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 said the country needs skilled public servants who view public service as a calling to improve people's lives, rather than simply a career.
"South Africa needs your talent, your energy, and your ideas. But it also needs your discipline, humility, and courage. Choose excellence over mediocrity.
“Choose evidence over assumption. Choose integrity over convenience. Choose service over self-interest [and] be the authors of your destiny,” Simelane said.
Simelane said the country's developmental agenda depends on capable institutions, ethical leadership, and a new generation of professionals, committed to serving the public interest.
She reminded students that South Africa is marking 30 years since the adoption of the Constitution, which sets out the democratic values and principles governing public administration, including accountability, transparency, professionalism, fairness and efficient use of public resources.
"A developmental state requires capable institutions; capable institutions require ethical and accountable leadership; and sustainable renewal requires a new generation of skilled public servants. Human Settlements brings these connections into sharp focus because the quality of governance is ultimately experienced in the places where people live," the Minister said.
Highlighting the role of the Human Settlements sector, Simelane said government is not merely responsible for administering policies but for 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.
She said every school, clinic, road and housing project delivered, reflected the work of public institutions and the public servants responsible for turning government policies into reality.
The Minister also stressed the critical role of public finance professionals in ensuring government programmes achieve meaningful outcomes.
"Public finance is where policy intention meets the discipline of implementation," she said.
Simelane noted that sound financial management converts limited public resources into infrastructure, services and opportunities, particularly important in a sector such as Human Settlements, where delivery depends on coordinated investment in land, bulk infrastructure, basic services, housing, and social amenities.
She said success should not be measured solely by how much money is spent, but by whether expenditure translates into quality services and improved living conditions.
"A housing project is not successful merely because the budget has been exhausted. It must result in safe, durable, and well-located homes, functioning services and communities connected to opportunity. Compliance, performance, and impact must therefore reinforce one another," the Minister said.
Ethical leadership and accountability
The Minister also warned that competence without integrity posed a significant risk to public institutions.
“Ethical leadership is demonstrated in the choices we make when those choices are difficult. It means placing the public interests above personal interests, applying rules fairly, declaring conflicts, protecting public resources, and refusing to normalise conduct that undermines the institution. It means we must not use the authority attached to public office for personal enrichment.
“When ethics and accountability are weakened and effectively undermined, the consequences are felt far beyond an audit report. Resources are diverted from communities, projects are delayed, incomplete or of poor quality, institutional morale declines and public trust is eroded," Simelane said.
She encouraged aspiring public servants to establish strong professional values before entering the workplace, by maintaining accurate records, respecting governance controls and speaking out when wrongdoing occurs.
Innovation in a changing public sector
With rapid technological change, the Minister said digital platforms, including data analytics, artificial intelligence, geospatial information, and integrated financial systems, are reshaping how governments plan, spend, monitor and report.
However, she warned that technology cannot replace ethical leadership or sound judgement.
"Technology is not a substitute for judgement, ethics or accountability. Poor data produces poor decisions, and sophisticated systems cannot compensate for weak values," she said. – SAnews.gov.za
