Remarks by: Hon. Ms. Noxolo Kiviet, MP Minister for the Public Service and Administration at the Africa Public Service Day Ministerial Youth Outreach Dialogue Held at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on 20 June 2023
Programme Director,
Mr. Panyaza Lesufi, Premier of Gauteng;
Prof. Letlhokwa Mpedi, UJ Vice Chancellor;
Ms Yoliswa Makhasi, DPSA Director-General;
Senior Officials from various departments,
Partners from the United Nations Agencies Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning and welcome to the launch of the Africa Public Service Week, under the theme: “The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will require a fit for purpose African public administration to succeed”.
This theme re-inforces the similar of the Continental Africa Public Service Day (APSD) which will be celebrated on the 23rd June 2023.
It is a pleasure to join you today as we gather here at the University of Johannesburg, which is one of premier Universities in South Africa.
I would like to extend my gratitude to all the esteemed participants present here, for their invaluable contributions in making this event a reality.
Today marks a significant milestone as we come together to discuss and strategize the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has the potential to revolutionize our continent's economic landscape.
The AfCFTA presents us with an unprecedented opportunity to foster economic growth, boost trade, and create prosperity for the people of Africa.
As we embark on this journey, it is imperative that our public service and our broader public administration play a pivotal role in facilitating an enabling environment for investment and value-adding industries to maximize the benefits of the AfCFTA.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is imperative to recognize the historic significance of this month as Youth Month. June holds a special place in the hearts of South Africans, as it commemorates the courageous and resilient spirit of the youth who fought for liberation, equality, and justice.
Youth Month symbolizes the power and potential of our young people to drive positive change and shape the “Africa We Want”, as espoused in Agenda 2063.
We are reminded that the future of our continent rests in the hands of our youth, and their active participation and leadership are critical in realizing our shared vision for a prosperous, united, and empowered Africa.
Let us harness the energy and enthusiasm of our young generation as we work towards a brighter and more inclusive future for all Africans.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Allow me to announce that this program serves as a crucial foundation for the upcoming Africa Public Service Day event scheduled for June 23rd in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, under the theme of: “The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will require a fit for purpose African public administration to succeed”.
This theme similarly re-inforces the African Union (AU) theme for 2023 which is the: "Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation".
This event will therefore provide a platform for further discussions and actions on the advancement of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The essence of the Africa Public Service Day (APSD) lies in its recognition and celebration of the critical role played by the public service, and broadly our African public administration, in driving sustainable development, promoting good governance, and improving the lives of citizens across the continent.
The APSD serves as a platform for fostering dialogue, sharing best practices, and fostering
collaboration among African nations to enhance public service delivery.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The APSD provides an invaluable opportunity for public servants to reflect on their responsibilities, exchange ideas, and explore innovative solutions to address the challenges facing our communities.
The celebrations embody the spirit of unity, cooperation, and a shared commitment towards building efficient, accountable, and citizen-centric public administrations that can effectively support the implementation of transformative agendas such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
By embracing the essence of APSD, we pave the way for a brighter future, where the public service becomes a catalyst for sustainable
development and the achievement of the “Africa We Want”.
Lastly, by not least, it should be highlighted that the APSD is also one of the key events that foster the actualisation of the “African Charter on the Values and Principles of the Public Service and Administration” (Charter) which imposes obligations on state parties to report on the progress made in the implementation of the Charter.
I’m therefore glad to advise that South Africa was able to deposit its Baseline Report at the African Union Commission (AUC) on the implementation of the Charter in December 2022, and we look forward to other state parties’ submission of their country reports on the implementation of the Charter.
In conclusion, we wish to extend a warm invitation to all participants and stakeholders to join us in Victoria Falls, where we can
collectively explore strategies and initiatives to accelerate the implementation of this historic trade agreement.
Your presence and contribution will be invaluable in shaping the future of Africa's economic landscape.
May this dialogue be a stepping-stone towards the realization of our collective dreams for a thriving Africa.
I thank you.
