14 September 2006
Date: 18-19 October 2006
Venue: International Convention Centre (ICC), Cape Town
Theme: Securing people's trust through Batho Pele, towards a Single Public
Service
Background
The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) launched the
first Batho Pele Learning Network (BPLN) at the Kopanong Conference Centre in
Gauteng, in April 2003. The second BPLN was also held in Gauteng in 2004. Due
to the nature of service delivery challenges confronting public service, it was
decided that two learning networks will be held per year. This culminated in
two successful Learning Networks in 2005, one in Mmabatho in July and the other
in Kimberly in November. It was however realised that two learning networks per
year hardly fit into the DPSA's tight schedule. A decision was then taken to
have only one session a year.
Batho Pele is key to service delivery improvement, hence the need for a
platform where service delivery challenges and achievements are shared amongst
departments with a view to finding common solutions. To date, the Learning
Network has generated a lot of interest among public servants and is gradually
becoming an appropriate platform to share and exchange experiences and lessons
on issues relating to the promotion and implementation of Batho Pele
practices.
In addition, provinces are encouraged to host their own learning networks as
a way of institutionalising the concept. To this end, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and
KwaZulu-Natal provinces have already held such sessions.
The Fifth Batho Pele Learning Network will be held on 18 - 19 October 2006
in Cape Town at the International Convention Centre. A large number of
participants are expected to come from the local government sphere as all
municipalities have been invited. This will be the first time for local
government to formally participate in a Batho Pele Learning Network. The move
to call local government municipalities to such an important service delivery
occasion tallies very well, as the Cabinet recently approved the single public
service initiative.
The launch of the Batho Pele Learning Network was borne out of a need to
build a "learning culture" within the public service. Improving service
delivery does not only refer to the overhauling of the public service in terms
of systems, processes improvement and culture change, but also as public
servants we need to be responsive to the needs of the people we serve. It is
also important to realise that we are not operating in isolation; hence we need
to keep abreast of new developments in the changing world.
Learning and sharing of best practices and challenges is an integral part of
fostering a Batho Pele spirit and practice. Furthermore, learning and sharing
of best practices ensures that there is less duplication. This is only possible
if there is a culture of collaboration, partnership, learning and sharing in
the public service. Batho Pele Learning Network is one way of creating such a
learning environment.
Objective
In brief, the objectives of the learning network are to:
* provide a platform for public service officials to share lessons,
knowledge, experiences and best practices on the implementation and promotion
of Batho Pele, with specific references to the Revitalisation strategy approved
by Cabinet on 4 August 2004
* communicate progress on the implementation of the above-mentioned Cabinet
decision to revitalise the promotion and implementation of the Batho Pele ethos
in the public service
* create a sense of urgency on the need to accelerate implementation of the
Batho Pele ethos
* promote a culture of collaboration and partnerships among public
servants
* provide an opportunity for communicating new government priorities and
programmes like Single Public Service (SPS), Accelerated and Shared Growth
Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA), Joint Initiative on Priority Skills
Acquisition (JIPSA), etc.
Methodology and approach
Various case studies and good service delivery initiatives are invited from
the provinces. Suitable case studies and initiatives are selected for
presentation during the learning network. This provides an opportunity for
provinces to learn from one another with a view of copying similar successful
initiatives in their provinces. In most cases, some of these case studies are
further developed into write ups for publication in the Service Delivery Review
journal, Rutanang and BuaNews.
Achievements and impact
The Learning Network has successfully created a community of Batho Pele
Co-ordinators who meet on a quarterly basis to further discuss issues raised in
the learning networks. The DPSA is currently developing guidelines for the
Batho Pele co-ordinators as per discussions in the learning network that took
place in Kimberly in 2005. It is envisaged that this will serve as a point of
reference for the Batho Pele co-ordinators as it will clarify roles and
responsibilities.
Registration
Register online: (http://www.dpsa.gov.za/) register on the
Accommodation Options website, logged as "5th Batho Pele Learning Network"
Register by telephone:
Anja
Tel: (012) 991 6280
Enquires:
Vincent Mabunda
Tel: (012) 336 1532
Issued by: Department of Public Service and Administration
14 September 2006
Source: Department of Public Service and Administration (http://www.dpsa.gov.za)
