10 February 2000
In his opening speech to parliament, the President said that
"We are still faced with the task of completing the process of restructuring of the machinery of government".
Various departments, incorporating the DPSA, SAMDI and the Public Service Commission, will continue this year to focus on initiatives aimed at improving the ability and readiness of our public service to deliver on government priorities.
The focus for the next few years will be as follows:
FOCUS ON STRENGTHENING MANAGEMENT CAPACITY IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE
We have initiated programs to raise the skill levels of our managers. A particular focus will be the senior management level and managers of service delivery institutions, eg. Prisons, schools, hospitals. To this end we have organised a high level Senior Executive Programme, and SAMDI is co-ordinating programmes targeted at managers of service delivery institutions
We are reviewing the conditions of service for senior managers and professionals in the public service. This will incorporate measures to attract and retain them in the public service. The report of such a process will be made available soon.
We seek to build a performance culture in the civil service, starting with the top management echelons. We are in the process of ensuring that all managers sign performance contracts aligned to appropriate reward structure.
MEASURES AND STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE DELIVERY OF SERVICES
We have initiated partnerships with department that are responsible for delivering on key government priorities. Department of Public Works in promoting commercialisation , co-oporatisation and efficiency of service delivery and Department of Home Affairs in re-engineering of business process and organisational design.
The Department will put in place infrastructure to modernise government, particularly through the application of IT and a strategic framework to maximise IT utilisation in government. Some of the projects include automation of the court system and various electronic service delivery initiatives that will enhance the delivery of services by government. To this end we will soon be appointing a Government Chief Information Officer, and establishing the Council of Information Officers to direct the use of IT in the government
We will reorganise the manner in which government delivers services with a view to improving inefficiency. Such re-organising will encompass an improvement in the efficiency of existing institutions, utilise Public-Private partnerships, establish agencies within the government and co-operate with civil society to improve delivery.
ENHANCING EFFICIENCY OF DEPARTMENTS AND ROOTING OUT CORRUPTION
Last year we initiated a pilot in three Provinces with the view to roll it over to other provinces. We will now support six provinces, (Northern, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape) through our Integrated Provincial Support program that has a combined donor support grant of R50 million over the next 18 months. To date achievements in the three provinces include among other capacity development, audits and drafting of management plans.
Focus on supporting the Criminal Justice Cluster through management audits (already started) with the Department of Correctional Services.
We will soon launch a series of statutory investigations on departments where we have suspicion or evidence of gross mal-administration and/or corruption.
An important is the need for senior public servants to disclose their financial interest and ensure alignment of the public service legislation with the Public Finance management Act.
PERSONNEL EXPENDITURE NEEDS TO BE CONTAINED
Reducing the 1.1 million public service is not the only solution to containing personnel expenditure nor is it the only solution to maximising efficiency. The government together with its social partners need to creatively investigate measures that will enhance efficiency.
We will soon table a final wage policy. Some aspects will be implemented immediately while others will be subject of collective bargaining.
Consultations will commence soon with regards to the implementation of the personnel expenditure review, including an appropriate exit strategy. This is what the President referred to when he said that "additional measures will therefore be taken this year to ensure the rightsizing of our public service".
All the above will be executed with an understanding that we want to put an end to speculation and uncertainty within the public service.
We need to address in particular the irregular working hours (Sunday work, overtime) and leave arrangements to ensure that they are in line with the nature of work in the public service. Tackling the above may necessitate, amongst other things, a Ministerial determination or an exemption to be applied for in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
Thank you!