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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

Sunflowers are satellite dishes for sunshine, or are they?
2016-07-20

Eighty-six percent of South Africa’s
sunflowers are produced in the
Free State and North West provinces.

Helen Mirren, the English actress, said “the sunflower is like a satellite dish for sunshine”. However, researchers at the University of the Free State (UFS) have found that too much of this sunshine could have a negative effect on the growth of sunflowers, which are a major source of oil in South Africa.

According to Dr Gert Ceronio from the Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences at the UFS, extremely high soil temperatures play a definite role in the sprouting of sunflower seedlings. Together with Lize Henning, professional officer in the department, and Dr André Nel from the Agricultural Research Council, he is doing research on biotic and abiotic factors that could have an impact on sunflowers.

Description: Sonneblom 2 Tags: Sonneblom 2

Various degrees of deformity (bad-left
to none-right) in seedlings of the same
cultivar at very high soil temperatures.
Photo: Dr Gert Ceronio

Impact of high temperatures on sunflower production

The Free State and North West provinces, which produce 86% of South Africa’s sunflowers, are afflicted especially by high summer temperatures that lead to extremely high soil temperatures.

Dr Ceronio says: “Although sunflower seeds are able to germinate at temperatures from as low as 4°C to as high as 41°C, soil temperatures of 35°C and higher could have a negative effect on the vegetative faculty of sunflower seedlings, and could have an adverse effect on the percentage of sunflowers that germinate. From the end of November until mid-January, this is a common phenomenon in the sandy soil of the Free State and North West provinces. Soil temperatures can easily exceed the critical temperature of 43°C, which can lead to poor germination and even the replanting of sunflowers.”

Since temperature have a huge impact not only on the germination of sunflower seeds, but also on the vegetative faculty and sprouting of sunflower seedlings, Dr Ceronio suggests that sunflowers should be planted in soil with soil temperatures of 22 to 30°C. Planting is usually done in October and early November. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, as soil moisture is not optimal for growth. Farmers are then compelled to plant sunflowers later.

Impact of herbicides on sunflower growth

“High soil temperatures, combined with the herbicide sensitivity of some cultivars, could lead to the poor development of seedlings," says Dr Ceronio.

The use of herbicides, such as ALACHLOR, for the control of weeds in sunflowers is common practice in sunflower production. It has already been determined that ALACHLOR could still have a damaging effect on the seedlings of some cultivars during germination and sprouting, even at recommended application dosages.

“The purpose of the continued research is to establish the sensitivity of sunflower cultivars to ALACHLOR when exposed to high soil temperatures,” says Dr Ceronio.

 

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