President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised that building a capable state is a critical step to creating an inclusive economy that benefits all.
The President was addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter, on Monday.
Strengthening the state is one of the key priorities of the Government of National Unity (GNU) outlined by the President in his Opening of Parliament Address last week.
This, the President said, comes in the form of rebuilding the “capability of the state and creating a professional public service”.
“This work is already well underway. The national framework for the professionalisation of the public service was adopted by Cabinet in 2022 to guide public service reform. The Department of Public Service and Administration [DPSA] has already issued two directives giving effect to the framework.
“The framework aims to build meritocracy in the public service. Recruitment and selection processes are being overhauled, as are performance management systems. Competency-based assessments and integrity tests are being introduced. These tests will be used across the public sector, including to persons appointed into political offices such as ministerial advisers and chiefs of staff,” he said.
Additionally, the national framework also seeks to open more doors for young people who want to work in the public service.
“One of the DPSA directives issued earlier this year waives the experience requirement for entry level posts with no supervisory responsibilities. It also makes provision for verification of academic qualifications from applicants who do not have their degree certificates because of outstanding student debt,” the President said.
Capable leaders
President Ramaphosa emphasised that capable leaders are required for a capable state.
In this regard, the President said, the National School of Government has been growing its “suite of executive education programmes designed for elected officials and executive managers”.
“These involve formal learning programmes delivered by renowned experts, high-level masterclasses and seminars on issues ranging from the art of execution to ethics and economic governance. There are also flagship programmes tailored for accounting officers and induction training for boards of state-owned enterprises.
“Leaders in national and provincial governments will undergo training and development programmes throughout the seventh administration, starting with the National School of Government’s ethical leadership and oversight programme.
“Other areas of training include economic governance, scenario planning and digital transformation. It is encouraging that traditional leaders are also prioritising their development through short learning programmes and formal qualifications,” he said.
The President further noted that public servants “need to be insulated from undue political interference and vested interests”.
“While there may be a temptation for members of the Executive to favour the policies of their own political parties, we are working to develop the Medium-Term Development Plan and implement the programme of government as a united government, not as individual parties.
“Within the public service, professionalism, integrity and commitment to the policies of the government of the day must transcend all political and ideological affiliations.
“State capture provided a bitter lesson on the vulnerabilities of the public sector to interference by private business interests. As the Government of National Unity, as a country, we must ensure that this never happens again. We must actively guard against the forms of executive overreach witnessed in the past,” he said.
The President called on all formations that form part of the GNU to come together to build a capable state.
“If we continue along the path of collaboration and cooperation, the Government of National Unity has the means and political will to transform the public service into a powerful driver of service delivery, economic growth and development,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
