Transformation in the Department: briefing

Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
24 October 2001
TRANSFORMATION IN THE DEPARTMENT: BRIEFING

Chairperson: Mr D J Sithole

Documents handed out
Strategic Plan of Department of Foreign Affairs (Powerpoint presentation)

SUMMARY
The focus of the briefing was to outline the department’s strategic plan in dealing with the transformation process. The Director General, Mr S M Pityana, stated that a team had been established to oversee the transformation process. The challenges facing the department were also dealt with in the presentation.

By the end of the briefing it was agreed that the department had made significant strides in the transformation process. In comparison to the previous year’s briefings, it was acknowledged that the department had made good progress.

MINUTES
Strategic Plan – Input by Director General
· There were a number of transformation issues highlighted in the DG presentation. These issues are carefully laid out in the Powerpoint presentation. The key objectives of the department, as well as the need for institutional realignment are extensively discussed. The decrease in budget and staff were given as prove of the capacity gaps being experienced by the department. The need for Employment Equity was also stressed as being a major transformation challenge. In this regard, the changing demographic and gender make-up of the department was carefully outlined.
· Another area extensively covered by the DG was the changes in departmental structures. It was pointed out the new branches of the department were in accordance with the aligned structure of the overall strategic plan. The DG carefully outlined the reasoning behind the realignment of certain branches and also underlined why particular regions were important to South African foreign relations. Key areas were as follows:
- Africa and Middle East branches been integrated into one. The reasoning was that both regions were key priority for the Millennium Africa Plan (MAP) and the New Africa Initiative (NAI).
- Increased focus on the Asia and Australasia regions. It was recognised that there were growing trade opportunities in the region, particularly China and Japan. Importantly, Japan was also willing to assist in the NAI.
- Multilateral relations (Economic and Social Development). This branch had an important role to play to ensure South African policy was consistent at international organisations such as the WTO, IMF and WHO etc. It was also noted that this branch had the important responsibility of ensuring that it interacted with over government departments e.g. trade and industry.
- Corporate Services. This was another branch that had been restructured. This was done to ensure the successful implementation of a new financial management system.

· The DG then went on to deal with a number of other issues. These included; the status of SA diplomatic missions; role clarification within head office; capacity building; information technology upgrading; and accommodation arrangements for the department. All these issues are elaborated on in the powerpoint presentation.

Questions and Comments
Ms F. Hajaij (ANC) asked what was being done to ensure that Africa was given priority status? Were more missions being opened around Africa?

The DG replied that there was definitely a need for more missions in Africa. Currently, there were 27 missions in Africa and also 27 in Europe by way of comparison. However, there was definitely room for improvement as some of the African missions had as few as three staff. There needed to be capacity raising at these types of missions in Africa.

Mr Z. Madasa (ACDP) asked whether the accommodation problems being experienced by the department could not be solved through cooperation with the department of public works?

The DG answered that there had been extensive cooperation with public works. There was a general agreement to work towards the construction of one building that housed the whole department. However, due to budgetary constraints this plan was pushed back to 2004. In the meantime there had been a consolidation of the current buildings housing the department.

Mr B. Geldenhuys (NNP) asked whether a list of the grading of SA diplomatic missions could be made available?

The DG responded that it was difficult to establish this list as the missions were ever-changing.

Ms F. Mahomed (ANC) asked what transformation processes had been put in place at the training institute?
The DG answered that there had been a great emphasis placed on training. The training institute was now a separate entity that focused on the training of diplomats. The institute was looking into using frameworks to fast track training. Increasing emphasis was also being placed on the importance of foreign language training.

Ms F. Hajaij asked for more detail about the training programme, particularly with reference to the training of groups that took part in the liberation struggle.

The DG responded that a number people from the liberation movement had been identified as needing training. Another problem was the integration of the former TBVC states staff. With training the objective was to ensure that there was the creation of a new set of core diplomats, equipped with the skills to effectively advance the objectives of the department.

It was asked how the strategic plan reflected Africa as being a key priority area of foreign policy? Secondly, it was asked whether university graduates trained in international relations were being accommodated in the training programmes? Thirdly, it was asked whether the employment equity was a line function of human resources?

The DG answered that the Strategic Plan clearly highlighted Africa as a priority area. It was stated that South Africa should use its position to advance the cause of the continent.
In terms of the training the DG said that the most important thing was that aspiring diplomats were trained to behave in a certain way. These trainees needed to learn to balance their intellectual capabilities within certain limits. This is why some university graduates were not necessarily appropriate for the training programmes.
Thirdly, the DG pointed out that employment equity had caused a great deal of uncertainty amongst staff in the department. Therefore, the matter was being dealt with very sensitively.

Mr C. Eglin (DP) asked as to whether there had been a shift in policy away from the promotion of good governance, democracy and the rule of law? He asked this, as the Strategic Plan seemed to make no reference to these previously well documented objectives.

The DG replied that the entire plan reaffirmed the government’s promotion of these ideals. A larger document was available that spelt out in more detail South Africa’s commitment to these ideals. The example of the NAI was given to demonstrate how South Africa recognised the inter-relatedness of good governance and economic development. Therefore, there was no change in approach – good governance was still very important.

The meeting was then adjourned.