PSM 2015 October Edition by Topco Media

PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGER

OCTOBER 2015

THE MAGAZINE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR DECISION-MAKERS

Game changer Poppy Khoza is breaking barriers for women in aviation

Dynamic women • Minister Bathabile Dlamini on building a caring nation • Minister Dipuo Peters steers transport sector to success

Brand identity Commissioner Tom Moyane on rebuilding the image of SARS

Provincial Focus

OCTOBER 2015

MEC Creecy’s plans to improve financial management in Gauteng

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Contents October 2015

International relations President Jacob Zuma unpacks South Africa’s foreign policy

Financial ﬁtness The importance of drawing up a proper will

Public Sector appointments Who is new on Persal

Regulars 10

Conversations with leaders Minister Bathabile Dlamini is spearheading efforts to build a caring country

Conversations with leaders Minister Dipuo Peters on steering the transport sector to success

Proﬁles in leadership SARS Commissioner Tom Moyane on rebuilding the brand

Vital stats Fast facts at your fingertips

Features

Upcoming events A look at local and international events for your diary and information

Release of crime stats Government to intensify crime fighting efforts

Women in the public sector SACAA CEO Poppy Khoza takes SA's flag to the skies

Rating SA’s progress Minister Jeff Radebe tracks the 2014 Development Indicators

Provincial focus MEC Barbara Creecy has a firm hand on Gauteng’s finances

State-owned enterprises to boost the economy SOEs can live up to their potential and deliver on their nation-building mandate

Mkuseli Apleni is passionate about public service DG Apleni on ensuring that those within SA's borders feel safe

Gloves come oﬀ in ﬁght to save water President Jacob Zuma has declared war on water leaks

Upgraded Mthatha Airport a gateway to Eastern Cape Newly-built airport is likely to transform the economy and landscape in the province

Revitalising township economies The Gauteng Provincial Government has introduced measures to boost township businesses

In other news News you need to know while you are on the go Trailblazers SACAA’s Executive of Legal and Aviation Compliance Mmanare Mamabolo is making a mark for women in the aviation industry

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

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Public Sector Manager THE MAGAZINE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR DECISION-MAKERS

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Public Sector Manager • October 2015

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER

SA’s social development

success story

he numbers tell the story – currently there are about 16.5 million South Africans who benefit from social grants. Not only is this a dramatic increase from the 2.5 million in

1993, but also a clear indication that government is committed to bettering the lives of the country’s most vulnerable. As the country commemorates Social Development Month we

Communications Minister Faith Muthambi.

can look back with pride at the support we have given to South Africans over the past two decades. South Africa’s social assistance programme is making a difference in the lives of millions of citizens and deserves to be lauded.

able to access approximately 870 wards out of 1 800 wards across South Africa and these visits have allowed it to understand the diverse needs of various communities.

As Minister Bathabile Dlamini pointed out: “Our social assistance

Government has also made much progress with early

programme continues to draw admirable worldwide attention as

childhood development (ECD) as we strive to address the

among the most effective poverty alleviation initiative ever imple-

needs of children in the first 1 000 days of their lives.

mented by this government. “Together with 16.5 million recipients of the social grants, we can take great pride in the recent World Bank report “The State of Safety Nets 2014”, which ranks the child support grant among the top programmes across the world and the largest in Africa.” At least 11 million South Africans benefit from child support grants. During this month, government will highlight programmes aimed at fighting poverty and building a caring society.

Currently, the number of children benefitting from ECD services stands at over 1.3 million and more than 700 000 are subsidised by the state. While we have a lot to celebrate, we also have a lot to do. Violence against women and children remains at unacceptable levels and substance abuse continues to destroy lives and families. Government is committed to dealing with these scourges and has programmes that do so. Just recently, President

One such programme is the national service delivery improve-

Jacob Zuma visited Eersterust where he and other govern-

ment strategy called Project Mikondzo, which means footprints

ment leaders committed to stepping up efforts to curb

in Xitsonga.

the drug problem, while Minister Dlamini and her team

It refers to the Department of Social Development’s aim to expand and leave a positive service delivery footprint.

have been rolling out White Door Centres across the country. These serve as temporary shelters, providing accom-

Project Mikondzo targets the poorest wards, which have been

modation and other basic needs such as food, clothing,

identified and prioritised by Cabinet. It focuses on the marginalised,

counselling and psychosocial support to abused women.

vulnerable and those who live in poverty.

While government will continue with these initiatives

To better understand the social challenges these groups face,

and others, the battle cannot be won by our efforts alone.

administrative staff from the department, South African Social

Communities, non-government organisations, religious

Security Agency and National Development Agency are based in

organisations and any one else who has an interest in this

communities where they carry out fieldwork to ensure that access

country must also step up to the plate and join hands

to services is enhanced and that government adequately responds

with government.

to immediate socio-economic challenges of communities. According to the department, to date Project Mikondzo has been

For our part, we will continue to work towards ensuring that South Africa is a better place for all who live in it.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

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MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL

Stop the carnage on our roads

f you were to ask a room full of people to put up

the road and keep to the speed limit. All front seat oc-

their hands if they, or someone they know, had been

cupants of a vehicle must wear a seat belt. Adults must

involved in a road accident, chances are most people

place younger passengers in car seats and insist that

would raise their hands.

everyone buckles up. If you are intoxicated, you should

The sad reality is that road accidents take a massive toll

not drive but seek alternative transport methods.

on society and its effects are usually devastating. When

The onus rests on all of us to ensure that our vehicles

breadwinners are involved in fatal crashes they often

are well maintained and roadworthy. Drivers of buses,

leave behind families who face a bleak future without

taxis, light delivery vehicles and heavy motor vehicles

their loved one or a source of income. Surviving victims

are duty bound to ensure that their vehicles are fully

often sustain severe injuries or disability and may be

roadworthy.

faced with lifelong incapacity.

We must reach a point where we all agree that road

The impact on the economy is just as worrying. It is estimated that more than R300 billion is lost by the South African economy annually, both directly and indirectly, because of road crashes.

safety is everyone’s business and acknowledge that bad driving destroys lives. This October, during Transport Month, government will concentrate on four key pillars related to transport,

South Africa has one of the worst safety records in

which are all interlinked.

the world, and over 80 per cent of crashes are caused

Government will highlight that jobs have been, and

by human factors. The fact that 40 people die on our

will be created, through infrastructure and other ser-

roads every day is tragic.

vice delivery programmes in the transport sector. We

Often when people speak of road accidents the ques-

will showcase major infrastructure developments or

tion is: “What is government doing to stop the carnage?”

improvements and show their impact on the economy.

Quite simply, government is doing a lot.

There will be special transport-related programmes

Government is committed to taking unroadworthy vehicles off the road. We also continually

aimed at the youth and women. Lastly, we will rally all sectors of society to make road safety a priority.

concentrate on ensuring better traffic

Earlier this year the Department of Transport reaf-

management, educating drivers,

firmed that it would concentrate on the maintenance

ensuring better road engineering

of road infrastructure, upgrading rail infrastructure and

and better enforcement.

services, as well as building and operating our public

However, these interventions without the support and cooperation of motorists will never be enough.

transportation in line with the National Development Plan. Billions will be spent over the next few years to improve and develop new road infrastructure, upgrade

Government, therefore, ap-

and further develop our rail and train networks. We will

peals to all road users to

continue to invest heavily in public transport, which

obey the rules of

will form the backbone of future mobility, as well as the aviation and maritime industries. We are convinced that our interventions and investment in transport will ensure that we change the lives of people. Our efforts to make transport the heartbeat of the economy and society will ensure that together

Acting Director-General Donald Liphoko.

we move South Africa forward.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

conversations with the leaders

Minister Dlamini spearheads eﬀorts to build a caring country

ith an Honours degree in social work on the

ment has contributed to implementing government’s

one hand and practical experience in the field

comprehensive social security strategy through social

on the other, it is clear that Social Development

assistance programmes,” she points out.

Minister Bathabile Dlamini truly cares about the social wellbeing of South Africans. This concern for the welfare of others is spurring on the Minister and her department to develop programmes to create a more caring society. As the country commemorates Social Development Month during October, Noluthando Mkhize found

Social grants are an integral part of the programme. “There are currently over 16 million persons receiving social grants in South Africa.” According to Minister Dlamini, of these 11 million are children, three million are senior citizens receiving older persons' grants and about 600 receive the war veterans’ grant.

out more about these efforts. In 1989, Minister Dlamini graduated from the Univer-

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), which

(Honours degree) in Social Work, which she passed with

administers social grants, has had its fair share of fraud

distinction. She then put this knowledge into practice,

and corruption-related cases but Minister Dlamini says

working as a social worker at a non-profit organisation

her department is fighting this scourge through its fraud

called the Pietermaritzburg Cripples Association in

prevention strategy.

KwaZulu-Natal in the 1990s. It was during this time, says the Minister, that she realised that social assistance programmes for families living in poverty needed to be the cornerstone of the government’s support to these families. “Over the years the Department of Social Develop-

Fighting fraud and corruption

sity of Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal with a Bachelor of Arts

“It is pleasing to note that our fraud prevention strategy, which we have rigorously employed over the past few years, is having the desired impact. “This can be seen in the number of cases recorded year-on-year from the 2013/14 financial year to date. Between April 2013 and March 2014 about 3 571 cases

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

were captured on the Fraud Case Management System.

It proposed amendments to the Children’s (Act 38 of 2005)

At the end of January 2015, only over 1 000 cases were

which will allow social workers employed by government to

captured.”

process child adoption applications, as opposed to this being

According to Minister Dlamini, the decline is an indication that the department is winning the fight against fraud and corruption. “Since 2010, 261 officials have been suspended, five were dismissed, five convicted of fraud and 12 resigned before disciplinary hearings.”

done only by adoption agencies. Currently, adoption services are provided by social workers in private practice and child protection organisations accredited by the department to render adoption services, explains the Minister. “These service providers charge fees for the services that they

In 2012 the department embarked on a process of re-

provide. By implication it means that all the people who cannot

registering grant beneficiaries to root out ‘ghost’beneficiar-

afford to pay for adoption services, but are willing to adopt a

ies and ensure that grants are paid out only to existing and

child, are excluded from accessing the service.”

deserving South Africans.

She adds that social service delivery is the responsibility of

“Through the re-registration process we eliminated fraud

the state, private sector and civil organisations, and it was not

and corruption and created a conducive environment for

proper that adoption was left in the hands of the private sector

SASSA to have a solid database of all beneficiaries, which

and child protection organisations.

enables it to pay the right grant, to the right person, at the right place.” She says at the end of the re-registration process more than 300 000 fraudulent payments, which included duplicated grants, were cancelled.

“The omission of the department’s social workers in the process of adoption, as stated in the Children’s Act, was an oversight from my department’s side,” she acknowledges. “The use of private adoption services or public adoption services from the department should be a matter of choice by people who are willing to adopt children.”

Adoption process to run smoother Another priority of the department is safeguarding the

The foster care programme

interests of children.

There are more than two million orphans in the country and the department is constantly looking at ways to improve foster care. Minister Dlamini has appointed a committee on foster care that is expected to develop standard practices for providing care for children needing foster care. “The work of the ministerial committee on foster care is ongoing. The committee is busy conducting a detailed evaluation of the foster care programme countrywide. This involves an evaluation of systems and stakeholders active in this field. The intention is to obtain evidence, which can be used to inﬂuence policy.” “The next stage will be a comprehensive research project into the effectiveness of the foster care programme. Once its work is concluded the committee will advise us on measures that may be considered to improve the quality of foster care services.” In the meantime, the department has over 130 000 children on the orphaned and vulnerable children’s register. “These children are beneficiaries of services rendered through the Isibindi model.” The Isibindi model is a social development initiative >>

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

conversations with the leaders

that deploys trained community-based child and youth care workers in communities to provide care, protection and developmental support to vulnerable children and families.

man needs and the social development priorities had been reduced. The committee also noted variations in budget

“The department trains child and youth care workers who in

allocations per province for these areas. For ex-

return provide direct support to orphaned and vulnerable chil-

ample, in the 2015/16 financial year, the Eastern

dren in their homes through life skills programmes.”

Cape allocated R264 per poor child while Gauteng

According to the Minister, more than 2 000 children, youth and

allocated R1 323. KwaZulu-Natal allocates R2 per

persons with disabilities have also received services through the

poor person while the Northern Cape allocates R79.

Isibindi model.

Combating substance abuse

The committee suggested that there is a need to standardise budget allocations across provinces. The committee was also encouraged that there

Government is committed to curbing substance abuse, says

are many new and amended policies, legislation

Minister Dlamini.

and programmes to address poverty, basic human

She points out that government has developed and implemented the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act (Act 70 0f 2008). “Cabinet has also established the Inter Ministerial Committee

needs and the social development priorities of all people. The final report is expected to be submitted to Minister Dlamini by March 2016.

(IMC) on Combating Substance Abuse, led by the DSD to advance policy interventions on these matters.” The IMC has developed the Integrated Anti-Substance Abuse Programme based on resolutions from nine provincial summits and the national summit held in 2011. Government also established the Central Drug Authority and reviewed the National Drug Master Plan 2013-2017 to respond to the supply, demand and harm caused by drugs and substances in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. “In line with the view that drug use disorders are preventable and treatable, we have rolled out community-based programmes to create awareness and promote prevention programmes targeting all communities, especially the youth.” “Government has also established seven public treatment centres, three in the Western Cape, one in Gauteng, one in Mpumalanga and two in KwaZulu-Natal. We have put aside funds to construct six more public treatment centres to ensure that each province has at least one public treatment centre.” The new centres will be established in the Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape, Free State and Eastern Cape.

Strengthening the family system Minister Dlamini believes a caring nation can only be created through a strong family system. “We believe South Africans must promote and protect the family unit as a way of fighting social challenges facing the country.” As part of efforts to create a functional family system, the department has put forward proposals on how South African families should be supported through the White Paper on Families. “Specific programmes to strengthen families include, among others, parenting programmes, marriage preparation and enrichment programmes, mediation programmes, reunification programmes, fatherhood programmes, programmes for families in crisis and the implementation of a framework on positive values.” Minister Dlamini believes every South African should share her concern for the social welfare of

Improving social development services

the country’s citizens.

Minister Dlamini established a ministerial committee to assist

She says fighting social ills cannot be the respon-

in reviewing the implementation of the White Paper on Social

sibility of her department alone and must be ad-

Welfare, which is the main policy framework that looks at the

dressed in conjunction with every member of the

provision of social development services in the country.

community.

When the committee presented its findings to Minister Dlamini recently it noted that funding disparities on poverty, basic hu-

“This is the only way to move South Africa forward away from social ills,” the Minister adds.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

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conversations with the leaders

Minister Peters is steering the transport sector to success

n affordable, safe and reliable public transport

Attracting young people to the transport industry

system - that is what Transport Minister Dipuo Peters

Given the role that the transport sector plays in the economy,

and her department is working towards.

the Minister says it is important that government invests heav-

As the country marks Transport Month in October, Min-

ister Peters says her department is beefing up its policies

ily in the sector and that it must attract the skills of young people.

and is optimistic that increased investments in transport

“I’m happy to say we are working with a number of universi-

infrastructure will set up South Africa up as a transport hub

ties, including the University of Johannesburg, to ensure that

for southern Africa.

students who are studying in the field of transport can be the

While South Africa has modern and well-developed trans-

ambassadors of the transport sector.

port infrastructure, some argue that decades of underinvest-

“We have sent more than 30 young people to do their post-

ment in the maintenance and development of transport

graduate studies at the World Maritime University in Sweden.

networks have hampered what could have been otherwise

We are also sending some to Japan so that we make sure we

fast economic growth.

bring in these skills,” says Minister Peters.

But in a wide-ranging interview with PSM recently, Minister

South Africa has the largest maritime industry in the con-

Peters said government was beginning to turn the corner to

tinent, with major shipping lanes passing along the South

ensure that the transport sector meets the growth demands

African coastline in the South Atlantic and Indian oceans.

of South Africa’s economy.

More than 95 per cent of the country’s exports are conveyed

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

by sea, and the eight commercial ports are the chan-

we have. We will be building our own academy where we will train

nels for trade between South Africa and its southern

artisans, technicians and train drivers,” she adds.

African partners, as well as hubs for traffic to and from Europe, Asia, the Americas and the east and west coasts of Africa. Minister Peters says South Africa’s universities will be crucial to supplying the critical skills the industry demands to grow the economy and create jobs. Developing the skills needed and attracting more young people to the industry will help address some of

More than 600 trains will be bought and 580 of these will be built in South Africa, while 20 will be imported from Brazil. On the issues overshadowing the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), Minister Peters is confident that the challenges can be overcome. Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, who conducted an investigation into the affairs of PRASA, found widespread evidence of maladministration, improper conduct and nepotism at the organisation.

the challenges it faces, which include the decline of the

Minister Peters says she is concerned about the developments

shipbuilding industry and the fact thaet very few com-

at PRASA but adds that the organisation is working to resolve the

panies are operating ships registered in South Africa.

problems. “I want to indicate that we have reports and the Auditor-General

Transforming the rail industry

went back to previous years to show me of they have been raising

Maritime is not the only industry that the department

red ﬂags about the procurement challenges at PRASA so the problems

is eyeing for major reforms; rail is also on its list.

are not starting now.

The problem of aging rail infrastructure, which the

“But let me also indicate that PRASA employs more than 18 000

government has begun to address, has been a major

people and the majority are competent and committed to delivering

area of concern. South Africa has an extensive rail

services to our people - this is what we need to focus on.”

network – the 14th longest in the world – connecting

The Minister adds that some of the biggest challenges at PRASA are

with networks in the sub-Saharan region. The country’s

being linked to infrastructure, such as ineffective signalling for trains.

rail infrastructure, which connects the ports with the

“It is important that we get our systems organised. We need to

rest of South Africa, represents about 80 per cent of

strengthen the security of commuters as well as the challenges related

Africa’s total.

to cable and metal theft. However, challenges are never insurmount-

Government is investing more than R53 billion in a facility that will enable South Africa to produce its

able. It would be wrong of us not to address challenges and this is what we are doing at PRASA.”

own trains. The country’s rolling stock is more than 50 years old and Minister Peters acknowledges that this

SANRAL to continue to improve road network

is not acceptable.

On the improvements of the country’s road network, Minister Peters

“We have arrived at a point where we have to make it possible to revitalise our rail system. We also want to make sure that we don’t export the resources that

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

says the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) will continue to be at the forefront of improvements. While the Department of Transport is responsible for overall policy, >>

conversations with the leaders

road building and maintenance is the responsibil-

dispensation, there was no proper planning. The cur-

ity of SANRAL as well as the nine provinces and

rent dispensation is more manageable, more user-

local governments. Approximately 19 per cent

friendly and acceptable.”

of national roads are toll roads, most of which are maintained by SANRAL. A multibillion rand

Transport Month

freeway improvement scheme was implemented

She says the Department of Transport will continue to

in Gauteng in 2007 and has significantly eased

use Transport Month to highlight issues of road safety,

congestion on the province’s roads. But the deci-

job creation and the role of women in transport.

sion to introduce e-tolls to pay for the project’s costs has been met with some opposition. But Minister Peters says following a revised fee

“Our goal is to get everyone to understand that transport is not supposed to be a killer. It is supposed to be an enabler and facilitator.”

plan announced by government in May, com-

In 2011, South Africa joined the world in implement-

munities in Gauteng have accepted e-tolls and

ing the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action for Road

are beginning to pay.

Safety, which runs until 2020.One of the key elements

In terms the new dispensation, all road users –

of this campaign is to halve road fatalities by 2015. This

with or without a SANRAL account – will pay, but

year South Africa will be expected to report to the UN

at an affordable, capped monthly rate, with light

on what it was doing to reduce the number of road

vehicle owners only paying 30c per km.

deaths and injuries.

“Our people were saying that the amount they

“In the end, as a countr y, we want to ensure that

had to pay was a bit high. Also people were not

there is secure, reliable and affordable transport. This

sure exactly how much they were going to pay

is why the investment is growing, both on roads and

on a monthly basis, so I would say in the first

freight,” says Minister Peters.

Women in transport While there are many women participating in the transport sector, the Minister believes more can be done. “We need to ask ourselves what are we doing as the Department of Transport and entities of the department to assist women in transport. One of the things I say to women is that if the President can appoint a woman as the Minister of Transport, it means there’s a place for women in the this sector and those who are entrepreneurs should get involved. “We are going to include in the performance agreements of all CEOs, Directors-General and Deputy Directors-General a target to achieve women empowerment,” she adds. With the department's many initiatives to improve and develop the transport industry, the road ahead is Government is working hard to improve the country's road network.

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14 000 staff around the country to reclaim SARS as

SARS, for example, is sure to impact on staff morale, public

their organisation.

perception, national confidence and, above all, govern-

A qualified economist, Moyane was appointed Com-

ment fiscus.

missioner in September 2014, an announcement he

In a word, it is about refocusing the energy of the

It is envisaged that for the next five years until

says he was pleasantly surprised by.

Public Sector Manager â&#x20AC;˘ October 2015

“I must say that I was positively surprised by this level of ac-

A new way of doing things

knowledgement and honour. As much as one always dreams

Moyane spoke with the candidness of a man with nothing

of doing something big in the service of the country and the

to hide.

people, I did not think it would be at this level.

“The new operating model will reduce the risk associated

“I am deeply humbled and have taken this in my stride to

with the concentration of various, unique functions under

work together with everyone to make SARS the institution that

the leadership of a single individual. This was the case under

it deserves to be. In fact, this is not about me but a team that

one single division, which controlled over 70 per cent of the

will make the country and continent very proud,” said Moyane.

organisation.

He plans to focus on the significant achievements of the

“In fact, it practically demonstrated that cabals with too

past 12 months that have been overshadowed by a barrage

much power in the hands of a few can truly destroy an

of negative and hostile media coverage.

organisation. This was a very unhealthy and dangerous structure that cannibalised other key functions,” said Moyane.

Celebrating success

In a sudden optimistic change of tone, he confessed to

These successes include the launch of the National Revenue

a desire to rebuild an organisational culture that promotes

Forum, receiving a clean audit, increasing arrests at ports of

active citizenry and inclusiveness to give a sense of belonging

entry, changing the operating model and organisational trans-

and ownership, especially to staff.

formation, among others.

“It has been almost a year since we took stewardship of this

Since July, Moyane has elevated the new structural changes

great institution. We are here to make a commitment that we

to effect visible transformation to redefine the core mandate

must break with the unhealthy horrors of the past to embrace

of SARS.

that which is new, sustainable and great.

He speaks with passionate intensity about ideals and values

“We need to have a progressive leadership that crafts a new

of the organisation that should be aligned to the Constitu-

vision and creates a culture where people speak truth to pow-

tion of the country to promote pride, integrity and morality

er. We have to learn to face honest facts about our realities.”

among staff and citizens. Moyane is also implementing plans to recreate a SARS that is punctuated by a culture of openness, transparency and fearlessness to speak truth to power.

He stressed the need for a people-centric philosophy that puts the staff first. “There has been much anxiety and excitement around the introduction of the new operating model. But this structural

This is to encourage staff and citizens, if they will, to reassert

adjustment programme is about all of us embarking on a

the reputation of the entity as the epitome of what is excellent

journey that will create a big difference in the organisational

and great about the country.

culture, staff, clients and people of this country, at large,” he

At a long-awaited National Management Forum at Birch-

added.

wood Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni recently, Moyane convened a much-anticipated no-holds-barred interactive

Radical change on the cards

session with top executives to take stock of the organisation.

Moyane has made it known that he wants to see a radical

The thrust of the gathering was to dispel myths, take stock

change in how SARS operates. This is to be effected, latest, by

of the past year and chart the way forward. Above all, it was to bring in the new structural changes. In the room were 120 top executives from all over the country who make up the leadership and management of the organisation. They were joined by the chairperson of the Advisory Board, Judge Frank Kroon, and two board members.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

the beginning of the new financial year in 2016. “We all are of the same mind about the future SARS that we want to see happen in our lifetime. No doubt, it must be a pride of the nation, trusted by all. “This is a continuation of the journey for a better understanding by all parties. We believe our staff remain an essential segment of this administration. >>

PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP

Modernisation programme The ICT modernisation programme is under review by reputable IT governance organisation, Gartner. It has noted, with concern, the lack of governance in some of the procurement process. “The organisation is what it is because of its staff. No single leader can be greater than the organisation,” said Moyane. “We need a radical shift in attitude of individuals to meet their national obligations of paying their taxes. The training and upskilling of our staff will make this easier to achieve,” said Moyane. The revision of SARS values to be aligned to the constitutional principles and ideals will intuitively connect with the people inside and outside the organisation. Echoing the sentiments of Vision 2030, Moyane said: “In fact, we believe that our employees are the most important asset

“We will turn our programmatic goals into practical

in the service delivery model of our country.

interventions that promote the ideals, principles and

“They are the lifeblood of the government’s service delivery programme. Thus a dysfunctional SARS is not an option,” said Moyane.

values of this country, especially the fairness, accountability, integrity and respect for the Constitution.

Moyane spoke about using SARS to drive citizen activism and

“In fact, these must become an inherent part of the

corporate responsibility. In fact, he plans to use the two pillar of busi-

character of the people that work for this organisation.

ness, that is, Business and Individual Tax and Customs and Excise to

We are the custodians of the integrity of this nation.”

drive the organisation’s agenda. This will support the core mandate.

Public service experience Optimising human capital He also stressed the need to focus on the human element. “My big question is how much have we spent on the development and training of our own staff that are the greatest engine of this organisation?

Moyane has spent many years in the public service. His qualifications include a BSc Economics from the Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique. As a development economist, Moyane served, until recently, as the Advisor on Turnaround and Security

“We must recognise and accept that technology by itself cannot

Strategies at the State Information Technology Agency.

bring discipline, good people and excellent strategies or high-level

He is a former National Commissioner for the Depart-

performances do.” Moyane pointed out that SARS was not about technology and opulent buildings.

ment of Correctional Services and has also served as Chief Executive Officer for the Government Printing Works.

“We have achieved all that we have because we have a resilient

Moyane was also Managing Director for Engen Mo-

team of proud and hardworking specialists, professionals and work-

zambique as well as Regional Coordinator for the Re-

ers who make us what we are.

gional Spatial Development Initiatives and Chief Di-

“As a result, we will optimise our human capital endowment to create a more efficient and effective approach to meet the service delivery requirements across the entire organisation. “This means we will review the modernisation strategy to make

rector for Industry and Enterprise Development at the Department of Trade and Industry. Before joining SARS he was Commissioner at the Department of Correctional Services.

sure that we get value for money. We need to go back to basics to give the organisation a human face that people can relate to,”

*Sandile Memela, Executive: Media and Public

said Moyane.

Relations at SARS.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Compiled by: Dorris Simpson

vital stats

Fast facts at your ﬁngertips Paving the way for development Medupi Power Station to empower SA’s economy

Assessing progress

Medupi is a green-fields power plant comprising six units rated in

President Zuma recently provided an update on the

total of 5 764 megawatts (MW) installed capacity. Its completion is

work done thus far in the implementation of the first

expected to grow South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by

year of the Medium Term Strategic Framework, based

about 0.35 per cent a year. President Jacob Zuma officially opened

on the programmes outlined in the State of the Na-

Unit 6 of Medupi recently. The President also used the occasion to

tion Address in February. The President indicated that

detail some of the benefits of Medupi in stimulating the Lepha-

the South African economy, as with many economies

lale region and Limpopo. Eskom Acting CEO Brian Molefe said

in the world, continued to struggle to fully regain its

the unit would enable the utility to supply South African homes

pre-financial crisis growth momentum.

and businesses and empower economic expansion to millions.

“We have decided to look inward for growth opportu-

• Construction activities at the plant started in 2007 and the

nities, hence the development of the Nine Point Plan

station is planned to be fully operational in 2019.

that we announced in February,” said President Zuma.

• Unit 6 is expected to add at least 800 MW to the national power grid.

Industrial Policy Action Plan

• Lephalale’s GDP has increased by about 95 per cent per year

• Government support has taken the automotive

as a result of the constructions, while creating jobs for about

sector from the production of 356 800 units in the

18 000 construction employees and 2 000 supporting staff sourced mostly from the local areas.

year 2000 to over 566 000 units in 2014. • This support has grown auto exports from 11 000

• The project contributed to the improvement of local skills and

units in 1995 to over 270 000 units in 2014. This

South African companies were prioritised for procurement and

resulted in 300 000 jobs in the automotive sector.

obtained 62 per cent of the R75 billion worth of contracts. • Eskom built 995 houses and bought 321 ﬂ ats at a cost of R1 billion in the Lephalale area.

Auto sector, agro-processing and electronics

• Other beneﬁts of the Medupi project included skills develop-

• Some of the investments in the auto, agro-pro-

ment and investment in excess of R2.3 billion in infrastructure

cessing and electronics sector include R5 billion

and socio-economic development initiatives in Lephalale.

by Mercedes Benz, R3 billion by Ford and R4 billion by Unilever, in four plants over the past four years,

Source: SAnews.gov.za

and R228 million from Samsung. • There was a strong turnaround in manufacturing

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

exports. Auto exports amounted to R115 billion in

• From 2009 to date, 41 351 km of ﬁbre optic cables have been

2014, which is 12.7 per cent of total exports in the

rolled out to provide the broadband capability for the economy.

country. • By the end of March this year, R3.7 billion in support

Agriculture

of the private sector, had been approved since the

• Notable progress has been made in the development of Agri-Parks,

inception of the Clothing and Textile Competitive

with 43 of the 44 sites having been identified. One Agri-Park is

Programme in 2010.

ready to be launched in the North West.

• Since 2009, the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) supported agro-processing industries, to

Basic education

the value of R1.2 billion through various schemes.

• The 2014 Annual National Assessments results indicated that Grade 3 targets in both literacy and numeracy have been ex-

Industrial development • The Black Industrialist Programme, designed to transform the manufacturing sector and unlock the potential of black entrepreneurs, was introduced. • Initial funding of R1 billion has been secured from the dti for the 2015/16 financial year, and R23 billion from the Industrial Development Corporation for the

ceeded, including Grade 6 Home Language. • Performance in Grade 6 and 9 Maths and First Additional Language is still below par. • The implementation of the Maths, Science and Technology Strategy will be strengthened in all schools. • In addition, government will ensure improved teacher supply, training and development.

next three financial years.

Health Infrastructure development • Government and public agencies invested just over R1 trillion in infrastructure between 2009 and 2014.

• On the health front, South Africa has been praised by the United Nations AIDS programme for its successful response to HIV and AIDS.

• The investments are in energy, road, rail, ports, public

• Access to antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV and

transport, bulk water and sanitation, hospitals, basic

AIDS was expanded to 3.1 million people, exceeding the 2014/15

and higher education infrastructure and innovative

target of three million.

projects, such as the Square Kilometre Array and Meerkat.

• The screening for tuberculosis has been expanded, with 15.2 million people reached, which exceeded the target of six million.

Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy • Cabinet approved the ﬁnal amendments to the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy, which unlocked the project to enable implementation. • Cabinet also approved the decision for government to provide free set-top-boxes to the five million poor TV-owning households. • To date, the Ministry of Communications has concluded and signed Bilateral Engagements with neighbouring countries, including Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland, in order to minimise cross-border radio frequency spectrum interference.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Advertorial • Mpumalanga

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO DELIVERING S U S TA I N A B L E I N T E G R AT E D SETTLEMENTS The National Development Plan (NDP) aims at achieving comprehensive delivery of much needed services to communities. Over the past few years, substantial progress has been made in migrating from the defunct mandate of housing to embrace the sustainable integrated human settlements model. Mpumalanga Human Settlements MEC, Violet Siwela, declared the Department should approach the roll-out of projects in line with this broadened mandate.

MEC, Violet Siwela

T h e D e p a r t m e n t ’s M a n d a t e Sustainable human settlements are defined as well managed entities where economic growth and social development are in balance with a carrying capacity of the natural systems on which they depend for existence and result in sustainable development, wealth creation, poverty alleviation and equity. The South African Constitution mandates the Department of Human Settlements to provide adequate housing and integrated human settlements. Section

Emthonjeni Community Residential Units Project, Emakhazeni Local Municipality

26 of the Constitution emphasises the centrality of the Department’s role in coordinating the development of sustainable integrated human settlements. The Department is therefore well positioned to facilitate coordinated planning towards the realisation of progressive development. MEC: Ms. Violet Siwela

HOD: Mr. Kebone Masange

CFO: Mr. Dumisani Shipalana

Spokesperson: Mr. Freddy Ngobe A Community Hall at Mashishing, Thaba Chweu Local Municipality

Mpumalanga • Advertorial

hard at work delivering over 17 500

housing opportunities, which comprises of 9 301 housing units and 8 260 sites

across the province. By the same token, the Department has prioritised servicing of sites in order to ensure that water,

sanitation, electricity and access roads are implemented before top structures (houses). Fully serviced stands will be

made available for beneficiaries who want

to build their own houses, thereby ensuring social cohesion among people of various income brackets.

Klarinet Integrated Project at eMalahleni Local Municipality

Focus on Fast Growing Towns

To ensure the development of integrated human settlements, the Department is

focusing on fast growing towns. Commonly

facilitation of sustainable integrated human settlements with the provision of basic

services to households and other amenities.

Housing Process Programmes that will yield

projects and delivery of infrastructure

a total of 3 493 housing opportunities in this

were recorded at the Mbombela,

financial year.

eMalahleni, Steve Tshwete, Govan Mbeki,

Bushbuckridge, Victor Khanye and Umjindi

By sustaining previously marginalised

Local Municipalities. Similar projects which

groups, the Department continues to

have evidenced considerable development

support women contractors with a budget

include the much talked about Klarient at

of R217-million to deliver projects in various

eMalahleni and Standerton, Lekwa Local

parts of the Province. This programme

Municipalities. Supported by other role

seeks to aid women contractors to fully

players, these interventions also address

participate in the construction value-chain.

the ageing infrastructure (water and

sanitation) and new major infrastructure

Titlle deeds hand over celebrations

the Department focuses on internal

Issuing of Title Deeds

Revitalising Mining Towns

To improve socio-economic conditions,

special attention is also being given towards revitalising distressed mining towns with a view to advance the living conditions of communities living at eMalahleni,

Steve Tshwete and Thaba Chweu Local

Municipalities. The revitalisation of mining towns seeks to mitigate challenges

bedevilling these areas after mines have

either shut down or retrenched employees, leading to dwindling infrastructure and economic slump.

MEC Siwela said, “Given this intervention, it remains our belief that a turnaround

in development will be realised, leading to expansive economic activities and

better living conditions.” She added that

the Department is required to go beyond just building houses by ensuring the

the rural parts of the Province. Rural

Rural Housing, Farm Worker and People’s

initiative (BNG), planning for integrated

reticulation.

projects, the Department is not neglecting communities are being supported through

known as the Breaking New Ground

projects in municipalities. In the process,

Whilst delivering on major infrastructure

To restore dignity, pride and a sense of

property ownership, the Department has

so far issued nearly 6 500 title deeds which

translates to 64% of the total planned target of 10 000 to be handed out this financial

year. Title deeds will continue to be handed over throughout the province as soon as they are released by the deeds office.

“I would like to urge the beneficiaries to

Regarding youth empowerment, R70-

million has been made available for youth enterprise development training through the recently launched Youth Brigade

Programme. With such plans in focus, it is clear that it will assist in dealing with the

triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality in distressing communities. The Department has a budget of

R1.677-billion to deliver on its mandate of

coordinating integrated sustainable human settlements for the 2015/16 financial year.

safeguard their title deeds and use them

to improve their livelihood,” charges MEC Siwela. In normalising the rental sector,

the Mpumalanga Rental Housing Tribunal

is continuing to mediate and resolve rental cases or disputes between landlords and

tenants. The existence of the tribunal and issuing of title deeds is in a way ensuring that people’s rights are respected and

restored as espoused by the Constitution. General Delivery

Since the beginning of the 2015/16

financial year, the Department has been

CONTACT DETAILS Building No. 6 & 7, No 7 Government Boulevard, Riverside Park, Mbombela, 1200 • Tel: +27 13 766 6088 • Fax: +27 13 766 8441 • Web: www.dhs.mpg.gov.za

Youth Brigade Launch in Nkomazi

uPcominG events

Compiled by: Maselaelo Seshotli

Sports and Events Tourism Exchange 2015 27 – 29 October 2015 Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) has become a significant event in the sports and events tourism calendar and is aimed at

GovTech conference 25 – 28 October 2015 The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) will this year host the 10th instalment of the government technology conference, which has become popularly known as GovTech. The conference is a great Information and Communications Technology (ICT) platform for the leading industry players and their associated innovations in the ongoing quest to find practical and progressive solutions to a developing nation using ICT tools. The theme for this year’s event is “Partnering for Service Delivery” and the sub theme is “Connecting Communities for Development and Growth”. The 2015 conference will reflect on the journey travelled thus far by South Africans both in the public and private sector spaces as they work together to transform the problem that was once ICT and make it responsive to societal challenges. The event will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. For more information go to www.govtech.co.za

Eastern Cape Maritime Summit 2015 13 November 2015

and events tourism destination. The event is now in its fifth year and will be hosted by the City of Tshwane. Since its inception the SETE has become the meeting place for key decision-makers in the sports and events tourism industry to network, do business and debate issues of national importance affecting the growth of the sports and events tourism sector. International buyers from over 20 countries were hosted over the past three years resulting in estimated business of over R30 million for the South African sports and events tourism industry. A new partnership with the City

As the biggest and most comprehensive maritime initiative in the region, the Eastern

of Tshwane means that for the next

Cape Maritime Summit draws participants from every sector of the maritime economy.

three years Tshwane will be the

These include policy-makers, funders, investment agencies, existing maritime businesses, entrepreneurs, conservationists, researchers, media and the public.

home of SETE. This year’s event will take place

The summit provides a platform for business-to-business discussions and trade

from 27 to 29 October 2015 at the

between maritime industry players across South Africa, with specific application to

Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Menlyn, east

the stimulation of the ocean economy in the region.

of Pretoria.

It also provides local business people, the rest of the country, continent and globe

The two-day conference and

the opportunity to understand the business environment as well as network with its

table top exhibition will focus on

stakeholders at the heart of Africa’s maritime economy.

golf tourism, the business of sport,

It is hosted by, among others, the Department of Transport, Transnet, National Re-

and trends in the sports and events

search Foundation, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and National Sea Rescue Insti-

tourism industry, which are among

tute.

the key issues to be debated at this

The one-day event will take place at the Boardwalk Convention Centre, Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. For more information go to www.maritimesummit.co.za

positioning South Africa as a sports

year’s conference. For more information go to www.sportsandevents.co.za

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

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Women in the Public Sector

*Writer: Kabelo Ledwaba

Poppy Khoza is flying SA’s flag high

he aviation industry is historically dominated by men,

Safety and security

not only in South Africa, but across the world. One can

For almost seven decades South Africa has been a signatory

probably count on one hand the number of historically

state to the Chicago Convention of 1944, which established

disadvantaged individuals, particularly African women, who

the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a

hold meaningful positions in aviation. Poppy Khoza, who heads

specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) that sets

the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) as Direc-

international standards and regulations necessary for safe,

tor of Civil Aviation (CEO), is one of these few young female

secure and efficient air transport. This means that South

pioneers in aviation.

Africa is expected to exercise civil aviation safety and security

She shared her thoughts with PSM on the civil aviation industry and how South Africa measures up to the rest of the world.

oversight in line with ICAO standards and recommended practices. According to Khoza, ICAO member states are expected,

“South Africa’s civil aviation safety and security sector is held

through their respective civil aviation authorities, to imple-

in high regard by peers across the world. This is not just a self-

ment safety and security oversight critical elements, as de-

gratification claim but an assertion held by many independ-

fined by ICAO, in a way that assumes the shared responsibility

ent and reputable international organisations responsible for

of the state and the aviation community.

upholding global aviation safety and security standards. In

Critical elements of a safety and security oversight system

fact, in several instances South Africa is regarded as a pioneer

encompass all civil aviation activities, including areas such as

in the aviation field,” Khoza explained.

aerodromes, air traffic control, communications, personnel

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Minister Dipuo Peters (centre left) and SACAA CEO Poppy Khoza with some of the bursary recipients. Bursaries are awarded to young aspiring aviators.

licensing, flight operations, airworthiness of aircraft, accident

tors from across the world feel confident and are allowed,

investigation and transportation of dangerous goods.

by their respective countries, to operate in and out of South

ICAO and other reputable global civil aviation organisations

Africa, Khoza explained.

use these elements during their auditing of a country’s

She added that all these compliance and mutual collabo-

oversight capability. These auditing exercises are aimed at

rations were crucial, considering the catalytic role that civil

determining a particular country’s level of compliance with

aviation plays in the economy.

globally accepted civil aviation safety and security standards.

“For instance, a 2011 report released by Oxford Economics estimates that the aviation sector contributes over R50 billion

SA raising the bar

to South Africa’s gross domestic product, making it a key

Khoza indicated that South Africa was doing very well in

role player in the economy. In addition, the aviation sector is

terms of compliance with the set international civil aviation

said to support approximately 227 000 jobs in South Africa.”

standards. “South Africa’s level of effective implementation of ICAO’s

Global aviation standards

eight safety and security critical elements is rated at 84 per

According to Khoza, South Africans should take pride in

cent; which is above the world average of 62 per cent. The

knowing that their country was appointed as the Chairper-

84 per cent excludes progress made since ICAO’s last audit

son of the ICAO’s Aviation Security Panel.

in 2013 and the accident investigation function, which was

The announcement was made at the ICAO Aviation Security

not audited. When taking these two into account, our rating

Panel meeting held earlier this year. Khoza will represent

could possibly be higher and above 90 per cent.

South Africa, making her the first woman to take up the

“South Africa also maintains the essential Category 1 status

position.

as declared by the United States Federal Aviation Admin-

“The appointment is a demonstration of trust and faith by

istration. South Africa is also in good standing in terms of

the global aviation community in South Africa’s capabilities

compliance with other global requirements as outlined in

on aviation matters and specifically aviation security. This

various parts of the world, including on our continent, Eu-

move bodes well for the advancement of the transformation

rope and other regions.”

agenda which must continue as women play a meaningful

This is attested by the many years that South Africa has managed to maintain an admirable safety record in terms

role in all sectors previously dominated by men, not only in South Africa but beyond our borders too.”

of scheduled commercial operations. The country has had

She plans to use her tenure to advocate for the continued

an impeccable zero (0) per cent accident rate in relation to

elevation of the aviation security agenda across the African

scheduled commercial flights for a number of years, thus

continent.

setting the standards in aviation safety.

“Recent tragic aviation events such as 9/11, MH17, MH370

All of this means that South African air carriers are free to

and German Wings call for greater cooperation amongst all

operate throughout the world and likewise air travel opera-

aviation role players. The global community needs to share >>

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Women in the Public Sector

pointers on successes and challenges faced in aviation se-

African civil aviation airspace, the SACAA issued the first RPAS

curity.

pilot’s licence - the first of its kind in South Africa, the conti-

“The challenge is for the various states to implement measures against the specific threats which they face, while finding a balance that would not stifle aviation activities.”

nent and most parts of the world. “These achievements are in line with the SACAA’s desire to promote the development and sustainability of the aviation industry in partnership with relevant players,” Khoza said.

Innovation in aviation According to Khoza, the aviation industry is a very dynamic

Facilitating development

one, characterised by innovation and rapid technology ad-

The SACAA is committed to contributing to the country’s

vancements. The most recent technology

growth by contributing to achieving

modernisation involves remotely piloted

the goals set out in the National De-

aircraft systems (RPAS), which are aircraft that can fly without a pilot on-board. Commonly known as ‘drones’, they can be controlled remotely by an individual on the ground, from another aircraft or through an on-board computer system. Traditionally, RPAS were used primarily in military operations; however, they can also be used for other purposes such as aerial surveillance, scientific research, and journalism. These types of aircraft are a relatively new component of the civil aviation framework and their rapid advancement has caught many civil aviation regulators worldwide

“We need more young people to join the aviation industry, as there is a shortage of specialist aviation skills across the world. It is also critical that women and historically disadvantaged individuals (HDIs) consider careers in aviation as the current statistics relating to previously disadvantaged persons, in particular, are nowhere near reflecting the country’s demographics with HDI pilots constituting a mere eight per cent of total licensed personnel.”

by some level of surprise. Authorities across the world have been putting their heads

velopment Plan (NDP). “The local aviation industry has a massive potential to become a significant manufacturing employer. All role-players, including the SACAA as the regulator, need to put heads together to find a sustainable way of enabling South Africa to become one of the key aviation manufacturing hubs. “However, we can only achieve this if we acknowledge the importance of transformation which will unlock additional capacity rather than rely only on the current pool of skills.”

Transforming the aviation industry

together in an attempt to understand, define and ultimately

According to Khoza, more young people need to be lured

integrate this technology into the mainstream aviation sector.

into the aviation industry.

“RPAS constitute a relatively new, but rapidly growing,

“We need more young people to join the aviation industry,

component of the civil aviation framework. Under normal

as there is a shortage of specialist aviation skills across the

circumstances ICAO would take the lead in terms of develop-

world. It is also critical that women and historically disadvan-

ing standards and recommended practices; and civil aviation

taged individuals (HDIs) consider careers in aviation as the

regulators would then translate those into legally enforceable

current statistics relating to previously disadvantaged per-

civil aviation regulations.

sons, in particular, are nowhere near reflecting the country’s

“In the absence of guiding documents from ICAO, regulators such as the SACAA have had to swiftly derive measures to address the regulation deficiency in response to a growing demand to regulate this sector,” Khoza said.

demographics with HDI pilots constituting a mere eight per cent of total licensed personnel.” She added that there was a need for transformation initiatives to be consolidated.

On 1 July 2015, the SACAA introduced new regulations to

"There are a number of initiatives such as the Joint Avia-

administer RPAS, making South Africa one of the very few

tion Awareness Programme (JAAP). The only challenge at

countries to do so.

the moment is that transformation efforts are fragmented

Two weeks after RPAS were integrated into the South

and there is no central driving mechanism to consolidate >>

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

women in the Public sector

transformation initiatives.”

the SACAA over the past three financial years.

The JAAP is aimed at bringing together aviation role players

“The Auditor-General’s pronouncements over the past

to pursue and achieve transformation by ensuring that previ-

three years and the continuing global recognition suggest

ously disadvantaged youth have access to aviation awareness

that we are accomplishing our goals. While we are thrilled

and career development.

by the continuous local and global recognition, we are

The programme routinely visits over 400 schools across the

also cognisant of the fact that organisational performance

country every year, particularly those that are based in rural

is not and can never be a once-off incident. As such, the

areas. In the process, more 10 000 learners, especially those

litmus test will be to maintain these remarkable records,”

who are in Grade 11 and 12 are introduced to various careers

Khoza added.

and opportunities in the aviation sector.

The SACAA’s performance target achievement was an incredible achievement when taking into account that

Bursaries for aspiring aviators “We have noted that once we have sparked the

the SACAA is self-funded and applies the user-pays principle, she pointed out.

youth’s interest in aviation; their chances of ful-

“During the last financial year, the SACAA had

filling their dreams are quickly thwarted by the

to implement cost-containment measures as

lack of financial support.

decreed by National Treasury. This meant that

“It is for this reason that the SACAA introduced

we had to elevate performance with fewer

a bursary scheme to support these kids in their

resources and I am glad that my team did not

quests to enter the aviation industry. This is

disappoint.”

one of the ways that the SACAA is contributing to the NDP.” In the past financial year, the

The right woman for the job Khoza’s appointment as the Director

SACAA spent R3.4 million to

of Civil Aviation in 2013 made her the

train 27 young and aspir-

first woman and first black woman

ing aviators, the majority of

to occupy the position in the his-

which are females.

Stellar performance on governance matters Last month the SACAA re-

tory of the SACAA. SACAA CEO Poppy Khoza.

It also set a precedent for further transformation in the aviation industry. “Transformation is something close to my heart. It

ceived a clean audit award

will be fulfilling to witness,

from the Auditor-General of

during my tenure, an in-

South Africa for the third year

crease in the number of ca-

in succession. The SACAA also

pable women and HDIs taking

recorded 100 per cent against

up senior positions in the avia-

performance targets set for the

tion industry.

2014/15 financial year.

“I have always refused the no-

“Entrenching good govern-

tion that in aviation, the ambitions

ance across the organisation and

of HDIs and women stretches only

elevating organisational perfor-

as far as jobs that are down the line

mance in relation to the mandate

on the food chain. If I shared that

were some of the key priorities for

belief I would not have progresses

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Initiatives such as the Joint Aviation Awareness Programme have been launched to attract young people into the aviation industry through awareness and career development programmes.

to where I am today. I am of the view that women are

rior service delivery form part of each employee’s DNA,

capable of occupying any position anywhere in the

and being realistic during the planning and strategy

world and we have witnessed this as demonstrated by

development process while forming good relations

our government where we see a fair balance of women

with stakeholders has yielded positive results.

leaders in Cabinet. Women must stand to be counted even when standing is not easy,” Khoza said.

Khoza added that success was also determined by having the right team, processes and resources.

Since her appointment she has increased the number

“In our case, we have noted the need to streamline

of capable females within the organisation’s top leader-

and update our processes… To succeed you also re-

ship structure from 20 per cent to 40 per cent. Some of

quire committed and appropriately skilled personnel.

these women rose within the ranks of the organisation

The SACAA is about to finalise its organisational review

even though the numbers of senior women leaders

process. It is about having the right skills, right number

across the industry are dwindling.

of employees, the right candidates for the right jobs,

Khoza has also ensured that the SACAA provides

and job descriptions that will produce the right out-

technical training and assistance to its African peers

come. Performance and consequence management are

with the aim of improving aviation safety and security

also at the top of the agenda to ensure that the organi-

across the continent.

sation is led appropriately and with integrity,” she said. With nearly two decades of experience, 13 of them

Recipe for success

in senior management, and backed by training and

Sharing the secrets to her personal and organisational

academic progression largely in strategic leadership,

success, Khoza said sticking to the basics and doing

business administration, and aviation, Khoza has cer-

things right had yielded the results. This is the tone and

tainly earned her stripes. It would seem as if she is the

culture she is setting at the top to ensure the success

right woman to raise South Africa’s flag – literally taking

of the organisation.

it to the skies!

This includes ensuring that everyone in the organisation understands and supports the role and mandate of

*Kabelo Ledwaba, acting Senior Manager: Com-

the SACAA. Ensuring that good governance and supe-

munications and Marketing at the SACAA.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

ADVERTORIAL

NORTH WEST GAMBLING B OA R D Promoting responsible gambling in the province.

Gambling in South Africa has been heavily restricted since 1673, with South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gambling Act of 1965 officially banning all forms of gambling except horse racing which existed as a sporting activity. Casinos started operating in the old South African regime in the late 1970s and most citizens could not access those gaming establishments. By 1995 an estimated 2000 illegal casinos were believed to be operating within the country. In 1994, when the new democratic government came to power, all forms of gambling were legalised. In 1996 the National Gambling Act instituted a system of licensed casinos and horse racing was also proclaimed a gambling activity. The National Gambling Act of 1996 made provisions for the regulation of gambling activities and the promotion of uniform norms and standards in relation to gambling throughout the country. It gave definition to different gambling notions, described how the 40 gambling licenses should be distributed among the provinces and provided information on liability. It also established the National Gambling Board, an organisation responsible for the supervision and regulation of the gambling industry. This change in legislation saw the establishment of legal casinos, and other forms of gaming. In 2004, another National Gambling Act repealed the Act of 1996, and in 2008 The National Gambling Amendment Act was introduced. Each of the nine (9) Provinces in South Africa has a gambling board that is mandated to regulate gambling activities within the Province.

ORGANISATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT

The North West Gambling Board was established in 2001 to regulate gambling activities in the North West Province. The Board is established in terms of section 3 of the North West Gambling Act,

2001(Act No. 2 of 2001), as amended, and classified as a Schedule 3C Public Entity in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999). The authority is a member of Gaming Regulators Africa Forum and International Association of Gambling Regulators.

VISION

To be a leading and socially conscious authority in the regulation of gambling in the world.

MISSION

To provide effective and efficient regulatory services and maintain a gambling industry, which contributes to socio-economic growth and development.

VALUES

The North West Gambling Boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach to service delivery is premised on the following values: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Service Excellence Integrity Transparency Honesty

GOVERNING BODIES

The Board of Directors is comprised ten members under the Chairmanship of Mr LW Vere and Mr Fortune Sekgaphane as the Chief Executive Officer. The members of the Board from various fields are appointed by the MEC responsible for Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development in the province. The term of office of all directors is three years and the three committees, namely the Compliance Committee, the Human Resources Committee and

Audit and Risk Committee assist the Board in discharging its responsibilities.

CORE BUSINESS

Gambling activities were introduced in the North West Province in terms of the National Gambling Act with the objective of uplifting, advancing and economically empowering historically disadvantaged communities as well as providing entertainment, sport and recreational facilities to members of the public. The main services of the North West Gambling Board include: • R egistration and licensing of all establishments where gambling is conducted or operated, so as to better public engagement in gambling, promote safe entertainment and good morals. • Registration and licensing of all employees and third parties participating in the gambling industry. • Approval and registration of all gambling devices. • Monitor and enforce compliance with legislation and licensing conditions, thereby ensuring that gabling is conducted in a fair and honest manner. • Eradication of any forms of illegal gambling operations and promotion of responsible gambling. • Monitor and enforce compliance with the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (which aims to ensure that the economy is structured and transformed to enable the meaningful participation of the majority of its citizens and to create capacity within the broader economic landscape at all levels) and Codes of Good Practice. • Collect and administer prescribed gambling taxes and levies. The North West Gambling Board, is home to four casinos with 1 774 gambling machines and 76 gambling tables, three route operators with 653 limited payout machines rolled out at the site operator premises, 11 bookmaker operations, three bingo operations, two totalizator licence holders with 11 branches and four agencies and five amusement machine licence holders. In total all licensed gambling operations employed 1 410 employees and raised a total turnover and gross gambling revenue of R3-billion and R608-million respectively and contributed R48-million in levies and taxes to the Provincial Revenue Fund from April to August 2015. The North West Gambling Board has six programmes with an operational budget of R52 661 000. The North West Gambling Board staff complement as at 01 August 2015 was 77 in total, i.e. 68 permanent and 9 temporary employees.

APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER TO INTERNATIONAL FORA In line with its vision to be a leading and socially conscious authority in the regulation of gambling in the world, the CEO, Mr Fortune Sekgaphane, was elected as one of the 14 trustees to the International Associates of Gambling Regulators (IAGR) which consists of representatives from gaming regulatory organisations throughout the world, whose mission is to advance the effectiveness and efficiency of gaming regulation.

Mr Sekgaphane is currently the Chairperson of the Gambling Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF) Sub-Committee on Illegal Gambling and Technology, a position he has held since 2008. He possesses a wealth of experience within the gambling industry and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Mpumalanga Gambling Board in 2004, before joining the North West Gambling Board in 2008. Mr Sekgaphane is the first CEO in the gambling industry to be involved with the rollout of the limited payout machines whilst with Mpumalanga Gambling Board.

COMBATING ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING

The Board is mandated in terms of section 31 of the National Gambling Act, 2004 (Act No.7 of 2004), as amended to ensure that unlicensed gambling activities relating to casinos, wagering and betting are detected and prosecuted. To date the Board has identified 62 unlicensed gambling premises across the province that are costing the economy of the province millions of rands. Together with its stakeholders which include the South African Police Service, the Board has managed to confiscate 871 unlicensed gambling machines from unlicensed gambling operators since 2010, 819 of which have since been destroyed. In an effort to educate members of the public about the risks and dangers of taking part in unlicensed gambling, the Board has embarked on an education campaign in partnership with the Setsokotsane programme, which is led by the Honourable Premier of the North West Province, Supra Mahumapelo. The Board has an anti-fraud free hotline (0860 545 545) utilised for reporting illegal gambling activities. Punters with gambling problems are excluded from gambling sites and those suffering from gambling addiction are referred to the National Responsible Gambling Programme, which offers programmes to educate gamblers and potential gamblers about responsible gambling, counselling and treatment options.

COMMUNITY SOCIAL INVESTMENT (CSI)

The licences issued by the Board carries a condition which requires the licence holders to contribute 1% of gross gaming revenue, toward socio economic development projects in the North West Province. A total amount of R 5 952 104.72 has since been spent on corporate social investment projects during the 2014/2015 financial year.

Physical Address: North West Gambling Board, 131 University Drive, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa Telephone: (+27) 18 384 3215 | Fax: (+27) 18 384 2290 | Email: ceo@nwgb.co.za Website: www.nwgb.co.za | The toll free helpline number is 0800 006 008.

Provincial Focus

Writer: Chris Bathembu Photographer: Siyasanga Mbambani

MEC Creecy has a ﬁrm hand on Gauteng’s ﬁnances

or 10 years, she served the Gauteng Legislature in a number of capacities, including Deputy Chief Whip and Chairperson of the Social Development and Education Committees. Now Barbara Creecy is

proving her worth once again, managing the finances of South Africa’s richest province. The Gauteng Provincial Government has grown its revenue from R2 620 billion to R4 344 billion over the past five years. As the MEC for Finance, Creecy has vowed to strengthen financial management in the province, deal decisively with fraud and corruption and pay suppliers on time. In an interview with PSM recently, she revealed that preparations were at an advanced stage to roll out an electronic platform throughout the province that would allow all current and prospective suppliers to send invoices for their services directly and communicate about non-payments.

Paying suppliers on time The electronic invoicing or e-invoicing system is expected to reduce the time it takes for suppliers to send invoices to government departments from 60 days to just under two days after the work is completed. The new system will allow suppliers to submit invoices electronically via any internet connection or at Thusong Service Centres. “I think the e-invoicing system is a significant development for our province. The platform will help us in our ongoing battle to ensure that we pay suppliers on time. One of the challenges we have been faced with is meeting the 30-day period for suppliers to be paid,” MEC Creecy explains. The national government has acknowledged in the past that paying suppliers within 30 days is a challenge for many departments. Delays in payment have a significant impact on small businesses, economic growth and job creation. “We did a study last year to determine where the logjams in relation to paying suppliers on time were. One of the things we found was that it takes a very long time between the point where goods and services are delivered, particularly if they are delivered to a decentralised government facility, to that invoice reaching a centre where it can be approved.”

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Suppliers who do business with government have been in-

Open tenders will improve transparency

vited to register on the database so that they can receive train-

The province is currently piloting the open tender process,

ing on the new system. More than 350 of the more than 800

which allows the public to witness the decision-making pro-

suppliers to the provincial government had been put on the

cess around the awarding of tenders.

system. The e-invoicing system also alleviates the frustration

MEC Creecy says the province has proven its critics wrong

that suppliers are often confronted with when invoices get lost.

and has now successfully awarded two tenders through the process – the banking tender and the more than R50 million

Transforming township economy Under MEC Creecy’s leadership, Gauteng Provincial Treasury is also forging ahead with its programme to support the township economy.

upgrade of Cedar Road in Sandton. “Everybody told us you can’t do this, but we did, we have awarded two tenders using the process,” MEC Creecy says. Over the next 18 months the provincial government wants

A study by the province has found that it is very difficult

all tenders over R50 million to go through the open tender

for township-based businesses to access financial support.

process. The intention is that by 2019 all tenders in Gauteng

An overwhelming number of Gauteng residents live in town-

should do so.

ships and their collective buying power runs into billions of

Another system the provincial government will be introduc-

rand. According to the provincial government, the township

ing by the end of this year is the electronic tendering portal,

economy includes street vending, taverns, minibuses, spaza

which would further boost transparency in the tendering pro-

shops, burial societies, stokvels, hair salons, plumbing and

cess. MEC Creecy says the system will allow bidders to submit

panel beating, among others.

their tender documents online and will prevent the loss of

MEC Creecy says the township economy can only succeed if suppliers of goods and services receive financial support to access the market. “A lot of suppliers start off and then they find it very difficult to access markets, and as a result they are not sustainable. The

documents and save time for suppliers. “People will be able to go online and see which tenders are out and who applied for those tenders … that will help suppliers because if they know how tenders are awarded they will improve on their preparedness for future tenders.”

provincial government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the big banks and one of the things we

Gauteng coffers to continue to improve

included is the aspect of access to financial support. It’s very

MEC Creecy has set her sights on increasing the provincial

difficult for township businesses to access commercial loans

government’s revenue. Currently the major source of revenue

and we have addressed that in the MoU.

comes from vehicle licence fees, gambling fees as well as pa-

Recently, the Gauteng Provincial Government announced

tient fees at hospitals.

that First National Bank (FNB) had been selected as the service

“Patient fees are one area that we are under collecting largely

provider to manage the multibillion rand centralised banking

because there are still loopholes in the collection process.

services account of the province. FNB will manage all the bank-

We are not sure that everything has been paid for or actually

ing transactions of the provincial government, including the

reaching the revenue fund. We will be doing work with the

payment of salaries of 200 000 officials and supplier payments

health department to digitise their revenue collection system.

of more than R3 billion per month. MEC Creecy says part of the agreement with FNB was that the bank would assist the provincial government with financial support for the township economy.

“We hope that over the next four years, we will be able to double our revenue collection again as we did in the previous term.” MEC Creecy says for the next few years the province will

“If they feel that these enterprises don’t have the appropriate

be very strict on how it spends money and will continue to

skills to look after their money, then they must do something

prioritise education, health and infrastructure. Last year the

about that particular problem,” she adds.

province saved more than R100 million through various saving

The province is also setting aside the procurement of goods and services under R500 000 for township entrepreneurs.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

mechanisms and Gauteng Provincial Treasury will continue to cut back on non-core goods and services.

IN OTHER NEWS

Compiled by: Maselaelo Seshotli

The SADC Media Awards are aimed at promoting excellence in the fields of print, radio, television and photojournalism. South Africa also shone in the SADC Schools Competition, with Imbelani Matibe, a Grade 11 leader from Thengwe High School, being awarded US$750. The Chairperson of the South African Chapter of the National Adjudication Committee, Livhuwani Mutshatshi, congratulated the two South African winners. “On behalf of the National Adjudicating Committee and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) we would like to congratulate Mr

SA shines at SADC awards

Tshetlhane and Mr Msibi for flying the South African

Two South African journalists walked away with US$2000 for

flag. These awards are important in promoting regional

winning the Television Category at the Southern African De-

integration,” Mutshatshi said.

velopment Community (SADC) Media Awards competition at

Themba Sepotokele, GCIS Chief Director: Media En-

the 35th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in

gagement, encouraged all members of the media in

Botswana recently.

South Africa to continue to cover stories relating to

Dennis Tshetlhane and Sam Msibi, from the South African Broadcasting Corporation, won the award for their entry on the

to enter the awards.

story of mineworkers from the SADC region who are owed mon-

“While celebrating these achievements, we call on

ey by a provident fund in South Africa. Other winners included

the media owners, editors and journalists to participate

Malawians, Bonnex Julius in the Photojournalism Category and

in the awards as soon as we launch the 2016 SADC

Winston Mwale in the Radio Category, while Puso Kedimetse

Media Awards. The awards are meant to encourage

from Botswana was the winner in the Print Category.

journalism excellence in the region,” Sepotokele said.

Celebrating teachers

at the first Annual Teachers Indaba in Pretoria.

The newly launched Teacher Appreciation and Support

“It is hoped that this will improve teacher morale and will lead

Programme (TASP) is expected to attract qualified teachers

to greater commitment to the school's overall health and per-

into the profession and improve teacher morale.

formance,” said the department’s Deputy Director-General: Care

The programme, which is aimed at looking after the welfare of teachers both as people and as professionals, was launched recently by the Department of Basic Education

SADC countries to promote regional integration and

and Support, Granville Whittle, who was speaking on behalf of Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga. Whittle said the TASP is also aimed at reducing teacher >>

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IN OTHER NEWS absenteeism and creating a safe environment for teachers. The TASP, which will also focus on celebrating teachers every day, will culminate in a seminar at the end of October, the month in which World Teachers’ Day is celebrated. “The TASP proposes that activities need to be set up which will be dedicated to lifting the morale of teach-

ers,” Whittle said. The key actors in the TASP implementation will be government departments, social partners, organised labour and school governing bodies. “Our aim is to model all sectors of society as part of governments’ commitment to make education a societal matter,” he said. The Teachers Indaba was held under the theme "Teachers, the Heartbeat of the Nation: A Programme for Teachers”.

New Minister appointed The country’s newest Cabinet Minister, Mosebenzi Joseph Zwane, was sworn in recently after President Jacob Zuma named him as the new Minister of Mineral Resources. Minister Zwane takes over the portfolio from Advocate Ngoako Ramathlodi, who is the new Minister of Public Service and Administration. Minister Ramathlodi takes over the Ministry that was left vacant after the death of the former Minister Collins Chabane in March 2015. Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa had been acting as Minister of Public Service and Administration since March this year. Minister Zwane previously served as MEC in the portfolios of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in the Free State Provincial Government. He became involved in politics in the early 1980s

Newly-appointed Minister of Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Zwane takes an oath of office administered by Justice Johann van der Westhuizen.

as a member of the Thembelihle Youth Congress and is one of the founding members of the first ANC branch in Roadside, where he taught at a farm school.

National University of Lesotho in 1984 and a Bachelor of

Minister Zwane has been the regional chairperson

Law from the NUL in 1986. In 1988, he obtained a Master

of the Thabo Mofutsanyana ANC region since 2006.

of Science in International Relations from the University of

He obtained his secondary teacher’s diploma from

Zimbabwe and was admitted to the Bar of Lesotho as an

the South African Teachers College in Pretoria and also

advocate in 1997. In 2009, he was admitted to the Bar of

has a Certificate in Executive Leadership Municipal

South Africa and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law

Development from the University of Pretoria.

Degree by the University of Limpopo.

Minister Ramathlodi has been a member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC since 1991. He obtained a Bachelor of Jurisprudence from the

From May 1994 to 22 April 2004, he was Premier of Limpopo for two full terms. He was the Deputy Minister of Correctional Services from 1 November 2010 to 25 May 2014.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

South African Civil Aviation Authority BEST PERFORMING INSTITUTION IN TRANSPORT

›› WE ARE THE REGULATOR OF CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AND SECURITY KEEPING YOU SAFE IN THE SKY The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is an agency of the Department of Transport, mandated with controlling, promoting, regulating, supporting, developing, enforcing and continuously improving the levels of safety and security throughout the civil aviation authority. We achieve this by complying with the Standards and Recommended Practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), whilst considering the local context. Our oversight include, but is not limited to the following areas: Aviation Security; Aviation Personnel Licensing and Examinations; Aviation Infrastructure and Air Safety Operations. The organisation was awarded the Best Performing Institution Award amongst all modes of transport in South Africa during the inaugural Transport Awards hosted by the Minister of Transport in 2014. This award came as a result of a continued culture of excellence which has yielded positive results in various aspects of our performance. ›› We have achieved another clean audit as confirmed by the Auditor General in its financial and performance information audit for the 2014/15 financial year. This is the

››

›› ››

››

third year in a row that the SACAA is recognised for this achievement and this demonstrates that the Regulator’s financial controls are intact. South Africa continues to perform well in the various safety and security ICAO audits and has over the years maintained its Category 1 Status with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). South Africa continues to enjoy an admirable safety record in relation to commercial operations. The appointment of South Africa as the Chairperson of ICAO’s Aviation Security Panel, as represented by the Director of Civil Aviation, is a demonstration of trust and faith by the global community in South Africa’s capabilities in aviation matters, and specifically aviation security. The SACAA is one of the first entities across the globe to develop regulations for remotely piloted aircraft systems commonly known as “drones” The SACAA has played a significant role in ensuring that the South African civil aviation industry is prepared for and capable of managing the outbreak of communicable diseases such as Ebola.

www.caa.co.za Anonymous Tip-offs Hotline: 0800 997 263

SACAA ad 275x210 Sept 2015.indd 1

9/17/15 9:24 AM

Writer: Noluthando Mkhize Photographer: Siyabulela Duda

TRAILBLAZER

Mmanare Mamabolo: A high-flying legal eagle

or Mmanare Mamabolo, being named the top pub-

“I love my job as the ‘chief attorney’ of the SACAA and

lic sector leader during the Standard Bank Women

also as the chairperson of CARcom, which can be a

Awards is an indication that women are making their

bit challenging.

mark in the civil aviation industry.

“When we pass a regulation I have to ensure that

Mamabolo, 38, is Executive: Legal and Aviation Compli-

it is in the best interest of the civil aviation industry,

ance at the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA),

while at the same time ensuring that there is a balance

the agency tasked with controlling, promoting, regulat-

between the interests of SACAA, as the regulator, and

ing, supporting, developing, enforcing and continuously

the industry. It is not always easy.”

improving levels of safety and security throughout the civil aviation industry. She says winning the award was reassurance that she is exceling in her position in a sector that is considered to be largely male-dominated. “I regard this as an achievement for all black women in the aviation industry. It shows that progress is made in this sector and transformation is taking place. “It is also a great feeling to be recognised as a public servant as it shows that I’m representing government well.”

Mamabolo has to ensure that the decisions made by SACAA are in the best interest of the organisation and that the entity is protected against any legal risks that may arise. “Every time I make any decision I have to consider the impact this decision might have. I must protect the organisation against any possibility of litigation.” “Before I agree to anything, I ask myself a lot of questions. When I sign something I already have a mitigation strategy at the back of my mind.” All regulations passed by CARcom are also in line with

Regulating the aviation industry

the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Apart from her role at the SACAA, she is also the chairper-

The ICAO is a United Nations agency established

son of the Civil Aviation Regulations Committee (CARCom).

through the Chicago Convention. Its main mandate

The main purpose of CARCom is to advise the Minister of

is to develop Standards and Recommended Practices

Transport on the development of regulations and advise

for the civil aviation industry across the world.

the Director of Civil Aviation on development of technical standards for the aviation industry in South Africa.

Mamabolo is particularly proud of South Africa’s high

across the civil aviation industry. These representatives are

level of compliance to international aviation standards.

from organisations such as the Recreation Aviation Admin-

“Our record as a country speaks for itself. Our compli-

istration of South Africa, Airports Company of South Africa,

ance level is at 84 per cent, which is above the world

the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa,

average of 62 per cent.”

among others. Mamabolo enjoys both her roles equally.

SA leads the pack in aviation compliance

CARCom comprises 23 organisational representatives from

She explains that under her division, there is a section called ICAO Compliance, which ensures that the local

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

About Mmanare Mamabolo Mamabolo holds a Law degree from the University of civil aviation industry adheres to civil aviation regulations, which are in line with the Standards and Recommended Practices developed by ICAO. “These Standards and Recommended Practices ensure that

KwaZulu-Natal, which she obtained in 2000. She was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court in 2004 after serving her articles at the State Attorney's office in Pretoria.

there is uniformity in the aviation industry across the world.

She has worked for the Mpumalanga Department of

“Every time an aircraft takes off or lands anywhere in the

Finance and Economic Affairs as a legal administrative

world, the procedures are handled in a uniform manner. From air traffic control through to airport management and pilots, we have standardised rules internationally.”

officer. Mamabolo was a legal costs officer for the Road Accident Fund before moving to the City of Tshwane Met-

“We do our oversight and surveillance by, among others,

ropolitan Municipality as a legal advisor in the Council’s

conducting inspections in all sectors of civil aviation. These

property section. After leaving the municipality she

include aircraft maintenance organisations, aviation training

joined the National Energy Regulator as a legal advisor.

organisations and operators. In a sense we do ‘audits’ to make

She was then recruited by the SACAA and has been

sure that civil aviation organisations and individuals comply

with the organisation since 1 December 2012.

with the regulations and technical standards.” If a body does not comply with the regulations, Mamabolo’s section is compelled to act. “We may issue a penalty notice or a warning if the lack of compliance is not that severe. If it is a serious violation or if

This and that What is your favourite food? I love good food, especially traditional food.

fraud has been committed we report the matter the police. “We can also suspend operating licences. For example if an aviation training school does not meet certain require-

What is your favourite holiday destination? Durban and Mauritius.

ments of the regulations or if a pilot or any other licensed person does adhere to regulations, we can either suspend

How do you relax?

or cancel their licence.”

I love listening to music, especially gospel music.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Writer: Albert Pule

SA ready to support global peace efforts

Another challenge facing the SADC region is that borders separate families and communities. “In some instances, the borderline does not effectively act as a barrier to these communities, particularly those that conduct normal day-to-day activities such as schooling, trade and medical care as they will keep coming each day. “This situation demands innovative solutions. We are partnering with SADC neighbours to ensure the proactive facilitation of designated community crossing points.” The South African and Botswana governments will work together to launch one designated community crossing point that will help to make movements across the two countries easier. “We will launch the innovative project soon in Tshidilamolomo, a village situated on the border between South Africa President Jacob Zuma briefs the media on issues related to South Africa's foreign policy.

s countries across the world struggle to deal with

Currently, South Africa chairs the SADC Organ on Public Safety and Security Sub Committee that is aimed at promot-

problem of illegal immigration,” said President Jacob Zuma,

ing the free movement of persons. The President said that the organ was discussing protocols relating to a SADC Uni-visa and plans to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking. The single visa will allow entry into countries in the 15-member regional bloc, which includes Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles,

while addressing foreign dignitaries, heads of missions and

South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

the issue of immigration South Africa, in partnership with the Southern African Development

Community (SADC) region, will look at innovative ways to find solutions to the challenge. “We have been working hard with SADC sister countries to

find solutions to this international challenge, especially the

diplomats on international relations issues. The President noted that South Africa experiences a mixed

Support for refugees

flow of migration, made up of people who are genuinely

“The impact of wars and poverty in the world is manifested

asylum seekers and people who leave their countries of

through the expanding refugee crisis,” the President said.

origin seeking better opportunities. To combat illegal immigration the countries engage with each other through the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security with Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, he added. “Joint immigration inspections are regularly held at selected ports of entry by officials from respective partner countries.”

and Botswana,” said President Zuma.

The world has witnessed horrific and deadly journeys by immigrants from African and Middle Eastern countries across the Mediterranean, in search of a better life in Europe. “The painful human tragedy of over four million Syrian refugees has also reminded us of the need to find a lasting solution, which is to stop the war in Syria. “It took the painful drowning of a four-year old Syrian child to shake the world into action. Attempts to shut the borders

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

by some European countries will not assist the situation,”

rorist acts committed on the continent by terrorist groups

he pointed out.

in Somalia, Kenya, north eastern Nigeria, Mali, the larger

President Zuma said that to achieve lasting peace in Syria the international community should reject all calls for a regime change in the country.

Sahel, as well as in North Africa.” He said that South Africa, through the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council, will assist the affected regions.

He further urged the international community to not

The President added that the signing of the Malian Peace

support external military interference or any action in Syria

and Reconciliation Agreement is a step in the right direc-

that is not in line with the Charter of the United Nations.

tion to finding lasting peace between the warring factions

“As immediate relief for the refugees, we call on our

on Mali.

European Union partners as well as Syria’s regional neigh-

“We reiterate our support for the signing of the Malian

bours to assist the Syrian refugees, in full accordance and

Peace and Reconciliation Agreement by the Malian Govern-

compliance with all human rights and humanitarian laws.

ment, the Algiers Platform Movement and some groups of

We pledge our support to the EU as it grapples with this

the Coordination Movement of the Azawad.”

challenging situation.”

With regard to Libya, he said South Africa was ready to help the country rebuild.

Intervening in conﬂict zones in Africa

“South Africa stands ready to assist Libya in post-conflict

He added that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would

reconstruction and development and to share experiences

continue to represent South Africa in assisting the peo-

in reconciliation and the constitution making processes.”

ple of South Sudan to find

South Sudan has been

Participation in international summits

engulfed by ongoing

South Africa will send

conflict, resulting in the

a strong delegation

massive displacement of

to the G20 Forum in

people and leading to a

Turkey next month

humanitarian crisis.

to shape the interna-

peace. For the past few years

The Deputy President

tional response to the

will continue to work with

current global finan-

all affected parties to find

cial crisis.

solutions to the conflict. President Zuma urged all opposing parties to sign and respect the agreement, aimed at stopping the conflict. “We note and commend the peace efforts led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. We further commend all the parties for signing the Compromise Agreement.” The agreement provides the basis for a transitional au-

President Zuma said South Africa’s delegation will use the forum to advocate for the reform of international financial institutions. The forum will take place on 15 and 16 November in the city of Antalya, Turkey. “Ongoing priorities for South Africa include the promotion of employment, improving investment in infrastructure and international coordination on tax matters,” he said.

thority and is an important step to resolving the conflict.

In December, South Africa will also host the Second Sum-

“We therefore call on all parties to honour and respect

mit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in

the agreement in order for the country to move forward,” he said.

Johannesburg. “During our tenure as co-chair of FOCAC, South Africa

The ongoing conflicts in other African countries are also

will continue to ensure that the principles of South-South

a concern for South Africa as it has resulted in instability to

cooperation are realised and that special attention is given

many parts of the continent, cautioned President Zuma.

to assisting in the implementation of the AU’s Agenda 2063,”

“We condemn, in the strongest terms, the various ter-

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

said the President.

Feature

Writer: Amukelani Chauke

Govt to intensify crime ﬁghting efforts phenomenon and is a matter that needs to be dealt with at a multi-disciplinary level across society.”

Gains of the past decade Over the past decade, contact crimes such as murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and common robbery have dropped by 17.8 per cent. For the same period contact related crimes, that include arson and damage to property, have also been on

Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko.

a decline, dropping by 15.6 per cent between 2005/06 and 2014/15.

overnment is concerned about the levels

A similar trend was also noted with property related

of crime in the country and will

crimes such as residential housebreak-

continue investing in part-

ing, housebreaking at other prem-

nerships with businesses and com-

ises, theft of motor vehicles, theft

munities in efforts to curb crime, says

out of and from motor vehicles

Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko.

and stock theft, with this category

Releasing the annual crime statistics in Cape Town recently, the Minis-

recording a 2.3 per cent decrease. Murder

ter, accompanied by Deputy Minister

2013/14: 17 023

Maggie Sotyu and National Commis-

2014/15: 17 805

sioner General Riah Phiyega, said the

4.6 per cent increase

statistics showed that there were still very high levels of violence in society. He said this warranted the need to deal with social circumstances at a multi-disciplinary level.

The Minister noted that over the past year contact crimes, which

Attempted murder

community at police stations, ac-

2013/14: 16 989

counted for 34.4 per cent of all re-

2014/15: 17 537

ported crimes and increased by 0.9

3.2 per cent increase

per cent. These included murder, attempt-

Assault GBH

ed murder, sexual offences, assault

in the year under review there has

2013/14: 182 333

with intent to do grievous bodily

been an increase in certain cat-

2014/15: 182 556

harm and common robbery.

egories of crime… in essence, the

0.1 per cent increase

issue of contact crimes is a social

year were not too encouraging.

were reported by members of the

“The trends for the past 10 and five years have shown a decrease, whilst

However, the statistics for the past

Property related crimes constituted 27.8 per cent of all reported >>

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

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FEATURE

suspects with 680 life sentences handed down

crimes and decreased by 0.8 per

for crimes against women and children alone.

cent.

In addition, police recovered 36 186 vehicles

Other serious crime, including theft

that were reported lost or stolen.

and commercial crimes, declined by

“Police detected crime has increased by 16.6

2.2 per cent and accounted for 27.8

per cent in the reporting period, which resulted

per cent of all reported crimes.

in 350 579 arrests,” the Minister noted.

The Minister said the levels of violence and aggression in society was a serious concern

Sexual offences

Satisfaction levels of victims of crime

“The National Development Plan

2013/14: 56 680

General Phiyega told members of Parliament that

places emphasis on the creation of

2014/15: 53 617

a lot of progress had been made in improving the

partnerships in creating conditions

5.4 per cent decrease

of safety and security.

public’s perception of police services. Citing Statistics South Africa’s 2013/14 Victims

In this regard, we will continue to

of Crime Survey, the National Commissioner

work and harness efforts and remain

said that 78 per cent of all victims of crime inter-

committed to building partnerships with business and

viewed indicated that they were satisfied with the police at

communities in fighting crime and the eradication of

crime scenes, while 74 per cent expressed their satisfaction

criminality from our society,” he added.

with the commitment showed by officers. About 66 per cent indicated that they were satisfied with

Police work commended

police when it came to arresting criminals with 65 per cent

The Minister said 83.4 per cent of serious crimes reported

finding officers to be trustworthy.

by members of the community led to the arrests and

Some 46 per cent of victims of crime were satisfied with police

charging of 1 795 947 people, 4 808 of whom were ar-

response time, while 32 per cent were satisfied with the ability

rested by the elite crime fighting unit, the Directorate for

of police to recover stolen property.

Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks). He added that 1043 life sentences were imposed on 739

“Eastern Cape had the highest percentage of households who were satisfied with the police in their area,” she said.

Truck hijacking 2013/14: 991 2014/15: 1 279 29.9 per cent increase Carjacking 2013/14: 11 180 2014/15: 12 773 14.2 per cent National Commissioner General Riah Phiyega.

increase

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

of cocaine and 598 743 kilograms of crystal meth (tik). Other drugs confiscated included 1 926 256 kilograms of nyaope, 304 865 kilograms of whoonga and 212 362 kilograms of heroin. She said 57 clandestine drug laboratories were dismantled and police shut down 37 979 Robbery

illegal liquor premises with 1.5 trillion litres of

(with aggravating circumstances)

liquor confiscated. The National Police Commissioner said 686

2013/14: 118 963

police officers were arrested for various types

2014/15: 129 045

of crime in 2014/15.

8.5 per cent increase

Better conviction rates Burglary

Deputy Minister Sotyu said the overall convic-

(residential premises)

tion rate for serious crimes had increased by

General Phiyega noted that drugs had

2013/14: 259 784

0.9 per cent from 75.1 per cent in 2013/2014

become a problem in South Africa and

2014/15: 253 716

to 76.1 per cent in 2014/2015.

proactive intervention was needed to

2.3 per cent decrease

Dealing with drugs

curb the scourge, as reactive measures

She stressed that corruption had no place in the criminal justice system as it often hampered efforts to fight crime.

were not sustainable.

“Criminality, corruption and other unethical

She said education awareness campaigns at school level, among others, could be among the

practices by law enforcement agencies contribute towards

best measures used to fight substance abuse and the dangers

driving crime up.

of crime.

“A dedicated focus by the employers, oversight agencies

“We also noticed … that drug circulation also contributed

such as IPID, Inspector General, Civilian Secretariat and oth-

quite significantly to some of the crimes that we are manag-

ers should, through their interventions, contribute towards

ing for this year.

regression of such negative conduct and behaviour to posi-

“There is a drug master plan that has been adopted by government and all of us, as government departments, have

tively contribute towards crime reduction,” the Deputy Minister added.

to contribute towards the drug master plan. “We believe that more needs to be done across various national government departments, provinces and municipalities to ensure that we con-

Bank robberies

Robbery at non-

2013/14: 21

residential premises

2014/15: 17

2013/14: 18 573

19.09 per cent decrease

2014/15: 19 570 3.2 per cent increase

tribute optimally to the plan as that will assist us in reducing the crime,” she said. During the 2014/15 financial year police confiscated just over 440 million kilograms of cannabis, 302 791 mandrax tablets, 122 140 kilograms

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Robbery at residential premises 2013/14: 19 284 2014/15: 20 281 5.2 per cent increase

Cash in transit robberies 2013/14: 145 2014/15: 119 17.9 per cent decrease

FEATURE

Writer: Albert Pule

Rating SA’s progress B etter access to basic services, increased life expectancy,

Basic services

decreasing mortality rates and ever expanding access

According to the report, between 2007 and 2014, the num-

to Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres – these

ber of households with access to electricity increased from

are just some of the positive developments South Africa can

about 10.2 million to 13.4 million. This means that by 2014, 86 per cent of households in the country

boast about, according to the

had access to electricity.

2014 Development Indicators

Access to water was also at a similar level

Report. The report, which was re-

by 2014, growing to 13.3 million house-

leased by Minister in The

holds, up from 10.6 million in 2007. This

Presidency responsible for

translated to 86 per cent of households

Planning, Monitoring and

having access to water.

Evaluation Jeff Radebe recently, indicates that the

Life expectancy

country is on a positive tra-

The life expectancy of South Africans has

jectory but more still needs

improved steadily over the last decade,

to be done to improve the

with a net increase of 8.6 years between

lives of South Africans.

2003 and 2014.

Development indicators

“The increase in life expectancy can be

are a numerical measure of

attributed to the constant improvement

quality of life in a country.

in the implementation of comprehensive

The indicators are used as criteria to measure progress and assist government to

strategies to combat the quadruple burMinister in The Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe releases the 2014 Development Indicators Report.

den of diseases inclusive of communicable disease, primarily HIV and AIDS, and tu-

track, using quantitative

berculosis and the reduction in infant and

measures, the effectiveness

child mortality rates,” said Minister Radebe.

of government policies and interventions towards achieving the national goals in areas of development as set out in the

Mortality rates

National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030.

South Africa has made significant progress in improving child

The indicators track progress made in various areas of development from as far back as 1994 to 2014. “These indicators play a crucial role in assisting government and the public to track the effectiveness of government policies and interventions using aggregate data.

and infant health, with the country’s under-five mortality rate decreasing from 85.2 per 1 000 live births in 2002 to 44.1 per 1 000 live births in 2014. The infant mortality rate declined from 57.8 per 1 000 live births in 2002 to 34.4 per 1 000 births in 2014.

“They employ quantitative measures to track the progress

“On the African continent, South Africa has achieved the

made in implementing policies against national targets, based

second fastest rate of decline in under-five mortality after

on data sourced from research institutions, government data-

Rwanda. This has resulted from the implementation of a suite

bases and official statistics,” said Minister Radebe.

of interventions to improve child health,” said the Minister.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Education

Economic growth

The percentage of children attending formal

Over the past 10 years the country’s economy has grown at

ECD centres has been increasing steadily over the years.

an average of 3.7 per cent and, in 2014, the growth was 1.5

In 2002, the percentage of 0-4 year olds attending ECD

per cent.

facilities was 7.3 per cent and by 2014 this figure had grown to 48.3 per cent. The number of Grade 1 learners who had attended Grade R reached 87.2 per cent in 2014. “While it is heartening that more learners are attending Grade R, the quality and impact of Grade R varies across different settings, as shown by the evaluation completed by the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation

“The global economic recovery since the 2008 downturn has been slow and uneven across continents,” explained the Minister. He attributed the slow growth to poor global economic conditions and the drop in commodity prices, which has had a huge impact on the mining industry. Government has come up with initiatives to stimulate economic growth, Minister Radebe added. “Current initiatives to stimulate economic growth include the government’s infrastructure build pro-

(DPME) in 2012.

gramme, the war room on electric-

“Improving the quality of ECD is therefore

ity, the Operation Phakisa on the

an essential ingredient to improving

Ocean Economy and Mining

the results of learners in the whole

and the Nine-Point Plan.”

education system,” said Minister Radebe.

Employment

The National Senior Certificate pass rate consistently

The

improved from 2008 (62 per

cates that one in four

cent) to 2013 (78 per cent),

working age adults ment remained unem-

cent in 2014.

ployed in 2014.

The decrease coincided with the

In 2014, youth unemploy-

first class that wrote the new Grade

ment reached a peak of 48.8 per

12 Curriculum and Assessment Policy

cent among the 15-24 year age group

Statement examinations.

and 29.6 per cent amongst the 25-34 year

“We need to consistently remind ourselves that only indication of improvements in the quality of the system.

indi-

actively seeking employ-

but dipped slightly to 75.8 per

improved matric pass rates are not necessarily the

report

age group. To reduce the high levels of unemployment, Minister Radebe said there was a need to develop a spirit of entrepreneurship.

“A more useful indicator would be the number of

“Reducing South Africa’s high levels of unemploy-

learners achieving passes with marks above 50 per

ment requires the economy to be on a labour-absorb-

cent. An increased number of learners enrolling for

ing growth path, as well as the development of entre-

mathematics and science would also be a reflection

preneurship amongst our youth, in terms of interest,

of enhanced quality,” he added.

skills development and creation of opportunities.” >>

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Feature

ernment has been found wanting is the payment of

Progress on priorities

suppliers within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice.

Shortly before the release of the report Minister Radebe also up-

National departments reported 155 572 invoices

dated the country on progress made in implementing the priorities

worth R3.8 billion which were paid after 30 days. How-

of government.

ever, at the same time, 62 887 invoices older than 30

He noted that in many of the priorities progress had been made.

days worth R2.1 billion had not been paid.

“Areas of good progress include scaling up of interventions to

“Delays in payment remain a major challenge, with

combat new HIV infections and increased access to antiretroviral

significant negative impact on small business, growing

treatment for people living with AIDS…”

the economy and employment creation.”

“South Africa has received worldwide recognition for its HIV and AIDS programme which has over three million people initiated on treatment, contribut-

Cabinet has approved the establishment of a unit that will help government to deal with the problem. “The unit is located within DPME and is working with National Treasury and the Department

ing to the attainment of the Millennium

of Public Service and Administration,” said

Development Goals,” he said.

the Minister.

Rural development and land reform

Presidential Hotline

Minister Radebe added that the

The Presidential Hotline provides a plat-

slow pace in rural development and

form for South Africans to lodge queries

land reform was a concern for gov-

and complaints about the quality of service

ernment and more needs to be done

they receive from government.

to increase the pace of land acquisition. “Progress on land acquisition for smallhold-

“To date we have recorded 207 000 complaints and queries through the Hotline, of which

ers has been slow, as has the utilisation of newly

35 per cent are general queries and 65 per cent are

allocated farms and communal land for production.

complaints about services.

“There are indications that this is partly due to inadequate sup-

“For all complaints and queries we received, 94 per

port services, prevailing drought conditions and the use of fallow

cent are recorded as resolved and 11 661 (six per cent)

communal land for livestock grazing purposes.”

are still to be resolved.” The nature of the complaints received include la-

Local government

bour relations and employment, land and housing,

The DPME is contributing to making local government work better

local government, basic services and utilities, and crime

and has initiated an assessment of management practices tailored

and justice.

for municipalities. “The initiative is referred to as the Local Government Management

“We are pleased about the progress we have made so far, however, we are mindful that the road ahead

Improvement Model (LGMIM). LGMIM measures the institutional

will be challenging. We remain

performance of municipalities across a number of key performance

committed to the

areas.

creation of a

“To date, we have assessed 30 municipalities and have used the

better life for

results to inform improvements. In the 2015/16 financial year, we

all South Afri-

intend to enrol a further 25 municipalities for assessment.”

cans and the NDP remains our

Paying suppliers on time

roadmap, said the

Minister Radebe acknowledged that one of the areas where gov-

Minister.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

INTERVIEW

MAZWE FINANCIAL SERVICES

INTERVIEW WITH THE FOUNDER AND CEO, XOLISWA BEBULA

“Our passion is two-fold – making a difference in people’s lives by providing housing and addressing job creation.” Xoliswa Bebula, dynamic, driven and dedicated, heads up Mazwe Financial Services, trading as Mazwe Credit (Mazwe). In an interview at Mazwe Head Office in Sandton, Xoliswa spoke about her driving principles – and what it takes to be a womenowned microfinance institution in South Africa. “I see myself as an entrepreneur through and through – I love making a difference,” said Xoliswa – she went on to describe how important it is for her to make a positive impact on people’s lives by making financial services available to the lower to middle LSM tier (income earners ranging from R3 500 – 15 000), and to women-owned construction companies which in turn results in ensuring shelter and job creation for all. This aligns with the key impetus of the NDP and speaks directly to the needs of the second economy. “The lack of mortgage finance in the middleincome residential market (gap market) was identified in the Comprehensive Plan for the Creation of Sustainable Human Settlements (Comprehensive Plan) as an area requiring intervention and as a result the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) was introduced. The capital subsidy instrument caters for those households whose earnings are above the fully subsidised housing units, from R3 501 to R15 000 a month. These households qualify for FLISP on a sliding scale; with the lowest income stratum (R3 501-R3 600) qualify for a full subsidy amount of R87 000.00+CPIX,” says Xoliswa. “The banks do not have an appetite for offering mortgage loans to this band of income earners – due to the lack of collateral and title deeds. The majority of people in this tier come from rural areas and want to build back home where both collateral and title deeds pose a challenge. “Mazwe is not a bank and therefore cannot tap into FLISP. We believe that there is a need for government to introduce FLISP to microfinance institutions whose main focus is developmental, housing in particular. The affordable housing market outlook in South Africa faces an enormous challenge with regard to supply and demand,” says Xoliswa. “The backlog remains acute and recent estimates indicate that the shortfall could be

as high as 5.8 million. According to the latest figures of household survey of 2011, SA had 6.2 million households that earned less than R3 500 per month. 3.8 million households earned in the range of R3 500 to R10 000, and another 2.3 million earned in the range of R10 001 to R30 000. NCR Credit Market Report Q1 2015 reported that there were 36 442 mortgage loans granted. Out of the 36 442, only five were granted to households whose earnings were up to R3 500 per month. Between R3 501 and R15 000 there were 2 835 mortgages, which is only 7,8% of all mortgage loans granted. Above R15 000, there were 33 602 which is 92%. Based on the above stats it is clear that the FLISP subsidy will never be fully utilised as the first tier banks focus more on the individuals that earn more than the FLISP threshold. Mazwe is positioned well to service this market and her focus is pension backed housing loans and loans to womenowned construction businesses. Our dream is to become a Women Construction Bank. When asked about her personal story Xoliswa said: “I was born and bred in Eastern Cape and came to Johannesburg in 1984, starting as a teacher in Maths and Science – which to this day remains one of my passions. “Making a difference in people’s lives has always been my passion. Mazwe is a vehicle that enables me to live this desire. Our passion is two-fold; making a difference in people’s lives by providing housing and addressing the job creation problem. Mazwe was born in 2006 with a clear vision of addressing the problems of the second economy. The business started small with sweat equity of R500 000 which was lent out within six months. “The loans were targeting lower LSMs specifically for housing and enterprise development. Throughout our operating years we have been funded by both the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and through the Public Investment Corporation (PIC).” In terms of focus for the business, Xoliswa said:

grow the majority of these businesses from grade 2 to grade 7, all of which depends on the strength of their balance sheets. The higher their grade, the greater the likelihood of them being awarded tenders. This is where Mazwe comes in. We offer financial management training as well as working capital and bridging finance loans with a 3 to 12 months repayment, risk-based interest rate.” Speaking about milestones and achievements, it was testimony to Xoliswa’s deep and abiding commitment to making a difference that these centred around the people whom Mazwe has assisted in making profound life changes: “A client was living in a shack in Pretoria with his wife and four children. He approached us and we gave him a R50 000 loan with which he bought material and built a six roomed house. We paid the supplier directly. He then built up to the roof stage – we gave him a further R25 000 and today he and his family are living in that house with their pride and dignity restored. This gave me huge joy.” “When the only black woman in South Africa to start a company in the Lift industry approached us because she could not pay salaries after having completed a project for government, Mazwe took a risk and supported her. Today Nqoba generates revenue of R10-million and employs approximately 50 people.” What is Mazwe’s vision? “We see ourselves as a women-owned construction bank in the near future. We aspire to work closely with the Department of Human Settlements, financial development institutions and municipalities. “We want to address the need at home whilst at the same time grow into Africa.” Xoliswa believes strongly in ploughing back and she is convinced that she will achieve this dream by going back to lecturing the Principles of Microfinance, but not before she has made life-changing differences to people of South Africa and later have impact in the sub-Saharan Africa.

“We are focusing on the construction industry. Our target market is CIDB grade 2 to 7 which currently constitutes 10 604 of the 76 000 registered construction companies. Our ambition is to

Postal Address: PO Box 781786, Sandton 2146 Physical Address: 1st floor SITA Building, 18 Eglin Road, Sunninghill Telephone: 011 803 9003 | Fax: 0118039001

FEATURE

Writer: Allison Cooper

State-owned enterprises

to boost the economy

ing in September, had saved about R140 million … In another year it will double these savings. Safcol also made a profit.” Collectively, these SOEs employ 170 000 people. They have trained more than 400 engineers and 7 000 artisans. “SOEs are huge institutions and we need to push them to the next level if we want to transform the economy. There’s not much private enterprise investment into the economy, due to confidence levels, and SOEs have the ability to change confidence levels within their domains,” says Minister Brown. She believes that the SOEs under her watch are on the right path. “All six SOEs have new boards with the relevant capacity and skills and we have started a process to train board members to ensure proper oversight. The responsibility for running the SOEs rests with the Minister of Public Enterprises Lynne Brown.

boards and chief executives and they are in the process of transforming them to ensure private sector

tate-owned enterprises (SOEs) have the ability to

participation.”

transform the economy if they live up to their po-

All departments need to work together to improve

tential and deliver on their nation-building mandate.

capability, the Minister adds. For example, trained many

This is the view of the Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne

engineers leave the country so they can be paid more.

Brown, who is the shareholder representative for 54 million

“We need to create a pipeline to ensure that training

people in South Africa. Six SOEs fall under her jurisdiction,

and skill translate into actual economic improvement

namely Transnet, Denel, Eskom, South African Forestry Com-

in people’s lives, breaking the cycles of poverty. We

pany (Ltd) (Safcol), Alexkor and South African Express.

are not there yet, we still have a long way to go,” she

“I am pleased to say that this year all of these state-owned

acknowledges.

enterprises made a profit, some more than others. Transnet made an 8.2 per cent profit, an increase to R61.2 billion and

Denel

Denel made a profit of almost 50 per cent, with its order

When Group CEO of Denel Riaz Saloojee first took over,

book currently standing at about R30 billion plus. Alexkor,

the SOE was not performing optimally. However, his

a smaller SOE, increased its carats to 70 000, up 50 per cent

interventions helped to turn it around.

from the previous year. “SA Express, by the time it had its annual general meet-

Denel is the largest manufacturer of defence equipment in the country and a key supplier to the South

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

African National Defence Force.

“I am confident Eskom is turning the corner and I

“We couldn’t sustain business with our dominant

have instructed the board to fill all senior management

client, the local defence force, so one of the critical

positions to ensure this consolidation continues. It’s

things we had to do was to increase our revenue

unacceptable that senior and middle management

streams. We went international and looked at the Far

positions are staying vacant for too long.

East, Middle East and South America, with a particular

“Two other areas of concern are Eskom’s financial sus-

emphasis on Africa and managed to turn the situation

tainability and improving the reliability of the power

around, increase revenue streams and become a sus-

plants.” Eskom’s net profit decreased from R7.1 billion

tainable organisation,” explains Saloojee.

to R3.6 billion.

Other key interventions looked at operational efficiencies, cutting costs and aligning Denel’s strategic vision to that of government.

The Minister wants to see the power utility boost plant capacity. “Although the accelerated maintenance has increased

“We had to demystify the notion of the defence in-

plant capacity from 65 per cent to 75 per cent, I urge Es-

dustry and transform the organisation so that it’s truly

kom to continue on this trend and increase this thresh-

reflective of our democracy. We also had to motivate

old to reach at least 80 per cent,” says Minister Brown.

our people and make sure that we have a very clear stra-

She adds that load shedding will continue for the next

tegic intent. This is not a once-off thing; if you look at

18 months and once again appealed to South Africans

our contract with shareholders and the Minister, you’ll

to save electricity.

see that we are going to be good for the next three to four years,” he adds.

“Our journey is not without its problems and the challenges we face are not unique to South Africa. This is

Denel, in its history, has never had an order book

also not the first time that South Africa has had these

in excess of R30 billion before. “We are a truly global

kinds of problems in the electricity sector. But we are

company that competes with the best,” says Saloojee,

dealing with our challenges and are moving forward

adding that in August Denel broke into the top-100

in a way that will change people’s lives fundamentally,”

defence companies internationally.

adds Molefe.

“We now have a strong local footprint and that’s our core business. We are also training young people, en-

Transnet

gineers, technicians and scientists and will concentrate

Transnet is the largest and most crucial part of the

on creating a better future, from an economic perspec-

freight logistics chain that delivers goods to each and

tive, internationally as well. We are in a good space at

every South African.

the moment.”

According to Acting CEO Siyabonga Gama, Transnet grew its revenue to R61.2 billion in the past financial

Eskom

year and powered ahead in terms of its profitability to

Eskom connected 160 000 residential users to the elec-

just over R26 billion.

tricity grid last year and 4.1 million connections have been made in the past 20 years. “Access to electricity changes people’s lives in dramatic ways. People, for example, don’t have to walk to try and find wood, they can just turn the power on,” says Acting CEO Brian Molefe.

“As the transport and infrastructure service provider for our country, Transnet is well placed in terms of creating the necessary impetus to catalyse economic growth,” he says. “We’ve seen good growth in rail, ports and pipeline businesses and exceeded 226 million tons in terms of

At Eskom’s annual general meeting in early August,

what we handled in our railways last year, close to 300

Minister Brown said that the decisive interventions at

million tons in our ports and more than R17.5 billion

Eskom that culminated in a new board being appoint-

kilometres in our pipeline.”

ed, have had the desired effect at the SOE.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Transnet has commissioned a new multi-product >>

Feature

pipeline and continues to create efficiencies in the mar-

Alexkor

ketplace.

Alexkor has two business units - the Alexander Bay Min-

“I think companies that are using Transnet are very excited about the optimisation of efficiencies that they are able to

ing (Alexkor RMC JV) and the Alexkor corporate unit. The mining division is the core business of the company.

gain from what we are doing, as it enables them to position

Investment in the mining operations led to improve-

themselves in a far better place than they were one or two

ment in diamond production and job creation over the

years ago,” says Gama.

past financial year and the SOE realised growth in the

Transnet’s Market Demand Strategy, a R337 billion in-

operations of the mine.

frastructure investment programme, aims to strengthen

Alexkor saw an increase in diamond production from

South Africa’s logistics backbone and its supply chains,

46 000 carats to 79 000 carats in the 2014/15 financial

across a number of commodity segments from coal to

year and its revenue from the sale of diamonds increased

iron ore.

from R277 million in 2013/14 to R414.2 million in 2014/15.

“In the past year we exported a record of 76.2 million tons

The CEO of Alexkor, Percy Khoza, says the SOE has set

on the coal line and more than 59 million tons of iron ore.

itself priorities to turn the enterprise around, focussing

“The investments Transnet has been making over the

on change management and exploration.

past three years are beginning to bear fruit. We are not

“We have also done a lot of work at sea, where we have

just about making profits, we are making a telling impact

three concessions. Major explorations have been done

on communities,” he adds

and within three years we hope to see the quadrupling

Looking to the future, Gama says that Transnet is going to

of production in Alexkor. We are reassured that the future

continue to catalyse on economic growth in South Africa

looks bright with regard to the demand for our diamonds,”

by making sure that it optimises the country’s ports, rail

says Khoza.

and pipeline system so that the gross domestic product continues to grow.

South African Express SA Express is very involved in transformation, not only of

Safcol

its management but also when it comes to understand-

Safcol is responsible for 187 000 hectares of planted

ing the aviation industry, says CEO Inathi Ntsanga.

plantations. It operates in three provinces, Mpumalanga,

Of its 200 pilots, 19.9 per cent are black, compared to

KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, and also has an operation in

the industry’s two per cent. “We don’t want to just tick

Mozambique, co-owned by the Mozambique government.

boxes, we are passionate about transformation,” says

Safcol CEO Nomkhita Mona says that for the first time the SOE has achieved almost all of its financial Key Performance Indicators. “We continue to grow our asset base, but at the same time are looking after rural development,” she adds.

Ntsanga. One of the aims of SA Express, which now flies to all nine provinces, is to ensure that all South Africans experience flying in their lifetime. “On the whole I believe we are on the right path,” says

Safcol has been progressively proceeding without any

Minister Brown, and this is certainly evident with all six

reliance on the national fiscus. The SOE invested R5.1 mil-

entities working hard to not only record profits, but also

lion on social economic development and R1.5 million

contribute to the economy, skills development and trans-

towards enterprise development in the past financial year.

formation.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

It pays to support the payment of small business and co-operatives

If you have been battling to get paid for services rendered or goods provided to the Public Sector, don’t despair. We’re here to help. Contact the Seda Public Sector SMME Payment Assistance Hotline on 0860 766 3729 during the week between 06h00 and 18h00, fax us: 086 680 2113 or email us: smme@eohco.co.za. Provide us with a purchase order number, invoice number, invoice amount and the Department involved and you’ll see that IT PAYS TO PLAY BY THE BOOK.

TO G E T H E R A D VA N C I N G S M A L L ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

Writer: Noluthando Mkhize Photographer: Kathlolo Maifadi

FEATURE

Mkuseli Apleni is passionate

about public service

n isiXhosa the name Mkuseli means protector. It is

“We have a responsibility to make sure that people

certainly apt that it was the name given to the Di-

inside the country and those who are visiting feel safe,”

rector-General of Home Affairs, Mkuseli Apleni, who

Apleni points out.

says part of his responsibilities is ensuring that citizen’s identities are protected. Apleni spoke to PSM about the important work his

department does.

The department also plays a role in facilitating economic growth. “We understand that as a country we cannot grow an economy on our own. We also need the support of the

Key among the Department of Home Affairs’ priori-

people from outside our borders. To do this we need to

ties is ensuring that those within the borders of South

have an immigration policy that talks to these issues.”

Africa feel safe. This is also outcome three of government’s 14 prior-

Changes to visa regulations

ity outcomes covering the focus areas identified in the

He says the department has had to closely evaluate its

National Development Plan.

immigration policy and make some necessary changes.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

“We had to look at how to amend the policy to deal

person applied for visa, this information would help us.”

with certain issues to balance both the issues of eco-

Apleni points out that countries across the world also

nomic growth and security.”

ask visitors to apply for visas in person.

Last year government began implementing changes

“If you have to go to the US you need to go to their

to immigration laws. The regulations introduced a new

embassy and apply in person. If you need to go to

visa system for South Africa.

Schengen countries, it’s the same.”

Speaking of the criticism the new regulations has

The Schengen area refers to 26 European countries

attracted, Apleni says that many chose to ignore the

that have mutually decided to eliminate passport and

good intended by the regulations.

immigration controls at their joint borders.

President Jacob Zuma has since established an Inter-

Another area of contention is the requirement, in

Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Immigration Regula-

place from June this year, that South Africans and

tions, chaired by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa,

foreign nationals travelling to and from South Africa

to address the unintended consequences of the new

with children under the age of 18 are required to pro-

immigration regulations on various sectors, including

duce unabridged birth certificates. Apleni says the implementation of the new legislation

tourism and investment.

is part of government’s commitment to safeguard the

Ensuring safety

best interests of children and prevent child trafficking.

As part of the new regulations, foreign nationals intending to visit South Africa have to apply for visas in person at South African embassies abroad, where their biometric data (fingerprints) will

“The requirements are aimed at es-

“If you have to go to the US you need to go to their embassy and apply in person. If you need to go to Schengen countries, it’s the same.”

tablishing the principle that all children must have the consent of their parents when travelling into or out of the Republic.” Changes to the regulations that were not highlighted include the critical skills

be captured.

visa, he points out.

While there have been concerns that this requirement would affect tourism, Apleni says

“What this now means is that if someone possesses

these requirements are not unique to South Africa and

a critical skill, he or she can come to South Africa and

are security related.

be given a visa for a year without being given a job.”

“This will allow for the implementation of a risk-based

The new regulations also make a distinction between

approach to immigration management, including veri-

short-stay visas and long-stay permanent residence

fication of applicants prior to arrival in the Republic.”

permits.

He adds that data captured at the embassies would

Regarding study visas, he explains that previously

also help identify tourists in the country in the event

foreign students had to apply for a study visa every

of unfortunate incidents.

year of their studies.

“We should consider what happened in Kenya where

“We have changed this and now students only apply

a shopping complex was bombed and people were

for a study visa once and this is valid for the duration of

killed as well as in Tunisia, where tourists were attacked

their studies. This means that if I am coming to South

and killed.

Africa to study medicine, which takes six years, I will

“If incidents like these were to happen in South Africa police would go to the crime scene and take finger-

get my study visa for six years. I do not have to go six times to apply.”

prints but would not be able to link them to anyone.

The department is also keen to see econom-

However, if the fingerprints were captured when the

ic growth translate into job opportunities. >>

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

FEATURE

“If you have economic growth without job creation it is meaningless to the people on the ground,” Apleni says. According to the new regulations, a person issued with a business visa must employ or prove that 60 per cent of the total staff complement is South African citizens or permanent residents.

Operation Fiela Apleni says that his department is working with other government departments as part of Operation Fiela to make people feel safe, and ensure that there is law and order in the country. “We need to ensure that the authority of the state is observed. There is a misconception that Operation Fiela is targeting foreign nationals. In South Africa we have an integrated approach. The police do raids with the Department of Home Affairs and other government departments. If we find that South African citizens have committed a crime we will arrest them and the same applies to foreign nationals.” He says Operation Fiela should instil confidence in the public as it shows that government is committed to ensuring safety and security.

Roll out of smart ID cards According to Apleni, more than two million smart ID cards have already been issued to South Africans. Currently, the department has more than 140 offices

Driven by his passion to serve, Apleni says his ultimate

issuing the cards and is planning to add another 38

goal is to help build a department that has the ability

offices that will issue them in the current financial year.

to service the people.

Smart ID cards have strong security features to pre-

“The bottom line is to ensure that the department is

vent fraud and corruption, an issue on which the de-

able to respond to the needs of the people. As long as

partment has a zero-tolerance approach, says Apleni.

there is one person inside the borders of our country

“We are working with law enforcement agencies to

who says I am not serviced, we should not be sleeping

deal with corruption. We realise that this is not some-

well. We are looking at ways to make services at the

thing we can fight alone.”

department more efficient.”

He points out that the department is cracking down on corrupt officials, adding that action also needs to be taken against members of the public who were in cahoots with the officials.

Service delivery a priority

Even after five years at the department, Apleni says serving the people of South Africa is still his passion. “I am still here to serve the people under the government… I have a passion to serve and if everyone at

“In matters of corruption, there is both a corruptor

Home Affairs has that passion we will be able to over-

and a corruptee and both should face the full might

come any obstacle. We are here to serve, that is why

of the law.”

one of our slogans is ‘We care’,” he adds.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

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Feature

Writer: Chris Bathembu

Gloves come off in ﬁght to save water

t is not something people usually give a second thought

serious concern that annually South Africa loses more than

to, but the cost of water leaks is running into the billions,

R7 billion worth of water from aged infrastructure to a

leading President Jacob Zuma to declare war on leaks.

leaking tap. We also have unaccounted water that can’t be

Every year, South Africa loses nearly 36 per cent of its water

quantified. He (the President) then called on the depart-

due to water leaks and such losses cost the country about

ment to come up with interventions,” Minister Mokonyane

R7 billion.

said.

But a new water saving programme approved by Cabinet is

“The War on Leaks Programme will not only save us wa-

expected to save the country millions of litres of water. Presi-

ter but will provide thousands of young South Africans

dent Zuma launched the War on Leaks programme in Port

with sustainable job opportunities in the form of artisans,

Elizabeth recently, which will see 15 000 artisans, water agents

plumbers and water brigades that will work within munici-

and plumbers fixing leaking taps and pipes in their respec-

palities that have been identified,” she added.

tive communities as part of promoting water conservation.

The training will be done in phases, with phase one expected to recruit about 3 000 young people followed by

Training for unemployed youth

5 000 during phase two and 7 000 learners will be trained

Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has al-

during phase three in the 2017/18 financial year.

ready appointed Rand Water to implement the War on Leaks project. It is expected to run over a five-year period during

Preserving water

which time 15 000 unemployed youth will be trained within

Speaking at the launch of the programme, President Zuma

three disciplines, namely water agents, artisans and plumbers.

said the water brigades would do repairs, retrofitting and

This is to ensure that the country’s water and sanitation

replacements. They will be placed in municipalities across

sector is equipped with a competent arsenal of skills and capacity to minimise water losses. “In his State of the Nation Address, the President raised a

the country. “Our key message to you is that we must save water. Water is not unlimited. If we do not look after it, we will

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

lose it. We all see water leaking all over the streets and in our homes through dripping taps and pipes.

She added that many young people would also be placed in district municipalities where interventions are needed.

“These loses also occur in various forms such as under-

Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Danny Jordan said the Nelson

ground infrastructure, faulty and poorly maintained equip-

Mandela Metro, which includes Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and

ment and ageing infrastructure,” the President said.

Despatch municipalities, was a water scarce region.

Municipalities are also already engaged in big projects in-

“We have a very serious challenge, it is for this reason that we

volving the refurbishing of infrastructure, especially leaking

took a decision to invest more to secure water as a key resource

pipes. The War on Leaks project will bolster what the Depart-

for this metro. We are very happy that the President is here to

ment of Water and Sanitation as well as municipalities are

launch this war.

busy with – programmes to rebuild the broken pipes and other infrastructure, he added. About R680 million has been budgeted for the programme in the current financial year.

“In our area as a metro, we must address the question of water leaks. The many high bills people have for water are not as a result of their use of water, but the inability of the municipality to tackle water leaks,” he said.

Improving capacity Minister Mokonyane said 27 district municipalities in the country were in a dire state in terms of water capacity. “Working together with the water boards, we will train youngsters, give them accreditation through SETAs and they will be attached to our different water boards, this will help us with capacity.”

Saving water is everyone’s responsibility. Here

•

are some tips from the Department of Water and Sanitation on how you can do your bit.

Do not over-ﬁll or excessively backwash your swimming pool.

•

Use a bucket rather than a hose to wash your car. If you have to use a hose, use a sprayer that can be turned off

In and around the house •

between spraying the car. Using a garden hose could use

Turn the tap oﬀ between washing your face, brushing your teeth

as much as 30 litres of water per minute.

or shaving. •

Taking a ﬁve-minute shower a day will use a third of the water

In the garden

used bathing in a bath tub, saving up to 400 litres a week.

•

Use low-ﬂow showerheads, dual-ﬂush toilet mechanisms and

or in the evening, when temperatures are cooler. Between

water-efficient washing machines.

10:00 and 15:00 one can lose up to 90 per cent of water to

•

Kettles should not be ﬁlled to the brim but with just enough

evaporation.

•

Reducing the toilet ﬂush volume alone can save 20 per cent of

houseplants. They’ll benefit from the nutrients released

total water consumption. This can be done by putting a two

from the shell.

water for your needs. This will reduce your electricity bill too.

litre cold drink bottle, filled with water and a little sand to add •

•

Every time you boil an egg, save the cooled water for your

Water gardens less frequently, but water well. Using a gar-

weight, into the cistern.

den hose could use as much as 30 litres of water per min-

Fix a leaking toilet otherwise it can waste up to 100 000 litres of

ute.

water in one year. •

•

Always water your plants during the early morning hours

•

ing gardens.

Use ‘grey water’ – used water from baths, washing machines and other safe sources - to flush your toilet.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Roof water can also be proﬁtably stored in tanks for water-

•

Use ‘grey water’ to water your garden.

What is ... Big on benefits, low on costs, strong on health ... and is one of the GEMS among medical schemes?

you gotta love

The heart of true health Talk to your employer today about the new, improved medical scheme subsidy that will leave you with more cash in your pocket. If you are a Government employee and are looking for a medical scheme that puts you ďŹ rst,

contact us on *120*4367# or visit m.gems.gov.za. Check our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com//GEMS1GEMOFASCHEME to ďŹ nd out how you can become a member of a winning medical scheme. Please keep your PERSAL number handy when calling or sending a Facebook message. Ts & Cs and cellphone rates apply.

Good news for members of GEMS “Affordability, accessibility and quality of care have long been the driving force behind the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS),” says Liziwe Nkonyana, Communications and Member Affairs Executive of the Scheme. “For this reason, we were delighted with the recent 28.5% increase in the employer healthcare funding subsidy for in-service government employees. This is by all accounts making a tremendously positive difference to the lives of our members.” “The fact that the employer contribution was backdated to January 2015, thereby resulting in a welcome financial windfall for Government employees in August, was well received by GEMS members across the board,” she adds. GEMS – a positive force in healthcare Nkonyana notes that GEMS has become an integral part of the South African healthcare funding landscape over the past decade. “GEMS is the only medical scheme in the country that has made an impact on and inroads into the previously uninsured market. The Scheme will continue to strive towards providing affordable healthcare cover for public service employees in South Africa.” “The positive impact GEMS is having on the medical scheme industry continues to set an example to employers in all sectors of our economy where there is still a need to redress past imbalances. The Scheme has achieved this through focused practice, dedication and innovation,” she says. Some interesting facts about GEMS: • The Scheme has matured into South Africa’s second largest medical scheme. • It is responsible for 687,694 principal members and approximately 1.84 million lives. • 55.7% of all eligible public service employees are enrolled on the Scheme. • GEMS remains the fastest growing medical scheme in South Africa, with the Scheme processing more than 60 000 new

applications during 2014. • When compared to other medical schemes, the GEMS benefit plans, namely Onyx, Ruby, Emerald, Beryl and Sapphire, are on average 15% less expensive, with similar or increased benefits. • GEMS remains the largest contributor to the overall growth of the medical scheme sector and represented 20.3% of the sector by the end of 2014. • At 7.8%, the non-healthcare expenditure of GEMS, which includes administration costs, is substantially lower than the industry average of 12%. • Over 12 500 healthcare providers are now registered on the GEMS network, ensuring that almost 90% of its members are now located within 10 km of a GEMS network provider. • The average age of GEMS beneficiaries is 30.19. • The percentage of pensioners covered by the Scheme is 12.72%. Furthermore, GEMS continues to engage in ongoing research to track the satisfaction levels of its members with respect to various aspects of the Scheme’s services, reveals Nkonyana. Findings from the independent satisfaction survey conducted in 2014 indicated that 78% of GEMS members are satisfied with the Scheme. The overall level of satisfaction implies a high level of confidence and trust in GEMS and strong brand loyalty. The members who expressed their dissatisfaction with the Scheme believed that they were not receiving good value for money, which primarily stemmed from the fact that they had run out of funds or had exhausted their benefits and therefore had to fund certain services out of their own pockets. This confirmed increasing affordability constraints witnessed throughout the healthcare funding industry and is a matter that is receiving considerable attention from the Scheme. “The new, improved subsidy is assisting greatly in ensuring that the Scheme will continue to fulfil its all-important mandate of accessibility and affordability well into the future,” concludes Nkonyana.

How the improved employer subsidy will benefit the members of GEMS New subsidy

Previous subsidy

In-service GEMS members

Principal member: Member + 1 : Member + 2 : Member + 3 : Member + 4 :

R925 R1 850 R2 415 R2 980 R3 545

Government pensioners on GEMS Principal member: R925 Principal member + 1: R1 850 Maximum medical assistance: R1 850 pm

R720 R1 440 R1 880 R2 320 R2 760 Government pensioners on GEMS R1 014

Level 1-5 GEMS members who retire on Sapphire will continue to receive 100% subsidy, provided the subsidy amount does not exceed the amount they retired on.

Writer: Chris Bathembu Photographer: Siyasanga Mbambani

Feature

Upgraded Mthatha Airport

a gateway to E Cape

ery few people in the world would say no to the

Although this part of the Eastern Cape is endowed with

opportunity of exploring the unspoiled natural treas-

natural and cultural resources with a high tourism potential,

ure of the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape. From the

this has not been optimally exploited to generate a signifi-

majestic wild beaches and rolling hills and valleys to the an-

cant impact on economic growth and development. Tourism

cient forests filled with yellowwood trees, it is one of the most

officials say the inadequacy of the Mthatha Airport has largely

beautiful places on the planet.

contributed to this.

According to South African Tourism, the Wild Coast is one

But all that is set to change. The provincial government is

of the top 20 tourism attractions in South Africa. The region

confident that more airlines will now fly to and from Mthatha

is also the esteemed birthplace to many political leaders of

following a massive revamp of the airport.

the anti-apartheid movement; the most recognised of them

Following the upgrade, the airport can now receive bigger

is former President Nelson Mandela. The Nelson Mandela

aircrafts like the Boeing 737 and already 36 200 passengers

Museum, endorsed by Mandela himself, adds a rich heritage

have landed there since April this year.

experience to the to-do list.

The terminal building upgrade has improved the airport’s

But most visitors to the former Transkei area, which is eas-

capacity and will now cater for resting areas for passengers,

ily used to access the Wild Coast, have been discouraged

restaurants and workstations for other airlines. There is also a

by the fact that they have to fly to other cities to get to the

car hire building with parking and washing bay facilities. It’s a

area. The limited size of the Mthatha Airport’s runway and

far cry from the previous terminal building where everything

terminal building made it unattractive to airlines and dealt

was crammed and there were hardly any amenities for the

a blow to travellers and the region’s economy.

travelling public.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle recently led a media tour to the almost complete airport and has set 30 October as the target date for the official opening of the new-look facility. The airport will also be a central part of the new southeastern node and corridor being planned for the Eastern Cape through the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating The old Mthatha Airport.

Commission. The programme seeks to bolster the province’s industrial and agricultural development and export capacity. During the construction period, at least 223 jobs were created and about 120 of those employed were young people. Eastern Cape MEC for Transport Weziwe Tikana noted that a bigger and better airport in the area was crucial to the province’s economic growth and tourism and would support rural development. “This unprecedented investment in this airport is indeed making a necessary mark towards correcting this unnecessary imbalance of neglecting areas in former home-

The upgraded Mthatha Airport.

lands.” MEC Tikana said the increased capacity of the airport would unlock the tourism potential of the Wild Coast region and other

Steps have also been implemented to address safety issues at the airport, mainly to keep stray animals away from the runway and there are new landing lights that meet international aviation standards.

historic sites that form the National Liberation Route and the province’s Home of the Legends programme. Government’s long-term plan is to reposition the Mthatha Airport as the “gateway” to the eastern part of the Eastern

Visitors to the airport will be greeted by an exhibition show-

Cape. This will be achieved by transforming the airport into a

casing the history of the former Transkei and the heritage route,

passenger and freight hub linking road, rail and air transport.

which includes the birthplaces of struggle heroes like Mandela, Govan Mbeki and Oliver Tambo. Mthatha Airport is part of the infrastructure build programme of government and the upgrade was done under the Presiden-

Premier Masualle said the Mthatha Airport development was another confirmation that government was committed to doing its best to meet the challenge of delivering the necessary infrastructure.

tial intervention package in the past administration. The next

The Eastern Cape provincial government has published Ex-

step is the development of an office park, retail and hospitality

pression of Interests in which it requests proposals from inter-

complex in the non-aviation zone of the airport precinct, which

ested parties to manage the airport on behalf of government.

will include a hotel and a major conference centre.

“We want to reiterate that the further development of Mtha-

The Integrated Wild Coast Development Programme and its

tha Airport has been identified as an infrastructure project

constituents such as the upgrading of the airport, the N2 Wild

that could have significant potential in unlocking economic

Coast Highway and the Umzimvubu Catchment Development

development in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, the

will boost the Eastern Cape’s economy by a conservative R40

surrounding municipalities and in the province broadly,” the

billion over the next decade, says the provincial government.

Premier said.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

ADVERTORIAL

M I N I STER PANDO R ANNOUNCES 42 ADDITIONAL RESEARCH CHAIRS FOR WOMEN RESEARCHERS

The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor launched 42 new research chairs dedicated

exclusively to women. The research chairs held at various higher education institutions will assist South Africa’s transformation into a knowledge economy, boost international competitiveness and improve people’s quality of life.

The new research chairs, awarded to local women researchers, has increased the total number of chairs under the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) to 197, strengthening the ability of the country’s universities to produce good postgraduate students and high-quality research and innovation outputs. Established in 2006 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF), SARChI is a government human capital development intervention to strengthen and improve the scientific research and innovation capacity of South African public universities. The Initiative’s key objectives are to attract established researchers from abroad and industry to South African higher education institutions and to retain experts already in the system. Research chairs are awarded in diverse disciplines in the natural sciences, engineering, humanities and social sciences in response to government priorities.

SARChI also seeks to drive strategic partnerships within the National System of Innovation and the international research community, with the aim of creating a vibrant culture of excellence in research, thus strengthening research capacity to advance the frontiers of knowledge. Transforming the racial and gender imbalance of the research and scientific workforce is an important aspect of the programme. Speaking at the launch, Minister Pandor said that so far SARChI had involved mostly men, with four out of five research chairs going to male professors. “Today, that changes. Today, we make history. Today, we have 42 new female research professors. Now, nearly half of our 201 research professors are women,” said the Minister.

“Today, we make history. Today, we have 42 new female research professors. Now, nearly half of our 201 research professors are women” She remarked that the radical transformation intervention by government would shape the future of South African higher education in terms of global rankings and parents sending their children to contact universities in the country or online universities abroad. Minister Pandor emphasised that the additional chairs are not quota appointments, but rather to recognise impressive candidates of a high calibre. “SARChI has given women the opportunity that men have always had,” she explained. South Africa has made progress, but gender disparity remains a challenge in research fields. UNESCO’s data show that 42% of South African researchers are women. Only 30% of researchers with an NRF rating are women. Census data indicates that only 11.3% of the females with tertiary education in South Africa work in the areas of natural sciences, computer sciences and engineering.

“ Today’s announcement of 42 new female research chair holders is part of our joint effort with the DST to address the gender disparity in the research community. We offer our congratulations to the respected researchers who take up these research chairs and we look forward to their research outputs”

Minister Pandor said the dominance of the humanities and social sciences was only to be expected because women had been directed, from an early age, into the ‘soft’ rather than the ‘hard’ sciences. “We want to change that; and we have to start the change at school level,” she added. Dr Beverley Damonse, Acting CEO of the National Research Foundation said the NRF had contributed more than R340 million to the research projects of female scientists in 2014 alone; and, since 2002, supported more than 18 000 women in obtaining their postgraduate qualifications. “Today’s announcement of 42 new female research chair holders is part of our joint effort with the DST to address the gender disparity in the research community. We offer our congratulations to the respected researchers who take up these research chairs and we look forward to their research outputs,” concluded Dr Damonse. The new research chairs announced include the following: Biomedical Engineering and Innovation; Laser Applications in Health; Integrated Studies of Learning Language, Mathematics and Science in the Primary School; Gender Politics; and Paediatric Tuberculosis.

Address: CSIR Campus, Buiding no. 53, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, Pretoria | Tel: (012) 843 6300 | Website: www.dst.gov.za

Feature

Writer: Stephen Timm

Revitalising township economies

department was working with treasury officials and that a practice note would likely be released in September. But in his Budget Vote speech in June, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Lebogang Maile said hundreds of township businesses had been registered as suppliers on the provincial database in anticipation of the 30 per cent set-aside. The preparations form part of the provincial governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Township Revitalisation Strategy. MEC Maile said the Gauteng government currently spends just five per cent of its R10 billion procurement budget buying

hile a 30 per cent procurement set-aside for

goods and services from township enterprises.

small businesses has yet to come into force,

To ramp this up the provincial government wants hospi-

the Gauteng Provincial Government has al-

tals to procure 40 per cent of their fresh produce supplies

ready introduced measures to buy more goods and ser-

from black farmers in 2015/16 and 80 per cent in the 2016/17

vices from township businesses, as part of a strategy to

financial year.

revitalise the economy of townships.

Currently 53 township businesses supply linen to hospitals

The planned set-aside, which was announced by Presi-

across Gauteng. In addition 20 per cent of hospital bread

dent Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation Address in

procurement has been earmarked for township bakeries, in-

February, has yet to become obligatory for provincial and

creasing to 40 per cent in the next financial year.

national government as a practice note must still be issued by National Treasury.

The province has also piloted an invoice discounting system, which allows short-term borrowing to small businesses

The Minister of Small Business Development Lindiwe

against outstanding sales invoices. In addition, the depart-

Zulu said in her Budget Vote speech in June that her

ment has piloted a system that enables the provincial government to pay suppliers within 14 days. MEC Maile said in June that all provincial government agencies were currently paying suppliers within five working days. Head of Department Phindile Mbanjwa said some of those registered on the provincial governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supplier database included those who still had just a business idea. She said her department had also been in talks with other departments in the provincial government to prepare them to source from more township businesses. The provincial government is also partnering with the private sector. A partnership with retailer Massmart is expected to result in R650 million in cash injected into Gauteng townships, with the establishment of 500 retail shops. This project, which is expected to create more than 1 000 jobs, will be piloted across the six townships of Katlehong, Atteridgeville, Sharpeville, Randfontein, Alexandra and Khutsong. A second project will allow spaza-shop owners to pool their resources and take full advantage of the benefits of bulk buy-

Public Sector Manager â&#x20AC;˘ October 2015

ing while also giving township entrepreneurs opportu-

is for the hub to create 82 direct and permanent jobs.

nities to participate in the Pick n Pay franchise model.

Township business owners can, by calling ahead, book a slot

The retailer is also partnering with the University of

at the hub and then rent equipment to service customers’ cars

Cape Town and the University of Johannesburg to men-

there. The hub also offers training courses for those looking to

tor township businesses.

be employed by businesses supported by the hub.

Mbanjwa said the provincial government is looking

Kessery said the the organisation was also awaiting accredita-

to get Pick n Pay to agree to offer township businesses

tion from the Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) to

preferential rates at which to buy stock.

be accredited as a trainer. He said the Administrative Adjudication

It also wants to use a set of three existing hubs – in

of Road Traffic Offences Unit, which manages traffic offences, had

Mohlakeng, Winterveld and Tembisa – to boost market

already agreed to underwrite any payments from government to

access for township businesses.

the township enterprises.

This includes having government vehicles repaired

In addition, the organisation had also received a commit-

by township businesses at the Winterveld Automotive

ment from insurance companies that the hub could be used to

Hub. Run by the Automotive Industry Development

service clients’ vehicles, with insurers possibly accruing to score

Centre (AIDC), the hub was launched in February last

BEE points for sourcing from more black suppliers.

year. AIDC Incubation Manager Neeraj Kessery said the organisation was waiting for the Gauteng government

At present, while they wait for the go-ahead for government work, the businesses are using the hub to service private clients' vehicles.

to pass a deviation so that government vehicles could

In addition the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) would be

be serviced by those at the hub, rather than by ac-

helping to refurbish seven facilities in Ennerdale, Hammanskraal,

credited suppliers as currently stipulated.

Mabopane and Reiger Park, and be assisting with buying new

He added the idea was for township entrepreneurs that specialised in spray-painting and panel beating to use the hub as a stepping-stone in growing their businesses. Once the businesses start to grow, the owners should be able to afford their own equipment and workspace

machinery for tenants to use. This would complement the three existing hubs. The GEP’s Head of Partnerships and Stakeholder Relations Mpumi Ndebele said in some cases businesses were operating from the facilities, which included disused industrial parks but these needed to be revamped.

to qualify for accreditation as suppliers with the Retail

Ndebele said in the 2014/15 fi nancial year the agency had

Motor Industry organisation (RMI) or the South African

trained 534 informal businesses and helped 25 businesses to reg-

Motor Body Repairers Association, which will enable

ister their enterprises. This is up from 401 trained in the initial year

them to secure work from the insurance industry.

of training in 2013/14. That year 79 registrations were concluded.

At present eight businesses are using the hub. The aim

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

The agency funded business training and some of the >>

FEATURE

with the Wholesale and Retail Seta. The plan is to train 1 000 by March next year in sites across the country. The hope is that with the right kind of support entrepreneurs can help transform townships from economic backwaters into thriving economies.

“It’s big,” says cooperative member Nicodemus Letlhake when speaking about the Gauteng government’s Township Revitalisation Strategy. Letlhake, who runs Wyse West, a brickmaking cooperative with seven other members nearMohlakeng, could be one of hundreds of township enterbeneficiaries were also able to access grants of up to R9 000 from

prises to benefit as the province begins revamping

the community fund.

old industrial parks and with the province’s pledge

Ndebele named one spaza-shop owner who, with help from training sponsored by pharmaceutical giant GSK, was able to diversify

to procure 30 per cent of goods and services from township businesses.

its product range and hire two more people. The owner was also

“I think it [the strategy] is something that can

able to get a R200 000 grant from the GEP to buy a container and

benefit us a lot,” says Letlhake, who was present

fridges, and acquire more stock.

when the strategy was launched at Orlando Sta-

The Mohlakeng hub, which has been operating since April last

dium.

year, currently has six tenants, including four steel companies. Nde-

His municipality helped set up the cooperative

bele said the hub was vandalised during a strike earlier this year,

in 2013. Last year the members received help from

but that repairs (mostly involving replacing broken windows) had

the GEP. This included R18 000 worth of market-

been carried out.

ing assistance, including pamphlets, signage, a

At Mohlakeng the hub gradually raises rent on a sliding scale until

website and access to two exhibitions where the

the third year when it is closer to the present commercial rate, he ex-

members were able to sell to private homeowners.

plained. The aim is to have 36 businesses and cooperatives in the hub.

Letlhake says the cooperative has added four

Ndebele added that the agency had a list of various goods and

employees since it started, but admits that it has

services that township businesses could supply to the provincial

yet to become sustainable and depends on a R430

government such as furniture, as well as cleaning and security ser-

000 grant from the Mining Forum, sourced from

vices. The organisation would help to develop township businesses

mines.

to ensure that they are able to provide the right quantity and quality of goods. The Gauteng government’s assistance to township businesses is in keeping with the Department of Small Business Development’s plan to boost the sector. Last year the department began rolling out its National Informal Business Upliftment Strategy, which includes the provision of cost-

The cooperative is looking to get work on lowcost housing projects from the local and provincial government. He says the bricks the cooperative manufactures do not need cement to hold them together. Instead a kind of epoxy glue and their interlocking design ensure they are secure.

sharing grants to unregistered firms to update machinery and buy

The bricks were over double the benchmark

stock, and a partnership with municipalities to update infrastructure

strength set by the South African Bureau of Stand-

and business training.

ards, when the cooperative tested them last in

The department’s spokesperson Cornelius Monama said 373 in-

May at a private laboratory.

formal traders had been trained by the end of June in partnership

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

oPinion

Tolerant, forward-thinking South Africans needed The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) recently caused a stir when it used celebrities to endorse its e-tolling campaign. Social media was abuzz and there was opposition to the campaign. Head of marketing and communication Vusi Mona explains.

outh Africa has one of the most progressive Consti-

included in our many freedoms, some have taken it upon

tutions in the world, with the guarantee of freedom

themselves to be the self-appointed thought-police.

of expression at the heart of all the human rights we

enjoy as citizens of a democratic nation. This freedom of speech we enjoy would not be so precious if it were not protected or if the protection was extended only to certain types of expression while denying the voicing of issues and beliefs that are uncomfortable

they have taken to seeing any messaging around etolling as offensive. But, we would argue, we believe our right to commercial expression trumps their right to not be offended.

for some. In forward-thinking countries like Canada, the

It is our firm view that our mandate to inform and pub-

right includes the protection of commercial expression –

licise government’s decision to institute the user-pay

both popular and unpopular – including speech seen as

principle to fund Gauteng’s upgraded highways should

shocking or hurtful.

be held above petty sniping and vicious attacks in re-

And herein lies a bone of contention. While we, as South

Believing that they have the support of the entire nation as they publicly denounce e-tolling as unpopular,

sponse to our work.

Africans, should be including ourselves among the tolerant,

Marketing and advertising are the domains of expres-

forward-thinkers of the world, with commercial expression

sion where we regularly see organisations put out mes-

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

sages that are not popular with everyone. And the fact remains

sual – sports stars, actors and actresses, musicians have

that commercial expression – as long as it is truthful and not

all been used (and compensated) to do so. Surely, there

misleading – is protected as normal practice.

can be no prohibition on SANRAL making use of ce-

South Africans in general – including celebrities and their

lebrity endorsements?

fans – are entitled to express themselves as they wish, associ-

The fact is that, like it or not, those who are paying

ate with whoever they choose and endorse whatever product

their e-tolls are not alone. Those lauding the system

or project they like.

do not stand alone. This is evident in the positive trend

There are people, some of them popular and wellknown, who have e-tags, pay their tolls and openly associate themselves with the SAN-

in e-toll income, particularly following the announcement of the new dispensation. The lowering of toll costs has ad-

RAL. And we believe they are entitled to

dressed what we understood to be

express this support without fear of ridi-

the concerns of most motorists.

cule, abuse or attack.

We have 1.3 million registered

Individuals and groups have the right

users and the number of people

to their outrage, but this is subject to the

paying their accounts is on the

terms guaranteed in out Bill of Rights. Angry people do not have the right to insult or intimidate the celebrities who have chosen to endorse e-tolling. Nobody can rightfully shame them into silence. It is both immoral and wrong.

rise. Clearly their quiet actions and unvoiced opinions are different to those who are loud in their opposition of the system. Those who endorse e-tolling are part of a

The liberty to express thoughts and opinions is one of the

campaign to identify some of those compliant South

central foundations of democracy and civilisation. When the

Africans that could lend their voice in support of the

freedom of commercial speech and freedom of association

revised system – which is why they were selected for

is threatened, the foundations of liberty and the democratic

this series of advertisements. And their rights to do so

system are also threatened.

need to be protected.

Using celebrities to endorse products or services is not unu-

We would like to appeal too for reason and respect for freedom of commercial expression as is the case in other jurisdictions like America, where advertising is protected by the First Amendment. Recently we saw a man escorted out of a gym because he was wearing a pro-Palestinian t-shirt. Is this the kind of society we have become? Fortunately, sanity and reasonableness prevailed and we saw the gym coming back with an explanation, an undertaking that such behaviour was not tolerated and would never be repeated, and they made a proper and public apology. We live in hope that those opposed to e-tolling would consider equally honourable and respectful responses to SANRAL’s efforts in future.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Financial Fitness

The importance of a will Death is not a pleasant thought but something we all need to

left for distribution to the rightful heirs of the

prepare for. And part of these preparations is ensuring that you

deceased as determined in the will, or if you

have a will.

do not have a will, to the heirs as determined in terms of the rules of intestate succession.

What is a will? •

•

A will, also known as a testament, is a document in which

Who is competent to make a will?

a person sets out what must happen to their estate when

•

they die. A person can also nominate the person or persons,

time of making the will he/she is mentally inca-

known as executors, who should administer their estate on

pable of appreciating the consequence of his/

their death.

her action.

The person who makes a will is known as the testator (male) A person’s estate consists of all their assets (belongings, prop-

Who is competent to act as a witness to a will?

erty) and liabilities (debts), which they had as at date of death.

•

or testatrix (female). • •

All persons of 14 years and over and who at the

To administer an estate means to collect or take control of

time he/she witnesses a will are not incompe-

all the assets of the deceased, to pay the debts which the

tent to give evidence in a court of law.

deceased left at date of death, and then to pay the balance

All persons of 16 years and over, unless at the

•

A beneficiary to a will should not sign as a wit-

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

ness, because he/she will then be disqualifi ed from receiving any benefit from that will. There

the same requirements for a valid will. •

are some exceptions to this rule. Consult your legal

When amending a will, the same witnesses who signed the original will need not sign it.

representative for more information in this regard.

Should I amend my will after divorce? What are the requirements for a valid will? •

•

As of 1 January 1954 all wills must be in writing. It

A bequest to your divorced spouse in your will, which was made prior to your divorce, will not necessarily fall away

can be written by hand, typed or printed.

after divorce.

•

The testator/testatrix must sign the will at the end.

•

The signature of the testator/testatrix must be

you expressly provide otherwise, a bequest to your di-

made in the presence of two or more competent

vorced spouse will be deemed revoked if you die within

•

witnesses. •

The witnesses must attest and sign the will in

three months of the divorce. •

the presence of the testator/testatrix and of each other. •

The Wills Act (Act 7 of 1953) stipulates that, except where

This provision is to allow a divorced person a period of three months to amend his/her will, after the trauma of a divorce.

•

Should you however fail to amend your will within three

If the will consists of more than one page, all

months after your divorce, the deemed revocation rule

pages other than the one on which it ends must

will fall away and your divorced spouse will benefit as in-

be signed by the testator/testatrix, anywhere on

dicated in the will.

the page.

What will happen if I do not leave a will? What is a codicil? •

•

If you die without leaving a will or a valid will, your estate

A codicil is a schedule or annexure to an existing

will devolve according to the Intestate Succession Act,

will, which is made to supplement or to amend an

1987 (Act 81 of 1987).

existing will. A codicil must comply with the same •

requirements for a valid will.

Safekeeping of wills

A codicil need not be signed by the same wit-

•

Wills should be kept in a safe place where they can easily be found when the testator or testatrix dies. Wills do not

nesses who signed the original will.

have to be stored at attorney’s offices or at trust companies.

How can I amend my will? •

•

If a testator/testatrix decides to keep his or her will in a

Amendments to a will can only be made while

safe place him/herself, it is advisable that they inform a

executing a will or after the date of execution of

reliable person where the will can be found should they

the will. Amendments to a will must comply with

pass away.

For more information contact the Master of the High Court of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, email chiefmaster@justice.gov.za or call 012 406 4805. *Supplied by: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Public sector aPPointments

Compiled by: Maselaelo Seshotli

Kingsley Makhubela Chief Executive Ofﬁcer (CEO) of Brand South Africa Kingsley Makhubela has had an illustrious career in the public service, having recently concluded his tenure as the Director-General (DG) of the Department of Tourism. Prior to that, he was the Chief of State Protocol at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). Makhubela was also at the helm of positioning South Africa in Portugal and Kenya during his tours of duty as Ambassador and High Commissioner respectively. As DG at the Department of Tourism he was an integral part of the team leading South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the first in Africa. As the Chief of State Protocol at DIRCO, Makhubela was responsible for coordinating all incoming and outgoing international visits by the President, Deputy President, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, all visiting heads of state and government, and a host of other dignitaries. He has also served as Ambassador to Portugal from 1996 to 2001 and as High Commissioner to Kenya from 2001 to 2005. Makhubela has a Master's degree in Diplomacy from the University of Pretoria and is currently completing his PhD, looking at the conflict in Somalia, at the School of Political Science at the University of Pretoria. He has been appointed CEO of Brand South Africa for the 2015 to 2020 period.

Joyce Mogale Chief Executive Ofﬁcer (CEO): National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) Joyce Mogale holds a Master's degree in Business Management, Postgraduate Diploma in Health Management, BSc (Hons) status in Medical Sciences and a Higher National and National Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology. She is former Regional Executive Manager of the NHLS. She previously held the position of Deputy Director: Laboratory Services in the Department of Health and Welfare in Limpopo (the then Northern Province). Mogale has held strategic positions as director in small businesses She is also contracted as a Non-Executive director of the Limpopo Gambling Board (Deputy Chairperson), as well as Cygnimart, Metso Minerals and Mining, Westvaal (Chairperson) and ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions boards. Mogale is a Trustee of the Tirisano, Ububele, Westvaal and Umvuso boards. Mogale has a good track record in leadership and management skills, and has displayed practical people management and financial skills during her collective 18 years as a manager in the public and private sectors. Her areas of expertise include financial management, strategic planning and performance management, people management, operations management, corporate governance and business development. Mogale was appointed interim CEO of the NHLS by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, in November 2014 and was appointed CEO effective from 1 September 2015.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

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health and well-beinG

Understanding Down’s syndrome

own’s syndrome or Down syndrome is a chromo-

Extra genetic material

somal disorder effecting, on average, one in 500

The condition is caused by extra genetic material on

babies in South Africa. Although women of all ages

the 21st chromosome of a person’s DNA and results

can have a baby with Down’s syndrome, the risk increases

in mental and physical disabilities of varying degrees.

when the mother is older, says Government Employees’

“Often people with Down’s syndrome suffer speech

Medical Scheme’s (GEMS) Principal Officer Dr Guni Goolab.

defects but they generally have better levels of un-

The risk of a 40-year-old mother having a baby with

derstanding than their speech would lead others to

Down's syndrome is around 16 times more than that of

believe. Do not make the mistake of believing that they

a 25-year-old. “This is not to say that older women should

do not feel the effects of prejudice from unenlightened

not have children, as most women have babies without any

people,” says Dr Goolab.

complications, however older mothers should be aware of

On the whole, people with Down’s syndrome have

their heightened risk of having a Down’s syndrome baby,”

a shorter life expectancy, although improved medi-

Dr Goolab cautions.

cal technology is helping to prolong their lives and

Down’s syndrome presents itself in a variety of ways and each individual is affected differently. “People with the condition often have characteristic facial features including almond-shaped eyes and a flatter bridge of the nose than usual. Most have mild to moderate intellectual impairment, while some are able to participate in mainstream schooling.”

improve quality of life. Around half of

The risk of a 40-yearold mother having a baby with Down's syndrome is around 16 times more than that of a 25-year-old.

people with Down’s syndrome will suffer heart problems and many also suffer from respiratory problems. Ninety per cent have stunted growth and around 80 per cent have low muscle tone. “People with Down’s syndrome often face prejudice from those who do not understand the condition. Although they may look slightly different to the

rest of us, and could require help with some tasks, there is no reason to show them less respect. Rather, we should offer support and understanding as these individuals often face challenges in aspects of their everyday lives that most of us take for granted.”

Improving development Families with Down’s syndrome children need to understand the condition, the possible health risks associated with it and what can be done to reduce the impact >>

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

watch out for this, with the most common symptom being snoring interrupted by periods of silence followed by gasping for air. This condition causes severe sleep disruption, which can worsen the learning difficulties that Down’s syndrome people often already face.”

Screening Screening for the condition during pregnancy is common, particularly where the mother is over the age of 35 or where there is a family history of chromosomal of the condition on the child’s life. “While some birth

abnormalities. If early warning signs are detected then further

defects, such as heart and gastrointestinal problems,

diagnostic tests are performed to determine whether or not

can be resolved with surgery, Down’s syndrome itself

the foetus has developed the condition.

cannot be cured. There is also a range of therapies and

In cases where the tests indicate a high probability that the

activities that can help to improve development in such

baby would have Down’s syndrome, some parents opt for abortion, often because they fear possible financial

children,” explains Dr Goolab.

and emotional pressure or out of concern

Such intervention, which usually includes physical therapy, occupa-

that the child will not have a good

tional therapy, and speech and

quality of life.

language therapy, should

Down’s Syndrome South Af-

be started as young as

rica, a non-profit organisa-

possible, according to

tion working to improve

the child’s abilities.

the quality of life of peo-

“Your doctor will be

ple with the condition,

able to refer you to

however, does not con-

experts who specialise

sider Down’s syndrome

in helping children to

a reason for terminating

make the most of their

a pregnancy. “People with

gifts and manage their

Down’s syndrome do lead full and rewarding lives and

difficulties. Parents should

make a valuable contribution to

be aware that the sooner

our society,” points out the organi-

therapy is started, the better the

sation. “However, we realise that parents

outcomes for the child with Down’s

need to make the right decision for themselves.”

syndrome,” Dr Goolab adds. Parents of Down’s syndrome children should ensure

Dr Goolab reiterates that people with Down's syndrome have

that they are screened for heart, gastrointestinal and

a contribution to make to society. “We should value them for

respiratory problems associated with the condition.

their tenacity and the diversity they bring to our country,” he

“One problem that frequently affects people with

adds.

Down’s syndrome is obstructive sleep apnoea, which is difficulty breathing while sleeping. Parents should

Supplied by: Government Employees’ Medical Scheme

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Amathuba Hub is a level 1 contributor to B-BBEE and is a majority black female owned company that focusses providing customised business solutions in order for your organisation to operate more efficiently.

OUR HOLISTIC SERVICE OFFERING INCLUDES: B-BBEE aligned training solutions Amathuba will ensure a high return on investment by incorporating SETA aligned Pivotal and Priority skills development with in your organisation. In addition, development of Work Skills Plans, Annual Training reports and Employment Equity submissions. Our overall intention is to facilitate adequate training that will count positively towards your BEE scorecard.

B - B B E E co n su l t i n g an d st rategy

E nte r p r i se d e ve l o p m e nt

S u p p l y c h ai n an d p ro c u re m ent

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CONTAC T: Craig Rootman | Sales Manager +27 11 783 7190 | craig.rootman@amathuba-hub.co.za

Writer: Samona Naidu Photographer: Tegan Smith

Food and wine

Supper with

Siphokazi

ynamite definitely comes in small packages and

Siphokazi Mdlankomo, the domestic worker turned chef, who won the hearts of South Africans

in the cooking reality show MasterChef SA, is proof of this. Through her traditional technique and mouth-watering dishes, Mdlankomo secured the runner-up spot in the competition last year and has been leaving a trail of inspiration in kitchens across the country ever since. She was raised by her mother and grandmother in Tsolo, near Mthatha, Eastern Cape and cooking was a huge part of her childhood. Before she captured the nation’s attention, the petite chef worked as a full-time domestic worker for a family in Newlands, Cape Town. Her dishes soon caught the attention of everyone around her and, in 2012, she made it to the semi-finals of SA Cook-Off. She confesses she is the biggest fan of MasterChef. “I watch every season, from the South African seasons to the Australian, UK, American, and even the Canadian Master Chef,” she explains. This prompted her to give the show a try and she excelled. Since then, Mdlankomo has become an inspiration to young chefs and domestic workers everywhere. “Being a domestic worker is just like any other job, which you should be proud of doing. It is a profession from which you earn your income,” she says. “My MasterChef journey was quite amazing and has taught me so much. Today I still work as a domestic worker but an extraordinary one.” Her bubbly personality and endearing, caring nature is the secret to her incredible dishes. We share her signature recipe for a home cooked dinner that is bound to leave you wanting more.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Ingredients: 4 medium lamb shanks 2 red onions (sliced) 1 X 400g canned tomatoes 250 ml red wine 750ml beef/chicken stock 2 carrots (peeled and sliced) 2 celery sticks (sliced) 30 ml olive oil 2 cloves garlic (crushed) 4 sprigs of thyme 2 sprigs of rosemary 1 tablespoon of brown sugar Flour to dust Polenta ingredients: 2 cups of chicken stock 1 cup of polenta 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Lamb shanks with soft creamy polenta Method

bles and herbs and cook for a further

For the polenta

Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Season the

two minutes. Add red wine and cook for

Heat the stock in a pot and bring to

shanks with salt and pepper, and then

five minutes. Place the shanks back into

boiling point. Once the stock is boiling,

dust with flour. In a heavy-based, cast

the pot and add the tomatoes, stock

pour in the polenta, in a steady stream

iron pot heat the olive oil and brown

and sugar. Cover the pot with a lid and

and use a whisk to stir the mixture so

the shanks, remove from the pot once

cook in the oven for 2.5 hours or until

that there are no lumps. Put the lid on

the outside has been browned and set

tender.

the pot and turn the heat to very low

aside.

Be sure to keep checking every now

In the same pot sauté the onions for

and then and add more stock in if need

two minutes then add garlic, vegeta-

be, you don’t want the lamb to dry out.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Serve and enjoy.

Writer: Gilda Narsimdas

GroominG and stYle

SA’take on style

s ‘trend men’

outh Africa’s fashion fixers Alan Foley

and Krishen Samuel are ‘trend men’ on a mission. Their attire is bold, in-

novative, on-trend and a mix of effortless class and style. They’ve teamed up to share their expertise about fashion trends, styling and the ultimate dos and don’ts for men and women.

Men in style Go bold: These days men are pushing the envelope when it comes to their personal style and grooming. We encourage bold choices. Whether on the golf course or in the boardroom, subtle yet innovative statements are key to any look. Do add a fashion-forward touch to a suit or formal

Get tailored: Every man needs a good tailored suit. Your suit should be made for you.

attire with printed socks, a tie or pocket

Many guys pull a suit off a rack and take it home. We suggest using a tailor to make the

square but don’t opt for all three at the

necessary adjustments, it’s crucial! The sleeves of your blazer should be a tad shorter

same time.

or slightly pulled back to reveal the cuff trim of your shirt - aim for that look and feel.

Look professional: Cardigans and blazers work best for casual or corporate looks. Choose bright colourful options to look trendy, but still put together and professional. It is more important to look good and have your clothes fit well than to be dressed head-to-toe in ill-fitting popular brands. Well-fitted clothes complete your groomed look. It is important to find a great tailor to achieve this.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Women in style Classy at work: Women are the powerhouses of fashion. They are risk takers and fashion connoisseurs, yet with the variety of brands and trends available it is easy to overdo and over-style an outfit. It is important to keep it classic and classy. Know what to wear and when – this is the key to the perfect style, especially in the workplace

Size is everything: If you are apple or pear-shaped or athletically built buy clothes that fit and complement your shape. Dress for your size. Wear clothes that conceal or complement your curves. Don’t buy bigger clothes to hide your curves as you might end up looking like you are wearing a tent.

Find your fit: If you wear clothing that is too tight you will attract attention to the wrong parts of your physique. There needs to be a balance. Getting the right fit is of the utmost importance. For example, get fitted for the right bra size. You can look amazing in anything; you just need to understand the basics of your body. Grooming: When you are well groomed it takes your ensemble to another level. Hair and make-up have to complement your clothes. Keep your make-up light but effective.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

car reviews

Writer: Itumeleng Motuba

To Inﬁniti and beyond speed automatic and got to understand why Infiniti is loved across the world. But it is only fair to see how the Q60 measures up to its peers – the BMW 4 Series Convertible, Audi S5 Cabriolet and the Lexus IS C. In all honesty, these are some pretty big boys to go up against but the Q60 seems to be able to keep up. It is elegant and there is no doubt about it being a good car and quite an impressive drive, after all it is fitted with an impressive V6 engine. The 3.7 litre performs well, moving with ease, although the engine noise might be a little loud for non-petrol heads. It

puts out a decent 235 kW of power and 360 Nm at outh Africans are generally brand loyal and it takes us a

5 200 rpm of torque, which is on par or even a little

while to open up to the idea of something new. Those

better than its counterparts. But is it good enough to

who are not car enthusiasts are often not even aware of

make a loyal BMW or Audi driver change gears and

brands such as Infiniti, Koenigsegg and Pagani. And while they may be new or foreign names to the South African market, these brands have stood the test of time in other countries.

jump into the Infiniti ship? The Q60 is appealing to the eye with its beautiful lines but lacks that finesse that would have made it

Infiniti, for instance, is the luxury line of Nissan and although it

drop dead gorgeous. The hard roof top, though, is a

is about 26-years -old, it has only been in South Africa for three

plus as it beats the soft tops of its counterparts. The

years. So yes, it is fairly new and fairly luxurious. I had the privilege

Q60 maintains the striking coupe look and yes, the

of spending some time with the latest Q60 convertible seven-

fact that it is a convertible definitely compromises boot

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

space, but when that top is down who has time to worry

The breathtaking 435i seems to be a little underpowered com-

about boot space.

pared to the Q60 as it has a turbocharged 3.0 litre six cylinder

The interior also hits the right notes as the Q60 has a neatly

engine which puts out 225 kW and 400 Nm. What it lacks in

packed cabin. Everything is easy to manoeuvre and accessible

engine power it makes up for in looks. The 4 series will set you

to the driver, including the aircon and optional navigation

back about R790 000.

system. It comes with leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual zone climate control, proximity key, rear

Audi S5 Cabriolet

parking camera, a six-speaker SiriusXM Stereo with a

In all fairness, while Audi is yet to introduce its new model,

USB pod, Bluetooth smart connectivity, seven-inch

the S5 Cabriolet has stood the test of time. The S5 Cabriolet is

touchscreen display, auto on/off Xenon headlights

for those with appetites for power and speed as it has a 200

and 18 inch aluminium alloy wheels.

kW, 3.0-litre, TFSI V6 and with a 3.0-litre TDI, combining 180kW

We all know that with great power comes great responsibility and the Q60 has brilliant safety fea-

with a massive 500Nm in the offering as well. It retails at just below R700 000.

tures. It comes standard with dual front and frontside airbags, plus traction and stability control systems and also has pop up roll bars that deploy if the car rolls over.

Lexus IS C Although not as popular as Audi and BMW, the Lexus IS C refuses to be left behind with its 2.5 litre V6 engine, which has

Infiniti says that ultimate luxury is more than perfection.

153kW power and 252Nm at 4800rpm of torque. Lexus is the

It is a feeling of unrestrained joy that unleashes something

direct competitor for Nissan as it is the luxury line for Toyota.

special in your heart. Well, the truth is the car will tug at your

It beats Infiniti when it comes to pricing as the IS C comes in

heartstrings but it will not leave your gasping for air while

at about R650 000.

your heart skips a bit like its cousin the Skyline GT-R. The Q60 Coupe GT starts at about R620 000 while the top of the range Q60 Cabrio GT will set you back about R710 000. While the price is a bit steep, that beautiful engine is worth every penny.

BMW 4 Series Convertible

Public Sector Manager â&#x20AC;˘ October 2015

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2014/06/03 3:37 PM

TRAVEL

Writer: Sam Bradley

Head due north T

he KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) North Coast can conjure up many

renovated since then. It offers various accommodation

images for South Africans looking for a holiday away from

options, starting with 20, cheaper two-bed rondavels

the rush of the city: untamed wilderness, desolate beaches

(with communal bathrooms and kitchens). There are

and peaceful solitude can all be found in this wilderness paradise.

also two-bedded and four-bedded self-catering chalets,

We explore a few of the destinations available and those that simply

as well as non-self catering chalets, which are close to

have to be added to the bucket list (and won’t break the bank in

the reception and restaurant area. The restaurant (Mpu-

the process).

nyane) is fully licensed and has stunning panoramic views of the reserve, while the resort also has a fuel

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve – Hilltop Camp

station, shop, swimming pool and jungle gym. Hilltop

Just 280 km north of Durban, the Hluhluwe–lmfolozi Game Reserve

Camp guests can also enjoy a forest trail and the Hlaza

has two claims to fame – it is the oldest proclaimed game reserve

Hide to view game from.

in Africa, and boasts the world’s largest white rhino population. These two facts alone should give South Africans reason enough to visit this 96 000 hectare (ha) reserve, never mind the beautiful

Location: Hilltop Camp is in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game

wilderness vistas and large number of species that can be seen in

Reserve, about a three-hour drive north from Durban.

their natural habitat. Once the royal hunting ground for the Zulu

Prices: Due to being in the reserve, overnight guests are

Kingdom in the days of King Shaka, the park now has claim to the

charged a conservation levy of R145 per adult and R75 per

Big Five and the elusive wild dog. In total, the park has 86 species

child under 12 (SADC residents only pay half this fee on pres-

of animal, and 340 bird species. Taking a game drive along the 300

entation of an ID card). These fees make the actual costs hard

km road network is the main attraction in the park, and there are self-guided car trails as well as guided walks available. Hilltop Camp in the north of the reserve has offered accommodation since 1934, although the resort has been extensively

Contact details: bookings@kznwildlife.com, 033 845 1000.

to calculate exactly, but as a rough guide rondavels cost R570 per night, while a four-bed self-catering chalet is R2 230 per night. Guided walks are R250 per person.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Bonamanzi

the park as reassuringly; there are no serious predators in the

Bonamanzi means “look, water” in isiZulu and the viewing deck

park. The trails meander past scenic views, with many hides

certainly offers beautiful views over the waterhole. Bonamanzi

overlooking waterholes for a well-earned break. There are also

is a 4 000 ha privately-owned wildlife and bird sanctuary, which

guided walks, game drives and boat cruises available. During

has been in operation for a number of years. It has a wide

the busier seasons there are bush braais at the outdoor lapa,

range of buck and smaller mammals and it’s also built up a

and if the kids become too energetic there is also a nearby

great reputation as a birders paradise with many species of

crocodile farm.

birds to challenge the avid watcher. This natural heritage site is very well positioned as it is close to Hluhluwe Game Reserve,

Contact details: info@bonamanzi.co.za, 083 634 0895.

and it has St Lucia and Cape Vidal to the south and Sodwana

Location: Two and a half hours north of King Shaka International

to the north.

Airport, Bonamanzi is six kilometres off the N2.

The reserve has many accommodation options, ranging from

Prices: Prices vary depending on season and availability. Treehouses

chalets to self-catering treehouses and lodges, as well as a

are R1 800 per unit per night and the campsite is R200 per person

campsite. A holiday needs two key elements – great food and

per night (R100 per child).

a peaceful setting. Bonamanzi undoubtedly has both. Gerhard is in charge of the kitchen and he does a truly amazing job. Buffet breakfasts, lunches on the viewing deck surrounded

Sodwana Bay – Coral Divers

by nothing but jacana dancing over the lily pads, followed by

Sodwana Bay has become the home of scuba diving in South

four-course dinners by the fire will leave guests feeling like

Africa due to the good all-year round diving conditions and

royalty. The peaceful setting is also not lacking at Bonamanzi.

magnifi cent reefs that can be explored. The imaginatively

Mornings can be spent on peaceful walks and picnics

named 2 mile reef, 5 mile reef, 7 mile reef and 9 mile reef all

through the park, while afternoons can be spent snoozing by

boast beautiful coral and lots of animals that call the reef home,

the pool. Sunsets on the viewing deck are a must-do event,

including turtles, manta rays and whalesharks. The closest reef

and desserts around the bonfire and under the stars are a great

(2 mile reef ) has a wide variety of caves and overhangs that

way to round off the day.

will keep a diver intrigued for a few days at least.

The more actively inclined can walk through sections of

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

Coral Divers is a large lodge situated two kilometres from the >>

TRAVEL

beach and the unofficial base camp for divers in the region. The

door enthusiast will fall in love with. Revealing any more

lodge is very well set up for travellers on a budget. Safari tents

details on the various locations would simply spoil the

are a comfortable yet affordable accommodation option (there are also cabins available) and the self-catering facilities are very

Contact details: info@coraldivers.co.za; 033 345 6531.

good. Our group mentioned that we planned to braai and were

Location: Coral Divers is in iSimangaliso Wetland Park,

very impressed to find our fire already lit by the amazing staff.

roughly 350 km north of Durban.

The restaurant is well priced with a good selection of meals and due to the popularity of the lodge there is always a good vibe around the pool and bar area. Sodwana Bay is definitely more exciting if you have an interest

Prices: Prices during peak seasons start at R230 per person sharing in a safari tent (R145 in low season). Due to Coral Divers being situated in the KZN National Park, a park fee of

in diving and Coral Divers offers all the diving courses, ranging

R70 per adult per night is also charged, which is included

from the beginner Discover Scuba Diving course all the way to

in these rates.

instructor level – so nobody has an excuse for not being involved. However, for those who prefer staying above water at all times,

holiday, so I’ll rather sign off with a simple list of Do’s

there is quad biking, horse-riding, micro-lighting and hiking avail-

and Don’ts. Do pack a camera, binoculars and lots of

able, as well as a beautiful beach to be enjoyed. Failing that, the

beach clothes. Equally important, make sure you don’t

nearby Makhasa Game Reserve offers day trips and there are also

pack any of those holiday spoilers such as cellphones,

hiking routes that lead through the stunning wetland scenery.

work documents or anything that could disturb the

In conclusion, the north coast truly is a wilderness that an out-

peaceful bliss that is the KZN North Coast.

Public Sector Manager • October 2015

PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGER

OCTOBER 2015

THE MAGAZINE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR DECISION-MAKERS

Game changer Poppy Khoza is breaking barriers for women in aviation

Dynamic women • Minister Bathabile Dlamini on building a caring nation • Minister Dipuo Peters steers transport sector to success

Brand identity Commissioner Tom Moyane on rebuilding the image of SARS

Provincial Focus

OCTOBER 2015

MEC Creecy’s plans to improve financial management in Gauteng

PSM

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