BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) needs E176.35 million to see the implementation of its strategic plan over a period of five years.
This transpired today (Wednesday, July 17, 2024) during the hand-over of the CSC Strategic Plan, which took place at CSC Boardroom in Mbabane. The plan will be implemented from the year 2024/25 to 2028/29. The plan was handed over by a company known as Samkho Consulting, which came up with the strategic plan over a period of around six months, having started working on it in December last year.
The plan was also handed over to the Ministry of Public Service, which is a parent Ministry of the CSC. It was also handed over to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which also assisted in ensuring that the strategic plan was put together.
During the event, Sabelo Mkhonta, the Lead Consultant from Samkho, explained that the strategic plan was developed to help the CSC to be able to deliver on its mandate, which was to ensure that service delivery was realised by members of the public. Mkhonta said the strategic plan was also made to help the CSC improve the service delivery from the public sector.
The money, which is under what he termed as the indicative implementation budget, would be used to address seven key focus areas, according to a presentation by Mkhonta. The areas include service excellence, internal systems and processes, capacity building for the CSC, advocacy, image and reputation, partnerships and collaborations, legal and regulatory frameworks, and resource mobilisation and financial sustainability.
In 2025, it is projected that the CSC will need a total of E51.85 million. The money will be spread across three key focus areas, which include internal systems and processes (E50 000), capacity building for the CSC (E1 600 000), and advocacy, image and reputation (E250 000).
In 2026, the CSC will need E31.5 million, which will also be spread across three key focus areas. They include service excellence (E750 000), internal systems and processes (E30 million), and capacity building for the CSC (E750 000).
In 2027, the budget will decrease to E31 million, an amount that will be spread across three key focus areas. They include service excellence (E250 000), internal systems and processes (E30 million), and capacity building for the CSC (E750 000).
In the following year (2028), it is projected that the CSC will need E31 million. This amount will be spread across three key focus areas. They include service excellence (E250 000), internal systems and processes (E30 million), and capacity building for the CSC (E750 000).
The same amount of money will also be needed in 2029 and will be spread across the same key focus areas like in 2028 and 2027.
Present during the hand-over of the strategic plan was Her Royal Highness Princess Sibahle, who was the acting chairperson of the CSC. Substantive CSC Chairman Simanga Mamba was not present during the hand-over, as he had to attend to other national assignments.
CSC Commissioners such as Chief Velamuva Maseko and Reverend Nhlanhla Hlatshwayo were present. Secretary to Cabinet Victor Nxumalo and Ministry of Public Service Principal Secretary (PS) Sipho Tsabedze were also present. They both thanked all the stakeholders who put together the strategic plan. They also expressed hope that the service delivery in the public sector would improve. The commissioners Princess Sibahle and Chief Velamuva Maseko also thanked stakeholders who put togerther the strategic plan. They hoped that the CSC would improve in delivering its mandate.
Also present was the executive committee of the CSC, under the leadership of CSC Executive Secretary Nhlanhla Mnisi, who was directing the proceedings of the programme.