By Shaun Benton

CAPE TOWN - In a move to improve the capacity of local government, a government delegation will be travelling to India this month to identify experts who have the skills to build capacity in the public service.

Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said the move was part of a broader "human resource development intervention" to boost skills levels in the public service.

A second phase of this strategy will see a "more comprehensive recruitment" of technical skills from India, the minister said, without providing figures on the actual numbers of skilled Indians who will be recruited to work in South Africa.

The emphasis for the short-term import of skills will be on mentorship so that skills transfers can take place while management capacity is built up, the minister said.

Financial and other technical skills are among the specific skills desired to boost capacity in local government, Fraser-Moleketi said.

She added that the Department of Communications had also provided a list of specific Information and Communication Technology skills that are required in the hardware and software fields, an area where India is a world leader.

Another intervention is a move to gather retired engineers from around South Africa who will pass on skills and experience to new engineering graduates, the minister said.

In a separate development, Fraser-Moleketi said the government has undertaken to provide R10,5-million to fighting corruption over a three-year period.

While departments have spent funds individually on fighting corruption, the minister said it was the first time that dedicated funds will be provided for fighting corruption, in line with a National Anti-corruption Programme, which will receive the bulk of the funds - R9.5-million - from 1 April 1 2006.

South Africa will host Global Forum V on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity in 2007, the minister said.
Source: BuaNews