Addis Ababa – The Minister for Public Service and Administration, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, chaired the 3rd Conference of State Parties (COSP III) to the African Charter on Values and Principles of Public Service and Administration, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. COSP III serves as a key platform for African leaders and stakeholders to discuss public service reforms and governance innovations across the continent.
In his opening remarks, Minister Buthelezi expressed gratitude to all attendees, noting that this was his first engagement at COSP. He highlighted the importance of time management as a core leadership value, given the critical nature of the discussions. The Minister thanked the African Union Commission (AUC) for hosting the event and emphasized that the conference theme encouraged reflection on the essential role of a capable state in fostering sustainable development. He underscored that quality education remains foundational to empowering nations toward prosperity.
The Minister congratulated South Africa, Namibia, and Tanzania for their leadership in the SPAT Pilot Program, setting a benchmark for public service excellence and collaboration in Africa. He commended member states for the significant progress made in acceding to the Charter, which provides a framework for governance principles that promote transparency and resilient public service systems. However, he acknowledged the challenge of universal accession and urged member states to commit to ratifying and implementing the Charter. He stressed that collaboration, peer learning, and capacity building are key to overcoming implementation gaps.
The Minister called on member states to prioritize investments in education and capacity building to ensure that public services remain innovative and responsive to the rapidly evolving global landscape. He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation and encouraged pilot countries to lead by example in implementing public service reforms. The Minister also stressed the crucial link between ethical governance and education, highlighting the Charter’s role in managing education systems that are inclusive and aligned with Africa’s changing needs.
In his call to action, Minister Buthelezi urged COSP III to serve as a platform for renewed commitment to using public service as a driver of development. He advocated for innovative approaches to enhance efficiency, combat corruption, and uphold accountability. In conclusion, the Minister reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the Charter’s principles and proposed hosting a regional workshop to strengthen its implementation across member states.
The Minister’s address reaffirmed South Africa’s dedication to advancing transformative public administration and governance across Africa.