On 21 July 2025, the New South Institute (NSI) partnered with the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM) to host a public webinar discussing public service reform and the Public Service Amendment Bill. The event brought together key stakeholders from the government, labour unions, academia and civil society to discuss the implications of the bill currently under consideration at the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for the professionalisation of South Africa’s public service.

The webinar featured a lead address by Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, Pinky Kekana. Opening remarks were delivered by Ivor Chipkin, executive director of the NSI. The session was moderated by Yoliswa Makhasi, Head of the Public Service Reform Programme at the NSI.

In her keynote, Deputy Minister Kekana offered a comprehensive overview of the goals and rationale underpinning the amendment bills currently before Parliament. She emphasised that efforts to professionalise the public service must be grounded in law, not left to administrative discretion or political will. According to the deputy minister, the proposed amendments aim to entrench merit-based recruitment, strengthen performance management systems, and clarify the separation of administrative and executive powers − particularly through closer alignment between the Public Service Act and the Public Finance Management Act.

Kekana further noted that since the introduction of the Senior Management Service (SMS) in 1999, the public administration has faced persistent challenges in producing a cadre of ethical, capable leaders. The 2022 Professionalisation Framework sought to reframe this effort, but without legal enforcement, its potential remains limited. The current bills are thus seen as a critical step toward institutionalising reform and restoring public trust.

Following the keynote, participants engaged in a panel discussion. Matthew Parks of Cosatu underscored the role of organised labour in promoting accountability and safeguarding public service values. Professor Kedibone Phago of North-West University reflected on the significance of devolving administrative powers from executive authorities to accounting officers, linking these changes to improved state capacity and clearer accountability lines.

Contributions from civil society representatives and academic commentators reiterated the urgency of the reforms. Several speakers stressed the importance of embedding a culture of professionalism alongside legal reforms. Others cautioned against generalisations that undermine the integrity of public servants and called for inclusive approaches that involve civil society in shaping governance reforms.

The full recording of the session is available via SAAPAM’s Facebook page.