Programme Director, Professor Fourie
The Head of Department, School of Public Management & Administration, Professor Chitiga-Mabugu
Deputy National Commissioner, Lt Gen Mbekela
The Acting Divisional Commissioner of HRD, Maj Gen Nyalunga
Invited guests
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I am delighted to share this important day with you. On behalf of the South African Police Service, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to have been invited be part of this graduation ceremony.
“Education is the most powerful tool that you can use to change the world.” These wise words from our former President, Nelson Mandela, certainly resonate here today.
None of us can choose the type of family we want to be born into, however, it is up to us to change the trajectory of our lives. We are here because you, the graduates, have taken it upon yourselves to use education to change and improve your lives. This is a proud and joyful occasion; never forget the sacrifices that have been made for you to be here today.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Whitepaper on Transforming Public Service Delivery (South Africa, 1997) requires that service standards be set that government departments will be held accountable for. These were followed by the Public Service Regulations, 1999, which required the creation of a link between individuals and agreed to performance outputs, while the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA, 1999) dealt with the organisational part of performance from a financial perspective.
These developments clearly articulate how our government has long realised the importance of professionalising all our government departments through the Constitution. South Africans have the right and obligation to ascertain whether and to what degree the community’s public safety needs are being met.
Ladies and gentlemen, if we, as the SAPS, are to live up to the expectations of our Constitution and changes articulated in the National Development Plan, we must align ourselves accordingly, and education is the cornerstone of that much-needed alignment. Today, government departments globally are run differently than they were a decade ago. Training, skills development and education remain key objectives if we are to remain relevant to police in a democratic dispensation.
Ladies and gentlemen, this day is special because of your hard work, commitment and investment in your future. It is an honour to be among enquiring minds, known as academics, practitioners and professionals of various disciplines. Be proud of being associated with the academic fraternity. This is a day that every graduate should treasure.
Wangari Maathai, one of our finest African scholars, once said, “It is important to nurture any new ideas and initiatives which can make the difference”.
You must make that difference. You have become empowered and are now in a position to contribute to the SAPS, and make a positive impact on the position the SAPS has in the society it serves.
I must appreciate our efforts to emulate the words of Maathai through the Human Resource Development (HRD) Division, which established a partnership with the University of Pretoria’s School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) for being part of the quest to quench intellectual thirst in the public sector. I, for one, value the role higher academic institutions play to shape the outcome of our society.
Not only do the higher learning institutions have a mammoth task to educate us, but we also have a critical role to play in advancing the vision of our National Development Plan which serves as our road map going forward. We must plan and describe what we want for our organisation. I am excited about the fact that our initiative is bearing fruit today. This Public Management Development Programme or the PMDP, which is aimed at empowering commanders, will go a long way in building managerial capacity to enable us to realise Vision 2030.
The pedagogical practice of this course is relevant and very broad as it includes scrutiny of government structures, processes and functions that public servants should adhere to. The course ensures that we perform professionally to meet the developmental imperatives of an ever-changing society. The perception that public service officials are people who are not fond of books and change, should be changed.
Ladies and gentlemen, after the successful completion of the PMDP, a learner who has obtained a B Degree or Honours Degree, qualifies to apply for the Masters Degree in Public Administration at the University of Pretoria. In collaboration with the University of Pretoria and with the assistance of the Belgium Donor Funding, the SAPS coordinated two PMDP interventions during the 2014/2015 financial year, which were very successful.
The PMDP 1/2014 commenced on 2014-03-17 and concluded on 2014-10-14. Twenty-nine SAPS learners (13 females and 16 males) from various provinces and offices enrolled and successfully completed the PMDP. A total of 10 learners passed the PMDP with distinction. Currently six of the learners who completed the PMDP, are registered for a Masters in Public Administration.
The PMDP 2/2014 commenced on 2014-08-29 and was concluded on 2015-04-17. Twenty-seven SAPS learners (five females and 22 males) from various divisions and offices enrolled and successfully completed the PMDP. A total of 25 learners passed the PMDP with distinction. I believe that the collaborative approaches that we continue to adopt with the University of South Africa and the University of Pretoria, will put us in a position to empower personnel to achieve academic excellence and distinction.
The SAPS trusts that you will not fail in your responsibility to create a living legacy for those still to come. As you create that legacy, remember to inculcate in your colleagues the principles and values that strive to promote integrity and respect for the organisation and the people it is meant to serve.
Graduates, we are of the view that with your qualifications, you will be able to inspire and lead the SAPS to greater heights of sustained success. Congratulations, walk tall and be proud of your achievements. Always remember that the resolve and capabilities of this organisation lie in every one of you here to learn continuously.
Thank you.
