The Directorate of Public Administration Norms and Standards Evaluation (PANSE) in the Office Standards and Compliance (OSC) at the Department of Public Service and Administration has had the privilege of leading efforts to instil and embed a culture of compliance in public sector institutions.
The Public Administration Management Act, 2014 section 17 gives the OSC a mandate to ensure compliance and the OSC Regulations, 2022 empowers the Office to execute its key functions. Over the past two years, the office has embarked on comprehensive promotion and awareness campaigns with four provinces and all departments and a selection of non-complying national and provincial departments with a focus on improving compliance with the minimum norms and standards set forth by the Department of Public Service and Administration.
Through our nationwide promotion and awareness drives, we have engaged with most national and provincial government departments to impress upon public servants the importance of adhering to these standards.
The reasons for this compliance deficit are manifold. In some cases, there is a lack of understanding of the rationale and legal mandates underpinning the norms and standards. In others, departments face capacity constraints, whether in terms of skills, systems, processes or resources, that make it challenging to meet the requirements.
To address these challenges, the OSC has adopted a multi-pronged approach. Through our awareness campaigns, we have sought to educate public servants on the purpose and benefits of compliance, while also clarifying their responsibilities. We have worked closely with human resources and training units to ensure that compliance is embedded into performance management systems and professional development programs.
Importantly, the Office is in the process of piloting the enforcement powers in accordance with the OSC Regulations, 2022. The Office of Standards and Compliance Regulations, promulgated in 2022, grant us the authority to investigate non-compliance, and follow a process to issue compliance orders against non-complying departments and make recommendations within timelines for officials to comply. This “carrot and stick” approach is essential if we are to drive lasting behavioural change to ensure voluntary compliance and a focus on impact of policy on service delivery.
Of course, enforcement alone is not the answer. The goal must be to foster an intrinsic commitment to compliance, where public servants internalize these norms and standards as a matter of professional pride and ethical duty. This requires a concerted effort to strengthen institutional cultures, improve leadership accountability, and empower oversight mechanisms.
I am under no illusion that this will be easy. Decades of maladministration, corruption, and a lack of consequence have eroded public trust and normalized non-compliant behaviour. Turning the tide will require political will, adequate resourcing, and a whole-of-government approach.
But I remain optimistic. With each awareness session and enforcement action, we are chipping away at the compliance deficit. Public servants are beginning to recognize that compliance is not merely a burdensome obligation, but a fundamental pillar of good governance. They are starting to see how upholding norms and standards can enhance service delivery, improve transparency, and ultimately, rebuild the social contract between the state and its citizens.
There is still much work to be done, but I am heartened by the progress we have made thus far. By continuing to be relentless in our pursuit of compliance, we can realize the vision of a capable, ethical, and responsive public service – one that serves the interests of all South Africans. This is the legacy we must strive to leave for our future generations.
Mr. Kuben Govender is the Director of Public Administration Norms and Standards Evaluation in the Office of Compliance Standards at the DPSA.
