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The National School of Government (NSG) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the secondment of academic personnel of the UJ to the NSG during their sabbatical leave.

The MoU enables UJ scholars to pursue education and research in line with the education, training and development (ETD) initiatives at the NSG for the duration of their sabbaticals. This MOU will promote knowledge exchange and resource support and will greatly enhance the NSG’s interventions in improving state capacity. 

The Minister for Public Service and Administration, Ms Noxolo Kiviet, has hailed the agreement as a progressive partnership towards the professionalisation of the public service since the academics are expected to contribute to education, training and development programmes at the NSG. Said the Minister: “Building an ethical, capable developmental state is an apex priority of government. Such a partnership will go a long way towards the achievement of this goal”.

Said Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg (UJ): 

“I am delighted to announce the secondment of our esteemed academic personnel to the prestigious National School of Government during their sabbatical. This opportunity will not only enrich their own research and teaching expertise but also contribute to the advancement of public administration and governance practices in the country. We believe that this collaboration will pave way for greater innovation, knowledge-sharing, and academic excellence in the field. Our commitment to fostering partnerships with leading institutions such as the NSG underscores our dedication to creating a positive societal impact and shaping future leaders in the public service”.

The Principal of the NSG, Prof Busani Ngcaweni, welcomed the agreement and said the NSG looks forward to the benefit that the public sector will derive from this development. “Academics will be able to share their expertise and gain practical experience of how the public service works, through being stationed in a government department for a period. Government departments will also gain a lot from the expertise and research capacity of the academic personnel”.

Prof Ngcaweni said the NSG would explore the conclusion of a similar agreement with higher education institutions as well to expand the pool from which government will benefit.

Issued by GCIS on behalf of the National School of Government