#AfterCapture Public Service Reform Roundtable Series
IMPROVING HUMAN RESOURCE AND RECRUITMENT PROCESSES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR
09 JULY 2018, 17H30 – 20H00, Humanities Graduate Centre, Wits University
The fourth roundtable in the PSR series focused on the human resources and recruitment aspect of the public service, and what measures could make public servants more resilient to corruption and efforts of state capture. PARI’s Dr Mbongiseni Buthelezi introduced the discussion with questions around what training public servants require, should they have an entrance exam to ensure a minimum level of skills, and how can political appointments be balanced with meritocratic appointments, so as not to sabotage service delivery?
Minister Ayanda Dlodlo of the Department of Public Service and Administration gave a keynote address, referencing the National Development Plan’s Vision 2030 which describes an ideal public service. She said that it was crucial to attract and retain public servants who understand the values and principles of our Constitution. The minister continued that the project was not just about defending against state capture, but reforming the very design and architecture of the public service.
She highlighted the role of the Public Service Commission — who were in attendance — noting the their processes need to realise the objectives of the National Development Plan and other public service scripts, and that we need to develop a new cadre of public servants who are there to serve and “look after the wellbeing of our people”.
Minister Dlodlo warned against using one-size-fits-all criteria and urged that the recruitment system needs to recognise talent and experience, particularly looking at the youth. She said that she has already started galvanising the youth in the form of a ‘Hackathon’ which brings together young people from across the country to explore innovative and creative ideas to improve the public service.
Discussants on the programme were Dr Trish Hanekom, a governance and accountability expert and member of the Ministerial Advisory Task Team for the creation of the National School of Government, and Dr Ivor Chipkin, Director of PARI.
WATCH
Next up
Creating Sustainable SOEs
25 July 2018 in CAPE TOWN
with Catrina Godinho and Lauren Hermanus, UCT Graduate School of Business
and #UniteBehind
Karima Brown interviews Dr Mbongiseni Buthelezi and Dr Trish Hanekom. #AfterCapture
