IKHAYA - Internal Newsletter of the Department of Home Affairs: April - June 2023

IKHAYA

PhD

Graduate

Against

All Odds (see pg. 5)

DHA

Editorial

Welcome to the 1st edition for this Financial Year. We are now past the first quarter of 2023/24 and with the remaining months to round off the year, the department is still moving swiftly to ensure that it reaches its Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) as guided by the allocated budget.

This April-June edition is packed with different activities that different branches and employees are exploring to put the department on a high trajectory as part of the Annual Performance Plan 2023/24.

The Civic Services Management held a Workshop, attended by Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza and Director-General Tommy Makhode, to discuss how offices should intensify the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the smooth running of offices. We urge all officials, especially Front Desk Officers, as the first point of contact in our offices, to familiarize themselves with these practices as this will hopefully minimize the high number of litigations the department get from discontented clients. Read more on page 13.

The Human Resources Management & Development Branch is on a roadshow to engage with various stakeholders inside and outside of the department to bring ideas which will inculcate the culture of flexibility, innovation and openness into the organization. The Ikhaya team covered the Free State Learning and Development Forum engagement for you on page 11.

Youth Day commemorations were also in full swing in the department where young people in some selected offices opted to open offices and assist learners to apply for their Identity Documents. This year’s theme was “Accelerating youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future.” The National Youth Forum Chairperson, Mr Frank Letsoalo updates us on the successes, progress and the future plans of the Youth Forum in the Department.

South Africa hosted the International Border Management and Technologies Association Summit, attended by Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza, to discuss the latest challenges borders across the African Continent are experiencing.

Lastly, we also feature marathoners who participated in this year’s 104 th Comrades Marathon. These kind of activities are in line with the Employee Wellness’s drive to encourages employees to live healthy lifestyles.

Happy reading!

Editorial Team

Editor in Chief: Paseka Mokhethea, Editor: Peggy Nkomo,

Editorial Assistance: Shiela Meso, Gontse Kutoane, Thabo Mokgola.

Design & Layout: Art Printers

Photographers: George Chuene, Sivuyile Xantini, Elliot Mkhabela.

Contributors: Mpumi Ralane, Lettie Masilo, Refilwe Mafolo, Peggy Nkomo, Thabo Mokgola, Shiela Meso, Keneiloe Mogoatlhe, Beverly Moreland, Frank Letsoalo, Simamiso Ncanana.

DHA Youth working to make the Department better

In appreciating the efforts of youth, the department has acknowledged the hard work of young employees through a steadily increase of young employees rising into key positions within the ranks of the organisation; and the members of the youth forum across the 9 provinces are now officially seating in during management meetings as part of the mandate to represent youth issues.

By : Frank Letsoalo

National Youth Day and youth month was celebrated under the theme: “accelerating youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future”.

This year (2023) marks the 47th anniversary of the 16 June 1976 student uprisings in Soweto. On this occasion young people protested against imposition of Afrikaans by the apartheid regime as a medium of instruction

Government, as the largest employer, has responded to the need for skills development and youth employment by enabling unemployed graduates to gain experience through the public service graduate internship and learnership programme. To this end, in the department 10 000 job opportunities have been created for young people for a period of 3 years through the digitization records programme.

The department has seen an increase in the 2022/2023 financial year of young people permanently employed and the Youth Forum encourages them to fully participate in the forum activities at their respective districts and provincial level so that they can unlock more opportunities in their career development.

The Department’s Youth Desk continue to assist the department to achieve its obligation of reaching the APP Target of 0-30 birth registrations since the beginning of the Financial Year 2023/2024. In this regard the forum has decided to open DHA offices and connected hospitals nationwide during the weekends of June on a voluntarily basis.

In addition, members of the Youth Forum have been appointed as the change agents of the department working on DHA repositioning to create awareness among officials about the white paper on repositioning.

The biggest achievement of the National Executive Committee to date is to have its members sitting at the highest decision making bodies of the department such as Departmental Management Committee (DMC) and Annual Performance finalization Workshops to present our plans at the national level.

Provincial Executive Committee members of the forum are also given a platform at the broad management meetings to represent youth constituencies of their provinces.

The forum members across the country have visited various schools, churches and community-based organizations and taxi ranks to share information and educate the communities on the importance of applying for Smart ID cards and to register the birth of newly born babies within the stipulated 30 days.

The vision of the Youth Forum leadership is to position the forum and DHA youth officials as employees that are patriotic, leading from the front, corrupt free and responsive cadres. As young officials the youth of DHA has to remember that they are the face of Home Affairs and they also have to work hard to assist the department to reach its mandate of serving communities.

The Youth Forum would like to take this opportunity to thank the young employees of DHA for effortlessly delivering the services to our citizens as they have sacrificed their time to be with their loved ones on weekends. Your service is appreciated!.

DHA National Youth Forum Chairperson

Celebrating Academic Excellence : Ms Zimkitha Mahlungulu, PhD

In this edition, the Department is inspired by the academic achievements of Ms Zimkitha Mahlungulu, who is visually impaired and has just achieved a PhD Degree in Community Development. Ikhaya sat down with her:

By: Peggy Nkomo

How did it feel like to acquire a PhD degree qualification?

The feeling is great. I never realised that it is such a great achievement until I saw the amount of appreciation and congratulatory messages from people around me. What makes me happier is that it has a way of inspiring other people. The journey was exacting in many ways; including the required time, financial resources and the distance between the university and my workplace. I encountered a lot of unforeseen delays for example, waiting for ethical clearance and the Covid-19 pandemic. I would sometimes wonder if it was worth it. But after everything I am grateful that I persevered till the end. I am also grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this journey. It was surely worth it.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Zimkitha Mahlungulu. I was born and raised in the Bizana- Eastern Cape in 1986. I was born with visual impairment, which is a genetic condition in my family. This condition is currently not corrected by modern technology. I was greatly inspired by my family and my primary school teachers not to allow the condition be a limitation on what I wanted to achieve. I was then determined to achieve outstanding performance throughout my school life. After I completed matric in 2003, I was admitted at the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) where I completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences in 2008.

After completion, I was granted a one-year Fellowship programme by MAC AIDS Fund Leadership Initiative in collaboration with University of Columbia, University of California and the Human Sciences Research Council. This was to implement an HIV prevention research project through a NGO called The Mahlungulu Foundation for Community and Individual Development in Bizana. In 2010 I then worked for and international NGO called Africare in Makanda. Africare provided HIV prevention support in collaboration with Department of Health and Social Development in the Eastern Cape. In September 2011, I joined the DHA in Gqeberha as an Administration Clerk (SL6). In 2012 I registered at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University for a Master’s Degree in Development Studies.

My research report was on the challenges to service delivery at DHA. I completed it in 2014. In December 2020, I got a promotion as a Chief Administration Clerk (SL 7). In 2016, I registered for a Doctor of Philosophy degree at UKZN. I then graduated in May 2023.

As a visually impaired person what obstacles do you encounter on a day to day in line with your scope of work?

I sometimes encounter clients who are not sensitised on issues of visual impairment. They would ask question about my vision. They would sometimes offer me their reading glasses or suggest doctors that I must visit. More people must be sensitised about visual impairment through workshops and trainings.

It is crucial that Supervisors and Managers should provide reasonable accommodation for people living with visual impairment. These equitable practices are an indication of a transformed and a truly inclusive and just organisation.

Sharing service excellence Tips : Kimberly and Taung Offices

By : Shiela Meso

The Kimberly Large Office Manager Ms Dorcus Mashiane is among optimistic managers who find comfort in helping clients rather than sitting comfortably in their offices.

supervisors with the office manager, subordinates with the office managers and an overall formal staff meeting.

“This creates a platform where issues are raised without fear and addressed amicably to create a good understanding amongst officials within the office and where guidance is given within the different sections when needed,” explained the office manager.

The office manager pointed out factors that make the office user friendly and convenient for both clients and staff. They have created a separate room within the operational areas where supervisors and clients can resolve matters in private without arguing in front of other clients and colleagues.

The Office was declared and Office of Excellent model by the Department’s Executive Committee due to how this 38-officials’ office is run on a daily basis to the satisfaction of clients and the pleasure of the department. Ms Mashiane says to ensure that her office staff are always motivated and remain positive under challenging circumstances, separate meetings are held frequently with different levels of office staff components; with supervisors and subordinates only,

’I always assure them that we are running this establishment together, that their challenges are mine too. I encourage them to deal with issues on the spot, escalate those that cannot be solved immediately and also to provide feedback to clients on outstanding issues,” she said.

She further explains that the office never closes its doors to clients during load shedding as there is a fully functional and well maintained generator on the premises. The continuous lack of water supply does not hinder service provision as there are water filters for officials, eliminating the need to buy or bring their own water to work. In addition to the Standard Operation Procedures prescribed by the department, the noticeable structure which makes the office stand out, is the shelter that has been erected to protect clients during rainy and sunny weather.

the office with best practices.Although the office is not yet modernized, the office Manager Ms Kashe Badise says that through the engagement they have with the local Stakeholders, they are confident that through these forums, the officeis able to share necessary information with clients which therefore yields positive results.

“We maintain a healthy relationship with clients through the assistance of Community Development Workers who are able to track down applicants of Late Registration of Birth documents and unregistered babies before they turn 30 days,” said the office manager.

Walking through the building, one can see the security personnel stationed at the outside waiting area which is fenced to avoid people passing through the main road harassing the clients. According to the Office Manager, there is a maximum of 350 clients per day that come to their office to access home affairs services.We also pride ourselves as the Kimberly Large Office, with clean Audits for Finance and Administration obtained in the past 3 financial years, we are working very hard to have the same audit outcomes with Civic Services, Immigration Services and Mobile Services,” echoed Ms Mashiane.

Taung Medium Office, which is situated in the Greater Taung Municipality a predominantly rural area, with a staff component of 23 officials, normally sees a large volume of clients every month-end and during social grants days as most applicants flock to the office to apply for enabling documents.

Ms Badise says to ensure that clients who frequent the office get served satisfactorily. There is a queue marshal that is always on the lines to screen the queue and to guide clients on the requirements for the service they came to apply for. “The queue marshal also helps to promote services such as BABS for clients who want to apply for smart ID cards at modernized offices. Clients are also given regular updates when the system is offline and their complaints are attended to and addressed on the spot,” said Ms Badise.

Meanwhile in the same meeting, the Taung Medium Office was also recognized by EXCO management as

According to the office manager, staff morale and motivation are also given the required attention as the office stands on two leadership skills which are; transactional and transformational. All officials are given a chance to chair meetings during daily operational meetings to ensure that management skills are also transferred to all officials irrespective of their salary level.

“We use the Performance Management System to monitor, assess, recognize and reward staff. Although there are targets that are set in the Performance Agreement, the most valued target is to win the heart of the employees in order to achieve the set target,” she said. To inculcate the culture of communication and team work between management and staff the Office Manager says that all the Standard Operating Procedures and circulars are read during the morning session to ensure that all officials are up to date with the new developments in the department and are implemented, as Frontline Officials cannot access emails as often as the Back Office Officials.

The North West Provincial Manager, Ms Eunice

In Commemoration of Youth Day

Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza visited the Home Affairs Germiston office on Saturday, 17 June 2023, to encourage South Africans to apply for and to collect their Smart ID Cards.

The Germiston office is one of 172 Live Capture offices that opened on the 16th and 17th of June 2023 from 08h00 to 13h00. In addition, mobile offices were also deployed throughout the country on both days. The offices were opened in addition to the effort being made by the young DHA employees who have been coming to work on Saturdays this month to assist learners in applying for their IDs in honour of the 1976 youth who sacrificed their lives for our democracy.

The weekend opening was done in partnership with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in support of its efforts to promote voter registration, given the upcoming 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

The issue of uncollected IDs is one of the current challenges that the Department is facing. Over 471 000 IDs remain uncollected at Home Affairs offices countrywide. In this regard the Germiston office, under the stewardship of the Gauteng Provincial Manager Mr Albert Matsaung, is recognised as one of the offices that is using the best practices in addressing the problem of uncollected IDs.

According to Ms Kgomotso Masekela, Office Manager for Germiston, the office began working closely with the IEC and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) as early as last year to increase the number of youth aged 16 years and older, to apply for and collect their Smart ID Cards, in preparation for their matric examinations and to ensure that those who are eligible are empowered to exercise their democratic rights by registering to vote.

By: Mpumi Ralane

She said that to encourage other clients who don’t fall under the DBE, another key decision taken by the office was to open on the first Saturday of each month as most clients would have money after month end to travel to the office to either apply for or to collect their IDs.

The Germiston Office’s Success Strategy

Ms Masekela also suggests the following three key initiatives as a recipe for success in driving a localised communication approach, for the ID Collections Campaign:

1. Posters: working with the local municipality, the office checks the addresses of applicants who have uncollected IDs and ensures that posters are placed in certain areas and districts (with high numbers of uncollected IDs) to remind clients to come to the office and collect their IDs.

2. Community Radio: the office provides the local radio station with the number of uncollected IDs on a weekly basis, every Monday, for the local radio to inform the community, as we believe that if the community is constantly reminded, they will visit the office to collect.

3. Prioritising the Collections Queue: the office also reminds clients that there is no need to make a reservation to collect and that the collection queue is prioritised in order to lure clients to offices for collection.

Ms Masekela concluded, “At the heart of this is localisation of communication strategy, is placing high value on our critical local stakeholders, but most importantly, at the heart of all of this is the local office’s willingness to aggressively drive the implementation of the strategies that we come up with, and to test whether they yield the desired results or not.”

Deputy Minister visited Germiston Office as part of DHA extended hours opening of offices to commemorate Youth Day

DHA BURSARY GRADUATES

As the department is enhancing its services, the Directorate People Development encourages young people who do not have post matric qualification to take this opportunity to further their studies so that they are not left behind as the Department reposition itself to a future fit model that can deliver its full mandate.

Bursaries are awarded to qualifying employees who wishes to further their studies in fields of study that are in line with their scope of work.

The Directorate: People Development would like to congratulate the following employees who have obtained their desired qualifications through departmental funding.

of

of Administration

Qualification Obtained: Bachelor of Public Administration with Mancosa

Qualification Obtained: Bachelor of Business Administration with Mancosa of Commerce in transport and Logistics with University of South Africa

For any information related to bursaries the following employees can be contacted: Francis Chauke at (012) 406 4197 and Fortunate Dlamini (012) 406 4193.

Ms Busisiwe Mavis Mthombeni Qualification Obtained: Bachelor of Administration with University of South Africa

Ms Nompumelelo Prudence Mngadi Qualification Obtained: Bachelor of Government Administration and Development with University of South Africa

Ms Suzan Molau Mabetwa Qualification Obtained: Bachelor

with University of South Africa

Ms Lekesha Du Preez

Mr Itumeleng Daniel Molahleke Qualification obtained: Master

Laws with the University of Pretoria

Driving Organisational Culture change through Practical Engagements

By: Peggy Nkomo

The Branch HRM&D is making great strides in inculcating a culture of flexibility, innovation and openness. Under the leadership of Acting Deputy Director-General, Ms Tampane MolefeSefanyetso, the HR team held a Learning and Development Forum in Bloemfontein on the 8th and 9th June 2023. The purpose of the forum, which was facilitated by Chief Director HR Strategy & Planning, Mr Tshepo Nkosi, was to find innovative ways in which HR can assist the department to improve the culture in which people work for improved service delivery.

“I am glad that today we are joined by members of academia and professors from different institutions. It is an honor that as colleagues, we will be sharing information on Operations Management and on how best can the Department package it.

As HR, we work not to be transactional but strategic for an improved and increased productivity, in every section, not only in front line offices. We also need better performance skills amongst colleagues, and to find better ways to align HR in Head Office with Provinces for an efficient organization. We have to be a caring Department so that Officials don’t think of leaving DHA” said Ms Molefe-Sefanyetso when opening the forum.

As per the White Paper on Home Affairs a transformative culture change is required, this in order to position the department as a critical enabler of inclusive development, national security, effective service delivery and efficient administration and its transformative initiatives. Part of this agenda includes ensuring that security systems are strategically managed by a professional staff. Designing such a Department will require a shift in some core pillars which include, but are not limited to, organisational culture.

The National Framework towards Professionalisation of the Public Sector, adopted by Cabinet is aimed at resolving the many challenges facing efforts to produce a professional, ethical, competent and capable public sector, which is necessary for an effective developmental public sector.

In order to distinguish itself, the DHA needs to analyse the environment in which staff are working in because Organisational Culture plays a critical role in what people do and how they do it. High performing organisations attribute high performance and identify to how and what is being done as factors that make them unique.

These views were articulated by visiting invited specialists and DHA attendees during the forum. “The need to develop a culture of growth and development as well as inculcate an efficient public service with good governance should be conducted”, said Dr. Logan Moonsamy. “This can also serve to bring along all people and organisations without destroying the already low morale within the public service, and instead serve as a helpful approach. Remember individual drops of rain together can be a devastating floods, but alone a drop of rain is useless!” he added.

The workshop also covered areas of Legal, Employee Wellness and Change Management and outlined the work the FS Province and Branch: Civic Services, in particular, will be dealing with, especially around Mobile Offices deployments to service vulnerable and far-flung communities.

In the end, the two-day session was concluded with a visit to Truck SA Factory, in order to learn from their Operations Management some of the best practices that can help improve DHA service delivery approach; and everyone in attendance agreed it was an engagement worth participating in.

The 2023-2026 Departmental Research Agenda

By: Lettie Masilo - Director: Research Management

Critical for any organisation’s sustenance is conducting research and development in order to provide policy direction, introduce innovation, advance technology, and improve strategies and service delivery is the setting of the research agenda that defines key priority research areas that the department is committing to that sets the department apart from the rest of the public entities. Primary research projects that are earmarked by the department can inform decision making, policies and strategies, philosophy and values, which then define the culture and identity of the department.

In April 2023, EXCO approved the 2023-2026 Departmental Research Agenda. The strategic objective of the DHA Research Agenda is to promote evidence-based implementation of Departmental programmes and projects through multi- and inter-disciplinary research, and synthesis of existing and new information, which will lead to the realisation of DHA’s mandate and outcomes. The 2023-2026 Research Agenda was co-produced with internal stakeholders and is in line with the DHA Research Policy, which provides an enabling framework for conceptualising and conducting research that will support DHA’s strategic objectives, vision and mission and requires that “a relevant and appropriately scoped research agenda be developed.

The purpose of the Research Agenda is therefore to outline the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) research priorities for the period 2023 – 2026. The Agenda results from a need for the Department to outline strategic areas for research for the next three years which will provide solid, empirically based findings to create a broad body of knowledge that will inform policy, decision-making, and planning in the Department. More specifically, the Research Agenda has been developed to amongst others a) contribute to the overall objectives, strategic of DHA; b) Inform and promote evidence-based implementation of Departmental programmes and projects and c) support research planning and implementation processes within the Department;

Research Pillars and Themes

The 2023-2026 Research Agenda consists of the following (8) Research Pillars which have Themes that are aimed at addressing specific problems / issues.

Research Pillars Themes

Citizenship and Civil registration

Management of international migration for economic, social and cultural development

Management of Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Service Delivery Improvement

Policy and Legislative Efficiency

Improved Information Technology and systems development for business efficiency

Human Resource Management and Performance

Strategic Governance Risk and Compliance Management

Towards a risk-based approach in the management of identity, the registration of births and deaths and the management of citizenship

Promoting National Security

Efficient and secure management of international migration

Best Practices in the Management of International Migration

Migration Transitions and Transformations

Towards a humane and secure Asylum Seeker Management regime

Service Delivery Optimisation

Best Practices in public service delivery

Enhancing DHA Policies and Legislative Efficiency

Redefining the DHA Organisational Culture

Towards an improved and integrated Governance, Risk Management and Compliance strategy

The 2023-2026 Research Agenda supports the activities geared towards amongst others, the implementation of the repositioning, modernization programmes etc. within the Department. The agenda will encourage the creation of an ethos of evidence-based decision-making amongst decision-makers and policymakers in the Department. It is hoped that the research agenda will be used by researchers within the Department to inform their research planning.

Increasing Compliance and Efficiencies in DHA Service Delivery

By: Peggy Nkomo

was important for officials to read and understand all the applicable legislations and acts that guide the delivery of DHA services. He indicated the importance of establishing a school for Home Affairs so that employees can be empowered to promote change. “’DHA does not have specialised qualifications like nurses, police,social workers, etc.

The greatest concern is that officials should stop using common sense above the law, but concentrate on implementing the law”, he said. As a way forward, Minister gave a directive that a booklet that constitutes a compilation of common laws has to be developed and made available on everyone’s table.

The Branch Civic Services held a workshop, attended by Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza and Director-General Tommy Makhode, to discuss compliance and standards Operating Procedures (SOP’s) that are, and should be, applicable to the branch. More than 600 people consisting of Provincial Managers, DMOs and Office Managers were also in attendance.

The workshop came against the backdrop of numerous and unwarranted litigations against the Department, especially in the recent reporting period. Thus, the objective of the session was to educate managers about the importance of compliance and the need to follow set procedures when providing an assortment of services to clients.

Various issues and concerns were raised, especially those relating to birth registration applications compliance. Deputy Director-General for Civic Services, Mr Thomas Sigama, raised concerns identified through Audit Findings and the need to discuss non-compliance challenges of (birth registration) applications that are received by Head Office from Front Offices. He further highlighted uneasiness regarding received applications that do not meet the standardised application requirements. “Therefore the importance of going back to basics and re-visit Department’s Acts, Policies, SOP’s and Regulations which must be shared, read and understood by all employees”, he said. The session discussed the need for the Department to deal decisively with poor service delivery that resulted in increased media scrutiny and numerous court cases. Minister Dr. Motsoaledi indicated that DHA is one of the highly regulated and legislated departments. As such, it

Deputy Minister Nzuza mentioned that DHA is an important life line in this country and that the department should continue rendering quality service to all SA citizens and non-citizens. He further said DHA services are unique and clients cannot receive such services anywhere else other than at DHA. His emphasis was also on adherence to, as well as to operate and be guided by, the law.

“No citizen should commit suicide because of services that are not rendered. Filing of posts by the Department currently will also assist in terms of capacity. Targets must be at 90% achievement in a consistent manner; and there should be a reduction of LRBs and encouragement of early birth registration. The issue or tendency of applying common sense must be abolished. There is a need to transform and change as DHA officials and adhere to the law and SOP’s, to be known by all”, he concluded.

The workshop ended with a commitment to see through all the agreed resolutions by all in attendance.

REVISED MANAGEMENT OF LOSSES AND DAMAGES POLICY

By: Refilwe Mafolo

All employees are hereby duly informed of the revised Management of Losses and Damages Policy which is effective as from 01 April 2023. As part of improving the financial management of the Department of Home Affairs, the management of losses and damages is another area where the Department must demonstrate a high level of responsibility and accountability. It is for this reason that the Loss Control Committee reviewed the policy and the SOP to ensure that this area is efficiently managed.

The Management of Losses and Damages policy provides guidelines for the management of losses and damages within the department, it reinforces the provisions of the Treasury Regulations and Section 38 (1) of the PFMA.

The revised policy must be read and understood by all employees and it is operationalized with the revised SOP on Management of Losses and Damages.

Purpose of the Policy

1. The purpose of this policy is to define and institutionalize uniform principles and procedures within the Department pertaining to the management of losses and damages.

2. It provides the minimum requirements that employees should adhere to when dealing with Departmental losses and damages.

3. It encourages accountability in the area of losses and damages.

4. It creates a climate that is conducive to internal control, risk management and prevention of losses and damages.

5. It will contribute towards creating respect for the resources entrusted to the employees for use in the best way possible.

Counter Corruption Awareness

Did you know? In terms of The Code of Conduct (Public Service Regulation 13(e)) an employee shall immediately report to the relevant authorities, fraud, corruption, nepotism, mal-administration and any other act which constitutes a contravention of any law (including, but not limited to, a criminal offence) or which is prejudicial to the interest of the public, which comes to his or her attention during the course of his or her employment in the public service.

Did you know? Section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act places a duty on persons in a position of authority (i.e. SMS member) who knows or ought reasonably to have known or suspected that any other person has committed theft, fraud, extortion, forgery or uttering of a forged document involving an amount of R100,000 or more, to report such knowledge or to the SAPS. The failure to report is an offence .

Did you know? In terms of Section 22(c) of the Public Service Regulations a head of department shall establish a system that encourages and allows employees and citizens to report allegations of corruption and other unethical conduct.

Did you know? DHA has an approved Whistleblowing Policy. Officials should familiarise themselves with the policy and ensure that they follow the approved procedure when reporting wrongdoing.

Did you know? You can report fraud, corruption and unethical behaviour to your supervisor, an official at Counter Corruption and Security Services, by means of an email to report. corruption@dha.gov.za or even through the National Anti-Corruption Hotline at 0800 701 701.

Did you know? There are 10 ways to better protect yourself as a whistleblower:

•Learn the law to find out what protections are in place.

•Check company procedure and follow the reporting channels.

•Seek legal and other expert advice early.

•Document everything.

•Be reliable and credible.

•Be careful who you disclose to.

•Consider remaining anonymous.

•Know your rights.

•Never disclose on social media.

Clients’ Corner

Healthy Living: The Ultimate Human Race

This year’s Comrades Marathon saw over 16 000 runners participate in the ultimate human race. The route which was a total of 87,7km started in the green hills of Pietermaritzburg and ended in Durban, a city where one can find one of the busiest sea ports in the Southern hemisphere.

The demanding down run highlighted some of Home Affairs’ best runners with whom we had a brief chat about what it takes to be part one of the most globallyrecognized races. This in line with DHA Employee Wellness encouraging all of us to live active, healthy lives. Ikhaia spoke to some of the participants:

Communication Services

• How long have you been running?

I have been a recreational runner for most of my life and have also played soccer and rugby since primary school.

• When did you decide that you want to participate in the Comrades marathon?

Comrades is my dream deferred project. I have always wanted to run this iconic international race, the Comrades marathon since I was a youngster, I didn’t qualify because the legal age is over 20 years old. It started as curiosity, watching the race on TV. The people running the entire day, how do they eat? Do they stop and eat? Do they walk and take a break? How is it possible to run for the whole day? As a teenager these were questions that preoccupied me.

• How often do you run?

I am a gym fanatic, 3-4 days per week, so my I incorporated my running is in gym schedule, running on a treadmill, then Saturday I do roadwork.

• How long have you been running?

I have been running since I pursued my passion for running in 2001 so I’ve been running for 22 Years.

• When did you decide that you want to participate in the Comrades marathon?

After I completed the 50Km ultra marathon race called City to City, I realized how my passion and willingness for running had developed. I realized that I could achieve anything that I put my mind to. This mentality drove my decision to participate in the ultimate test of endurance being the Comrades marathon. I also wanted to test myself and see how far I could go.

• How often do you run?

I run 5 Days in a week.

Directorate : Monitoring & Evulation

• How long have you been running?

I started running around 2002, from there on I never looked back

• When did you decide that you want to take part in the Comrades marathon?

In 2003 I registered for my first Comrades marathon to be run in 2004. That was the “up run”, my most memorable one.

• How often do you run?

5 to 6 times a week. I do my long distance runs on weekends.

Moseki Modibedi

Terrence Lethuba

Mosima Makape

Directorate : Monitoring & Evulation

Comrades 2023

By: Keneiloe Mogoatlhe

Other DHA 2023 Comrades Marathon Participants

Lesetja Jack Bambo

Directorate: Finance & Supply Chain Management , Head Office

Thimothy Chauke BVR Civic Services Support

Bongumusa Mbili Control Immigration Officer

Itumeleng Mohlakele Directorate - Immigration Services

Bheki Maseko Civics Services Officer

CHOLERA PREVENTION

IKHAYA

USE AND DRINK SAFE WATER

Treat or sterilize the water before drinking or cooking

Internal Newsletter of the Department of Home Affairs

HOW TO TREAT OR STERILIZE WATER

BOIL: - Bring water to boiling point for at least 1 minute. -Boiling water is an effective way of making water safe.

TREAT: - Put 1 teaspoon of household bleach into 25 litres of water. -Put 2 drops of household bleach in 1 litre of water. -Wait for 30 minutes before use.

-Always store your treated water in a clean, covered container.

WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER

Ensure proper hand hygiene

• Before, during, and after preparing food

• Before and after eating food or feeding your children

• After using the toilet

•

• After taking care of someone who is sick with diarrhoea

ALWAYS BOIL, COOK, AND PEEL WHAT YOU EAT

Cook food well and keep it covered

• Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and are still hot

• Peel fruits and vegetables

• all the way through.

• Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled.