About Us
About AFDG
Launched in 2021, the AfDG is a public benefit organisation that comprises former Directors-General who have been concerned about the environment of state capture in South Africa and the deterioration of the capacity of many state institutions. The Association wishes to actively contribute to the accelerated emergence of a capable, ethical and developmental state. The AfDG is a professional network, comprising a significant repository of institutional memory and experience that can be used as a resource for serving accounting officers and senior executives in the public sector, for sharing, support, guidance and professional growth. It advocates for evidence-based policies, and systems and practices that aim to develop a capable, ethical and developmental state.
The Team
The Team
Management committee (ManCo)
The current management committee elected at the 2025 AGM is:
- Chairperson: Rob Adam
- Deputy Chair: Bongiwe Njobe
- Treasurer: Pam Yako
- Secretary: Dipak Patel
- Additional ManCo members: Crispian Olver, Ayanda Ntsaluba Itumeleng Mosala and Moe Shaik.
Secretariat:
The Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) currently acts as secretariat to the Association. PARI is a research institute affiliated to the University of Johannesburg, which works to support the development of a more accountable and effective state. PARI generates high-quality research to better understand the drivers of performance in the public sector, the nature of citizen-state relations, and how to improve these.
History
Starting in 2016, former Directors-General held a series of meetings with the President of the Republic and made written submissions to him on considerations for building a capable, developmental state and public service. During the latter half of 2021, former DGs held consultations with Ministers Mchunu and Dlodlo in their capacities as Minister for Public Service and Administration. Such engagements were constructive and affirmed the AfDG’s potential contribution to supporting efforts to support the development of a professional public administration.
At a meeting with former Directors-General in March 2020, the President spoke of the urgent need to build a capable ‘developmental’ state machinery, free from political interference yet empowered with the authority, support and skills to effectively deliver on the mandate of government. The AfDG aims to play a meaningful participatory and catalytic role in this process of building such a public sector; to advise on policy and reforms that can advance the professionalisation of the civil service and to advocate for this vision; and to mentor, support, “think with” senior public servants regarding the challenges facing the state. They do so mindful of the fact that they are no longer in office and that a new generation of leaders in the public service are leading efforts to manage and turnaround the state.
Following these initial engagements, the AfDG was officially launched in 2021, and held its first AGM in 2022.