By: Oratile Matsapola
16 June 2025
The South African Association for Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM) recently had a meeting with the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) in Menlyn. The meeting explored potential partnership opportunities between the two organizations, with a focus on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and providing training for SAAPAM members.
During the meeting, CIG presented their Government Index Report. The report is a valuable tool for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to understand the complexities of governance and identify areas for improvement. The report is expected to be discussed at the upcoming 24th Annual conference of SAAPAM.
CIG’s primary focus is on providing training and consultancy services to senior government officials, with the aim of enhancing their capacity to govern effectively. Their services include training programs, capacity-building initiatives, and advisory services, all designed to support governments in achieving their development goals.
The proposed partnership between SAAPAM and CIG would see CIG’s experts facilitating short learning programs for public servants across Africa. These programs would cover a range of topics related to governance and public administration, with a focus on equipping participants with the skills and knowledge needed to drive development and improve service delivery.
According to SAAPAM’s Executive Director Prof John Molepo, “This partnership will be instrumental in helping our members participate in global spaces by developing policy writing skills, engaging in topical issues that could shape the ideational space and provide solutions to challenges faced by government, hence this partnership is welcomed as it is beneficial to our members”. This statement highlights the organization’s commitment to building the capacity of its members through strategic partnerships.
The partnership would also provide an opportunity for CIG to present their Government Index Report at the SAAPAM annual conference, which will provide insights into how countries operate in terms of governance and public administration. This would provide a platform for CIG to share their research findings with a wider audience and stimulate discussion on key governance issues affecting Africa.
The meeting was a positive step towards strengthening collaboration between SAAPAM and CIG. By working together, the two organizations can leverage their expertise and resources to support the development of more effective and efficient public sector institutions across Africa.
The proposed training programs and partnership would benefit public servants from various countries, providing them with valuable insights and skills to enhance their work. The partnership would also contribute to the development of more robust and resilient public sector institutions, ultimately leading to better governance and service delivery.
The meeting between SAAPAM and CIG marked the beginning of a promising partnership that could have a significant impact on the development of public administration in Africa.
