CONCEPT PAPER SEVENTH BATHO PELE LEARNING NETWORK: 2008 Batho Pele means People First

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1 CONCEPT PAPER SEVENTH BATHO PELE LEARNING NETWORK: 2008 Batho Pele means People First 1. BACKGROUND The Batho Pele Learning Network (BPLN) is a learning platform that promotes sharing and exchanging of experiences and lessons that are aimed at improving service delivery through the implementation of the White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery of 1997 (known as Batho Pele). The BPLN was launched in 2003 by the Department of Public Service and Administration (dpsa) to ensure that those in the public service have a platform to: (a) Explore and reach an understanding on the meaning of Batho Pele and its importance in the business of government, particularly service delivery; (b) Understand government's various initiatives and programmes to make Batho Pele work; (c) Showcase government's efforts to put people first for real in service delivery; and (d) Share and learn from each other based on practical experiences in implementing Batho Pele on the ground. The dpsa is arranging the seventh BPLN session to be held from 10 to 12 November The identified Province to host this event is the Eastern Cape (actual venue to be confirmed). The criterion to choose the hosting Province is based on annual rotation of Provinces, the willingness and readiness to host the event. The hosting of the event also seeks to support the Province in promoting and boosting provincial participation and commitment to effectively implement Batho Pele programmes and initiatives. The Provinces that have hosted the event since 2003 include; Gauteng, North West, Northern Cape, Western Cape and Limpopo. 1

2 The BPLN continues to grow and to generate interest in the public service. The BPLN has matured into an appropriate platform to share and exchange experiences, including best practices as well as lessons learnt, while putting emphasis on initiatives and programmes relating to the promotion and implementation of Batho Pele. In line with the objectives of the Single Public Service initiative, the dpsa is already infusing Batho Pele in Local Government through various platforms like Batho Pele Change Management Engagement Programme, BPLN, Service Delivery Improvement Plans, Batho Pele Forums and the need to introduce project Khaedu has been identified. During the 6 th BPLN in 2007, more than 50 municipalities were represented and one of the commissions paid special attention to Local Government challenges and lessons. It is envisaged that further attention will be given to Local Government in the forthcoming BPLN. 2. APPROACH AND FORMAT OF THE BATHO PELE LEARNING NETWORK: 2008 The overall strategy of the 2008 BPLN is to recognise and showcase government s efforts and achievements in transforming public service delivery. In the endeavour to enrich the learning platform, the information sourced and utilised will be geared towards the demonstration of the impact of public service delivery transformation to citizens as well as sharing challenges and prospects for improving the image of the public service through the implementation of Batho Pele. This will be achieved through presentations, case studies depicting service delivery realities from all levels of government and discussions through commissions. Existing studies, research and other important writings relating to peoplecentric service delivery in the public service and citizen satisfaction surveys will be sourced from both the private and public sectors including the Public Service Commission (PSC), Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Community-based organisations (CBOs), etc. 2

3 Strengthening public participation will be one of the highlights through representations by the Civil Society groups. This is in line with government s drive for wider consultation and citizens participation in service delivery. Further platforms will be availed in the form of commissions that will allow for the interrogation of challenges and articulation of possible solutions to identified challenges. The seventh BPLN platform will also be used to launch a guidelines booklet, titled Batho Pele Guidelines on the functions of the Batho Pele Coordinators. This guidelines booklet has been researched and developed to clarify and provide guidance on the expected role of Batho Pele Coordinators. It is envisaged that the document would have been approved by the Minister and ready for launching in November OBJECTIVES OF THE BATHO PELE LEARNING NETWORK: 2008 The objectives of the seventh BPLN are to: (a) Instil a sense of business unusual in the implementation and roll-out of the Public Service policies. (b) Share practical tools and techniques for efficient implementation of Batho Pele. (c) Examine blockages in mainstreaming and the implementation of Batho Pele and share solutions; and (d) Reflect on the implementation of the recommendations of the sixth BPLN 4. TARGET GROUP The seventh BPLN of 2008 is estimated to attract approximately 500 participants. In order to ensure robust engagement and knowledge exchange and support, representation will be drawn from the following organisations: 3

4 The public service (all three spheres). Both senior and middle managers; Civil Society groups; Organisations associated with public service delivery like South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Public Service Commission (PSC), National Development Agency (NDA), Human Rights Commission, Commission on Gender Equality, Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF), etc; Community Development Workers (CDW); and Private sector partners. 5. WORKING TEAM The working team/s will comprise representations from: Service Delivery Improvement branch (dpsa) The Ministry (dpsa) Some members of the Batho Pele Forum Provincial task team (Eastern Cape Province and the dpsa) 6. THEME AND SUB-THEMES FOR THE SEVENTH BATHO PELE LEARNING NETWORK The proposed theme and sub-themes for the seventh BPLN of 2008 are: Theme: Mainstreaming and institutionalising Batho Pele to promote the desired Public Service culture of Togetherness, Ubuntu. One of the challenges encountered in the implementation and mainstreaming of Batho Pele is that most departments treat this policy as an add-on function. Despite it being eleven years into operation, the Batho Pele policy framework continues to be seen as the eight principles and service delivery is seen as having a direct interface with citizens. 4

5 For an example, some departments, which do not have a direct interface with the citizens, do not think they have an obligation to implement Batho Pele. The proposed theme intends to afford service delivery practitioners the opportunity to examine, discuss, and debate the following, among others: (i) How to ensure that implementation of Batho Pele policy becomes the responsibility of all managers (senior or middle managers and even supervisors) and eventually of all employees in the Public Service? (ii) What should be the role of managers in making sure that Batho Pele graduates from being a dream into being reality of putting people first for real, even within the place of work? (iii) How do we revive and strengthen a collective approach of improving service delivery? (iv) How do we inculcate the belief set of Batho Pele, we belong, we care and we serve? (v) What are the short-comings of all the initiatives that have been put in place, what needs to be done to turn-around the gains and what are the proposed measures to sustain the achievements? Proposed Sub-themes: (a) Improving internal and external Public Service partnerships: How can we improve our working relationships with relevant partners such as Civil Society groups? How can working relationships with other government departments or spheres be improved to take service delivery to a higher level? This may start from integrated planning and even to sharing of limited resources (skilled human resources, information, etc.). It is a fact that in areas where there are good partnerships, service delivery improves. Good partnerships facilitate response to people s needs through integrated approaches and better coordination. This enables government to become efficient, efficient and economical by optimally utilising limited resources. 5

6 This sub-theme should provide a platform to discuss challenges and how to overcome them in order to improve partnerships, coordination and provide services that are responsive to the needs of citizens. (b) Leadership accountability in the implementation of Batho Pele: The Cabinet approved in 2004 that promotion and implementation of Batho Pele should be a Core Management Criteria (CMC) of all Heads of Departments and Accounting Officers. From the results of the Public Service Commission, the implementation of Batho Pele is still a challenge. How do the outcomes of the consultation and redress processes influencing management decisions? Do these outcomes reach the boardrooms where decisions are made? If not, what are the stumbling blocks? How can the situation be improved? (c) Creating and developing the will to serve: is enough being done? With the number of government policies and initiatives that have been put in place like the Constitution, Batho Pele White Paper, Code of Conduct, Batho Pele Change Management Engagement programme and others, one of the challenges that still exist within the Public Service is the lack of commitment and passion to serve from the public servants. This sub-theme will therefore provide a platform to discuss this matter in detail, looking at the possible contributing factors in terms of the front and back office, cultural diversity, communication (internal and external), the employee wellness initiatives, etc, and what are the comprehensive mechanisms to address these realities. How does the Public Service instil a sense of pride and improve the commitment to serve, considering the existing programmes and initiatives that have been introduced? Are the available programmes and initiatives relevant? 6

7 7. CONCLUSION 7.1 The seventh BPLN will be held jointly between the dpsa and the Province of the Eastern Cape from November 2008 (Venue to be confirmed). 7.2 The BPLN as one of initiatives approved by Cabinet in 2004 to revitalise the implementation of Batho Pele in the public service, is increasingly maturing into a well-grounded service delivery platform which afford public service practitioners the environment to share and showcase the comprehensive implementation and institutionalisation of the Batho Pele policy framework by putting people first for real. 7.3 The proposed theme Mainstreaming and institutionalising Batho Pele to promote the desired Public Service culture of Togetherness, Ubuntu will afford a diverse group of participants the platform and environment to reflect on the impact of the implementation, impact and challenges encountered. It will also create an opportunity to discuss practical measures to enhance impact and address challenges. 7.4 The platform will also afford the participants the opportunity understand and engage further on the Single Public Service initiative and its objectives. 7