Public Service and Administration Director-General, Ms. Yoliswa Makhasi, emphasizes the importance of positioning Heads of Corporate Services in strategic leadership roles to enhance the professionalization of public service.
In her opening address at the two-day meeting of Heads of Corporate Services held at the University of South Africa (Unisa) on Thursday, Ms. Makhasi declared that the time has come to embrace innovative thinking beyond conventional templates.
“We must redefine your roles to reflect the strategic leadership necessary for driving a professional public service. The responsibility for this professionalization lies with you, and it transcends mere compliance with frameworks,” she stated.
Ms. Makhasi pointed out that the professionalization of public service hinges on the quality of leadership and decision-making within institutions. “I am not referring solely to political leadership but to institutional leadership, which is a shared responsibility among all members of the Senior Management Service. In a values-based leadership model, every individual is a leader,” she explained.
She highlighted that professionalization is focused on enhancing service quality and improving turnaround times for citizens accessing services. As vital components of the public sector, the Heads of Corporate Services are tasked with providing strategic leadership in government departments, nurturing transformative Human Resources, ensuring effective internal and external communications, and overseeing organizational performance and reporting.
Ms. Makhasi encourages Heads of Corporate Services to harness their strategic leadership capabilities to maximize team potential and optimize organizational performance. She underscored the importance of open communication, stating that Directors-General should value the insights provided by Heads of Corporate Services.
“Effective leaders must be willing to offer sound advice, even when challenging. If you are hesitant to guide due to fear, it may be time to reevaluate your fit for the role.”
Addressing the need for integrity, she urged that no one should enable wrongdoing within their departments. “We must uphold professionalism in all our endeavors. If your written advice is overlooked, knowing the next steps to take is critical,” she added.
Strategic and Transformational Human Resources
Ms. Makhasi also called for transforming Human Resources within the government to become more strategic and transformational. She proposed that after submitting a Human Resources Plan, departments should receive substantive feedback for continuous improvement.
“There are many dedicated individuals in HR across government departments whose talents are often underutilized due to systemic challenges. While they strive to make a difference, the overarching system must support their efforts,” she noted.
Furthermore, she highlighted the necessity for enhanced internal and external communications within the government, encouraging all departments to embrace this transformative journey.
In conclusion, Ms. Makhasi’s vision for public service leadership’s future is empowerment, collaboration, and commitment to excellence. “Together, we can elevate the standards of public service and create a more effective and responsive government for all.”
