Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, is leading the South African delegation to the 43rd African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM) Roundtable Conference.
Currently underway in Kampala, Uganda, the conference was officially opened by the President of Uganda, His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni, under the theme: “Agile and Resilient Public Administration for Sustainable Development in Africa.”
The AAPAM Roundtable Conference is a premier annual event that brings together senior public servants, policymakers, academics, and practitioners from across Africa and globally. The conference provides a platform for thought leadership, dialogue, and innovation aimed at addressing the continent’s governance challenges. With a focus on improving public administration and fostering sustainable development, the conference highlights practical solutions to pressing issues in public service.
In his keynote address, Minister Inkosi Buthelezi emphasised the importance of building agile and resilient institutions that can adapt to the rapidly changing socio-economic landscape. He called for ethical leadership, enhanced accountability, and the integration of digital technologies to transform public service delivery.
“Resilience and agility must go hand in hand to create governance systems that not only respond to crises but anticipate and prevent them,” he noted.
The Minister also underscored the importance of partnerships between governments, private sector players, and civil society in driving sustainable development across the continent.
Accompanying the Minister is Director-General Ms. Yoliswa Makhasi, who also serves as the Vice President of the AAPAM Southern Africa Region, and Mr. Dumisani Hlophe, Deputy Director General for LRRM. Others present are Dr Robert Nkuna – DG DPME, Prof Somadoda Fikeni, Chair of the Public Service Commission, former UNISA Principal Prof Mandla Makhanya and Dr Kgothatso Shai, President of SAAPAM, among others.
This high-level participation underscores South Africa’s commitment to strengthening public administration and fostering regional collaboration in governance.
The conference, which runs until November 29th, 2024, features plenary sessions, workshops, and presentations from experts across the continent. Delegates will engage on topics ranging from leadership and governance to technology integration, ethical practices, and public-private partnerships, all aimed at shaping the future of public service in Africa.