Pretoria: Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has called on all South Africans to nominate the best public servants who have served beyond expectation.

The Ministry of Public Service and Administration will host the first ever National Batho Pele Excellence Awards, which seek to recognise public servants who excel in their fields.

“While there are challenges in the public service, a lot of work has been done to improve government service delivery.

“We have many public servants who continue to do their very best, exceeding expectations, and in some cases, in very difficult situations,” Sisulu said.

Besides the overall Batho Pele Public Servant of the Year, which will be nominated by the public, other award categories include the Best National Head of Department of the Year; the Best Provincial Head of the Year; Best Performing Municipal Manager of the Year; Best Public Service Leader of the Year; Best Public Service Innovator of the Year; Best Frontline Public Service Employee of the Year; Best Functioning National Department of the Year; Best Implemented Programme of the Year; Best Improved Government Department of the Year and Public Service Life Time achiever of the Year.

Nominations close on 30 August 2013.

Nomination forms must be sent to bathopeleawards@dpsa.gov.za or by fax to 012 336 1835.

For enquiries on the categories, members of the public can call 012 336 1168.