Pretoria, South Africa – September 18, 2025 – September is recognised nationwide as Public Service Month, a time to reflect on, celebrate, and honour the commitment of public servants who dedicate their lives to building a safer, more accountable, and people-centred South Africa. The Department of Community Safety has proudly aligned itself with this important commemoration, which also coincides with Safety Month, reinforcing the Department’s mission of safeguarding communities and ensuring the well-being of all citizens.

Theme for 2025: Building Trust Through Professionalism

The central theme of this year’s observance, “Professionalising the Public Service to Build Trust and Restore Confidence in Government,” underscores the critical role of ethics, accountability, and delivery in strengthening public confidence.

Public trust, as the Department emphasises, cannot be won through words alone. It is earned through visible commitment, ethical behaviour, and consistent service delivery. Every public servant is therefore called upon to embody this theme through their daily actions and decisions, ensuring government remains responsive, reliable, and people-focused.

Batho Pele Principles: A Moral Compass for Service Delivery

At the heart of Public Service Month lies the reaffirmation of the Batho Pele principles, meaning “People First.” These principles are more than guidelines – they are a pledge from government to its citizens that services will be delivered with transparency, dignity, efficiency, and inclusivity.

Key Batho Pele principles include:

• Consultation: engaging citizens in decision-making processes.

• Courtesy: treating every person with dignity and respect.

• Openness and transparency: ensuring clear communication and access to information.

• Redress: addressing service failures fairly and promptly.

• Equity: guaranteeing services reach even the most marginalised communities.

• Value for money: managing public resources responsibly for maximum benefit.

When implemented consistently, these principles create a responsive, accountable, and people-centred government – one that places citizens at the heart of governance.

A Time for Reflection and Recommitment

Public Service Month is not just a ceremonial celebration. It is a period of reflection, accountability, and renewed commitment to effective governance. Departments across all spheres of government are encouraged to assess progress, confront challenges, and strengthen the bond between state and citizens.

The Department of Community Safety emphasises that when communities are heard, treated with dignity, and provided with quality services, government becomes a living expression of democracy in action. By upholding these values, public servants directly contribute to social stability, trust in institutions, and long-term development.

Beyond September: Living the Spirit of Batho Pele Every Day

The Department has reminded officials that Batho Pele is not limited to one month of the year. Instead, it is a daily commitment to professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct.

“Putting People First must move beyond being a slogan,” the Department noted. “It must be lived in every corridor of government, in every decision taken, and in every interaction with citizens.”

This year’s Public Service Month therefore serves as both a celebration and a challenge: to ensure that the principles of inclusivity, dignity, and accountability define the character of South Africa’s public service – not just in words, but in measurable actions.