Professionalisation of the Public Sector
A focus on supply chain and procurement.
Author
Arusha Dasrath
Date published
June 4, 2025
Categories
Compliance &
Gcobisa Mashegoana,
Senior Manager SCM,
ESKOM
At the 2nd Annual Africa Supply Chain Optimisation Conference Gcobisa Mashegoana delivered a timely and impactful session on the need to professionalise the public sector in South Africa, with a strong emphasis on supply chain and procurement functions. Speaking from experience and with deep knowledge of current frameworks, she outlined the structural, cultural, and capacity-related reforms required to build a capable, ethical, and performance-driven state.
Her presentation centred on the National Framework Towards the Professionalisation of the Public Sector, approved in 2022, which aims to strengthen the state’s capacity through qualified, competent, and skilled personnel. In her words, procurement is not just a function — it is “the heartbeat of public sector spending”, commanding over 22% of South Africa’s GDP. Yet it often operates with insufficient recognition, fragmented positioning, and a shortage of formally trained professionals.
Gcobisa unpacked the framework’s five pillars, which collectively focus on appointing the right people, strengthening recruitment and onboarding processes, improving performance management, investing in learning and development, and fostering ethical conduct. She stressed that professionalising procurement must go beyond compliance, it must address mindset, behaviours, and institutional culture.
She highlighted how political interference, lack of accountability, and skills mismatches have historically undermined the public sector’s performance. Gcobisa argued that for the sector to meet its constitutional mandate and development goals, particularly the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, procurement needs to be elevated as a recognised and respected profession.
The session also focused on capacity-building strategies from defining clear career pathways for supply chain practitioners to institutional reforms that promote visibility and leadership within public organisations. She encouraged professionals to take ownership of their careers and called for structured collaboration among stakeholders to drive change at both the organisational and national levels.
Gcobisa concluded by urging the supply chain community to organise, advocate, and lead from the front. With collaboration and courage, the sector can shift from being seen as an administrative function to becoming a strategic enabler of public value and national development.
Her presentation centred on the National Framework Towards the Professionalisation of the Public Sector, approved in 2022, which aims to strengthen the state’s capacity through qualified, competent, and skilled personnel. In her words, procurement is not just a function — it is “the heartbeat of public sector spending”, commanding over 22% of South Africa’s GDP. Yet it often operates with insufficient recognition, fragmented positioning, and a shortage of formally trained professionals.
Gcobisa unpacked the framework’s five pillars, which collectively focus on appointing the right people, strengthening recruitment and onboarding processes, improving performance management, investing in learning and development, and fostering ethical conduct. She stressed that professionalising procurement must go beyond compliance, it must address mindset, behaviours, and institutional culture.
She highlighted how political interference, lack of accountability, and skills mismatches have historically undermined the public sector’s performance. Gcobisa argued that for the sector to meet its constitutional mandate and development goals, particularly the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, procurement needs to be elevated as a recognised and respected profession.
The session also focused on capacity-building strategies from defining clear career pathways for supply chain practitioners to institutional reforms that promote visibility and leadership within public organisations. She encouraged professionals to take ownership of their careers and called for structured collaboration among stakeholders to drive change at both the organisational and national levels.
Gcobisa concluded by urging the supply chain community to organise, advocate, and lead from the front. With collaboration and courage, the sector can shift from being seen as an administrative function to becoming a strategic enabler of public value and national development.