Building a covenant for professionalisation, ethics and trust in South Africa's public service
On 2 September, I launched the Integrated Public Service Month (IPSM) 2025. The launch is more than a calendar event; it is a significant and deliberate shift in our approach to governance. For far too long, public service initiatives have been ad hoc and reactive. Today, we turn a new page by launching our 2025 – 2028 Multiyear Programme, a purposeful and strategic commitment to institutional reform that aims to fundamentally change how government interacts with its citizens.
The launch is our solemn pledge to move beyond temporary measures and establish a sustainable, year-round system that aims to fundamentally change how government interacts with its citizens. This is the beginning of a new covenant – a renewed promise to deliver services that are not just available, but are efficient, dignified and accountable.
At the heart of this new strategy is a clear and candid understanding of our challenges. We know that a pervasive erosion of public trust has occurred due to inconsistent service delivery, a lack of accountability and a culture of malfeasance. My primary objective is not merely to improve services but to meticulously rebuild public trust.
Every action we take, from this national launch to our grassroots mobilisation efforts, is a step towards restoring the social contract between the State and its citizens. We will measure our success with tangible outcomes, including improved citizen satisfaction scores and a reduction in reported corruption, moving away from aspirational rhetoric to measurable results.
Professionalising the public sector
The decision to elevate professionalisation as the central pillar of this multi-year effort is deliberate and critical. We must address the root cause of service delivery failures by focusing on ethics training, performance benchmarks and fostering a culture of excellence within the Public Service. This is the bedrock upon which our other pillars – the Batho Pele Revitalisation and the alignment of Khaedu to the District Development Model (DDM) – must stand. Without a professional, ethical and competent workforce, our promise of "People First" is hollow, and our localised solutions will fail.
A new generation of Public Servants
Our stance is clear and unwavering: we are taking a bold and unapologetic stand to build a new generation of public servants. This is not just about selecting individuals who are committed to the public good but about cultivating a workforce that is truly capable of delivering on that commitment. It means equipping public servants with the skills, ethical fortitude and professional discipline necessary to navigate complex challenges, innovate solutions and consistently perform at the highest level.
We are not just filling positions; we are investing in the human capital of our nation to ensure that the Public Service becomes a dynamic engine for progress, worthy of the trust and capable of delivering the future our citizens so rightly deserve.
This initiative is also a testament to our commitment to a broader continental vision. In framing the IPSM as an "intentional and focused offshoot" of the 10th African Public Service Day (APSD), we are both benchmarking ourselves against continental best practices and showcasing a locally tailored response. This links our national service delivery goals to the ambitious vision of Agenda 2063.
Action plan
Our action plan for September is robust and multifaceted. We are launching an Executive Service Delivery Blitz, with outcomes reported publicly, to demonstrate accountability at the highest level. The Public Service Charter dialogues, where citizens and officials will co-design service standards, will empower the public and institutionalise a culture of responsiveness. These initiatives are designed not just to fix what is broken, but to fundamentally change how we operate.
Strengthening democracy
In a political landscape often dominated by short-term solutions, the IPSM 2025 stands out as a long-term strategic vision. We recognise that building a capable, ethical and developmental state is a multi-year journey. The success of this programme will depend on the sustained commitment of political and administrative leadership, effective coordination across all spheres of government and the continued active participation of every citizen. When implemented with the urgency and resolve we have pitched for, the IPSM 2025 will be the foundation of a new covenant – one that rebuilds trust and strengthens the very fabric of South Africa's democracy.
The launch featured messages of support from critical institutions: the National School of Government, the Centre for Public Service Innovation and the Public Service Commission. Their voices echoed a shared resolve to professionalise the Public Service, a pillar central to our strategy.
I need to reiterate that the IPSM 2025 – 2028 Programme is a covenant with the people. It aligns with the APSD's vision of agile, resilient institutions, while grounding our efforts in local realities like the Batho Pele Revival and DDM. From the Executive Service Delivery Blitz to Public Service Charter dialogues, every initiative is designed to institutionalise accountability and co-create solutions with citizens, ensuring that we have a public service “That Works for All”.