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NSG A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK TOWARDS THE PROFESSIONALISATION OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR

National School of GovernmentRef: https://www.thensg.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NSG-A-NATIONAL-FRAMEWORK-TOWARDS-THE-PROFESSIONALISATION-OF-THE-PUBLIC-SECTOR.pdf

Official source

Source domain: thensg.gov.za

Collected on 5 July 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 21 July 2026)Official source

What this means

This document is a national framework titled “A National Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Sector” dated 19 October 2022 (with a June 2022 version indicated) and produced by the National School of Government under the Republic of South Africa. It sets out a government approach to professionalising public administration to build state capacity, based on meritocracy, ethics, qualified personnel, and Batho Pele/Ubuntu principles, and it applies broadly across public administration (including people not employed under the Public Service Act, where applicable). The framework describes consultation history (gazetted December 2020 after Cabinet approval; public comments in Feb 2021; peer review by a high-level ministerial panel) and proposes reforms including strengthening the political-administrative interface (PSC role and finalising HOPA), merit-based recruitment, legislative amendments, consequence management, and using distinguished former public servants as mentors. It also outlines a “value chain” with a first pillar focused on tightening pre-entry requirements and expanding the NSG’s Nyukela pre-entry programme, including mandatory completion and integrity assessments within specified timeframes.

Facts

Reference

https://www.thensg.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NSG-A-NATIONAL-FRAMEWORK-TOWARDS-THE-PROFESSIONALISATION-OF-THE-PUBLIC-SECTOR.pdf

Key Takeaways

  • Title: A National Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Sector
  • Dates: 19 October 2022; June 2022 indicated; gazetted December 2020; public consultation February 2021
  • Producer: National School of Government (Department: Republic of South Africa)
  • Core principle: professionalise public administration to build state capacity using meritocracy and ethics
  • Consultation: Cabinet approval for publication; two-week public consultation in Feb 2021; high-level ministerial panel peer-reviewed
  • Reform area: Stabilise political-administrative interface; strengthen PSC; finalise Head of Public Administration (HOPA) role
  • HOPA designation: DG in The Presidency as HOPA; in provinces, provincial DGs in the Office of the Premier
  • Pre-entry pillar: review NSG SMS Pre-Entry Programme (Nyukela) and extend it to military, state security, police, correctional services, local government and boards of SOEs
  • Time requirement: staff appointed into political office (including special advisers) must complete Nyukela, pre-entry competency and integrity assessments within 90 days
  • Integrity: formalise integrity assessment as mandatory in the public sector
  • Academic requirement for SMS entry: minimum NQF Level 8 for salary levels 13–14; NQF Level 9 highly recommended for salary levels 15–16
  • Recruitment governance: Executive Authority remains responsible for recruitment of HoDs, DGs and DDGs; municipal councils recruit municipal managers; DPSA to develop an expert pool database
  • National School of Government (NSG)
  • Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA)
  • Public Service Commission (PSC)
  • Head of Public Administration (HOPA)
  • Director-General in The Presidency
  • Provincial DGs in the Office of the Premier
  • Executive Authority (President, Ministers, Premiers, MECs, Mayors, MMCs, Chairpersons of Chapter 9 institutions)
  • Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
  • Cabinet
  • High-level ministerial panel
  • Public Service Act, 1994 (Act 103 of 1994)
  • Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Chapter 10; Sections 197, 239)
  • National Development Plan (NDP): Vision 2030
  • Batho Pele principles
  • Ubuntu
  • Public Service Charter
  • National Qualifications Framework (NQF)
  • State-owned entities (SOEs)

Dates

Closing Date

19 October 2022