Edition September 2026

September is Public Service Month – an important opportunity to reflect on the role of the Public Service in improving the lives of citizens. It reminds us that the project of building a capable, ethical and developmental state requires active collaboration between public servants, citizens, academia, civil society organisations, research institutions and the private sector. Strong institutions are built through partnerships, shared accountability and a collective commitment to improving developmental outcomes.

This message is particularly relevant as South Africa advances the implementation of the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024 – 2029. The MTDP seeks to drive inclusive growth and job creation, reduce poverty and the high cost of living, and build a capable, ethical and developmental state. The successful realisation of these goals will require more than sound policies and adequate resources. It will call for partnerships that enable government and society to work together in pursuit of common developmental objectives. 

Collaboration

One of the central principles of Public Service Month is that public servants are custodians of the public good. They are entrusted with the responsibility of delivering services efficiently, upholding ethical standards and ensuring that government interventions improve the daily lives of citizens. However, the increasingly complex nature of development challenges means that the Public Service cannot operate in isolation. Effective governance requires collaboration, learning and the sharing of expertise across sectors.

The MTDP itself recognises that development is a whole-of-society endeavour that depends on collaboration, capacity building and continuous learning.

It highlights the importance of strengthening institutional capability and building partnerships that contribute to improved governance and developmental outcomes. Public Service Month, therefore, provides an opportunity to showcase how collaboration can strengthen the capacity of the State to plan better, implement more effectively and respond more quickly to the needs of citizens. 

Evidence-based solutions

One of the most important partnerships in modern governance is the relationship between government and academic and research institutions. As policy challenges become more sophisticated, public servants require access to credible evidence, innovative thinking and specialised expertise. 

Universities and research organisations play a critical role in generating knowledge that supports evidence-based planning, monitoring and evaluation. Their work enables government to better understand the challenges facing communities and identify practical solutions that improve service delivery.

The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) has increasingly embraced this collaborative approach by placing research, evaluation and data at the centre of decision-making. In this way, the department is able to draw on these partnerships with academic institutions and knowledge-generating organisations to strengthen the generation, accessibility and utilisation of evidence and in the process improve public sector performance and developmental outcomes. 

Some of the most prominent departmentally led partnerships include collaborations with institutions such as the University of Pretoria and the University of Venda, as well as partnerships with organisations focused on evaluation, evidence generation and knowledge exchange. These partnerships support research, innovation and policy development while helping government strengthen its capacity to address complex developmental challenges. 

National Evaluation Policy Framework

This approach finds resonance in the recently adopted National Evaluation Policy Framework (NEPF) 2025, which promotes collaborative arrangements and partnerships as an essential aspect of effective evaluation and adaptive governance. 

The framework recognises that complex societal challenges require diverse expertise and stronger networks across government, academia, civil society and the private sector. 

As government prepares for important processes such as the Mid-term Review of the MTDP, the value of these partnerships becomes even more evident.

Effective reviews require diverse sources of evidence, including official statistics, research reports, surveys and independent analysis. Partnerships enhance the quality, objectivity and credibility of this evidence, ultimately supporting better decision-making and more responsive governance. 

The benefits of collaboration extend beyond evidence generation. Partnerships have already supported evaluation capacity development, knowledge sharing, data innovation and the development of tools that improve government decision-making.

They have also contributed to the development of future generations of researchers, evaluators and public-sector professionals who will play a critical role in strengthening state capability in the years ahead. 

At a broader level, partnerships strengthen skills, encourage innovation, improve accountability and promote a culture of continuous improvement. They help bridge the gap between policy development and implementation by ensuring that decisions are informed by the best available evidence and grounded in the realities experienced by citizens. 

For public servants, it means embracing professionalism, integrity and evidence-based decision-making. 

For academic and research institutions, it means producing knowledge that helps solve real societal challenges. For civil society, it means contributing insights and advocating for improved outcomes. For business, it means partnering with government to accelerate implementation and create economic opportunities.

Ultimately, the success of South Africa's development agenda depends on collective efforts by various stakeholders. The challenges of poverty, unemployment, inequality and weak service delivery cannot be solved by any single institution acting alone. They require coordinated action, shared responsibility and strong partnerships.

Public Service Month reminds us that building a capable state is an ongoing national project. By strengthening collaboration between government, academia, research institutions, business, civil society and communities, we can improve governance, enhance service delivery and accelerate progress towards the inclusive, ethical and developmental society that is envisioned in the MTDP and the National Development Plan. The strongest public institutions are those that learn continuously, work collaboratively and remain firmly focused on serving the people of South Africa