A Celebration of Ethics and Professionalism in South Africa’s Public Service

Deputy minister Chana Pilane-Majake launched the annual National Ethics Officer Forum to enforce ethical conduct and professionalism in South Africa’s public service during Ethics Week. The event was held in conjunction with Public Service Month to strengthen the country’s commitment to promoting good governance and combating corruption.

Lifestyle Audit Training

The week began with a Lifestyle Audit Training session where over 230 departmental investigators participated. The audits began in April 2021, and they have helped identify red flags in public service employees’ conduct, leading to many being referred for further investigation.

World-Class Lifestyle Review Course

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the World Bank, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Public Administration Ethics, Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit (PAEIDTAU), a world-class Lifestyle Review course was developed for Ethics Officers. The training has proven successful, with only a few departments not yet conducting lifestyle audits. As a result, over 11,000 audits have been completed, leading to several high-profile investigations into conflicts of interest and non-disclosure of assets.

National Ethics Officer Forum

The National Ethics Officer Forum features various sessions focusing on the work of Ethics Officers. Topics covered include Constitutional Values and Principles, the use of the Central Supplier Database to identify conflicts of interest, and institutionalizing the Ethics Officer function. Discussions on the digitization of remunerative work and gift registers, as well as the National Ethics and Integrity Management Consultative Committee, are also on the agenda.

The Importance of Ethics Management

Ethics Week serves as a reminder of the importance of ethics management within government departments and the need for professional public servants. The deputy minister emphasized that professionalism alone does not guarantee ethical conduct, as many corruption cases involve highly qualified individuals. Instead, public servants must be guided by doing what is right and making decisions that benefit the public.

Building and Preserving Public Trust

By maintaining high ethical standards and professionalism, Ethics Officers can help build and preserve public trust. Equitable treatment of citizens and ethical conduct fosters a sense of justice and equality, while well-trained and competent public servants are essential for the efficient functioning of the government and quality service delivery. Unethical conduct by even a few individuals can tarnish the reputation of the entire Public Service.

Developing Anti-Corruption Curricula

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), in collaboration with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the University of Pretoria, will host a round table on developing anti-corruption curricula for university courses as part of Ethics Week. The initiative aims to raise awareness about corruption and ethics among university students and discuss innovative ways to introduce anti-corruption aspects into curricula.

Promoting Anti-Corruption, Integrity, and Fair Competition Standards

Additionally, the OECD and DPSA will host two roundtables discussing corruption risks in the finance, infrastructure, and state-owned enterprise sectors. These events form part of the OECD’s Project on Fair Market Conditions for Competitiveness in South Africa, which seeks to promote anti-corruption, integrity, and fair competition standards among stakeholders.

Active Participation in Discussions

Ethics Officers are encouraged to actively participate in these discussions and contribute to the professionalization of the Public Service. By doing so, they can set an example and influence others to act with integrity and professionalism, ultimately making a difference in the communities they serve.