School of Public Management and Administration, University of Pretoria

SPMA STAFF SHINE AT THE EMS AWARDS 2026

The School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its academic staff at the EMS Awards 2026 hosted by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of Pretoria.

Our colleagues were recognised for their excellence in research, thought leadership and contribution to academia:

🏆 Prof Natasja Holtzhausen received the Senior Newsmaker of the Year Award, recognising her significant impact and visibility in the media. The award was accepted on her behalf by Prof Gerda van Dijk, Head of the School of Public Management and Administration.

🏆 Prof Adrino Mazenda was awarded Best Senior Researcher in Management Sciences, while Prof Tyanai Masiya was recognised as the Runner-up in the same category.

🏆 Dr Mary Mangai received the award for Best Junior Researcher in Management Sciences, with Dr Stellah Lubinga named Runner-up.

These accolades reflect the depth of talent, dedication and scholarly excellence within SPMA. Through impactful research, public engagement and academic leadership, our staff continue to advance knowledge, influence policy and contribute to strengthening governance and public administration in South Africa and beyond.

Congratulations to all our award recipients on this well-deserved recognition. Your achievements inspire our students, colleagues and the broader academic community.

DR MARY MANGAI FACILITATES PUBLIC VALUE GOVERNANCE TRAINING FOR KWAZULU-NATAL PUBLIC SERVANTS

Dr Mary Mangai, recently facilitated sessions on Public Value Governance as part of a leadership and governance empowerment programme for senior and middle managers in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government.

The programme, delivered through a partnership between government and academic institutions, focused on strengthening leadership, governance, collaboration and service delivery within the public sector.

Through interactive discussions, case studies and practical exercises, Dr Mangai guided participants in exploring how public servants can move beyond policy compliance to create meaningful public value for citizens. Participants engaged with concepts such as public value creation, collaborative governance, citizen engagement and ethical leadership, while identifying practical ways to apply these principles within their own departments.

The sessions encouraged public managers to reflect on how government programmes can contribute to improved outcomes, stronger public trust and more responsive service delivery. Feedback from participants highlighted the value of translating governance theory into practical tools that can support change and innovation in the public service.

As a facilitator, Dr Mangai played a key role in bridging academic knowledge and practical governance challenges. Drawing on her expertise in public management and governance, she equipped participants with frameworks and tools to critically assess their work, strengthen decision-making and develop citizen-centred solutions. Her contribution reflects the School of Public Management and Administration's commitment to supporting public sector leaders and advancing effective, ethical and impactful governance across South Africa.

RESET@50 – THE FUTURE CALLS: HONOURING THE LEGACY OF THE YOUTH OF 1976
As South Africa commemorates Youth Day on 16 June, we honour the courage, resilience, and determination of the young people of 1976 whose actions helped shape the future of our nation.

This year's Youth Month theme, "RESET@50 – The Future Calls", challenges us to reflect on the progress made over the past 50 years while addressing the barriers that continue to limit opportunities for many young people. It reminds us that investing in education, skills development, innovation, and economic inclusion is not only a responsibility but a national imperative.

As we remember the sacrifices of the youth of Soweto, let us also commit to creating pathways that enable today's youth to thrive, lead, and contribute meaningfully to South Africa's future.

The future calls. May we answer by empowering the next generation to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and equitable society.

SOUTH AFRICA’S PUBLIC SERVICE REFORMS UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT AT SPMA

On 27 May 2026, the School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA), in collaboration with the New South Institute (NSI) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, hosted a thought-provoking seminar on “South Africa’s Third Transition: Public Service Reform in Practice,” facilitated by Ms Yoliswa Makhasi, former Director-General of the Department of Public Service and Administration and Research Fellow at NSI.

The seminar brought together academics, governance experts, and public sector practitioners to unpack the future of public service reform in South Africa, following the recent signing of the Public Service Amendment Act.

Key discussions highlighted the urgent need for:

● A stronger pipeline of young public sector leaders
● Strategic talent management and mentorship systems
● Workforce planning for a capable, professional public service
● Evidence-based reforms to strengthen accountability and governance

Drawing on PERSAL data, Dr Ivor Chipkin (NSI Director) raised concerns about the ageing public service workforce, noting the limited number of Senior Management Service (SMS) officials under 40. He proposed a National Public Management Development Programme to develop young talent through structured graduate rotations and mentorship by outgoing senior leaders.

Prof Albert Wöcke (GIBS) highlighted the growing attrition of professional nurses in South Africa, arguing that weak talent management systems within government are contributing to
the loss of critical skills in the public sector.

Prof Gerda van Dijk emphasised the need for strategic talent pipelines, mentoring systems, and future-oriented workforce planning, while Prof Somadoda Fikeni reflected on the challenge of leadership transitions and the lack of skills transfer from outgoing to incoming public sector leaders.

The seminar reinforced the importance of bold, practical reforms to build a more effective and accountable public service.

CELEBRATING THE SPIRIT OF AFRICA

Africa Day, celebrated annually on 25 May, commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, now known as the African Union (AU). The day serves as an opportunity for Africans across the continent and around the world to celebrate Africa’s rich cultural heritage, diversity, achievements, and continued progress toward unity and development.

Africa Day reminds us that achieving the goals of Agenda 2063 requires collaboration between governments, institutions, communities, and young people. It is through shared responsibility, innovation, and inclusive leadership that Africa can continue to grow and create opportunities for future generations.

Happy Africa Day 2026!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SPMA 2026 AWARD WINNERS

The School of Public Management and Administration proudly celebrated the achievements of our exceptional students at the SPMA Awards 2026.

Congratulations to the following award recipients:

⭐ Malesela Lucas Madiba - Best Achievement in Public Administration on the First Year Level

⭐ Rendani Magodi – Best Achievement in Public Administration on the Second Year Level

⭐ Hazel Tibane – Best Achievement in Public Administration on the Third Year Level

⭐ Samkelisiwe Jennifer Ngwabi – Best Overall Achievement in the Honours Degree in Public Administration

⭐ Simon Akook – Best Overall Achievement in the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management

⭐ Wandile Khumalo – Best Overall Achievement in the Compulsory Coursework of the MPA Degree in Public Administration

⭐ Daniela Domingues – Best Overall Achievement in Masters in Administration Research

We also celebrate our PhD graduates recognised for their outstanding achievement in completing their degrees:

⭐ Dr Kangwa Mwilwa – PhD in Public Policy

⭐ Dr Lerato Sono – PhD in Public Administration and Management

⭐ Dr Saeeda Ismail – PhD in Public Administration and Management

⭐ Dr Thomas Stephanus Willemse – PhD in Public Administration and Management

Your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to academic excellence continue to make the School proud. Congratulations once again on these remarkable achievements.

EXPLORING SOUTH AFRICA’S THIRD TRANSITION

The School of Public Management and Administration at the University of Pretoria is proud to partner with the The New South Institute and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung for an important seminar on South Africa’s Third Transition: Public Service Reform in Practice.

Join us on 27 May from 10:00 as leading scholars and policy experts reflect on the implications of the newly signed Public Service Amendment Act and explore what current reforms mean for accountability, professionalisation, succession planning, and the future of state capacity in South Africa.

RSVPs can be submitted at the following link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=OX6CQe2R30Oizpnel4p6_DoGZPzfaoNPkVE2j-0JNuZUMEVLT1k1TlZMOFJCVkdYRzc5NFVZUFZNMy4u&route=shorturl

BADMIN@TUKS STUDENTS ENGAGE IN SOUTH AFRICA–CHINA DIALOGUE AT THE CHINESE EMBASSY

On 7 May 2026, students from BAdmin@Tuks had the privilege of attending an insightful engagement at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. The visit served as a continuation of the special dialogue on South Africa–China bilateral relations, BRICS cooperation, and cultural exchanges previously hosted at the SPMA Leadership Centre on 26 September 2025.

The engagement focused on South-South Cooperation in a Multilateral World and featured two facilitated discussions centred on strengthening cooperation among developing nations within the current global landscape, as well as China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries with a particular emphasis on youth participation.

A major highlight of the visit was the participation of BAdmin@Tuks students in the zero-tariff dialogue. Discussions explored how South Africa can strategically utilise this opportunity not only to increase the export of raw materials, but also to advance industrialisation and expand the export of finished products. This approach was recognised as a crucial step towards moving the country higher up the value chain while creating sustainable employment opportunities for future generations.

SPMA would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China for engaging with our students and creating such a valuable platform for dialogue and learning.

The experience was both insightful and inspiring, and we are grateful for the opportunity to participate in meaningful discussions on global cooperation, development, and the role of youth in shaping the future.

Whether you graduated a few years ago or quite some time back, you’ll always be part of the SPMA community.

We’re currently updating our alumni database to stay connected, learn more about where your journey has taken you, and create more opportunities to engage with our incredible network of graduates.

Click below to update your information:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWhU1WPBRV4qI0PzK19dOBZYaZoRbsfdana6Bh5b7metg2bg/viewform

Your response will help us:
✨ Stay in touch and share relevant updates
✨ Celebrate the achievements of our alumni
✨ Build a stronger, more connected SPMA network

Looking forward to reconnecting with you.