Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Public Service Commission chairperson Salmaan Jacobs has proposed that Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states formalise cooperation in staff exchange and secondment programmes.
Jacobs made the proposal during the annual general meeting of the SADC Public Service Commissions (PSCs) Forum, currently underway in Windhoek.
He stated that the regional body could support and implement these programmes using collective bargaining standards.
He stated that formal agreements between public service commissions were necessary to transform regional commitments into practical actions and protocols for public administration.
Jacobs also highlighted the importance of digital platforms for regular engagement.
He said digital solutions cut costs and allow for better communication and follow up on projects.
“The SADC Secretariat can facilitate and coordinate PSC initiatives, and through affiliation to this regional body, we can mobilise technical and financial resources for joint projects and programmes for a better-reformed public service commission,” said Jacobs.
“Let this be the beginning for us, as public service commissions, to build that legacy – for generations to come – to continue and to have a firm ground to build public service, public administration, and good governance for the betterment of all our people.”
Forum chairperson Somadoda Fikeni said the platform plays a key role in enhancing collaboration, sharing practices, and addressing challenges in the region’s public service.
He said the success of this transformation depends on a new kind of public servant, ethical, technically skilled, socially aware, and committed to development.
“A new consciousness and a collective conscience must be cultivated, transcending individual interests and embodying the spirit of Ubuntu,” said Fikeni.
He called for urgency in reforming the public service, describing the forum not as an administrative meeting but as a sacred space to renew the social contract between states and their citizens.
“Public service is not merely an occupation but a noble vocation, a daily covenant of trust and service. Let us approach these deliberations with candour, mutual respect, and a lifelong commitment to the ideals that unite us.”
Fikeni urged PSCs to embrace Pan-Africanism, rooted in dignity, equity, and collective strength, while staying committed to unity, sustainable development, and amplifying Africa’s voice on the global stage.
The three-day forum will finalise its draft constitution, review progress reports, approve minutes of previous meetings, and address outstanding matters.
