Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong says recruiting the right employees is vital for the success of any business, and this is no exception for government and those responsible for Government Communications (GCIS) in particular.
“Finding the right talent, with the right skills, is a top priority for us as government and we cannot afford to misstep,” Morolong said.
Addressing the Public Service Day event at the GCIS headquarters in Pretoria on Friday, Morolong said suitably qualified employees can contribute to a positive organisational culture.
“These employees will demonstrate the core values of the department and uphold its mission, which can lead to a stronger sense of unity and purpose among team members,” he said.
Morolong said in the not-so-distant past, government introduced a National Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Sector.
“Through this effort, of professionalising the public service, government also hopes to restructure its recruitment processes with the aim of ensuring appoint suitably qualified employees in order to improve on our service delivery programmes,” Morolong said.
He said to attract top talent, the GCIS should improve its brand and perception as an employer particularly among new workers entering the workforce.
“This brand repositioning or improvement must of necessity align with the new organisational structure that has been adopted,” the Deputy Minister said.
The advent of digital technologies and the attendant adoption thereof, has resulted in a fast-paced communications environment.
“It therefore follows, that as a centre of government communications, collaboration becomes even more pronounced. As GCIS, you are the centre charged with coordinating the system of Government communication.
“If the centre itself is not coherently coordinated in a collaborative manner, the system will crumble. It is therefore important to understand that failure to properly coordinate will result in GCIS failing and the system of communication weakened,” Morolong said.
He said Integrated Public Service Month (IPSM) is a well-established strategic programme of government that serves as a national platform for inter-departmental and governmental policy learning and development, as well as a public participation and engagement platform.
Every year in September, South Africa celebrates Integrated Public Service Month, honouring the values and virtues of public servants dedicated to serving their communities, as envisioned in the Batho Pele principles.
On 13 August 2019, the Joint Cabinet Committee directed that all government programs taking place during the month of September must be integrated into a single Integrated Public Service Month (IPSM).
IPSM is regarded as an integrated service delivery improvement mechanism and an essential part of government’s strategy to revitalize the Batho Pele Policy of 1997 with a specific focus on honouring those public servants who serve the nation across the three spheres of government.
It is a ‘Service Delivery Improvement Mechanism’ that seeks to reflect on the work of the Public Service in line with the values and principles for public administration as enshrined in Section 195 of the Constitution (1996) and the aspirations of the National Development Plan 2030. – SAnews.gov.za
