The Public Service and Administration committee bids farewell to one of the most tireless leaders that has served our nation, Mr Radhakrishna Lutchmana (Roy) Padayachie, who served as the Minister for the Public Service and Administration at his untimely passing.
An exemplary leader, a community activist and struggle stalwart who served his people with dedication and an astute leader set to transform the public service by instilling a new culture of responsiveness, dedication and patriotic commitment in the minds of public servants, the life of Minister Padayachie has been one wholly devoted to serving our people.
As the President of the Republic of South Africa has observed, no life of Minister Padayachie has been spent outside the pursuit of the goal of a democratic, free, united and prosperous South Africa.
Minister Padayachie served the country and the governing African National Congress (ANC) in several positions and for many years with utmost dedication and selflessness. He was a Trustee of the Transitional National Development Trust (TNDT) serving on its Audit and Finance Committees and its Policy Advisory Group for the establishment of the National Development Agency (NDA).
He served as Executive Member of the Natal Indian Congress and Executive Committee member of the United Democratic Front in KwaZulu-Natal. He was later to distinguish himself as a Member of ANC KwaZulu-Natal negotiating Team at the Congress for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA).
Minister Padayachie served in government as the Deputy Minister of Communications of the Republic of South Africa from 29 April 2004 to 10 May 2009, joining the Public Service and Administration portfolio as Deputy Minister from 11 May 2009 to 30 October 2010. Following an appointment as Minister of Communications as of 1 November 2010 ending 24 October 2011, Minister Padayachie was back at the helm of the Public Service and Administration portfolio as Minister.
As the Minister for the Public Service and Administration, it is the same value and virtue of service that his life has been premised on that would realise the transformation of the public service.
At the helm of public services, Minister Padayachie showcased both his international and national experience and expertise, providing pertinent analysis and solutions to the challenges we encounter in the public service.
Incisive and insightful, he strived for the realisation of an effective, efficient and development oriented public service. The administration's success would be measured by attributes that include easy accessibility of services by citizens, a speedy rendering of services, minimised corruption and one that would ultimately have a positive impact on the lives of people and the economy.
Fundamental to the Minister's vision was the realisation of efficient service delivery and the modernisation of the public service. A priority focus area for Minister Padayachie would be one of instilling ethos in public service, reinvigorating the Batho Pele ethos by instilling a new culture of responsiveness, dedication and patriotic commitment in the minds of public servants as part of a strategy of building a public service cadre.
We at the Ministry for Public Service and Administration can only take example of the commendable life Minister Padayachie has led, take example on how he died, while on duty and pick up where he left in the fulfilment of his vision of a better government, a better South Africa and an ever improving public service.
Message by Deputy Minister Ayanda Dlodlo on behalf of the Ministry for Public Service and Administration
Tribute to the late Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Mr Radhakrishna Lutchmana (Roy) Padayachie (1950–2012)
