This year’s Thusong Service Centre Week offered an opportunity to identify workplace solutions to bridge the gaps in the functionality, governance, infrastructure, monitoring and maintenance of the Centres to continue to accelerate wide range of essential services to South Africans.
This was revealed by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), Frontline & Service Centres Deputy Director, Ms Modjadji Maphunye on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
“This year’s week-long Thusong Service Centre Week offered government and its critical stakeholders an opportunity to discuss and identify workable solutions to bridge the gaps in the functionality, governance, infrastructure, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) connectivity, monitoring, and maintenance of Centres, and to develop practical solutions to address these challenges so that they can continue to render essential quality services to citizens.
“Thusong Service Week also serves as a platform to share successful initiatives, innovations, and lessons across provinces and Centres, enabling effective approaches to be replicated elsewhere.
“The government-led week-long campaign further serves as a platform to acknowledge the commitment, dedication, and professionalism of frontline public servants who engage directly with citizens on a daily basis,” she said.
On Monday, earlier this week, government marked the beginning of the 10th Annual Thusong Service Centre Week (14-18 September 2026) at the Maponya Mall Thusong Service Centre in Soweto, Gauteng province.
Initially known as Multi-Purpose Community Centres (MPCCs) and since they evolved into Thusong Service Centres in1999, the “One-Stop Centres” annual programme has been reaching more than five million beneficiaries every year in all provinces.
The 2026 Annual Thusong Service Centre Week takes place in conjunction with the Public Service Month, under the theme: “Building Trust and Restore confidence in government through accessible effective and efficient integrated service delivery”.
According to Ms Maphunye, the theme created opportunities and platforms in addressing citizens’ persistent complaints about the challenges in accessing basic government services.
She said that access to clean water, adequate sanitation, reliable housing, efficient waste management, effective transportation and sustainable energy mechanisms are highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive reform as well as effective service delivery interventions.
“As the DPSA, our aim is to maintain key stakeholder relations with all spheres of government and our private partners with the view to encourage full participation in support of the Thusong Service Week Programme for the benefit of citizens.
“The 2026 theme for the annual Thusong Service Week, therefore, endeavour improving quality access to integrated services aimed at improving the trust deficit and persistent lack of confidence in government services,” she said adding that the week-long programme is even more significant as it coincides with the build-up to the upcoming November 4, 2026, Local Government Elections.
Objectives of the Annual Thusong Service Week Centre
- Create a platform to mobilise and bring diverse stakeholders to share knowledge, experiences and best practice on initiatives and interventions aimed at improving quality access to government services in response to the needs of citizens.
- Promote cost-effective, integrated, efficient and service provision through strengthened sustainable partnerships aimed at implementation of citizen-centric government Projects and Programs to better serve the needs of citizens.
- Recognise and acknowledge Public Servants especially those who are at the forefront of providing Thusong Centres and frontline services to communities.
- Strengthen awareness, citizens empowerment, platforms for dialogues, information sharing and feedback aimed at building trust and restoration of citizens’ confidence in government services
The closing event for the Thusong Service Centre Week will be held at Maponya Mall Thusong Service Centre tomorrow, Friday, 18 September 2026.
