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"Consolidation", "Continuation" and "Co-ordination"

The nature of the work of the Governance and Administration Cluster is about institution building. Ensuring that the Public Service functions optimally and ultimately in support of government. One can judge us then by government's ability to function. Much of our work is process oriented and tangibly difficult to see but as the President highlighted in his State of the Nation address on Friday, it is clear that the statistics bear witness to us breaking ground.

In summary the programme of the G&A cluster for 2002 will be: "Consolidate, Continue and Co-ordinate" and this will include:

* Implementation of the planning framework.

There will be a greater focus on integrating budgeting and planning for the 2004 MTEF, thereby starting to eliminate the problem of under-spending and delays in delivery of services.

Improvements as a result of the implementation of the integrated planning framework will be more visible through the Integrated Rural Development Strategy and the Urban Renewal Programme where local Integrated Development Plans will form the basis of inter-governmental action.

* Implementation of the recommendations from the Anti-corruption Strategy.

Key areas include the anti-corruption Bill that reviews and consolidates the legislative framework, awareness, training and education, increased institutional capacity and prohibitions of corrupt individuals and businesses.

* Procurement reform.

Audits will be conducted of departmental procurement policies and practices, with particular reference to the promotion of black economic empowerment and small and medium enterprises.

* Continued focus on e-government.

Particular focus on building a single electronic window to access government services (Gateway) through public-private partnerships and the sustaining of various projects aimed at modernising government systems, e.g. social pensions, HANIS, labour and IJS. Sita will be strengthened by refocusing role of IT procurement, provision of transversal services and ensuring departmental compliance with set standards.

* Integrated delivery of services

We will extend the programme to construct Multi-purpose Community Centres through increasing number of projects and services provided. These will be complemented by the mobilisation of communities and volunteers as well as community-based programmes to identify blockages to service delivery in key sectors and make recommendations to government.

SAMDI's Presidential Support Leadership Programme has streamlined its modules to directly support the management challenges of government. We are now adding special modules to support the anticipated implementation of the Integrated Planning Framework. Project management courses are being strengthened to overcome the problem of under-spending and specific courses are being developed in line with competency requirements for the Department of Social Development.

* Internships

The implementation of an internship program in the Public Service will target young and unemployed graduates. More than 2 000 interns will be recruited for a period of a year through a database that will be created and made accessible to government departments and agencies.

* Restructuring

We are in the process of completing the framework for restructuring of the Public Service and implementation thereof. This matter is still under negotiations.

* NEPAD

Participation in the New Partnership for Africa's Development through a focus on developing the capacity of African governments. These will be through sharing of experiences, common development programmes and in some instances, creating and sharing common resource and expertise pools.

* Included in this morning's brief:

The Minister in the Presidency will make a short input on the Media Development and Diversity Agency Bill which is before parliament at present and the Minister of Home Affairs will elaborate on the HANIS/Smart Card initiatives.

For more information please contact Tembela Kulu at 082 497 3220.

Issued by Ministry of Public Service and Administration

11 February 2002