Morolong tells public servants: stay politically impartial as 4 November elections approach

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong has told government communicators that political impartiality is not optional as the country heads toward the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026.

Speaking at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Public Service Day commemoration in Pretoria on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, Morolong said the demands on government communicators will increase exponentially during the election period.

“During this period, citizens rely on government communication channels for information about services, programmes and government activities. It is therefore essential that we continue to provide information that is factual, accessible and responsive to the needs of the public,” he said.

“At the same time, we must remain mindful of an important principle that underpins our work: government communication must always be politically impartial.”

The Deputy Minister framed public service itself as something larger than employment. “Public service is more than a profession. It is a calling and a responsibility. It is a commitment to place the needs of our people at the centre of everything we do,” he said.

He said that regardless of role, public servants share a responsibility to contribute to the wellbeing, development and prosperity of South Africa, and that the vocation is rooted in the principles of Batho Pele, putting people first. “Above all, we must never lose sight of who we serve and why we serve,” he said.

Public Service Month is recognised annually in September. Morolong described it as both a celebration and a call to action, saying it recognises the contribution of public servants while challenging them to improve how they serve. He called for stronger performance and for upholding professionalism, integrity, accountability and compassion.

Turning to the GCIS mandate, he said communication is inextricably linked to effective service delivery, and that citizens can only fully access government opportunities and programmes when they are empowered with accurate, timely and relevant facts.

He described the GCIS as sitting at the intersection of policy and the people it is meant to serve, calling it the voice, the bridge and at times the first responder when citizens ask what government is doing, how it affects their lives and whether they can trust the message. Every communication product, he said, from a media statement to a community engagement or social media post, has the potential to help citizens make informed decisions and access opportunities.

Dr Patrick Sokhela, Acting Deputy Director-General for Government Services Access and Improvement at the Department of Public Service and Administration, used the same platform to press public servants to go beyond the call of duty.

“From our point of view, the whole year should be like today in terms of how as public servants value who we are and can then extend that to the citizens that you’re supposed to serve,” he said.

Sokhela said the job description is only the starting point. “It basically means that we go out to those that are less privileged. Once one of the auditors have signed, it doesn’t mean that people have water. The books are signed but it does not or may not always translate to people having the services. That’s where you and me are coming in,” he said.

He said he will report on the day to the next cabinet committee meeting and wants the approach replicated nationally. “I would like to take the spirit here. That it should be recognised and we should take it together throughout the country,” he said.

The GCIS clean audit outcome for the year was acknowledged at the event by Nathan Lawnet of the Office of the Auditor-General SA, who said retaining a clean audit is harder than earning one. He attributed it to leadership that supports the environment, sets an ethical tone and acts on financial management, alongside finance, supply chain management and user departments that understand their roles, spend within budget and report timely and accurately.

Heritage Month, also marked in September, was part of the day’s programme. Mava Mothiba from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture told officials that heritage is not static but the dynamic, ever-changing daily lives that carry it, naming practices, languages and indigenous medicines as knowledge passed between generations. He said heritage studies have produced largely Eurocentric perspectives, but that progress is being made, and encouraged officials to identify living heritage figures in their own families and communities who need to be interviewed.

A moment of silence was held to honour the victims of gender-based violence and femicide, reinforcing government’s stated stance of standing together against the scourge. Officials wore traditional dress, exhibitors displayed their wares and rendered services, and individual and team stand-out performances from the year were recognised with awards.

Source: SAnews (South African Government News Agency), Public service a vital calling - DM Morolong, https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/public-service-vital-calling-dm-morolong. This report is based on the government news agency’s account of the event.