HOSTING AN ANNUAL CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE WITH A DIFFERENCE

On Friday, 04 November 2022, the MQA hosted a hybrid Annual Consultative Conference (ACC) at the ANEW Parktonian Hotel in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. This was truly an event with a difference as stakeholders gathered from far and wide to engage on the achievements of the MQA and participate in the pertinent issues that affect the sector.

With a front-of-stage digital banner backdrop greeting the delegates, there was increased anticipation of what would come as delegates entered the venue. The digital backdrop displayed a rich visual display of the MQA’s activities throughout the 2021-2022 financial year. The then acting CEO, Dr Thabo Mashongoane, proudly presented the MQA’s achievements, commencing from the point of the MQA achieving a clean audit outcome following many preceding unqualified audits opinions over the preceding years. He congratulated the MQA staff and all role players for this achievement. The stakeholders did not disappoint, exceeding the 200 delegates planned for the event, with over 210 attending inperson and virtually.

The programme was facilitated by young economist Mr Sifiso Skenjana who invited the MQA Chairperson, Mr David Msiza, to the stage for his official welcome of the delegates in attendance. During the second phase of the conference, three panel members were invited to share their views on topical issues affecting the sector. The panel members were carefully selected to tackle the various subtopics in line with the theme “A time for stability, growth and technological skills enhancement” Amongst the panel were Kgosana Hamilton Lazarus Montsho from the village of Moruleng in the North West province, who unpacked the topic ‘’The MQA’s notable inroads in developing the mining communities’’, Mr Harmut Brodner addressed the topic ‘’Innovation for the transformation of the mining sector’’ from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Ms Nkateko Matokane, an MQA beneficiary from the Centre of Specialisation (COS) shared her testimony with the delegates on how the MQA has assisted her to realise her hopes and dreams of becoming a Qualified Artisan – Diesel Mechanic, a trade that was traditionally male-dominated. This was one of the success stories where the MQA displayed the impact that it is making in communities.

An evaluation of the event was encouraged with stakeholders completing the form that was available. This was to encourage stakeholders to provide feedback on how the event can be improved. A total of sixty-one delegates shared their views as follows:

Feedback from stakeholders

• Overall, stakeholders appreciated the selection of the location stating that it was accessible and convenient.

• There were positive reviews of the programme director, who comfortably facilitated the event without a glitch.

• There was praise for the performance feedback presentation conducted by the ACEO as stakeholders complimented the MQA for the difference it made to the lives of people in our sector and the country.

• Stakeholders also called for a paperless programme, with the MQA committing to making this happen at the next conference.

• The MQA was also encouraged to host more engagements for SMMEs.

• The stakeholders stated that more effort is required to reach rural communities to highlight the work that the MQA is doing.

• Overwhelmingly, stakeholders said: “Keep up the good work, MQA Team, this was an eyeopening and necessary event.”

Overall, the event was well received, with the MQA approaching the next financial year motivated to make a difference.