Niël Terblanché
Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries have agreed to establish a regional public service commission.
Salmaan Jacobs, the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC) in Namibia described the decision as an initiative that will be aimed at cultivating collaboration and enhancing public service across the region.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Africa Public Service Day commemorations in Windhoek on Thursday, Jacobs stressed the importance of this new forum.
“The forum will provide a platform where information and lessons can be shared, and where the provisions of national constitutions and relevant laws can be safeguarded to ensure these commissions remain independent and impartial,” he stated.
The Africa Public Service Day celebration, themed “Empowering a Citizen-Centric Public Service for an Inclusive and Thriving 21st Century Africa: A Journey of Lifelong Learning and Technological Transformation,” focused on the pillars of lifelong learning and technological transformation.
Jacobs reiterated the PSC’s commitment to these pillars by encouraging life-long learning through the granting of study leave, allowing staff to upgrade their skills continually.
Jacobs called on the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM) to spearhead the continuous learning of public servants, stressing the necessity of adapting to modern challenges.
“We must embrace the automation of human resource matters and expedite the implementation of e-governance and digitalization,” he urged.
Jacobs also reflected on the discussions from the event, which included insights from Dr Sadrag Panduleni Shihomeka of the University of Namibia (UNAM) on the significance of lifelong learning and the integration of technology.
He said that these discussions reinforced the theme of the commemorations and the need for public servants to be equipped with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of the 21st century.
Jacobs also shared the outcomes of a recent meeting held in South Africa, where the various SADC Public Service Commissions discussed the potential of establishing the regional public service commission.
According to Jacobs, the meeting highlighted several challenges facing public services across Africa, including the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) of the modern world, the need for professionalization of public service, and the impact of globalization and inequality.
To address these challenges, Jacobs advocated for the professionalization of public services, moving from a rules-based to a values-based approach to build state capacity and improve service delivery.
He stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment for public servants, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle modern-day challenges.
Jacobs reiterated that the establishment of the SADC Public Service Commissions Forum will be a substantial step towards regional integration and collaboration.
He said that by sharing expertise and information, member countries aim to strengthen their public services, ensuring they are agile and future-ready.
In the meantime, he assured that the PSC focus will remain on building a citizen-centric public service that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of its people.
“We must position the Public Service Commission as an independent and impartial body, recruiting public servants who are dedicated to serving the diverse needs of our population and driving the digital transformative process,” Jacobs concluded.
