, empowering the commission to ensure accountability and ethical conduct across the entire public sector,” the Minister explained. Minister Inkosi Buthelezi also acknowledged how the NSG’s work underpins the DPSA’s vision and mandate through the provision of appropriate training to public servants and helping to strengthen the capabilities of public sector leaders in the areas of political leadership, economic governance, strategic oversight, and administrative excellence.
The Budget Vote Speeches for the Centre for Public Service Innovation, the Government Employees Medical Aid Scheme and the Government Employees Housing Scheme were presented by Deputy Minister Ms Pinky Kekana, under whose portfolio these components fall.