South Africa Government

08/17/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/17/2023 23:30

National School of Government hosta Master-Class on Building Professional and Meritocratic Bureaucracies, 18 Aug

The National School of Government to Host a Master-Class on Building Professional and Meritocratic Bureaucracies

The National School of Government (NSG) in partnership with The University of South Africa (UNISA) will host a Master-Class entitled: Building Professional and Meritocratic Bureaucracies: A Challenge for South Africa and the Global South" at ZK Matthews Great Hall, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Building, Unisa Muckleneuk Campus, Preller Street, Pretoria, on Friday, 18 August 2023.

The Master-Class will be delivered by Prof. Zhang Weiwei, a leading thinker from China, a distinguished professor of International Relations and Director of the China Institute at Fudan University, and a board member of China's National Think Tanks Council. It is a leadership engagement that targets public servants and elected public officials in the South African public service to share perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for accelerating the building of professional, capable, ethical and developmental state as Priority One of government's Medium Term Strategic Framework 2019-2024.

The former President of the Republic of South Africa, Honorable Mr Kgalema Motlanthe is also scheduled to attend the Master-Class.

Prof. Zhang Weiwei will share his perspective on how the Chinese model of a civilizational state has evolved, lifting 800 million people out of poverty, by building resilient institutions led by skilled bureaucrats. This is the second Master-Class that Prof. Zhang Weiwei is delivering in collaboration with the National School of Government. The previous Master-Class was on Civilizational States and Meritocracy: Experience from China which attracted over 600 participants.

The idea of building a developmental state has regained prominence in the Global South. This involves the strengthening of institutions that are ethical, capable, innovative, professional and meritocratic. Successful developmental states prioritise socio-economic transformation and inclusive growth, focusing on the well-being of the people. They are sustained by the legitimacy of their programmes as well as the competence of public officials.

The Principal of the NSG, Prof Busani Ngcaweni said "The Master-Classes are offered with the intention to equip public servants with knowledge and skills to navigate their everyday expectations in their respective work environment. The NSG has collaborated with local and international partners, South African government departments and higher
education institutions to deliver the Master-Classes and training for public sector officials".

To attend this Master-Class, please register through this link:
https://thensg-gov-za.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ih-3y-AQQUGgJrqPUu-49A...(link is external)

For media enquiries and interview request, please contact:

Dikeledi Mokgokolo
Cell: 082 888 2355
E-mail [email protected](link sends e-mail).

Tommy Huma
Cell: 072 218 6197
Tel: 012 429 3981
E-mail: [email protected](link sends e-mail)

Edgar Rathelele
Cell: 063 731 5456 / 012
429 6712/ [email protected](link sends e-mail)