16 July 2026, Pretoria – The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) recently hosted delegations from the Kingdom of Eswatini and the United Republic of Tanzania as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation and promote knowledge sharing on public administration and governance.
The engagements reflect South Africa’s growing role as a continental reference point for public service reform, with the DPSA regularly receiving requests from fellow Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states and other African countries seeking to learn from South Africa’s institutional architecture, legislative framework and public administration reform journey. The visits also reinforce South Africa’s leadership responsibilities as the incoming Chair of SADC for the 2026–2027 term.
During the engagements, the DPSA presented its constitutional and legislative mandate, highlighting its role within South Africa’s governance architecture and its responsibility for driving public administration reform. Delegates were also introduced to the Department’s organisational structure, the functions of its branches, and the work of entities within its portfolio, including the National School of Government (NSG) and the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI).
Discussions focused on South Africa’s experience in building a capable, ethical and developmental state through public service professionalisation, institutional reform and the digital transformation of government services. The engagements provided a platform for the exchange of experiences, lessons and best practices, while exploring opportunities for continued collaboration in areas such as technical assistance, knowledge sharing and professional exchanges.
By fostering administrative diplomacy and strengthening institutional partnerships with Eswatini and Tanzania, the DPSA continues to contribute to regional integration and governance capacity across the African continent. These engagements underscore South Africa’s commitment to working collaboratively with its regional partners to build responsive, innovative and citizen-centred public institutions.
