Public Services & Government in Pretoria

AgriSETA's vision is to enable a skilled, transformed and prosperous agricultural sector. Its mission is to increase access to relevant skills that are impact-driven through strategic partnerships and credible research, leading to inclusive economic growth. AgriSETA creates and promotes opportunities for social, economic and employment growth for agri-enterprises through relevant, quality and accessible education, training and development in both primary and secondary agriculture, in conjunction with other stakeholders in agriculture. The entity's scope covers the agricultural sector, from input services and activities on farms to first level processing activities on farms. In terms of the Skills Development Act, AgriSETA is responsible for the skills development of the agricultural workforce, employed and unemployed. AgriSETA facilitates the implementation of learning through learnerships, skills programmes, adult education and training, and tertiary studies or in-service training by allocating grants and bursaries. It also supports apprentices, interns and mentorships. To ensure the quality provision of education and training, the entity is also responsible for accrediting sector-specific training providers and for monitoring the standard of training presented.

The Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) conducts regularity audits of national and provincial government departments, identified public entities, municipalities and municipal entities (its clients or auditees). Furthermore, AGSA conducts discretionary audits, such as performance audits, special audits and investigations. Its audit reports are made public and are tabled in Parliament, provincial legislatures and municipal councils. In addition to these audit-specific reports, AGSA publishes general reports each year, in which it analyses the outcomes of the audits at national, provincial and municipal levels. Through its audit activities, AGSA plays an important role in enabling accountability and thus promoting sound financial governance practices in South Africa. It does this by providing independent assurance to the various legislatures on whether entities that use public funds have managed their financial affairs in line with sound financial principles, have complied with the relevant legal framework, and have provided credible information on the achievement of their financial and performance objectives. In this way, the elected representatives of the South African people are able to hold the executive and accounting authorities, officials and public entities accountable. Ultimately, AGSA's work empowers citizens to hold the custodians of public resources accountable. AGSA is accountable to the National Assembly, to which it reports annually on its activities and the performance of its functions by tabling the main accountability instruments, namely its strategic plan and budget and its annual report. The Standing Committee on the Auditor-General (SCoAG), established in terms of the Constitution and the PAA, oversees AGSA's performance on behalf of the National Assembly.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) was established in terms of Section 196 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. The PSC is supported by the Office of the Public Service Commission (OPSC), headed by the Director-General who is the Accounting Officer. The mission of the PSC is to promote the constitutionally enshrined democratic principles and values of the public service by investigating, researching, monitoring, evaluating, communicating and reporting on public administration. The Commission's functions are to: promote the constitutionally prescribed values and principles governing public administration in the public service; investigate, monitor and evaluate the organisation and administration, and the personnel practices, of the public service; propose measures to ensure effective and efficient performance within the public service; give directions aimed at ensuring that personnel procedures relating to recruitment, transfers, promotions and dismissals comply with the constitutionally prescribed values and principles; report in respect of its activities and the performance of its functions, including any finding it may make and directions and advice it may give, and provide an evaluation of the extent to which the constitutionally prescribed values and principles are complied with; either of its own accord or on receipt of any complaint, investigate and evaluate the application of personnel and public administration practices, and report to the relevant executive authority and legislature; investigate grievances of employees in the public service concerning official acts or omissions, and recommend appropriate remedies; monitor and investigate adherence to applicable procedures in the public service; and advise national and provincial organs of state regarding personnel practices in the public service, including those relating to the recruitment, appointment, transfer, discharge and other aspects of the careers of employees in the public service.

The vision of the Armaments Corporation of South Africa SOC Ltd (ARMSCOR) is to be the strategic partner of choice for defence and security solutions. Armscor is renowned for its acquisition expertise in providing defence turnkey solutions, which encompass technology development, product development and support, product upgrading, as well as disposal of equipment. Its research and development focuses on producing cutting-edge technology products. The organisation prides itself on maintaining high-quality international standards through rigorous testing and evaluation processes on all its technology management projects. Armscor is committed to driving creativity and innovation in collaboration with strategic partners. The organisation also provides marketing support to the South African Defence Industry (SADI).

The vision of the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) is to be the trusted leader in the provision of authentic, secure and quality driving licence cards. The Entity's mission is to: prioritise service delivery towards the satisfaction of all its clients; continuously evolve its delivery in line with technology and innovation; foster collaborative relationships with all relevant regulatory stakeholders; and inspire and empower human capital to nurture excellence.

The Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC) is a government component in terms of the Public Service Act, with a central mandate to assist organs of state in building their capacity for efficient, effective and transparent financial management. GTAC's long-term strategic intent is to be a centre of excellence in analytical, advisory, institutional development and programme management support to public sector institutions, to better manage and implement their mandates and consequently improve their quality of spend. This will be done through partnerships with academic and research centres focused on public sector management and training. Within the context of government's National Development Plan and medium-term strategic framework, GTAC seeks to contribute to building a capable and development-orientated state, while also strengthening capacity to work with the private sector in promoting growth, employment, infrastructure investment and public service delivery. The main functions and activities include: transaction advisory services; capital projects appraisal; institutional development support; and public expenditure and policy analysis.

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), together with the 12 professional boards under its ambit, is established to provide for control over the education, training and registration for practicing of health professions registered under the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974, as amended. In order to protect the public and guide the professions, the Council ensures practitioners uphold and maintain professional and ethical standards within the health professions.

The vision of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) is to be a leading advisory body for the government on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) within a well-coordinated, responsive and functioning National System of Innovation (NSI). Its mission is to provide evidence-based advice to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation and, through the Minister, Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) and Presidential Plenary for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), and the Cabinet, on STI matters, through research expertise and stakeholder engagement.

The National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA) was established by promulgation of the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act 43 of 1996. This piece of legislation transformed the former State Archives Service into a National Archives and Records Service whose mission, functions and structures reflect the South African democratic political order and imperatives. In essence, the mission of the National Archives and Records Service is to foster a national identity and the protection of rights by: preserving a national archival heritage for use by the government and people of South Africa; and promoting efficient, accountable and transparent government through the proper management and care of government records. The Act provides for a National Archives Advisory Council to advise the Minister and the Director General of Arts and Culture on any matter relating to the operation of the Act, and to advise the National Archivist on furthering the objects and functions of the National Archives. The other functions of the National Archives Advisory Council as contained in the Act are to: advise and consult with the South African Heritage Resources Agency on the protection of records forming part of the National Estate; consult with the Public Protector on investigations into unauthorised destruction of records otherwise protected under the Act; and submit a business plan annually to the Minister for his approval.

The vision of Northwest Transport Investments SOC Ltd (NTI) is to be a premier provider of sustainable transport services and investments in South Africa and beyond. The Entity was established in 1973 as a parastatal company solely owned by the North West Provincial Government. The NTI group, through its subsidiary Northwest Star, has been the primary source of transport in the North West Province since its inception during the days of the erstwhile Bophuthatswana. With the growth of the company, transport services were also extended to the provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng to thousands of commuters.