Mokonyane says public servants must be service driven

Public servants need to be service driven, committed and work towards changing the conditions of Gauteng residents, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said on Thursday.

Mokonyane was addressing more than 1000 Gauteng Provincial Government employees in Johannesburg as part of events marking the Workers Month.

Premier Mokonyane commended the majority of the public servants who were prepared to go an extra mile in doing their jobs.

“As public servants your primary responsibility is to serve and improve the lives of our people. When people walk into our facilities you must always be ready to receive them. However, as government, we must give you necessary tools of trade to perform your duties,” said Mokonyane.

She noted that a few years ago, Gauteng was associated with being a place of crime and was among the leading provinces when it came to fraud and corruption. This however has since changed because many civil servants disapproved of it and this made Gauteng the second province in South Africa that has successfully reduced incidents of fraud and corruption.

“We have made visible delivery on our commitments. We have changed the way we procure our goods. Thousands of you have started to use public funds wisely,” she said.

In 2010/2011, GPG delivered 65% of its mandate. In the first quarter of last financial year (2011/2012) government delivered 51% of its Programme of Action (POA) and in the second quarter it was at 60%.

Mokonyane said these successes were a result of planning before the start of the financial year.

She encouraged the civil servants to implement government policies, programmes and project because it was them who will make or break South Africa.

“You are the ones who will make or break this country. Politicians are few but public servants are a majority. Politicians come and go. I am voted into this position and you are the experts that underwent extensive training to do what you do,” she emphasised.

The Premier added it was important for civil servants to work with residents because people were keen to be part of their country’s development.

“I know we sometimes demand a lot from you but it’s because I believe in you. Make people feel confident that there are men and women who will serve them with dignity,” she said.

Also part of the meeting was the Provincial Secretary-General of COSATU Dumisani Dakile.

Dakile echoed Mokonyane’s words that the success of government depended on honest politicians but mostly on the dedicated workers.

“Good policies are meaningless if there are only good on paper and not implemented.  It is your job as public servants to implement such policies.

Dakile warned employees that COSATU would not defend corrupt employees.

“If you are stealing government resources meant to improve the lives of our poor people, we will not defend you,” he said.

Story teller and motivational speaker Gcina Mhlophe was also there to motivate the employees.

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