28 August 2006
The Free State province hosts its second Senior Management Service (SMS)
conference from 29 - 31 August 2006, in Thaba Nchu (Protea Black Mountain
Hotel).
The second Senior Management Service Conference represents a progressive and
innovative approach to governance by the province. It is building on the work
of the first Provincial Senior Management Service Conference held in 2005.
It provides an important outlet for delegates to network with one another
and gain insights into a wide range of innovative best practices, as well as
the latest research issues in the fields of management and development,
etc.
Clear objectives have been drawn up and facilitators will cover a wide
spectrum of issues during parallel sessions, ranging from major development
projects that impact on accelerating growth and development in the province to
the need to mainstream black economic empowerment through targeted
infrastructure development.
The conference also focuses on the integration and implementation of the
Free State Growth and Development strategy (FSGDS), Accelerated Shared Growth
Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA), and the Joint Initiative on Priority
Skills for South Africa (JIPSA).
Also, Free State Society for Public Administration and Governance (FRESPAG)
will be launched on 30 August 2006, as part of the conference following a
series of consultations between the province and the esteemed American Society
for Public Administration (ASPA).
This conference will serve as a continuation of the first conference in
terms of the broad objectives of consolidating the principles of co-operative
governance, intergovernmental relations and exploring alternative strategies of
service delivery.
The conference will identify provincial areas of development that require
specific proposals or solutions, which will propel the province forward in
terms of advancement in service delivery.
The first day of the conference will look at how senior managers could make
use of special investigating units to deal effectively with corruption. The
discussion is presented by Willie Hofmeyr from National Prosecuting Authority
(NPA). Also on the agenda is a talk on recruitment and retention of skilled
persons in public service.
Later on Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Local Government
Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), Sidwell Mofokeng, will speak
on the role and the impact of Community Development Workers (CDWs) in
strengthening public participation in service delivery.
Vuyo Mahlati, National Co-ordinator for AsgiSA: Jobs for Growth Programme,
will also address delegates on the need to mainstream Black Economic
Empowerment (BEE) through targeted infrastructure development.
A session will also be held on the Spatial Planning and Industrial
Development Strategy in the province and on major development projects in the
Free State province.
These, and many others, are the issues and challenges of this conference,
which will enable participants to share their views through presentations,
panels and debates.
Thursday, which is the last day of the conference, we will welcome speakers,
including Professor Charles Washington from National Academy of Public
Administration (NAPA) in the United States of America (USA), Dr Aaron Punn from
Organisational Development and Learning in Canada and John Saunders from
National Forum of Black Administrators in the USA. They will speak of spectrum
of topics such as Executive Leadership, Performance and Development
Management.
Enquiries: Mr T Sikisi
Cell: 082 333 8599
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Free State Provincial Government
28 August 2006
