THE WATER SECTOR BIDS FAREWELL to a class act

How did you find a career in water?

SR Some people may not know this, but I was a journalist before joining government.

My first post in government was at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Department. This gave me a bird’s-eye view of how government operates, especially government communication. I engaged with different departments, provinces and local government and was the media liaison. I was then promoted which is essentially a spokesperson for a department.

Sputnik Ratau – former spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) –displayed the professionalism and generosity he is renowned for by allowing Kirsten Kelly to interview him at his farewell, on the last day of his job.

I had a short stint as spokesperson for the Department of Minerals and Energy but have mostly worked in DWS (in it various forms) over the years.

What are some of the highlights of your career?

I was a part of history. I was part of the team that assisted the late Nelson Mandela in compiling information for his last State of the Nation Address and Thabo Mbeki’s inauguration. One of the saddest moments was the passing away of Water Sisulu, but at the funeral, Thabo Mbeki gave a eulogy, and I maintain that it was one of the best speeches that he ever gave. It was a deeply personal, moving eulogy. Another part of history was the announcement of South Africa as a host of the 2010 FIFA

World Cup – I was there with a team in Switzerland.

But some of the most moving experiences have been to witness service delivery and the impact that it makes on people’s lives. I remember delivering a flushing toilet to an 83-year-old lady with a facility to wash hands; it was not even in her house, it was outside. But to her it was life-changing. That makes you see the world through different eyes. I have travelled from wealthy areas to areas that are riddled with poverty and hopelessness. I have witnessed some incredible progress, but I have seen many people living in difficulty. This always reminds me that government’s role is to bridge the gap between the wealthy and the poor. It is important to bring hope to people through service delivery. I have travelled extensively – from the ancient city of Timbuktu to the Republic of Mauritania. It was difficult to be away from home and my family so often, but my work has been a genuine pleasure.

What advice would you give to a young communications professional in government?

Be humble, read all the time and ask questions. Be accountable and be responsible.

Communications is a support function. It is an incredible job that consistently fills your mind with interesting facts. Communicators must have good relations with the content and even better relations with your colleagues who give that content.

Spokespersons must engage with the media at all times. If there is a negative sentiment or story, refusing to engage media will not make that story disappear – it will perpetuate the story. There will be an information vacuum and someone will fill it. By refusing to share information, a spokesperson tarnishes the image of government. You have the responsibility to share information; it does not matter if it is good or bad.

If you had one wish to grant the sector, what would it be?

Closer cooperation with each other. There are many pockets of excellence, but we all need to work together.

“This is a bitter-sweet moment for government communicators that are bidding farewell to this giant. We must take the baton and run with the business of communicating and profiling the government – national, provincial or local. You have done a sterling job. It has been a wonderful experience to work with you and to learn from you.” – DWS Communications Team

“Sputnik is always available – be it during his Sunday night dinner or in the early hours of the morning. I have never run a story and had to say that there was no comment from the DWS. I wish there were more government communicators like Sputnik. Be it a small community radio, or national news, Sputnik has made the time for each and every journalist.” – Chriselda Lewis, SABS journalist

“There were times when Sputnik would phone me, in a very professional voice, and say, ‘Two minutes’. He would then ask a technical question that I would try to answer in two minutes. I soon learned that this was usually just before he was about to go live on air as DWS spokesperson and wanted to verify facts or was sitting with a journalist. Sputnik’s ability to understand the technical side of the water sector and communicate that to the public is unsurpassed.”

– Leonardo Marnus, chief director: Infrastructure Operations and Maintenance, DWS

“I have always been comforted by Sputnik’s professionalism. I can always rely on him to get the job done. He is calm in times of crisis. He is no spin doctor; he has worked with integrity and has always simply told the facts.”

– Minister Senzo Mchunu, DWS

“Mr Ratau, you are a perfectionist, but have always been patient and available to assist me and guide me. I will miss you. Please do not change your phone number, I will still be phoning you.”

– Malusi Rayi, deputy director: Communications, DWS

“Today, government communications bids farewell to a legend, Ntate Sputnik Ratau. A consummate professional, skilled and astute communicator. A gentleman with a kind heart and warm smile at all times. Farewell Grootman.”

– Mlimandlela Ndamase, director: Mayoral Communications

“Sputnik stood out like a JoJo tank full of water.”

– Ashley Mendelowitz, businessman