24 July 2006
Beyers Naudé Square in downtown Johannesburg is usually host to shouts of
"viva!" and loud chanting from protesters waving placards and sticks.
It was different on Monday as it gave reception to a different class of
demonstrators who gathered there to "recommit themselves to serving the people
of the province" and make a pledge to renew their commitments.
This time around even the rain could not dampen the spirits of hundreds of
proud Gauteng public servants who marched to the square to celebrate government
achievements by way of launching the annual Gauteng Public Service Week.
The event sought to make a public promise through service standards and
charters that seek to improve service delivery in the province and ensure
government achieve its ideal of bringing a better life for the people of
Gauteng, through a people's contract.
Delivering the keynote address, Acting Premier and Public Transport, Roads
and Works MEC Ignatius Jacobs borrowed from Premier Mbhazima Shilowa's opening
of legislature address in 2004.
"We placed before you and the people of Gauteng our five year strategic
programme, which is our roadmap to fulfil the overwhelming mandate we received
from the people of Gauteng in the April 2004 election. We committed ourselves
to work tirelessly to achieve our objectives. These included stimulating a
faster
economic growth and drastically reduce unemployment, fighting poverty and build
secure and sustainable communities, building an effective and caring
government, deepening democracy and nation building and to realise the
constitutional rights of all the people; including developing healthy,
appropriately skilled and productive people," said Jacobs.
He said albeit Gauteng having the best public service in the country,
challenges still included lack of access to information, poor service delivery,
responsiveness and courtesy of public servants, "and in certain areas the
problem of members of the public are still not aware of channels and procedures
to seek redress".
"As much as we are turning the tide on service delivery we must not fall
into the trap of undesired practices that paint bad the image of public service
such as corruption and nepotism. There is still need for us to commit ourselves
to address community complaints. In any way you must be proud to work for this
province because our ethic cannot be easily matched out there, including
in
the private sector," said Jacobs.
Other speakers emphasised the importance of changing the image of the public
service "where in other instances it (good) has been overshadowed with using it
(public service) as a job opportunity instead of giving service to the
people".
Cosatu Gauteng Chairperson Phutas Tseki said public servants should embrace
Batho Pele "which is about the respect and protection of dignity when giving
service".
"Good administration is key to delivering an excellent service to the
public. We need to uproot in all forms corruption, personal gains, nepotism and
racism in the public service," he said.
MECs and Heads of Departments then led public servants in signing pledges
committing them to serve the people of Gauteng. The day continued in dance and
song with entertainment from the South African Police Service band, maskandi
groups, electrifying Simphiwe Dana, Phusekhemisi and young sensation
Ntando.
The province is embarking on a week full of activities to celebrate Public
Service Week. The campaign is a result of Premier Shilowa's commitment at the
opening of legislature in February 2005 that the provincial government would
implement the Batho Pele revitalisation programme.
The second day (Tuesday) sees all Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG)
departments having an Open Day with pavement information kiosks outside their
offices where the public can have access to government information.
On Wednesday the Executive Council will visit different townships as part of
the Imbizo campaign. These visits will include unannounced walkabouts by the
Premier and MECs to various service points.
On Thursday MECs will go on a blitz to the Southgate, Eastgate, Northgate
and Carlton Centre shopping malls to distribute government information and
interact with the public. Departments will also launch the Pledge Campaign at
their offices.
Friday will see the "Take a Child to Work" campaign, in which public
servants are encouraged to take a child to work to give them a better
understanding of the work in government. On that day a two-day Economic
Opportunities Road Show will also be launched in Ivory Park. Finally it will be
the launch of a Multi-Purpose Community Centre in Kwathema in Ekurhuleni on
Saturday, 29 July 2006.
For media releases, speeches and news visit the Gauteng Provincial
Government's portal at www.gautengonline.gov.za
Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
24 July 2006
