RESIDENTS must voice their concerns and hold public servants accountable for any lack of service delivery.
That was the heart of the Batho Pele presentation at Hlanganani Community Hall in eSikhaleni.
Batho Pele – meaning ‘people first’, is a programme aimed at transforming the culture and attribute of the public service, and improving service delivery.
It is an initiative to get public servants to be service oriented, striving for excellence and committing to continuous improvement.
Speaking to ward committees, councillors and other community leaders, City of uMhlathuze Municipaly Manager, Dr Nhlanhla Sibeko, encouraged public servants to promote high professional ethics and respond to people’s needs.
‘To improve the face of service delivery we need to adopt new attitudes and put people first.
‘We need to commit ourselves and treat them with respect – regardless of who they are.
‘We encourage the public to report bad service. And it is also our responsibility to follow up all cases and hold people accountable.
‘This initiative is to renew the sense of commitment to the people,’ said Sibeko.
During his presentation, Mhlathuze Batho Pele Committee Chairperson, Themba Phahla, encouraged public participation in policy making and highlighted eight Batho Pele principles.
‘These principles include consultation, service standards, access, courtesy, information, openness and transparency, redress and value for money from a public administration.
‘It is about making sure that customers are aware of, and exercise, their rights.
‘To thrive in the implementation of Batho Pele, it is important to identify the customer; establish the customer’s needs and priorities; establish the current service baseline; identify the improvement gap; set service standards, gear up and monitor delivery,’ said Phahla.
Deputy Mayor Vera Gumbi and municipal Speaker Mduduzi Mhlongo were also part of the community campaign.
