PREMIER'S INPUT
Master of Ceremonies Advocate Stanley Soko
Heads of Department
Sectional Heads
Colleagues,
LAST Friday I had the privilege of addressing public servants on the occasion of Africa Public Servants Day. At the IMBIZO I reminded all of us that as public servants we have a duty and mandate to serve our people.
Our Business as Public Servants is Service. And we have gone a long way in fulfilling our mandate of creating a better life for all. But much more needs to be done.
Attaining the progress we are so proud of today required hard work by those entrusted with positions of responsibility in government. Especially from you as public servants.
It was through your commitment to speeding up delivery of basic needs like housing, health care, education and social security,
On behalf of the people of Mpumalanga and the Mpumalanga Provincial Executive Committee on whose behalf I speak today, allow me to thank all of you for the sterling job you did in the past eighteen months. So can we please have a round of applause for all those public servants who worked very hard to improve the lives of our people.
Remember, this year we face challenges which in many ways are even greater. Our challenge is to consolidate our gains and to maintain the momentum across all areas of government activity. The people want service delivered quickly, efficiently and effectively.
Whether conducting a transaction or simply requesting information communities want services that are available at all times, place and in manner that is convenient to them.
That is why we must display through our work that we are a new public service committed to serving all the citizens of this country in the most effective and efficient manner.
Remember, Ladies and gentlemen, you are here today because you have been called to serve. But the perception out there is that the public service is corrupt, nepotistic, maladministered and does not add value to tax payers money.
To be frank, this perception is justified only by the minority of public servants who abuse their positions. There are some persons who take retirement while at work . But I am also aware of a growing number of concerned and patriotic citizens who are prepared to make a positive contribution to the future of our province.
These are people from diverse cultural, religious and language backgrounds who see for them selves a future in Mpumalanga and in the country. They are committed to their work. They are faithful at work. They don't steal government property; like petrol, diesel, medicines, furniture etc.
Let me remind you that as managers it is your duty to look after government assets. The Public Finance Management Act demands it of you. It is wrong to misuse government property like vehicles, telephones, cell phones, photocopiers etc.
My appeal to you as managers is to ensure that there is no theft, misuse and abuse of government property. I expect you to draft Fraud Prevention Plans, keep attendance registers and to keep proper records of leave and other forms dealing with personnel.
Hussain Verachia, the Deputy Director General, is heading an inspectorate division comprising of inspectors from the Finance and Health Departments, Internal Auditors and officials from the Premier's Office.
They will visit regional and district offices, hospitals and schools. They will also visit all provincial capital projects undertaken throughout Mpumalanga. They will ensure compliance with the rules as well as ensuring that there is proper and actual quality service delivery.
Their report will be given to the Director-General, the Premier and the Cabinet.
Regarding effective and efficient Financial Administration I am sure that all of you are aware that we have switched to the Basic Accounting System or BAS.
Compliance with the provisions of the PFMA shall not be compromised. The Accounting Officer and every member of the department, will be held liable for any financial irregularities.
I know some of you might feel that you have no training in financial management. Do not worry on-going training sessions to empower our officials will be conducted? But managers must ensure that trainable officials, who will make an impact in the department after training, are sent for such courses.
Managers should ensure the proper implementation of the Persal and BAS systems and must make use of management reports generated by these systems.
Programme Director,
We are all aware of the lean financial times we experienced in the past few months. That is why the province implemented Cost-Curtailment Measures to try and reduce the backlogs. Because of your efforts we managed to save a total of R40 million as a result of these cost-curtailment measures. However, this amount could not be used in a visible manner, as it was used to reduce our deficit.
National Treasury recently granted us R300m. But we are not out of the woods yet. We expect all departments to impose more cost-curtailment measures. Savings made in a department will be utilised in that department. That is a challenge I am making to you.
Talk to your colleagues about the virtues of cost curtailment. Remember, WASTE NOT, WANT NOT. Our other great challenge this financial year is to increase the collection of own revenue.
The task team led by the DDG will visit areas where own revenue is collected in order to ensure that this happens. They will also ensure that the revenue collected is not misappropriated, or stolen.
All Mpumalanga government-subsidised vehicles MUST be registered in this province. If an official is unable to register the vehicle in Mpumalanga, the subsidy will be withdrawn.
I expect you as managers to encourage all other residents to register their vehicles in Mpumalanga. The Department of Local Government, Traffic Control & Traffic Safety will ensure that the necessary legal steps are taken should any contravention be discovered.
The Department of Local Government will further ensure that companies, which have offices in our province and thus conduct business in the Province, do register their vehicles in the province.
The Departmental Inspectors will further ensure that the revenue so generated is deposited in the correct accounts for effective utilisation.
A lot of people look at you to get the job done. Ask yourself if you are that person who can ensure that government programs translate into bringing water to those who for years had to travel long distances to fetch water.
All I ask of you is to give your all in serving the public. That's what Batho Pele is all about. Batho Pele is not about additional resources. It is about ensuring that the resources we already consume in running the Public Service are in future geared towards service delivery.
It is about eliminating wasteful and expensive internal procedures and using the money we save to provide better services to more people. It is about making sure that our priorities for where money should be spent are in line with what the public regards as priorities.
Many improvements that the public would like to see cost nothing - courtesy; respect, adequate information, an apology if things go wrong - these are not a matter of additional resources; they are a matter of adopting different standards of behaviour.
Most of what needs to be done, can be achieved by public servants working closely in partnership with their customers and other private and community sector organisations, who may be more aware where certain faults and constraints lie and who have access to resources to assist with identifying and correcting problems.
Batho Pele is not only about putting ‘the customer' first. It is also about giving those who serve ‘the customer' - the front-line staff - a key role in the new South African Public Service.
Front-line staff, whether serving the public directly or providing services to other parts of government, are often best placed to tell managers what needs to be done to improve services, both to internal and external ‘customers'.
Improving service delivery is not something you do ‘on top of your usual job'. It is about re-aligning everything that we do to ‘customer service' principles.
There are no additional financial rewards for serving customers better. But there will be recognition and reward for those who perform well.
We need a people with a passion to succeed. Finally, I want to issue a challenge to all of you.
Horace Mann once said: "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."
If you accept this challenge, you will find a deeper sense of fulfillment and you will meet lots of interesting people who will enrich your life beyond what you thought was possible.
It doesn't matter in which department or unit you work. Put the time in serving people who need help, and you will find a growing sense of meaning and purpose in your life.
Lead our people to a better society where the basic needs of a decent home, nourishment, a quality education and health care are secured for every South African.
Come forward with a vibrant spirit of inclusiveness, and say no to racism, sexism, no to homophobia and all forms of bigotry and discrimination and say yes to sisterhood and brotherhood of all humankind.
But do so not with anger and bitterness, but with a healing and hopeful heart, with unity and determination to make a more loving province and country.
In meeting this commitment, you will not only make a better community, nation and world but a stronger and more fulfilled person of yourself.
It is very important, however, that you take the time and become informed about the critical issues that will shape the 21st century.
Take the time to read up on the issues, consult with people who are well informed and tap the power of the Internet in researching all aspects of the issues.
You should be educators of your nation as well as educators of your time. I am confident that you will continue to give from your lives, from your talents, a high measure of public service and public support. I believe the spark of possibility burns deep within everyone of you and that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
Remember you will be judged, and you will begin to judge yourselves, not only on what you do for yourself and your family, but on the contributions you make to others -- to your country and your communities.
Turn your good fortune into a chance for others.
Twenty-first century South Africa belongs to you -- take good care of it.
I thank you.