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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

Reclassification of giraffe status pivotal in public action, says UFS researcher
2016-12-08

Description: Reclassification of giraffe status  Tags: Reclassification of giraffe status  

Dr Francois Deacon, specialised researcher
in the Department of Animal, Wildlife, and
Grassland Sciences at the University of the Free State.
Photo: Supplied

Great news for those who care about the conservation of giraffes is today’s (8 December 2016) announcement by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that giraffes are now classified as ‘Vulnerable’. The species, formerly classified as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List — an index on the likelihood of extinction of animals worldwide — is threatened with extinction.

“Until recently, few people were aware of the situation facing giraffes. It is time to show the world giraffe numbers are in danger. This reclassification by the IUCN is pivotal to get the public to stand up and take action for giraffes,” said Dr Francois Deacon, specialised researcher in the Department of Animal, Wildlife, and Grassland Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Research is essential to develop effective conservation plans for a species

Key to this announcement was the status report submitted by Dr Deacon. He was the lead author responsible for the submission of the Southern African Giraffe subspecies (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) status report that was part of the larger species report submitted for review by the (IUCN). The UFS has been doing many research projects in the past couple of years on giraffe-related issues and topics to address this problem.

The UFS is one of only a few universities in Africa that is committed to studying giraffes to ensure the conservation of this species for generations to come.

“The reclassification of giraffes to ‘Vulnerable’
status, by the IUCN, is pivotal to get the public
to stand up and take action for giraffes.”

A 40% decline in the giraffe population over the past two decades is proof that the longnecks are officially in trouble. According to Dr Deacon, this rate of decline is faster than that of the elephant or rhino. The main reasons for the devastating decline are habitat loss, civil unrest and illegal hunting.

Dr Deacon, pioneer in the use of GPS technology to study giraffes and their natural habitat, said “This vulnerability clearly stipulates we are quickly losing grip on our last few natural populations”. He and a team of researchers at the UFS in South Africa are leading various research and conservation projects to help save the last remaining giraffes in Africa.

Giraffes moved from ‘least concern’ to ‘vulnerable’ on the Red List

The IUCN, a health check for our planet, is the highest level at which decision-makers can prove how many species (fauna or flora) are surviving or not. The update from ‘Least Concern’ to ‘Vulnerable’ on the Red List was released at the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cancun, Mexico.

A wildlife documentary, Last of the Longnecks clearly shows how the number of giraffes has plummeted in the past two decades from 154 000 to fewer than 98 000 today — with numbers of some giraffes, such as Kenya’s reticulated giraffe, declining by as much as 80%.  

Any individual or institution that wants to make a contribution relating to giraffe research can contact Dr Deacon at the UFS on deaconf@ufs.ac.za.

 

In other media:

Announcement on BBC news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38240760
Time: http://time.com/3622344/giraffe-extinction/
The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/12/08/giraffes-now-facing-extinction-warn-conservationists/
ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/International/giraffes-danger-extinction-numbers-dropped/story?id=27334959
theguardian: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/08/giraffe-red-list-vulnerable-species-extinction
Aol: http://www.aol.co.uk/news/2016/12/07/giraffes-in-danger-of-extinction-as-population-plunges-by-up-to/  

 

Former articles:

18 November 2016: Studies to reveal correlation between terrain, energy use, and giraffe locomotion
23 August 2016:
Research on locomotion of giraffes valuable for conservation of this species
9 March 2016:
Giraffe research broadcast on National Geographic channel
18 September 2015:
Researchers reach out across continents in giraffe research
29 May 2015:
Researchers international leaders in satellite tracking in the wildlife environment

 



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