Last night, June 5, 2025, Minister for the Public Service and Administration Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi hosted Mr. Aidan Eyakuze, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), in a meet-and-greet meeting.
The meeting, which took place in Pretoria, marked an important step in fostering collaboration between South Africa and the OGP.
Launched in 2011, the OGP is a voluntary global initiative encouraging transparency, accountability, and innovation. Its policies and processes involve nearly 80 member countries and civil society partners, representing more than two billion people.
As South Africa’s designated OGP Focal Point, Minister Buthelezi was accompanied by senior officials from the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), including Acting Director-General Mr. Willie Vukela and Acting Deputy Director-General for Government Service Access and Improvement Dr. Patrick Sokhela. South African OGP civil society stakeholders were represented by Ms. Zukiswa Kota of the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM), Ms. Moira Campell of Corruption Watch, and Mr. Paul Plantinga of the Human Sciences Research Council.
“Our commitment to the mission of the OGP is a given. South Africa is a founding member of the OGP, which makes the OGP our baby, and it is in our best interest to see it succeed and make an impact,” said Minister Inkosi Buthelezi.
The engagement with the OGP CEO and South African civil society representatives reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the principles of open governance, transparency, and improved public service delivery, while also strengthening its international partnerships in public administration.
“The OGP is a mechanism for restoring trust between citizens and governments that is eroding across the world for all sorts of reasons,” said OGP CEO Mr. Eyakuze.
Expressing his pleasure that South Africa was the first official country he visited since becoming OGP CEO in January 2025, Mr. Eyakuze also praised the country for its “leadership not only on the African continent but also globally on a number of important issues.” The two leaders agreed to continue strengthening collaboration through future engagement.
