Public Services & Government

The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) regulates the medical schemes industry governed by the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998. A state entity reporting to the Minister of Health, CMS' mandate is to protect the interests of the beneficiaries at all times as well as control and coordinate the functioning of medical schemes in a manner that is complementary with national health policy. The CMS makes recommendations to the Minister on criteria for the measurement of quality and outcomes of the relevant health services provided for by the medical schemes, and such other services as the Council may from time to time determine. The Council investigates complaints and settles disputes in relation to the affairs of medical schemes as provided for in this Act, as well as collects and disseminates information about private healthcare. The CMS makes rules, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, for the purpose of the performance of its functions and exercise of its powers. The Council advises the Minister on any matter concerning medical schemes and performs any other functions conferred on the Council by the Minister or by this Act.

The College of Cape Town for TVET is the oldest Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institution in South Africa with a proud history dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. Four former technical colleges, Athlone College, Cape College, Sivuyile College and Western Province Technical College were officially merged on 1 February 2002 to become the College of Cape Town. This arose from a rationalisation in TVET Colleges in which some 150 colleges around the country were reduced to about 50. The College of Cape Town for TVET is a public TVET College which falls under the auspices of the Department of Higher Education and Training. The College mandate is to provide inclusive quality vocational education and training responsive to the labour market. The College has eight delivery sites or campuses that service students mostly situated in the central area of the Cape Peninsula, and serves the greater Cape Town Metropolitan region, including a large percentage of the previously disadvantaged areas and townships (rural and peri-urban areas). All campuses, including the Central Office, are based in the Central Metropole region of Cape Town and are located within an approximate 20km radius. The Central Office is located in Kent Street, Salt River. All campuses are accessible by public transport - bus, My-Citi bus, Metrorail and taxi. Although the majority of the students hail from the greater Cape Town metropolitan region, students from other regions of South Africa, Namibia and African countries and many countries abroad, are accepted. Courses offered lead to recognised accredited qualifications that are in high demand by commerce and industry. The College offers an extensive range of programmes, including National Certificate Vocational (NCV) on Levels 2 to 4, NATED Report 191 on N4 to N6, National N Diploma, Occupational Qualifications on Level 1 to 5, Short Skills and other Skills Programmes, Learnerships, Artisan Related Learning Programmes (ARLP) and Trade Testing. The College also offers Higher Education programmes in partnership with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), a Higher Certificate in Information Communication Technology. The College strives to provide high-quality education and training to equip learners with the qualifications and skills needed to start on a chosen career path. There are various support services offered to students including academic support, work-integrated learning, health and wellness services, sport and recreation. It is the vision of the College of Cape Town to be the preferred provider of Education and Training. Its mission is to be an institution of excellence that develops the potential of clients through quality education and training in response to the skills development needs of the country. Its values are: respect for the diversity of others; honesty in our dealings and services; transparency in our operations; caring for people; teamwork; commitment towards excellence and quality; empowerment through the development and growth of people to reach their full potential; and embracing change.

Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)

The vision of the Free State Department of Treasury is to be an innovative and resilient partner in prudent fiscal management, socio-economic growth and service delivery. The mission of the Department is to promote socio-economic inclusiveness for shared growth through innovative fiscal management, sustainable resource management, and good governance. The actions of every Provincial Treasury employee will be guided by the following values and principles: accountability - they will honour their commitments, take responsibility and act in a transparent manner; assertiveness - they will be honest, firm and decisive in their interaction with stakeholders; collaboration - they will be considerate in working with their stakeholders to realise shared goals; they will be devoted, dedicated and involved; professionalism - they will continuously develop their knowledge, skills and competency, and will deliver high quality work and behave politely; integrity - they will conduct themselves with uncompromising standards and principles as individuals, as teams and as a department.

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 mission of the Free State Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is the coordination, provision and promotion of infrastructure, and the sound management of assets. The Department's core functions are the design, construction and maintenance of social and economic infrastructure; management of provincial government owned property; facilitation of rented property; provision of provincial government office accommodation; coordination, implementation and monitoring of the Expanded Public Works Programme; and security for interdepartmental buildings. The Department's key functional areas include the construction, maintenance and upgrading of a sustainable social and economic infrastructure; development and sustaining of small and emerging contractors; empowerment of the targeted groups; demand for integrated accommodation for all provincial government departments; attainment of government's broad socio-economic objectives (property incubator programme); need for norms and standards for spatial allocation/utilisation of office space; need for increased revenue generation; and administration of rental payments.

The mission of the Gauteng Department of Community Safety is to improve public safety in the province, specifically through monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of policing agencies; effective implementation and promotion of appropriate social crime prevention initiatives; providing excellent traffic management services; coordination of efforts and programmes in the criminal justice system; educating and empowering citizens on issues of public safety and coordinating community safety initiatives; improving and strengthening relations between the police and communities; and determining community policing needs and priorities in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution. The Department's strategic goals are to ensure excellent practices in order to deliver effectively on its mandate; improve service delivery through effective and efficient planning, monitoring and evaluation of organisational performance; provide good quality research and information; ensure continuous improvement in the quality of policing; strengthen community policing structures to improve relationships between communities and police; build and strengthen social movements against crime; mainstream and coordinate social crime prevention in all spheres of government; prevent violence against vulnerable groups; inform people about the work of the Department; and create a safe and secure road environment.

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 Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA) was established under the Auditing Profession Act 26 of 2005 (APA) as amended, and commenced operations in April 2006. It is mandated to protect the financial interests of the public by setting competency requirements for auditors, issuing standards and a code of ethics, monitoring compliance, and disciplining auditors, when necessary. The execution of its mandate ensures that the financial interests of investors are protected, and high-quality audits are delivered, which, in turn, provides confidence in and reliance on financial statements and consequential investments. Over and above the legislated mandate, one of the IRBA's main priority areas is restoring confidence and trust in the auditing profession through its revised five-year strategy. This plan is focused on improved audit quality, comprehensive stakeholder engagement that emphasises collaboration without compromising independence and with the view to promote broader reforms, as well as sustainability and the relevance of the profession and that of the regulator to deliver on its mandate more effectively and efficiently.

The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) is an organ of the South African Government, whose mandate is to uphold and protect the rights of all inmates who are incarcerated. JICS is responsible for the independent oversight of the Department of Correctional Services and must therefore report thereon to the Ministry of Justice, Correctional Services and the portfolio committee.

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 National Consumer Tribunal (NCT) was established in terms of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005. As an independent adjudicative entity, the Tribunal's mandate is to hear and decide on cases involving consumers, service providers, credit providers, debt counsellors and credit bureaux. The NCT is also responsible for reviewing decisions made by the National Credit Regulator and the National Consumer Commission.

The vision of of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) is to promote growth, equity and participation through social dialogue. NEDLAC's mission is to give effect to the Nedlac Act by ensuring effective public participation in the labour market and socio-economic policy and legislation, and to facilitate consensus and cooperation between government, labour, business and the community in dealing with South Africa's socio-economic challenges. The Nedlac Act requires the institution to: strive to promote the goals of economic growth, participation in economic decision-making and social equity; seek to reach consensus and conclude agreements on matters pertaining to social and economic policy; consider all proposed labour legislation relating to labour market policy before it is introduced in Parliament; encourage and promote the formulation of coordinated policy on social and economic matters; consider all significant changes to social and economic policy before it is implemented or introduced in Parliament; and consider socio-economic disputes in terms of Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act.