Buthelezi Launches IPSM 2025 to Professionalise Public Service and Rebuild Trust

“We will build a workforce defined by competence, ethics and accountability — mediocrity has no place in this vision,” Buthelezi declared.

In a bold and action-oriented address, Public Service and Administration Minister Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi officially launched the Integrated Public Service Month (IPSM) 2025 in Pretoria, declaring the professionalisation of South Africa’s public service as a “constitutional and developmental imperative”. The Minister made it clear that ethics, competence, and accountability are non-negotiable values in the journey to a better, people-centred government.

“We will build a workforce defined by competence, ethics and accountability — mediocrity has no place in this vision,” Buthelezi declared.

This year’s IPSM marks a transformational shift from a symbolic month-long observance into a year-round platform of reform, underpinned by government’s Medium-Term Development Plan (2024–2029) and aligned with the values of the African Public Service Day (APSD).

---

From Ceremony to Contract: A New Era for Public Service

The 2025 edition of IPSM is themed: "Professionalising the Public Service to Build Trust and Restore Confidence in Government." According to Minister Buthelezi, this is not merely a campaign slogan—it is a strategic national call to action and a social contract between citizens and the state.

“Every citizen must feel the tangible difference of a responsive and ethical state. IPSM 2025 is therefore our turning point — a contract to deliver services that dignify, empower, and uplift, especially the most vulnerable.”

He promised that transparency, progress reporting, and visibility would be cornerstones of the reform. The public will be kept informed of both successes and setbacks, and public servants will be held accountable through measurable indicators, including:

• Improved service satisfaction

• Reduced corruption

• Strengthened ethics

• Increased citizen engagement

---

Executive Oversight and Community Visibility

A standout feature of the IPSM 2025 rollout is the Executive Service Delivery Blitz. Ministers, the President, Deputy President, and senior government officials will conduct unannounced oversight visits in priority districts, particularly in areas where service delivery is failing.

These site visits are not only meant to uncover service bottlenecks but will also inform planning, budgeting, and resource allocation, creating a feedback loop between citizens and government.

“These visits will inform planning, budgeting and resource allocation. We are the face of a new public service—one that is professional, ethical and responsive,” Buthelezi stated.

---

Empowering Public Servants and Citizens Alike

Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana, who gave the opening address at the launch event, emphasised that IPSM is more than a calendar event — it is a living commitment to South Africans.

“This year’s theme speaks to the urgent question: Can citizens trust their government to listen, respond, and deliver?”

Kekana confirmed that IPSM has now been repositioned as a permanent platform for ongoing reform—no longer a symbolic month but a sustained effort toward better service delivery.

She urged public servants to embrace the principles of professionalism and ethics, reminding them that true professionalism lies not in hierarchy, but in meaningfully improving people’s lives.

---

Key Pillars of the IPSM 2025 Programme

The IPSM 2025 agenda is structured around key initiatives aimed at reshaping the citizen-state relationship:

1. Executive Service Delivery Blitzes Direct, unannounced inspections by top leadership to address service breakdowns in real-time.

2. Public Service Charter Dialogues Community forums that allow citizens to engage with officials, voice concerns, and contribute to service standards development.

3. Service Delivery Innovation Hubs Introduction of pilot projects for digital transformation, queue management, feedback loops, and mobile service units in rural and underserved areas.

4. Ethics and Accountability Framework Strengthening of reporting channels for corruption, expanded training on public sector ethics, and protection for whistleblowers.

5. Public Servant Recognition and Development Launch of a merit-based recognition platform and skills development programmes to upskill frontline workers in service excellence.

---

A Response to Past Failures

Minister Buthelezi did not shy away from acknowledging historical failures in public service delivery. He cited long queues, broken promises, and neglected infrastructure as persistent challenges that have eroded public trust.

“For far too long, our people have endured the indignity of long queues, broken promises and crumbling infrastructure,” he said. “We are committed to a public service that restores dignity through service.”

---

Looking Ahead: A Year of Action, Not Rhetoric

The Minister reaffirmed that IPSM 2025 is not a ceremonial observance, but a strategic tool for real, measurable change. He encouraged all public servants to reflect on their purpose and to embody the values of a transformed public sector.

“We must carry this responsibility with pride. To our partners, join us in a holistic, society-wide approach to restoring dignity through service.”

As government faces growing public demand for transparency, efficiency, and impact, the IPSM framework could serve as a crucial anchor for rebuilding trust and creating a more capable developmental state.