The National School of Government (NSG) will host an important webinar on the new South African government system, a Government of National Unity (GNU) as well as coalition arrangements.
Monday’s webinar will focus on making coalitions and GNU work and the role of professional bureaucracies.
“The webinar will provide a platform to discuss the likely impact of the GNU on the public administration and governance system, with lessons from countries abroad that have gone through power-sharing arrangements as well as in the country’s local government system where coalitions have also been in existence for a few years,” the NSG explained.
The session will include local and overseas experts who will share their insights and experiences on the impact of coalition arrangements on public sector institutions.
The speakers include former Advisor to Coalition Governments in Ireland Fergus Finlay as well as Jan Cornillie, Former Chief of Cabinet for various Belgian Ministers.
The attendees will also hear from Lesotho Institute of Public Administration and Management Administration Director-General, Nthabiseng Tlhomola, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission Professor Somadoda Fikeni and many more.
Announcing his new Cabinet last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the establishment of the GNU in its current form was unprecedented in the history of the country’s democracy.
The President said: “We have had to consider how to form the new government in a manner that advances the national interest, that gives due consideration to the outcome of the election and that makes use of the respective capabilities within each of the parties”.
The President added that all the political parties who were members of the GNU had committed to respecting the Constitution, promoting accountable and transparent governance, evidence-based policy and decision-making as well as the professionalisation of the public service, integrity and good governance.
The NSG has introduced a series of webinars and seminars over the past few years to exchange knowledge and promote a culture of continuous learning within the public sector.
These sessions aim to ensure that public officials can benefit from the latest thinking from the global content and local levels’ experiences.
Each session is addressed by a senior expert on the topic of focus and is generally attended by senior leaders from across the public sector both elected leaders and appointed officials.
President Ramaphosa and a range of Ministers have also previously participated in a webinar arranged by the school.
The webinar will take place virtually on Monday from 9 am to 1 pm.
Click on this link to register https://thensg-gov-za.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GvBAX8j5RRO-EQ1d7YfkOA#/registration. – SAnews.gov.za
