BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West public servants were reminded their primary duty is to deliver services to the people and not to actively participate in politics.

This came from culture, art and traditional affairs department (CATA) MEC, Ontlametse Mochware at the commemoration of the Africa Public Service Day in Madibogo, outside Mahikeng on Monday.

“The aim of this day is to enhance the public service and transform the African continent. The African Union (AU) has created many frameworks for us to achieve an Africa we want. We want a prosperous continent that continues to grow, an Africa with good governance that can be trusted, peaceful and secured with a strong African identity,” Mochware said.

For this to happen, the MEC said that public servants have to be on top of their game in driving government programmes to ensure total transformation and empowerment of communities.

“There is need for a public service corps that can be trusted to push government agenda. Where there are service delivery challenges, intervention has to be quickly made. Our officials need to be highly trained and knowledgeable as well,” she said.

The MEC pointed out that sticking to the Batho Pele principles is a good starting point for public officials.

“We need to fight corruption and make sure the communities are grateful. You are the government representatives. Whatever you do, will affect the services government is intending to provide,” she said.

North West Director General, Dr Lydia Sebego said: “We have organised this commemoration as a forerunner towards the national celebration on June 23. The purpose of this day is to commemorate the Africanness.

“Remember you have been chosen out of the magnitude of the people to be public servants. The public must trust you to be its leaders. You need to understand your responsibilities,” Sebego said.

Charity Modise from The Office of the Premier encouraged the public servants to lead healthy life-styles so that they are productive.

“We need to know our status. The more we live healthy lifestyle, the better. There is a need to fight the scourge of AIDS and HIV. There is a coordination of public services to mitigate HIV and AIDS at workplace,” she said.

Public Service and Administration’s Marcel Wilson said: “Public governance plays a major role to inclusive growth. Even though we have inequality, unemployment and poverty, the government try is trying by all means to fight that. The youth, children and women need to be included in the mainstream economy. As public servants, you need to fight fraud and not behave like politicians.

“You are public servants and represent all communities despite their political affiliations. Government put policies in place to achieve that. More effective voices need to be included in National Development Plan to take South Africa forward,” Wilson said.

Young entrepreneur, Thato Molebatsi commended the public servants for helping him set up his business.

“I am running a company called Exclusive Solar. I recently received support from the Office of The Premier through youth entrepreneurship services (YES) programme. They are working so hard to change the lives of the masses,” Molebatsi said.

-TDN

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