On Wednesday, 19 March, the New South Institute (NSI) hosted a technical workshop focused on initiatives surrounding public service reforms. The session, held at GIBS in Johannesburg under Chatham House Rules, brought together key figures to discuss the future of public administration and the path towards effective governance.

NSI Director, Ivor Chipkin, kicked off the session by exploring South Africa’s Constitutional framework. He highlighted the core values and principles that guide public administration across all levels of government. However, Ivor pointed out a critical gap—the lack of mechanisms for monitoring compliance with these principles. Reflecting on this, he referenced the Public Administration Management Bill of 2008, which sought to address this gap by establishing structures to uphold these principles. He also noted the importance of integrating local government into broader public service reforms while ensuring its constitutional autonomy is preserved.

Next, Yoliswa Makhasi, the head of NSI’s Public Service Reform programme, shared her perspective on reform implementation. Yoliswa emphasised the urgency of translating reform policies into action and acknowledged the challenges that may arise in this process. She also provided an update on the Public Service Amendment Bill, which is currently before the National Council of Provinces. With various provincial hearings taking place, NSI has been actively involved in monitoring the discussions and contributing submissions to these hearings.

The workshop highlighted the ongoing efforts to reform South Africa’s public service and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As the Public Service Amendment Bill progresses, NSI remains committed to facilitating these crucial conversations and pushing for meaningful change.