Minister of Higher Education to Lead Launch of Public Sector Research Observatory Initiative

Minister Buti Manamela to Launch PSETA–UJ Public Sector Research Observatory to Advance Skills Planning, Labour Market Intelligence, and Evidence-Based Policy in South Africa

The Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA), in strategic partnership with the University of Johannesburg (UJ), is set to establish and launch the Public Sector Skills Planning Research Observatory, a landmark initiative designed to strengthen research capacity, generate labour market intelligence, and support evidence-based policymaking in South Africa’s public sector. The Observatory will be anchored within UJ’s Centre for Public Policy and African Studies at the Johannesburg Business School, where it will drive high-impact research, forecasting, and data analysis to inform skills development and public service reform. The official launch will be led by Buti Manamela, who will deliver the keynote address and formally unveil the initiative. By bringing together academia and public sector leadership, the Observatory aims to enhance strategic planning, strengthen governance, and contribute to building a capable, ethical, and development-oriented state aligned with national priorities.