A Global Call to Action for Integrity and Youth Engagement
As the world marks International Anti-Corruption Day 2025, Cowater International joins the global call to unite against corruption and safeguard the future we are building for our young people. This year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” speaks directly to the challenges facing South African communities and to the efforts towards building a more accountable, ethical, and people-centred public service. When corruption drains public resources, weakens institutions, or enables misconduct, it undermines employment opportunities, limits access to services, and exposes young workers to unsafe or abusive environments. Strengthening ethics and integrity in the public sector is therefore not only an administrative priority, but also an investment in the next generation’s economic and social wellbeing.
Supporting South Africa’s Public Service Through SEIGG
Cowater International, through the Strengthening Ethics, Integrity and Green Governance (SEIGG) project funded by Global Affairs Canada, continues to support the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) to strengthen systems that prevent corruption, misconduct, and abuse of power. This collaboration includes technical support to enhance integrity mechanisms, promote ethical leadership and strengthen accountability within the public administration. These efforts reflect Cowater’s global commitment to building stronger, more transparent institutions that deliver lasting impact for citizens. This work aligns closely with the mandate of the Public Administration Ethics, Integrity, and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit (PAEIDTAU), which leads reforms that promote ethical conduct and strengthen integrity across government.
These priorities were reaffirmed by the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Mr Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, during his remarks at the Public Service Integrity and Anti-Corruption Measures Media Briefing to launch the 2025 Internation Anti-Corruption Day commemoration on 01 December. Minister Buthelezi, reinforced this commitment, emphasising that corruption is not only a criminal act but “a threat to economic competitiveness… a social destabiliser and a direct assault on the different aspirations of our people.” He underscored that South Africa has reached“an inflection point where our citizens expect a capable and ethical state,” highlighting that the steps being taken are not symbolic but part of building a disciplined, accountable, and people-centred public service.
Global Momentum: Connecting G20 Priorities to Domestic Action
Recent global discussions also reinforce the urgency of strengthening integrity systems. Addressing the nation at the conclusion of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised South Africa’s leadership in placing ethical governance and fairness at the centre of global cooperation. Cowater’s work through SEIGG directly supports these national and international commitments by translating principles of ethical governance into practical reforms that improve institutional performance and service delivery.
South Africa’s G20 Presidency also championed the first G20 Report on Global Inequality, which highlights how corruption and weak accountability deepen social and economic divides. The integrity-focused support delivered through SEIGG responds directly to these concerns by helping the public service build systems that reduce misconduct risks, improve oversight, and reinforce a culture of fairness and transparency across government.
Resonating this direction, the Minister cited that “South Africa has stepped forward as a nation that not only participates in proven anti-corruption efforts, but one that leads them.” Through SEIGG’s technical assistance, including responding to sexual corruption, strengthening procurement integrity measures, improving ethics management practices, and supporting lifestyle audit implementation, the project contributes to the broader efforts that underpin this leadership. These interventions mirror Cowater’s long-standing global expertise in governance reform, accountability systems, and anti-corruption programming in fragile and emerging contexts.
Strengthening Ethics and Accountability Across Government
Strengthening integrity systems at departmental level is therefore essential to improving service delivery, rebuilding public trust, and ensuring that government institutions operate in ways that uphold fairness and accountability.
The Strengthening Ethics, Integrity and Green Governance (SEIGG) project plays a pivotal role in supporting national efforts to improve integrity systems across the public service. The Project provides targeted assistance designed to strengthen ethics infrastructures, improve accountability mechanisms, and reinforce a culture of ethical conduct within government institutions.
Through SEIGG, departments receive practical support to strengthen misconduct case management, enhance whistle-blower protections, operationalise lifestyle audits, and respond more effectively to harassment, including sexual corruption. These interventions complement DPSA’s broader reform agenda by equipping officials with the tools and systems needed to prevent corruption before it takes root. This systems-focused approach is central to Cowater’s mission: supporting governments to build stronger institutions that advance inclusive growth, gender equality, and citizen trust.
DPSA’s role remains clear: To lead and coordinate reforms that uphold ethics, ensure accountability, and help departments build systems that prevent corruption before it takes root. Programmes such as work on ethical leadership, lifestyle audits, anti-corruption frameworks, harassment prevention, and governance strengthening contribute directly to shaping a public service that serves all South Africans with professionalism and fairness.
A Long-Term Commitment to Ethical Governance
Underscoring the depth of South Africa’s reform agenda, the Minister emphasised that these reforms are “not cosmetic endeavours,” but concrete measures to secure clean administration and disciplined leadership. He outlined key mechanisms such as lifestyle audits and the introduction of a central register of individuals found guilty of corruption. This register will act as an “integrity barometer,” ensuring that repeat offenders cannot re-enter positions of influence within government or supply chain systems. These tools strengthen the broader culture the Minister described, one “anchored in ethics, accountability and performance discipline.”
International Anti-Corruption Day is more than a commemoration. It is a reminder that fighting corruption is a shared responsibility across society from government officials and frontline workers to young South Africans stepping into leadership roles in their communities.
The Minister reminded the nation that the fight against corruption “is never a short-term campaign, but a long-term national commitment that demands consistency, vigilance and collective ownership.” He affirmed that the launch of the Anti-Corruption Day programme represents “a commitment to a future where integrity is standard, accountability is guaranteed, and where South Africans can trust their government.”
By standing together, strengthening our institutions, and creating a culture where integrity is valued and protected, we ensure that the public service remains a place where opportunity is earned fairly and where every citizen, especially the youth can thrive.
Learn more about Cowater’s commitment to integrity and transparency:
