Cape Town – The Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Somadoda Fikeni, believes that the recent two-day National Dialogue on Coalition Governments could mark a significant turning point in the country’s political landscape.
Fikeni expressed his views during an interview with SABC following the conclusion of the dialogue, which took place at the University of the Western Cape.
He emphasized the importance of addressing the efficiency and professional approach to politics in addition to professionalising the public service.
He stated that the way politics is conducted in the country directly affects the effectiveness of public service.
“This is one of the most important moments which could be a turning point because even if you professionalise public service, if you do not work on the efficiencies and professional approach on how our politics are conducted, one is going to affect the other. So, this discussion on coalitions and how we should have a common understanding on how we resolve some of the issues and how we adopt certain conventions to avoid what we have seen recently in Johannesburg Municipality, in Tshwane, in Gqeberha and in other places, this is an important beginning. There are still trust issues, there’s a lot of trust deficit, there is a lot of suspicion. Transparency co-creation and inclusiveness will take us forward,” he said.
Breakaway Session 4: Proposed Regulation of Coalition Governments (Immediate, Medium and Long Term) #NDCG pic.twitter.com/tGBPJ2jU5x
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 5, 2023
Meanwhile, according to News24, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said that political parties and the state need to continue learning about how to form coalition governments.
“This issue of working with each other is important. It’s not a new thing. The IFP and the ANC worked together in a government of provincial unity. We have now identified where the weaknesses are.
“This dialogue is about how to make it work properly. All of these parties won’t say we want power. All will say that we want to serve the people of South Africa,” the report quoted him as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
