The Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa ("ABASA") Public Sector Forum will hosts a two part webinar for Building a Capable, Ethical, and Developmental State in the month of October 2021.

The Mission of ABASA is to embark on programmes and activities that redress inequalities and create access and opportunities for black South Africans in the accounting profession.

The ABASA Public Sector Forum aims to strengthen the call for the professionalizing of the public sector as part of the Transformation Mandate of the ABASA Strategic plan.

With the adoption of the National Development Plan: 2030, there has been a rise in discourse around the need for professionalization of public service. In conjunction with the NDP: 2030, the Medium-Term Strategic Framework has highlighted the need for the professionalization and has even taken a step further to commit to this noble cause to build a capable, ethical, and developmental state.

A capable state is best placed to respond to changes and harness opportunities for development. Such states value innovation, human capital and merit. They emphasise economic performance, education, healthcare and infrastructure.

What remains in question, however, is how do we proceed to professionalise our public service? To drive professionalization of public service there is a need to adequately treat the symptomatic challenges that persist within government. However, the need for the creation of an enabling environment remains critical to success in this regard.

ABASA through its strategic mandate and collaboration with other accounting and auditing professional bodies can positively contribute to strengthening the accounting, financial and performance management, governance, and reporting disciplines within public administration. With our collective bespoke skill set, we are well positioned to drive necessary transformation and assist government, public service, and organs of state in ascending to their desired level of maturity.