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21 August 2023 | Story André Damons | Photo André Damons
Minister Noxolo Kiviet
Minister Noxolo Kiviet, minister of Public Service and Administration, addresses the students and guests during the ceremony.

Noxolo Kiviet, Minister of Public Service and Administration, says well-trained, capable and ethical public servants and senior management can go a long way in stemming the tide of corruption, maladministration and malfeasance.

Kiviet addressed the certificate ceremony of Executive Development Programme (EDP) participants on 16 August. This is a certificate programme offered by the University of the Free State (UFS) in partnership with the National School of Government (NSG). A total of 25 participants received their certificates. 

Time well-spent to change the society for the better

She said the programme is one that can address the need to build uniform skills and competence across the entire public service as envisioned in the national framework towards the professionalisation of the public sector. 

In congratulating the participants, Kiviet said they set the tone for many others for self-discovery, transformations and for great achievements. “The time was well-spent in ensuring that you will change the society for the better. Remember it’s a constitutional injunction, which we all in the public service strive for. 

“The time you spent and the knowledge that has been instilled in all of you, will remain forever in your memories. It is now time to pursue your dreams and make a positive impact on society through the skills and knowledge you have gained. You have displayed the necessary commitment to learn, to acquire and produce knowledge and develop expertise,” she said.  

Flagship leadership and development interventions

Kiviet told the graduates they had the honour to study at a special and distinctive university – an institute that deservingly commands an invaluable academic reputation, nationally and internationally. 

“We further take pride that this university is committed to the pursuit of equity and excellence as a cosmopolitan institution with many students from other countries. It is one of the leading research institutions on the continent.”

Kiviet said the programme is one of the flagship leadership and development interventions by the NSG. Its aim is to enhance the capacity of public service leaders in a dynamic, democratic and developmental state. South Africa can realise these goals by drawing on the energies of its people, growing an inclusive economy, building capabilities, enhancing the state’s capacity and promoting leadership and partnership throughout society. 

With programmes such as this in place, the minister continued, the public service can build the capacity through research, analysing and applying research results, while preparing these managers for challenges. To achieve this, the government must implement key interventions, including professional, meritocratic and ethical public administration, improved leadership, good governance and accountability. 

“You are amongst the talented people in the country. It is you who lead, reimagine and reshape the future of the country through fostering just and humane ways of conducting the affairs of the country to ensure human development and social justice at the heart of our conduct and actions. We look upon you to exercise with humility, leadership whenever you are given an opportunity.”

Kiviet said she expects the graduates to proceed and enroll for post-graduate qualifications so that they can advance their knowledge, sharpen their abilities to serve people with care and due diligence. To the leadership of the university, she said, they want to see more public servants return to the UFS and other universities for programmes in advanced project management, contract management, performance management, financial management and conflict resolution. 

“Design more bespoke programmes that address the specific skills deficit, not just generic programmes designed to credentialise people. It must be knowledge, know-how to do it, know-how to manage people, know-how to manage money without being tempted. Know-how must be at the core of what we do.”

Enhancing knowledge and skills

Prof Philippe Burger, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, said the graduates have shown their commitment and dedication to enhancing their knowledge and skills in the service of the people of South Africa. The UFS and the NSG have a fruitful partnership that aims to provide quality education and training for public servants in different fields and disciplines.  

“Through its Vision 130, the university is a leading institution for higher learning in South Africa that creates opportunities for growth through its focused research, its engaged impact, engaged scholarship, and the character of caring, inclusion and diversity. 

“So dear students, by enhancing your capabilities as public servants, you have also contributed to the vision of building a capable state as outlined in the National Development Plan. A capable state is one that has the capacity to formulate and implement policies that serve the national interest and address the root causes of poverty, inequality and unemployment,” said Prof Burger. 

According to him, this also stands key to the mandate of the NSG and in pursuing that, the NSG will always have a partner in the UFS. The short-learning programme is one of the many initiatives on which the UFS and the NSG have partnered to address the needs and challenges of the public sector, a sector where we need to live the ubuntu principle: ‘I am, because you are’. 

Prof Burger said the programme is designed to equip students with the relevant knowledge, skills and competencies that will enable them to perform their duties more efficiently and effectively and advance their career prospects in a way that says ‘I am because you are’. 

“The programme also fosters a culture of ethical and professional conduct as well as citizen-centred service delivery. We are proud of your achievements, and we welcome and hope that you apply what you have learned in your respective workplaces.” 

Programme to sharpen practice

Busani Ngcaweni, Principal of the NSG, told the graduates regardless of what they might have achieved, they understood that to sharpen practice, they have to take the bold step to come into a programme like this. “You understand that the world of serving the public is changing and that you can no longer serve the public the same way we did years ago.”

News Archive

UFS hikers to Cape Town reflect on their journey
2014-05-26

 

For the four volunteers from the university who are currently on their way to the Cape on foot, every hour of every day is a victory.

It is three weeks since two employees from the University of the Free State (UFS), Adéle van Aswegen and Ntokozo Nkabinde, together with two other Bloemfontein residents, Nico Piedt and Ronel Warner, left Bloemfontein on fóót for the Cape, in order to highlight the problem of food insecurity among students.

On Sunday 18 May they crossed the halfway mark at Beaufort West and will conclude their journey on Tuesday 3 June in Cape Town.

This is what the hikers have to say after three weeks on the road:

Adéle van Aswegen
It isn’t only a physical journey, but rather an emotional journey you undertake. You learn what it means to be truly thankful for basic things like clothes, a place to sleep and food.

Nico Piedt
I know what it feels like to survive on only a glass of water in your stomach – a cup of weak tea if you’re lucky – for the whole day. If I can help (through the hike) to give someone a better chance in life, then it is worthwhile.

Ronel Warner
You think and grow simultaneously. As you plan every stride ahead of you, you also plan your life ahead.

Ntokozo Nkabinde
You don’t walk for yourself. You undertake this journey, maybe because you want to help someone, but this journey is actually in honour of something bigger and you just have to endure.”

These boots are made for walking ... to Cape Town (Article of 02 May 2014)
“Aren’t auntie and them hungry yet?” Country folk worried about NSH hikers (15 May 2014)

Daily updates:
(You can also follow us on @UFSweb for daily tweets)

Day 33: 2 June 2014
13:40
20 km
Sunset Beach, Cape Town

Day 32: 1 June 2014
16:05
26 km
Mervyn and Sanet Wessels, Belville

Day 31: 31 May 2014
16:31
39.6 km
Rhonell and Gavin Julain, Paarl

Day 30: 30 May 2014
14:00
16 km
Monte Rosa, Rawsonville

Day 29: 29 May 2014
13:16
31 km
The Habit, Worcester

Day 28: 28 May 2014
11:00
22.4 km
Monte Roza, De doorns

Day 27: 27 May 2014
17:00
21.1 km
Karoo Hotel

Day 26: 26 May 2014
18:27
43.3 km
Tows river

Day 25: 25 May 2014
12:18
Lord Milner Hotel, Matjiesfontein

Day 24: 24 May 2014
16:30
42 km
Laingsburg Country Lodge

Day 23: 23 May 2014
17:32
41.8 km
Vergenoeg

Day 22: 22 May 2014
16:42
43 km
Assendelft Lodge and Bush Camp, Prins Albert

Day 21: 21 May 2014
15:09
42 km
Leeu Gamka Hotel

Day 20: 20 May 2014
13:39
20 km
Alida, Springfontein

Day 19: 19 May 2014
12:31
27.6 km
Teri Moja Game Lodge

Day 18: 18 May 2014
First rest day
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 17: 17 May 2014
19:30
62.3 km
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 16: 16 May 2014
13:00
14 km
Taaibochfontein

Day 15: 15 May 2014
16:03
32 km
Travalia, Three Sisters

Day 14: 14 May 2014
18:33
43 km
Joalani Guest Farm

Day 13: 13 May 2014
17:30
33 km
Die Rondawels

Day 12: 12 May 2014
16:49
40 km
Aandrus B&B in Richmond

Day 11: 11 May 2014
39 km
Wortelfontein (Magdel and Christiaan)

Day 10: 10 May 2014
15:44
34 km
Hanover Lodge

Day 9: 09 May 2014
40.8 km
Camping between Colesberg and Hanover

Day 8: 08 May 2014
15:25
33.7 km
Colesberg, The Lighthouse Guesthouse

Day 7: 07 May 2014
15:08
23 km
Orange River Lodge

Day 6: 06 May 2014
15:57
51.06 km
Gariep Forever Resort

Day 5: 05 May 2014
12:18
28 km
Rondefontein

Day 4: 04 May 2014
15:27
35 km
Trompsburg: Fox Den

Day 3: 03 May 2014
17:30
46.74 km
Edenburg Country Lodge (Hotel)

Day 2: 02 May 2014
11:44 am
15.3 km
Tom's Place

Day 1: 01 May 2014
32 km
Leeuwberg

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