Pretoria – Government on Sunday launched the Annual Thusong Service Week which aims to inform citizens about the services, information and opportunities available at their nearest Thusong Service Centres.
“It encourages public servants to deliver high quality services in support of government priorities, and recommit towards improving the way they work to deliver them,” said Acting Director General of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Donald Liphoko, speaking at the launch in Dududu in KwaZulu-Natal.
Liphoko said as government launches Thusong Service Week, it is imperative to remind public servants that they have a role to play in ensuring that citizens get the services they deserve.
The Thusong Service Centre Programme, in its 16th year this year, is one of the first unique initiatives implemented by the South African democratic government which integrates services across the three spheres of government.
“This programme has created access not only to government information and services but also enables communities to access opportunities offered by other civil society groups, such as businesses, non-governmental organisations and parastatals.
“Public and private partnership is key to bringing service delivery to the people in this country. Over the past seven years, we have progressively increased the number of public-private partnerships covering a wide range of sectors.”
Liphoko said through the Thusong Service Centres, approximately five million beneficiaries gain access to services from both government, parastatals and community based organizations on an annual basis.
“Based on the Batho Pele principles, these centres help in promoting service delivery programmes, transfer of skills, employment creation and providing information on business opportunities for those who are interested in starting their own business,” he said.
The Thusong Service Week coincides with Public Service Month which is being celebrated under the theme “Moving South Africa Forward: Taking public services to the people”. – SAnews.gov.za
Government launches Annual Thusong Service Week
