Remarks for the Minister of Public Service and Administration
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REMARKS FOR THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION TUESDAY, 22 JUNE 2021 1. SALUTATIONS AND INTRODUCTION Programme Director, His Excellency, Ambassador Osman Keh Kamara, Representative of the African Union Commission, Professor Paul Mavima- Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in Zimbabwe, Honourable Fellow Ministers of Public Service and Administration, Esteemed public servants, Ladies and gentlemen, All protocol observed Thank you all for this opportunity to address you this morning. As we reflect on building “The Africa We Want”, allow me to share briefly, some of those issues that I cannot help but ponder on. There are two fundamental questions that I want to pose in this regard, so that we may at the very least, reflect on, as we seek to strengthen the public service and make it appealing to the next generation. In honour of the late Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, I say: “Tiyende Pamodzi” – Let us go together as one! 2. THE ROLE OF A MODERN STATE – POST COLONIALISM 2.1. The first question is: “What is the role of a modern State, post colonialism?” In formulating a response, one has to look at the role played by those before us. In the words of Dr. John Henrik Clarke: “History is not everything, but it is a starting 1 point. History is a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is a compass they use to find themselves on the map of human geography. It tells them where they are, but more importantly, what they must be.” This remark finds expression in how we continue to build the road to creating “The Africa We Want”, by continuing to build onto the legacy created by those whose mission was to see Africa decolonised, the ‘liberation giants’ as we affectionately call them! 2.2. The former models of public administration under colonialism failed to recognise the way of life of the people; instead, foreign policies and ideals were imposed upon the colonised, stripping them of any voice or power. The manner in which governance was exercised was to the benefit of a select few, completely ignoring the needs of the majority. The development of Europe is largely due to the looting of resources in Africa, and this continues in today’s times! 2.3. To quote author and political activist Walter Rodney: “Development means a capacity for self-sustaining growth. It means that an economy must register advances which in turn will promote further progress. The loss of industry and skill in Africa was extremely small, if we measure it from the viewpoint of modern scientific achievements or even by the standards of England in the late eighteenth century. However, it must be borne in mind that to be held back at one stage means that it is impossible to go on to a further stage. When a person is forced to leave school after only two years of primary school education, it is no reflection on him that he is academically and intellectually less developed than someone who had the opportunity to be schooled right through to university level. What Africa experienced in the early centuries of trade was precisely a loss of development opportunity, and this is of greatest importance.” 2.4. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana was a major advocate for the unity of ‘Independent Africa’. In claiming our liberation, can we say that we completely shed the dead skin of colonialism and have acted in the interests of all the citizens in our respective countries or are we still trying to find our way – so many years later? Have we actually realised the aspirations of a liberated Africa? Public service plays a fundamental role in the governance of every country- without a strong public service comprising ethical, professional public servants –there can be no efficient public service delivery that accounts fully for itself, to be in the hearts of the people and fulfil the political commitment. 2 2.5. This draws us even closer to the relationship that exists between economic development and what the public service administers in giving context on a government’s ability to respond adequately to the needs of its people and meeting their demands. Good administration goes hand in hand with flourishing economic development. 2.6. One presenter yesterday gave us a definition of public administration. In reflection –the focus falls on what is at the centre of public administration and that is, the ability to implement the laws of the country and policies of a sitting administration. In South Africa, we have four components which comprise the public service, namely: The Citizens, Government, the Public Services themselves and the Public Servants. 3. THE ROLE OF THE APRM 3.1. A number of measures have been introduced as a means of strengthening governance, economic development and growth as well as other pertinent issues which plague the Continent. One such initiative is The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), which works with Member States to develop and implement a culture of good governance, to enable them to monitor and evaluate their own pace of development and ensure a better life for their citizens. 3.2. The APRM is a relevant and practical tool mandated to promote good governance in Africa, in line with Aspiration 3 of Agenda 2063 of the African Union - “An Africa of Good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law” - in its four areas of Democracy and Political Governance, Economic Governance and Management, Corporate Governance and Socio-economic Development. 3.3. Africa needs scholarship combined with activism that will express itself in leadership with integrity. As we continue to work towards Agenda 2063, good governance is at the heart of it all. 4. ROLE OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN THE LIVES OF THE CITIZENS 3 4.1. This leads me to the second question: “How much public administration is felt by the people and is consumed by the ordinary citizens on the ground and how much of it betters the life of the ordinary citizen?” 4.2. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF), a foundation established for the sole purpose of focusing on the critical importance of governance and leadership in Africa, published the following in its 2018 Ibrahim Forum Report: Only three countries - Libya, Mauritius and Tunisia, have at least one doctor per 1,000 people. The rapid spread of Ebola in West Africa was exacerbated by weak health systems and poor hygiene and sanitation practices. Mauritius is the only country where civil servants are appointed and evaluated entirely based on professional criteria, according to Global Integrity. Public employees in Africa represent less than 12% of total employment, less than half the average level in Europe & Central Asia. In Kasaï Central and Kasaï Provinces (DRC), 27% of the health workers listed as salary recipients in the electronic payroll system were “ghost workers” – this seems to be a common problem on the African continent. 4.3. When we fought for the liberation of our respective countries, it was to better the lives of the citizens; to improve the socio-economic inequalities which existed, racial classifications and to advance the interests of all in a uniform manner. One way of achieving this was to ensure the provision of public services to the people but to date, we find ourselves wanting. A simple look into the ratio of public servants (from whichever sector) to citizens tells you that we are to a certain extent, doing our citizens a disservice. One clinic, with at best two medical doctors, is expected to service at least 5 neighbouring communities; one educator is expected to pay attention to over 40 children in a classroom! It is the citizens who must ultimately benefit from an efficient public service and good governance - sadly, we are lagging behind in ensuring that quality public services are enjoyed by ALL citizens. 4 5. IMPORTANCE OF STRENGTHENING PUBLIC SERVICE ( extract from Mo Ibrahim Q&A report, Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF) 5.1. “ African citizens’ satisfaction with the provision of basic public services appears to have diminished over the last decade. This indicates that governments are not meeting public demand in areas such as health, education, justice, safety and security. With Africa’s population set to double by 2050, efficient public service delivery is vital to the continent’s ability to deal with new challenges in the future”. 5.2. “Public service plays a fundamental role in governance in any country, however, public service in Africa is seldom part of the discussion on the future of the continent. Strengthening public services in Africa is critical. When reinforced, they facilitate healthy communities, parameters of accountability and citizen engagement, job creation, and frameworks for development and growth. On the other hand, weak public services result in health shortages, education gaps, citizen distrust and a lack of government transparency. Present and future challenges can only be addressed if this pillar of governance is secured across the continent”. 6. CHALLENGES TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE POSED BY THE 21ST CENTURY 6.1. “ The 21st century poses new and multiple challenges to public services, including an increased number of poor people, widening inequality, jobless economic growth, multi-dimensional security threats, persistent food insecurity, the irreversible impact of climate change and the use of technology (4IR)”. 6.2. ‘Africa is said to be facing all these challenges simultaneously and they are amplified by the continent’s young and urbanising demography. As a result, these young citizens are making new demands beyond the delivery of traditional public services, including, but not limited to, solidarity, culture, and business-enabling environments.’ 5 6.3.