The Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi launched the Thusong Service Week today, Monday in kwaBiyela-a settlement that has felt the weight of geographic isolation, economic exclusion, and service delivery gaps.
The one-stop service centre providing government information and services to communities was launched in the community under the Umlalazi local municipality in Kwazulu-Natal.
“Where we are-is a community that has felt the weight of geographic isolation, economic exclusion, and service delivery gaps. That is why the Thusong Service Week for this year is launched here because the presence of government must be felt strongest where the need is greatest.
“Today is a call to action and a reminder that we are the face of government. When our fellow citizens walk in Thusong Centres, they must feel within you the embodiment of the Constitution of South Africa as well as of Batho Pele just from the service you render to them,” he said.
This year’s theme for Thusong Service Centre Week is “Repositioning of the Thusong Service Centres and Integrated Frontline Delivery to Enhance Responsiveness and Access to Government Services and Information.”
The Thusong Service Week is commemorated throughout the country from the 15th to the 19th of September 2025. The Thusong Service Centre Programme initiated by the democratic government has been operational within different municipalities across the country since its inception in 1999.
Minister Buthelezi said the Programme has consistently served as one of the government’s primary vehicles, providing continuous improvement and expansion of access to government services.
The selection of the centre in KwaBiyela for the national launch is not accidental because the area mirrors the rural reality of any other rural community with a youth population with dreams that are held back by unemployment and limited access to opportunities.
“This is a community shaped by the legacy of spatial injustice, infrastructure constraints yet still bursting with potential. This is a community with its roots under the leadership of AmaKhosi neziNduna playing a pivotal role in preserving order, values, and development.
“It is also a region facing real challenges where access to critical services such as healthcare, social security and youth development is often strained by distance, infrastructure gaps and socio-economic realities,” said Minister Buthelezi.
He said apart from giving citizens information, the Programme has created opportunities, and strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing the lives of citizens closer to where they live, especially in rural and underprivileged areas.
Despite its size and the location, Minister Buthelezi said the Centre has demonstrated excellence and professionalism in providing quality access to government Information and services to the rural communities of Umlalazi local municipality.
“It has shown great potential as a place of strength and a place where government parastatals and leadership walk side by side in servicing the people.
“This is through the several awards of excellence that the center has been accorded with both in the Provincial and National spheres of government, adding that traditional leaders remain one of the greatest allies in restoring trust in government – and this collaborative spirit is foundational.
“I say it is the foundation because as amakhosi, you are not observers in development, but you are the enablers of transformation. You are the glue that holds our communities together. When government listens to amakhosi as leaders in the communities, it equates to honoring the voices of the people as their eyes, ears and moral compass.
“We, therefore, acknowledge the local leadership and the dedicated public servants of this community for continuing to advocate for an improved service delivery, employment opportunities as well as safer communities– not just for kwaBiyela, but for all rural communities that sit at the margin of service delivery,” he said.
Despite the strides made by the Thusong Service Centres, Minister Buthelezi said access to government services to where most of the people live remains a challenge.
The majority of Thusong Centres are still facing challenges regarding their location and resources like funding as well as staffing of the centres.
As a result, he said some of the main participating departments that are providing critical services to communities are leaving the Centres in search of locations that have Information and Communication Technology (ICT) connectivity and bigger office space.
The Minister reminded residents that through the Integrated Public Service Month (IPSM) framework, they aim to take service delivery directly to people, especially in remote areas. He emphasized that launching Thusong Service Week at KwaBiyela demonstrates government’s re-commitment to taking services to the people.
