Leaders with an understanding of a difference between political and administrative challenges, with a willingness to consult whenever necessary before taking decisions, were highly vital for a vibrant public service.

He said results of a lack of consultation and community involvement were to be seen in the poor service of half-built houses and shoddy sanitary services, among others, throughout the country.

“People should be reaping real benefits of public service. This requires active practices to encourage and engage people in a meaningful way to participate in decision-making on services that directly affect them,” he added.

Ensuring good service delivery required a different approach and a new way of thinking on the part of public service practitioners,” he said.

Over whether politically appointed officials were to blame for poor public service delivery, he said qualification and appropriate skill, above anything else, are what counts in the appointment of public service administrators.

Mr Maseko said a partnership between government, academic institutions and civil society was critical in strengthening the capacity of the public service. The academic institutions need to look at the human resource needs of government and respond relevantly to them.

“My view is that government will be better served if we have qualified people to appoint, the job hopping is not helping government either, we need to improve on the human resource of government and also be able to retain our institutional memory.

“The issue of interns should not be a question, we owe it to our children to bring them in the work environment”.