Pretoria: Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has called on South Africa's future public sector professionals to become a new generation of ethical, innovative, and accountable leaders capable of rebuilding public trust and driving national development. Addressing the Public Sector Finance Work-Integrated Learning Engagement Session hosted by the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Polokwane on Friday, Simelane emphasized the need for skilled public servants dedicated to enhancing people's lives rather than merely pursuing a career.
According to South African Government News Agency, Simelane highlighted the importance of talent, energy, and ideas, alongside discipline, humility, and courage among future leaders. She urged the young professionals to choose excellence, evidence, integrity, and service over mediocrity, assumption, convenience, and self-interest, respectively. Simelane reminded students that South Africa is marking 30 years since adopting the Constitution, which enshrines democratic values and principles such as accountability, transparency, professionalism, and fairness in public administration.
Simelane stressed the role of capable institutions and ethical leadership in achieving the country's developmental agenda. She emphasized that Human Settlements plays a crucial role in translating constitutional rights into tangible improvements in people's lives through serviced land, housing opportunities, secure tenure, and integrated communities located closer to economic opportunities. The Minister also highlighted the significance of public finance professionals in ensuring that government programmes yield meaningful outcomes by converting limited resources into infrastructure, services, and opportunities.
Simelane insisted that success should not be measured solely by expenditure but by the quality of services and improved living conditions. She warned that competence without integrity poses a significant risk to public institutions and stressed the importance of ethical leadership in placing public interests above personal interests, applying rules fairly, and protecting public resources.
The Minister encouraged aspiring public servants to develop strong professional values, maintain accurate records, and speak out against wrongdoing. She acknowledged the role of digital platforms and technological advancements in reshaping government operations but cautioned that technology cannot replace ethical leadership or sound judgment. Simelane concluded by emphasizing that poor data leads to poor decisions and that sophisticated systems cannot substitute for strong values.
