PSETA, WSG sign MoU to strengthen professionalisation of the public sector

The Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA) and the Wits School of Governance (WSG) at the University of the Witwatersrand have formalised a strategic partnership to advance professionalisation, ethical leadership, and capacity development in the public service.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially signed at the PSETA offices in Pretoria on 2 December 2025 by Professor Themba Maseko, Head of the Wits School of Governance, and Ms. Bontle Lerumo, Chief Executive Officer of PSETA.

This collaboration aims to make a meaningful contribution to the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP 2030), the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP 2030), and the Framework for the Professionalisation of the Public Service. Through the MoU, PSETA and WSG commit to jointly strengthening the skills, competencies, and professional ethos required to deliver an ethical, capable, and developmental state.

The partnership will focus on:

• Joint research and knowledge production on public administration, governance, leadership, and skills development in the public service;
• Co-design and delivery of targeted learning and development programmes, including short courses, executive education, and specialised qualifications aligned to sector priorities;
• Capacity-building interventions for public servants across all spheres of government, with a focus on ethics, governance, policy implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and strategic leadership;
• Support for workplace-based learning and experiential opportunities for WSG students within public service institutions; and
• Policy dialogues, seminars, and thought-leadership platforms to deepen debate and innovation around public sector reform and professionalisation.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Maseko emphasised the importance of partnerships in building a capable state: “Professionalising the public service is not a theoretical exercise; it is about strengthening institutions, systems, and people so that they can deliver quality services to citizens. Through this MoU with PSETA, we are committing our academic expertise, research capacity, and convening power to support a more ethical, skilled, and accountable public service.”

PSETA CEO, Lerumo, highlighted how the MoU directly advances PSETA’s mandate: “In line with the Skills Development Act and the National Skills Development Plan 2030, PSETA is committed to facilitating high-quality, responsive, and future-fit skills development programmes for the public service. Partnering with an institution of WSG’s calibre strengthens our ability to co-create impactful learning pathways, research, and innovation that respond to the real needs of departments, entities, and public servants on the ground.”

Recognising their shared mandate to enhance service delivery and promote good governance, PSETA and WSG will work together to support:

• Capacity building of Senior Management Services in the public service.
• Emerging and mid-level public service leaders, particularly in rural and under-resourced areas;
• Youth, women, and persons with disabilities, ensuring inclusive access to public administration and governance programmes; and
• Evidence-informed policy and practice, by translating research into practical tools and frameworks for public sector institutions.
• Strengthening the capacity of government communication

This initiative complements national priorities to build an ethical, developmental, and citizen-centred state, and aligns closely with the Public Sector Professionalisation Framework, the NDP 2030, and NSDP 2030. It also reinforces the government’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of the public service as a critical lever for socio-economic transformation.

Stakeholders, public service professionals, and sector partners are encouraged to support and engage with this partnership as PSETA and WSG roll out joint programmes, research projects, and policy dialogues over the coming years.