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The Public Protector South Africa celebrates 30 years of strengthening constitutional democracy
When the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) was established in October 1995 as an independent institution that is subject only to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the laws of the country, the forebearers of South Africa’s constitutional democracy envisioned a strong vanguard against the abuse of state power by government institutions and officials. They sought to create an institution that would ensure that every person living in South Africa regardless of social and economic status could seek recourse when faced with injustice or maladministration by the state.
Empowered by national legislation, the PPSA is mandated to investigate any conduct in state affairs or public administration across all three spheres of the South African government: national, provincial, and local including state-owned entities. The institution investigates alleged or suspected improper conduct, reports on its findings, and takes appropriate remedial action to promote accountability and good governance within South Africa’s public administration.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Public Protector South Africa, a milestone that reflects not only the institution’s growth but also three decades of impactful service to the people of South Africa. Over the years, the PPSA has dealt with matters touching the full spectrum of South African society, from basic service delivery failures to complex corruption investigations. The PPSA played a pivotal role in advancing the transformative constitutionalism required for state and societal transformation in South Africa.
Over three decades, the PPSA has investigated cases, exposed systemic corruption and maladministration, ensuring that public resources are used to improve the lives of the People of South Africa. Looking into the future, the institution’s vision remains to be a Centre of Excellence that promotes good governance and ethics in state affairs, guided by our constitutional mandate and commitment to service.
To commemorate this milestone, the PPSA hosted a 30-Year Anniversary International Conference from 13–15 October 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, under the theme “30 Years of Strengthening Constitutional Democracy – A Transformative Journey.”
The conference brought together ombudsmen and representatives from across Africa and around the world, alongside dignitaries including the Speaker of the South African Parliament and Members of Parliament and the President of the Republic of South Africa. Among the speakers was Mr Bernhard Achitz, the Secretary-General of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI).
Mr Achitz commended the PPSA’s critical role in balancing power between the state and citizens, fighting corruption, and protecting constitutional rights. He also reflected on South Africa’s history of hosting the 7th IOI World Conference in the year 2000 and acknowledged the PPSA’s outreach innovations such as complaint drop boxes in remote communities. Furthermore, he praised former Public Protector Adv Thuli Madonsela, noting the IOI’s support during her tenure and commending her courage in the face of challenges. He extended congratulations to all former Public Protectors and the current incumbent, Adv Kholeka Gcaleka, for their resilience, integrity, and commitment to excellence in public service.
The 30th anniversary celebration served as both a moment of reflection and a renewed call to action, a reminder that constitutional democracy is not a fixed destination, but a continuous journey requiring vigilance, courage, and innovation to modernise operational systems, improve service accessibility, enhance data integrity, and impactful investigations.
As the PPSA enters its fourth decade of service, the institution remains steadfast in its commitment to the foundational values of constitutionalism, human dignity, equality, human rights, non-racialism, non-sexism, the rule of law and good governance in state institutions. The importance of solidarity through local and international Ombudsman networks was emphasised to attain global, continental and regional ambitions as defined in the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and Agenda 2063 of the African Union.
The conference reaffirmed the “Core Principles of Integrity” essential to all role-players and inspired renewed commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality public services, especially for the most vulnerable in our societies.
Encouraged by the United Nations Resolution on Ombudsman, the President of the Republic of South Africa, during his participation in the Conference, expressed his support for the PPSA’s initiative to sponsor a similar resolution to the African Union, aimed at recognising, promoting, and protecting Public Protector-like institutions across the continent.
Source: The Office of the Public Protector South Africa
