Pretoria: The Department of Public Service and Administration's (DPSA) Strengthening Ethics, Integrity and Green Governance (SEIGG) Project is set to usher the public service into a transformative phase focused on enhanced accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct.
According to South African Government News Agency, the SEIGG Project, slated to run from 2025 to 2030, is a collaborative initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada and executed by Cowater International, with an estimated budget of R50 million. At the project's launch, DPSA Acting Director-General Willie Vukela emphasized that SEIGG is a continuation of the groundwork laid by the previous Strengthening Ethics, Integrity Project. Vukela stated, "We are not starting from scratch. We are building on that success and charting a new ambitious course for the future of our public service."
The five-year initiative aims to address key areas, including safer workplaces by improving the prevention and response to harassment, including sexual harassment, bolstering ethics and professional conduct across public administration, and protecting public procurement by enhancing prevention, monitoring, and early detection measures, particularly in the climate change and energy sectors. "What we are doing here is to put a brick on the foundation for a better future of our citizens," Vukela added.
Additionally, the SEIGG Project aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa's vision, as articulated during the State of the Nation Address (SONA), for an ethical and capable public service. This vision is underpinned by new legislation, such as the Public Service Amendment Bill, which aims to shield key appointments from political interference and ensure qualified individuals occupy senior positions based on merit. Signed into law in April 2025, it is now known as the Public Service Amendment Act 9 of 2025, alongside the Public Administration Management Amendment Act, 2025.
President Ramaphosa also highlighted the implementation of mandatory lifestyle audits for senior public servants, achieving a 93% compliance rate across departments last year. Furthermore, a central registry for disciplinary cases is being established to prevent individuals facing or having undergone disciplinary action from being rehired within the public sector, reinforcing the government's commitment to fostering disciplined and ethical public servants.