Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says Gauteng is on course to restore the dignity of its residents through the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP).
Speaking at the Senior Management Service Conference held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, the Deputy President said: “Unless we live the Batho Pele principles, social progress will be retarded and social discord will grow”.
He said the province uses the concept of sustainable livelihoods to describe a minimum basket of goods and services that the poor need to live meaningful lives.
“More effective state provision of education, health, municipal services, public transport and social security is needed to improve the living standards of the poor.
“That is why the NDP speaks of the need for public institutions to be better managed, direct resources more efficiently, reduce wastage and eradicate corruption and mismanagement,” he said.
He said government is impressed by Gauteng's approach to radical economic change, modernisation, industrialisation and spatial transformation.
“Gauteng has pioneered the open tender system to eliminate corruption. The Gauteng Enterprise Propeller provides useful lessons for small enterprise development.
“The province is advancing education with innovative approaches to teaching and learning through e-learning platforms,” said the Deputy President.
Developing human capital
He said initiatives such as the Gauteng City Region Academy and partnerships with various tertiary institutions underline the provincial government's commitment to developing its human capital.
He also said training and development of the senior public service cadre is an essential feature of a successful developmental state.
He was also impressed by the progress Gauteng has made in promoting gender equality in the public service.
Professional public servants
The Deputy President said the conference was about the nation's desire for an activist cadre of public servants that are patriotic, professional and efficient.
He said public service is a critical tool at government's disposal to discharge its mandate to improve the quality of life of all people.
“The Constitution requires that a high standard of professional ethics must be promoted and maintained in the public service. As government, we will continue to invest in developing the skills of public servants.
“We will continue to promote an appropriate set of values and attitudes. We expect the Senior Management Service to lead the transformation of the public service by embracing the values of the Constitution.
“We expect the Senior Management Service to lead the implementation of the National Development Plan,” he said.
Public servants warned
Gauteng Premier David Makhura warned that public servants who do not serve with integrity have no place in the Gauteng City Region.
“We know that our people want a government that honours its commitments. In this province, failure is not an option. Incompetence is not permissible and corruption is not acceptable,” said Premier Makhura.
Public Service and Administration Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi emphasised the need to recruit and retain skilled and competent senior public servants.
“It is important that those appointed in the public service are skilled and competent to deliver the much needed services that would improve the lives and living conditions of all our people, especially the poor,” said Minister Ramatlhodi.
The conference was attended by senior managers from provincial departments, municipalities and government agencies across the Gauteng City Region. - SAnews.gov.za
