Public Service and Administration Minister Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi will unpack this year’s Integrated Public Service Month (PSM) programme of action at a media briefing scheduled to be held in Pretoria on Monday, September 2, 2024.

The South African government has designated September as Public Service Month, a key national event in its annual calendar. Ministerial Media Liaison Officer Mr Yaseen Carelse, announced that the Minister will outline the government’s planned programs and activities for September, emphasizing the commitment to enhancing service delivery and restoring public trust in state institutions.

Each September, South Africa celebrates Integrated Public Service Month, honouring the values and virtues of public servants dedicated to serving their communities, as envisioned in the Batho Pele principles. This year’s theme, “A Government That Works for You” (#GovThatWorks4You), reflects the 7th Administration’s commitment to delivering effective services to all South Africans and its focus on building a capable, ethical, and developmental state machinery.

Public Service Month serves as a reminder of the significance of quality service. Throughout the month, public servants are expected to lead by example, serving citizens with dignity, respect, and honesty. They will actively engage with communities, improve service delivery points, and visit schools, hospitals, police stations, and courts to connect with citizens, facilitate service delivery, and ensure tasks are accomplished.

Adoption of Batho Pele

September also marks twenty-seven years since the adoption of the Batho Pele (Putting People First) Principles and the White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery. The Batho Pele principles were developed to improve service delivery within government sectors and to transform the public service into a citizen-oriented institution.

Batho Pele emphasizes moving away from a rules-bound approach that hinders service delivery to one that encourages innovation and is results-driven. This means that instead of looking for reasons why government cannot act, public servants must seek better ways to meet the needs of the people.

The Batho Pele belief set is encapsulated in the slogan: “We belong, we care, we serve.” This aims to ensure that all public servants prioritize people and adhere to the overarching framework:

Batho Pele is based on eight principles: Consultation, Standards, Access, Courtesy, Information, Openness and Transparency, and Value for Money.