Deputy President David Mabuza says the Framework for the Professionalisation of the Public Sector highlights government’s strategic commitment to build a capable, ethical and developmental state.

“The Framework is a response to a discussion about reforming and professionalising the public sector, and emphasises a single public administration across all three government spheres and state-owned entities,” Mabuza said.

Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Thursday, Mabuza said through intergovernmental relations structures, there is consensus that the government should strengthen the skills, expertise and capabilities of the public service at all levels to improve the quality of services.

“This includes developing leadership capacity, managerial competence, financial management skills, spatial planning skills, technical skills, and project execution skills, especially in infrastructure projects,” Mabuza said.

Recently, the National Planning Commission (NPC) called for a sense of urgency in the execution of the National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalization of the Public Sector.

Cabinet recently approved the Framework, which provides five pillars on interventions in professionalising the public service.

The pillars include pre-entry recruitment and selection within the public service, induction and onboarding, planning and performance management, continuous learning and professional development and career progression and incidents.

Last year, the then Public Service and Administration Minister, Senzo Mchunu, appointed a task team to assist government through the National School of Government (The NSG), to finalise the National Implementation Framework towards the professionalisation of the public service.

In December 2020, Mchunu released the draft National Implementation Framework towards the professionalisation of the public service for public comment.

This followed the Cabinet approval of the publication of the draft framework, which is in line with the commitment made by the sixth administration to create a capable, ethical and developmental public service.

The Minister initiated a public consultation process with key stakeholders from various organisations and institutions inside and outside the public sector earlier this year.

Through these public consultations, 159 organisations (including universities, research institutions, public sector institutions and professional bodies) participated and over 771 individuals attended the sessions.

Source: South African Government News Agency