Minister for the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, delivered a powerful keynote address at the 19th Public Sector Innovation Conference (#2025PSIConference), hosted by the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI). The event, held under the theme “Citizen-Centric Digital Transformation,” marked a pivotal moment for South Africa’s public sector as it pushes for inclusive and accessible digital governance.
In his speech, Minister Buthelezi emphasized that digital transformation should not be treated as a mere theme but as a fundamental shift in how public services are designed. “We must design around life events, not departmental silos, ensuring that both rural and urban citizens access services with equal ease,” he said. He stressed that digital transformation must become the “default fabric of governance,” accessible to all, whether in Pretoria, Cape Town, Dannhauser, or eMzimkhulu, and not just a privilege for the tech-savvy.
The Minister praised the CPSI for its role as a catalyst in moving innovation from pilot projects to everyday public service delivery. He highlighted the organization’s resilience, particularly during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, in fostering innovative solutions to improve service delivery across South Africa.
Buthelezi also paid tribute to CPSI’s Acting Executive Director, Ms. Lydia Sebokedi, for her visionary leadership. “Under Ms. Sebokedi’s guidance, CPSI has grown from a child of promise into an adult of impact,” he said. He noted that her legacy has positioned CPSI to drive meaningful change, marking the 19th conference as a defining moment when the organization “truly came of age.”
The conference, attended by public officials, private sector representatives, academics, and civil society, also featured a Developer Convention (DevCon) to foster collaboration among ICT practitioners.
