Public Service and Administration Minister, Inkosi Buthelezi, recognised the continued commitment of long serving Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) employees during a long-serving awards ceremony held yesterday, 28 January 2025.
Along with staff and senior managers, the ceremony was also attended by the Director-General (DG) of the DPSA, Ms Yoliswa Makhasi, who similarly made remarks in appreciation of the long-serving employees.
In his keynote address, Minister Inkosi Buthelezi stressed that “long-service” is less about the number of years spent in the Public Service, but more about the preoccupation of employees and the impact of their work over time.
“[Long service] is not just about celebrating the passage of time but about honouring the integrity, acknowledging the dedication, perseverance, resilience, and professionalism with which you have carried out your duties over these years,” said Minister Inkosi Buthelezi.
The Minister said each of the employees continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring that the Public Service delivers services ethically, efficiently and effectively to all South Africans.
“Whether it is through policy implementation, administrative support, or frontline service delivery, each of you has played a vital role in advancing the mandate of this department. It is your daily contributions and commitment that have ensured that government services reach the farthest corners of our nation, while embodying the spirit of Batho Pele – putting people first,” said the Minister.
The long service ceremony recognised those employees in service for 40, 30, 20, and 10 years, which represents 100 years or 32, 850 days of collective service and value-add to society, observed DG Makhasi.
“What these figures show us is not only the time that you have given up by being at work for all these years, but also the sacrifices and trade-offs in terms of personal life, especially the family,” the DG explained.
DG Makhasi said the 100 years the service represents the knowledge, experience, expertise and wisdom the employees had acquired to the benefit of the DPSA and the Public Service at large.
“Your collective experience is a living repository for learning and mentoring of those employees who are young to the Public Service,” she added.
DG Makhasi explained that while the decisions on whether employees stay longer or not in the department is ultimately a personal one, the DPSA has policies that ensure that the Public Service continues to be an employer of choice. These include competitive renumeration and benefits such as the above the norm maternity leave and opportunities for self-development through the provision of bursaries.
“As we celebrate this milestone, let us also reflect on the incredible legacy you have built. You have set an example for future generations of public servants to follow, showing them that dedication, service, and compassion are the hallmarks of true leadership,” said DG Makhasi.
