Welcome address by Acting Premier, Ms Ntombi Mekgwe, during the Public Sector Trainers' Forum (PSTF) Conference at Galagher Convention Centre, Midrand

Program Director
Minster of Public Service and Administration
Director-General
Honourable Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

The efficiency and effectiveness of government to discharge its responsibility is largely dependent on the calibre of the public servants in its employ. Many states fall or stand as the result of the measure of dedication and commitment of its workers.

As much as political leadership, guided by the popular mandate, is critical in steering the country to a predetermined destination, the implementers of government’s vision should be men and women who display a high degree of professionalism and unequivocal commitment. These are men and women who are performance driven, honest and loyal, selfless and diligent. There are not in it for themselves but the people they serve. What they perform is not a mere mechanical function but a calling to serve. This should be the character that defines the servant of the people.

However, public servants cannot just be the embodiments of these values without the creation of the enabling environment within which they can function. Key amongst these is investment in training and development. The financing of the human resource development should be prioritised so that it does not become an afterthought in our budgeting and planning cycle. It should be central and deliberate.

But the training and development program that we subject public servants to should also be of high quality and standard. These programs should take into account factors relevant to our conditions as a developmental state. They should not be solely based on methodologies and philosophies alien to our objective reality. What it means is that the training practitioner should be a highly conscious individual who appreciate our conditions and fully comprehend the government’s long term strategy.

The practitioner who is imbued with the correct dose of consciousness will then know how to package the training program such that it enhances and expedite the attainment of the government’s objectives.

Program Director

This conference comes at the time when the public discourse is centred on issues of quality service delivery by government. The debate is predominantly focused on whether or not the state has the capacity to deliver. Central to the two streams of thought is the type of public servant we have: Is he empowered? Does he understand his role? Is he committed and determined? What seems to emerge in these discussions as a common perspective is that we need to build a well-trained and professional public service empowered to deliver to the citizen.

It should be a public service that is non-aligned to a political party but loyal to the country and its developmental goals. The proponents of this view strongly believe that government will be better served by a calibre of professionals who understands that political parties come and go but government remains.

So, this conference’s theme of “Professionalising the Public Service through Human Resource Development” fits well with the current critical thought on public service. It resonates with what is being posited and espoused by many in the area of public administration.

As the government, we have produced a road map to strengthen the country’s developmental path by unveiling the National Development Plan (NDP), Vision 2030. The NDP recognises that a development-oriented and professional Public Service will intensify the delivery of high quality public service to the country.

The emphasis, therefore in terms of our NDP is placed on stabilisation of the political-administrative interface, making the public service and local governments careers of choice and developing technical and specialist skills. It is our belief that if we focus on these three main areas we will be better poised to achieve the country’s developmental agenda.

Program Director

This is a very important conference which we must all support and participate in with a clear and common objective. It should not be turned into a talk-shop. Let us use this platform to share debate and craft a meaningful program for the enhancement of public service.

At this point, allow me to welcome all of you to Gauteng Province, the Smart Province. It gives us a great pleasure to play host to such a significant gathering. I hope you will have a successful conference and also enjoy the hospitality of the beautiful Gauteng residents. You are most welcome.

Thank you.