| 05 March 2026. The Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, hosted Arturo Herrera, Director at the World Bank, at the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) offices, Batho Pele House. Mr Arturo Herrera was accompanied by a senior delegation from the World Bank, Satu Kahkonen, Country Director, Mimi Ladipo, Practice Manager, Gladys Senderayi, Senior Public Sector Specialist, and Albertus Schoeman, Public Sector Specialist.
The high-level engagement began with a clear, collaborative message from the World Bank delegation: “Our visit is simple; we just want to know how we can help.”
The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between the DPSA and the World Bank to advance public sector reform, improve service delivery, and strengthen governance systems in South Africa.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the role of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) in advancing anti-corruption reforms and the professionalisation of public administration, and to explore areas where the World Bank can support the Department in advancing these reforms.
The World Bank has shown sustained interest in South Africa’s National Framework Towards the Professionalisation of the Public Sector, engaging closely with both the DPSA and the Public Service Commission on its implementation.
Working alongside the National Treasury, the World Bank has also supported reforms at the municipal level, including the development of a diagnostic and roadmap to professionalise municipal Chief Financial Officers (CFOs). This work provides a model for identifying evidence-based reform priorities and strengthening targeted occupational streams within the public sector.
The World Bank expressed interest in understanding the Minister’s reform priorities in the context of Parliament’s adoption of the Public Service Amendment Bill and ongoing deliberations on the Public Service Commission Amendment Bill.
At the heart of the Minister’s vision is the transformation of service delivery through systemic process change. Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi emphasised that the DPSA’s strategy focuses on structural reform to ensure that the public service becomes more efficient, accountable and responsive to the needs of citizens.
A key priority highlighted by the Minister is the digital modernisation of the public service, which includes:
- Integration of Human Resource Management Systems
- Developing and implementing an e-recruitment platform
- Streamlining administrative and governance processes
- Improving internal operational systems across departments
Digital transformation was identified as a critical enabler in building a professional, capable and ethical public service.
With the World Bank’s extensive global experience in digital infrastructure and governance reform, the meeting explored opportunities to leverage international best practices to accelerate South Africa’s public sector modernisation.
The engagement also explored ongoing collaboration on South Africa’s anti-corruption reform agenda. The World Bank has been supporting the work of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in strengthening the country’s anti-corruption institutional architecture.
Attention was given to the work of the Public Administration Ethics, Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit (PAEIDTAU) within the DPSA. The World Bank has engaged with the unit to explore reforms aimed at strengthening the financial disclosure framework, improving transparency and strengthening public sector integrity systems to combat corruption.
Senior departmental heads within the DPSA participated in the meeting, contributing to discussions on governance reform priorities and the Department’s role in strengthening ethical leadership and professional standards within the public service.
The World Bank reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its collaboration with the DPSA on both professionalisation reforms and anti-corruption initiatives, offering: Technical assistance, Analytical and policy support, Expertise in governance and digital systems, and Institutional strengthening support.
The engagement reaffirmed a shared commitment between the DPSA and the World Bank to build a capable, ethical and modern public service that delivers quality services efficiently and transparently to all South Africans.
The DPSA welcomed the World Bank’s continued partnership and its readiness to support South Africa’s ongoing public administration reforms.
