National Batho Pele & Innovation Awards 2025

The Minister for the Public Service and Administration Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi accompanied by the Deputy Minister for the Public Service and Administration conferred awards to winners of the National Batho Pele & Innovation Awards 2025 edition.

In his keynote address the Minister said the National Batho Pele and Innovation Awards are more than a ceremony. They are a national movement — a driving engine of excellence, innovation, and integrity. The awards are a reminder that a responsive, ethical, and high-performing Public Sector is not a dream; it is already being built, one act of dedication at a time.

The winners in the Innovation Categories were as follows:

The Replication and Adaptation of Innovative Solutions category was won by Project Readiness Matrix Automation project, KZN Department of Health received Gold, the Scale remote learning- Pharmacy Assistance to PHC & Ward Based Nurses, WC Department of the Premier won Silver and Repurposing Service Delivery Points (ekiosks) project Gauteng Department of Infrastructure won Bronze.

Citizen-Focused Innovations Category: Bag that Build Education Sustainable Development (ESSD) project from Western Cape Provincial Government, Centre for Children with special needs project from Gauteng Health won Silver and Dental Services Innovation project from Western Cape Health won Bronze.

In the Category Innovations Harnessing Technology (ICT & Other Frontier Technologies), IM EMS Western Cape Matrix Examination Administration project, Western Cape won Gold, GDE Multi-Certification Skills Programme, Gauteng Department of Education won Silver and Vehicle Condition Assessment Tv26/28 App, Western Cape Government Motor Vehicle project won Bronze.

Innovation Harnessing Technology to improve Frontline category WebAdmin project, Western Cape Department of Education won Gold, MLM eRecruitment project, Free State, Matjhabeng Local Municipality won Silver, MLM Meter Reading Portal project, Free State, Matjhabeng Local Municipality Transforming Education through Technology project, Limpopo Department of Education received Bronze.

Special Ministerial Awards went to the following:

Public Sector Innovation Trailblazers: Mr Tshiu Malebo and Mr Tshepo Kukuni for the eRecruitment Matjhabeng Local Municipality Meter Reading Portal Complaints Management project and Mr Sonnyboy Sethole for the Transforming Education through Technology from Limpopo Department of Education.

The GEMS Health Award was won by Dental Services Innovation, receiving Gold and Scale remote learning- Pharmacy Assistance to PHC & Ward Based Nurses received Silver.

The Multi-Certification Skills Programme from Gauteng Department of Education scooped the Public Sector Innovator of the Year Award. This ground-breaking initiative redefines schooling for the 21st century. Many learners left school without practical skills for work or entrepreneurship. This programme transforms that reality by ensuring that every learner, from Grade R to Grade 12, earns at least one accredited skill per year. By the time they matriculate, students hold up to 13 formal certifications — ranging from coding, drone technology, and artificial intelligence to first aid, entrepreneurship, and sign language — empowering them with both academic knowledge and real-world competence.

Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Samsung, MerSeta, and Komatsu, and practical implementation at schools such as Katlehong Engineering School of Specialisation, the MCSP is building a generation of multi-skilled, confident, and employable young South Africans. The programme is transforming township education by linking learning to industry, creating pathways to employment, and promoting self-reliance. Its long-term impact reaches beyond the classroom — reducing youth unemployment, stimulating township economies, and positioning Gauteng as a leader in inclusive, future-ready education innovation.

The winners also received certificates and trophies from Minister Buthelezi. He congratulated the winners and wished them well as they take their excellence and innovation projects forward.

For more information about CPSI visit www.cpsi.co.za or follow our social media platforms for daily developments and updates contact:
Mmabatho Mashaba
Tel: 012 683 2800 / 2814
Email: Mmabatho.Mashaba@cpsi.co.za

Issued by:
Centre for Public Service Innovation
Pretoria