Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi has applauded all those who have played and continue to play a vital role in transforming the public service which is a responsibility that most bear with utmost seriousness.

‘The history of our public service has been shaped by the very people who dared to envision a future where public administration serves as a catalyst for positive change and a beacon of hope for every citizen,’ Buthelezi said.

Addressing the Annual Conference of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM) 23rd gala dinner held in Johannesburg on Thursday, Buthelezi said as the country marks 30 years of democracy, the country reflects on the giants who laid the foundation of service, such as the father of democracy President Nelson Mandela and the Statesman Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

‘It is unarguable that their legacy challenges us to build a capable, ethical and professional public service. It does not matter the many difficult and differ
ent challenges we face. It remains our duty to restore trust and uphold their values of integrity,’ Buthelezi said.

Buthelezi said it is this vision that has inspired countless leaders to go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that service delivery is not just a function but a manifestation of the principles of fairness, justice and inclusivity.

‘While we continue cutting a cloth woven in the fabric of such rich and great legacies and trying to navigate the landscape of the 7th Administration, we also find ourselves at a crossroads – where values and legacies of the past must guide us in crafting a future that reflects our highest aspirations.

‘The 7th Administration which is the Government of National Unity (GNU) has placed at its core the principles of accountability, transparency and inclusive governance. These are the very ideals that our predecessors embodied – and it is upon this very same foundation that we must build,’ Buthelezi said.

Buthelezi said the demands of the 21st century call for
a public service that is agile, skilled and grounded in the principles of Batho Pele – which is putting people first.

‘We must be unwavering in our commitment to ensuring that every decision we make and every action we take – reflects the values that our predecessors strongly championed.

‘It is upon each of us, especially the current generation of public servants to draw inspiration from their courage and wisdom as we strive to create a government that truly works for its people,’ the minister said.

Buthelezi said the relationship between the public service, public servants and SAAPAM, in addition to being concerned with how things are and work right now, must also be about innovation and creating new and better forms of delivery of public goods and basic services.

‘For this to work, we also must explore the idea of expanded peer review mechanisms for academia, to include the intended beneficiary of the knowledge produced by SAAPAM academics.

‘This means that as scholars, it is important to make the know
ledge you produce to be accessible, relevant and responsive to the needs of South Africans,’ the minister said.

The SAAPAM mission is to encourage and promote good governance and effective service delivery through the advancement of professionalism, scholarship and practice in public administration and management.

SAAPAM consists of a National Board and Provincial Chapters. The National Board is elected every two years from among the SAAPAM membership.

Source: South African Government News Agency