Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

MAY | 2021

SAKHUMNOTHO GROUP HOLDINGS Building wealth in South Africa and around the world

ENERGY EXPLORED

Offshore Oil And Gas Exploration: Operation Phakisa

TAKE

FAMILY-BANKING TO A NEW LEVEL NO MONTHLY FEES | 24/7 ACCESS Take family-banking to a new level and raise financially ready children with their own account, App and a transactional card. MyWORLD is packed with these great features: • • • • • •

Up to 6 accounts FREE instant transfers Cost effective with SA’s lowest banking fees** Convenient Free-to-use App*** SA’s best savings rate* of 6.5% on any pocket Quick withdrawals at selected retailers.

Bank, Share and Save with your MyWORLD account today!

MyWORLD BANKING MADE TO SHARE

For more information, go to

www.africanbank.co.za Special treatment...something we all aspire to, often reserved for the select few, but shouldn’t we all be treated as a Very Important Person, No matter how much we had?

Where doors get opened, extra consideration is a given, and of course - that special touch in everything we do. It’s time you got more out of your bank, no matter who you are.

Join the bank where EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY MyWORLD | LOANS | INVESTMENTS | INSURANCE

INVEST IN SA’s BEST INVESTMENT*AT SA’S BEST RATES! On all our Savings and Investment accounts Saving for a rainy day has never meant more to us as a nation than in these tough times. Whether you are looking for a Notice Deposit, Fixed Deposit or Tax Free account, we are ready to help you!

Plus have the convenience to manage your investment online at www.africanbank.co.za

INVEST TODAY

SMS “GOVT” to 30963

Terms, conditions and rules apply and are available on www.africanbank.co.za. . All fees are inclusive of VAT. The bank reserves the right to change fees at any time with one month written notice. *SA’s Best Rate on any positive balance. All interest rates quoted are nominal annual compounded monthly (NACM) rates. **See the pricing guide for more on SA’s Lowest Banking Fees. ***Online banking is Free to use for Telkom, Vodacom, MTN and Cell C networks and cannot be guaranteed for other networks, excluding App downloads. African Bank Limited is an authorised financial services and registered credit provider. NCR Reg No: NCRCP7638. Reg No: 2014/176899/06.

IN2102_000

Contents

MAY 2021 | ISSUE 4

Editorial

32

10

20 | Leaders in The Public Sector Building Biodiversity - Protecting South Africa’s Natural Wealth 24 | Africa Focus The AU’s Vaccination Response 30 | A Renewable Future South Africa Commits To Slashing Carbon Emissions – Ahead Of Target

22

32 | Energy Explored Offshore Oil And Gas Exploration: Operation Phakisa 36 | Labour Relations Supporting Employees During Remote Working Lies in Communication

Features 8 | Addressing The Nation President Cyril Ramaphosa on Reaffirming Democracy & Freedom of Speech

22 | Covid-19 Update A dose of good news - Pfizer Vaccines Have Landed in SA!

44 | Financial Fitness Capable public servants ensure a capable state

10 | Cover Feature Sakhumnotho Group Holdings -Building wealth in South Africa and around the world

34 | Provincial Focus Zooming in on Richards Bay’s Industrial Development Zone

46 | Upcoming Events What to look out for during Energy Month

16 | Trailblazer Kiren Maharaj - Leading in the Multidisciplinary Engineering Space

38 | In Other News Free and Fair Elections - LGE October 2021

18 | Women in Leadership Nelisiwe Magubane Appointed as Chairperson of Strategic Fuel Fund

2 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

40 | Legal Matters South Africa Observes New Discrimination Laws

CIPS Procurement Services provide expertise and tools to support organisations in developing a procurement and supply function that can meet business goals and strategic challenges locally & globally.

LEAD WITH THE GLOBAL LEADERS IN PROCUREMENT & SUPPLY. Think Global. Be Local.

Email saenquiries@cips.org.za to find out more.

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 3

24

38 9

CREDITS PUBLIC SECTOR LEADERS The Digimag For Leaders In The South African Public Sector Advertising Sales, Distribution and Subscriptions Top Media & Communcations (Pty) Ltd Tel: 086 000 9590 Info@topco.co.za | www.topco.co.za CEO Ralf Fletcher TOPCO STUDIO Production Director Van Fletcher van.fletcher@topco.co.za Group Editor Fiona Wakelin fiona.wakelin@topco.co.za Assistant Editor Charndré Emma Kippie Contributors Jessie Taylor

Designer Nasreen Emeran Domingo Subscriptions and Distributions Daniel Bouwer artwork@topco.co.za SALES National Project Manager Emlyn Dunn Tel: 072 1263962 emlyn.dunn@topco.co.za Brand Coordinator Sidney Phiri sidney.phiri@topco.co.za

Printers CTP Printers Cover Photography Courtesy image Images iStock/Unsplash

Head Office Top Media & Communications (Pty) Ltd T/A Topco Media Elkay House, 186 Loop St Cape Town Tel: +27 86 000 9590 Fax: +27 21 423 7576 Email: info@topco.co.za Website: www.topco.co.za DISCLAIMER All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Top Media & Communications (Pty) Ltd T/A Topco Media.

Reg. No. 2011/105655/07. While every care has been taken when compiling this publication, the publishers, editor and contributors accept no responsibility for any consequences arising from any errors or emissions.

ADVERTORIAL

BY BOXFUSION

Citizen Engagement For the 21st Century

C

itizens are at the heart of why the government does what it does. However, until the recent proliferation of smart devices and increased connectivity, public entities had to manage interactions with taxpayers through cumbersome paper-based processes and inperson engagements. In the digital age, citizens demand a higher level of interaction and authenticity from government institutions.

Voters use apps daily to manage most things in their lives, from social interactions to ordering outfits and groceries. Understandably, they are seeking the same level of efficiency from their local municipalities.

Enter the South African solution designed for the South African Landscape As an answer to the communication gap between citizens and municipalities, Boxfusion designed

the SmartGov for Citizens app. This platform boasts rich features which allow for two-way communication, not only between citizens and officials, but call centres and suppliers as well.

This platform boasts rich features which allow for two-way communication Citizen engagement in the cloud This cloud-based solution allows citizens to upload and report issues such as burst water pipes, fallen trees and electricity outages, as well as emergencies like fires, to their nearest municipal call centre. The app features rich media capabilities, which allow for photos to be uploaded, while the geolocation function enables citizens to tag exactly where an issue is, making it even easier for contractors to find and fix the problem.

This capability also allows citizens to view logged issues and resolutions thereof. The SmartGov for Citizens app acts as a central repository for citizens to find the contact information of their local representatives, nearby service points such as clinics and police stations, and follow municipal accounts on social media.

Municipalities benefit too While this app has been designed to improve citizen engagement, it also

assists municipalities with managing their caseloads and engaging service providers to resolve logged calls. Tickets that have been issued can automatically be assigned to field workers, sending notifications directly to their mobile devices while they are in the field. This can then be tracked until the problem has been resolved, finally closing the communication loop by alerting the citizen once the job has been completed.

Service delivery on a roll The SmartGov for Citizens app is hosted in the Cloud, which means minimal downtime, and an alwayson engagement platform for citizens and officials alike. Because it is cloud-based and easily procured, it can be rapidly rolled out within six weeks to municipalities, such as in OR Tambo in the Eastern Cape (Mthata, Port St Johns, Qunu) and ILembe in KwaZulu Natal (Ballito, Umhlanga, KwaDukuza) where the solution is currently implemented, among others.

This is just one of the many Boxfusion solutions currently implemented in the public sector as part of assisting the government on its digital transformation journey. n

Contact: Email: sales@boxfusion.co.za Tel: (012) 940-1300.

Website: www.boxfusion.co.za

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 5

EDITORS LETTER

BY FIONA WAKELIN

Letter from the Editor Welcome to the May edition of Public Sector Leaders (PSL).

In his letter to the country this week – From the Desk of the Presidency - our President celebrates the freedom of the press in South Africa and commends our journalists for their commitment to democracy, weeding out corruption and exercising freedom of speech without fear or favour: “As a society, let us continue to work together to jealously safeguard our country’s media freedom. It was hard won, and without it, we cannot hope to flourish,” – H.E. Ramaphosa It is a busy month for our public sector leaders with our President participating in the Friends of Multilateralism’s roundtable on the work of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. This virtual gathering of Heads of State was co-chaired by the Right Honourable Helen Clark and Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Thembi Siweya, hosted South Africa’s young trailblazers in the field of sports, arts and literature at the Union Building and Deputy President David Mabuza, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform convened and chaired a meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, after the successful land and title deeds handover to the Covie Community in the Western Cape.

The month of May celebrates Workers’ Day in South Africa and as it is energy month, in this edition we look at South Africa’s energy mix and the way forward for the country’s power supply. As our lead article, it gave me great pleasure to interview Prof. Sipho Mseleku Founder and Chairperson of Pan-African investment company, Sakhumnotho Group Holdings and the organisation’s Head of Energy, Bradley Cerff. Continuing with the energy focus we look at the energy mix in South Africa, and celebrate Nelisiwe Magubane, Chairperson of the Strategic Fuel Fund. Our regular feature “Trailblazers” features Kiren Maharaj, Chairperson of the South African National Energy Association and our public sector leader this month is newly appointed CEO of SANBI, Shonisani Munzhedzi. The regional focus is on KwaZulu-Natal and “In other news” we bring you up to date on progress with the free and fair local government elections happening this year Whether you are in the public sector, the private sector, supply chain or an interested individual, PSL has something for you.

We hope you enjoy the read

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 7

ADDRESSING THE NATION MAY 2021

I

REAFFIRMING DEMOCRACY & FREEDOM OF SPEECH

n his first letter to the nation for the month of May, our President speaks about the importance of freedom of speech, not only for journalists but for all members of the public – and he reaffirms that any expression of dissatisfaction in South Africa may be made without fear of retribution.

Recognising how far we’ve come Looking back at Freedom Month is a time for recognising and celebrating how far we have come since the days before democracy – a dark time of banning orders, imprisonment without trial and the unilateral closure of publications.

8 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

The 2021 World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters without Borders, is a measurement of the state of media freedom across the globe, which has found that generally there has been a decline in public access to information and an increase in obstacles to news coverage in a number of countries.

The statistics in the report reveal that journalism is ‘totally blocked or seriously impeded’ in 73 countries and ‘constrained’ in 59 others – with a notable decline in media freedom having occurred during COVID-19. South Africa is ranked 32nd out of 180 countries and our state of media freedom

is described as ‘guaranteed but fragile’. The report lists our Constitution which protects freedom and our established culture of investigative journalism, as positives in our favour, whilst the number of negatives include legal injunctions against both taking images of National Key Points and reporting on matters involving state security.

What also counted against our overall ranking was the increase of intimidation of journalists, especially female journalists on social media, during 2020.

President Ramaphosa describes this intimidation as “totally unacceptable, but is particularly

harmful when it is directed at female journalists and is occasionally accompanied by threats of sexual violence.

This is a matter of great concern and cannot be allowed.”

Our journalists must continue to report without fear or favour

the other issues of the day

His Excellency pays tribute to the role the South African media has played in revealing “the true extent of capture of the state by self-serving, corrupt individuals and entities. They sustained their reporting even in the face of intimidation, disinformation and attacks on their person.”

However, he also notes that corruption is only one of the challenges we face in South Africa – many of our citizens

face poverty, inequality and underdevelopment, poor service delivery, and lack of access to opportunities on a daily basis.

“If the media is to remain true to its responsibility to support democracy, our journalists must continue to report without fear or favour on the other issues of the day. Their sustained coverage must include genderbased violence, crime in our communities, and social ills like substance abuse.

“Our media should provide accurate and impartial information, enabling the public to make informed decisions, to access opportunities and to improve their lives. They should continue to produce journalism that goes beyond the headlines and front pages and that contributes to human development. They should report both the good news and the bad news, the progress we make

and the challenges we face.”

– President Ramaphosa.

Key to maintaining trust between the public and journalists is the issue of credibility: “When journalists allow themselves or their platforms to be used to fight political battles or settle scores on behalf of vested interests, their credibility suffers. When media disseminate stories that are inaccurate or that they know to be false, the public loses faith in them.

“It is in the best interests of all who love this country and wish for it to succeed that our media is supported, and not hindered in its work.

“As a society, let us continue to work together to jealously safeguard our country’s media freedom. It was hard won, and without it, we cannot hope to flourish,” – H.E. Ramaphosa n

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 9

COVER STORY

BY FIONA WAKELIN & CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

Sakhumnotho

-Building wealth in South Africa and around the world Composed of two Zulu terms, ‘Siyakha – meaning, building or creating” and “Umnotho – meaning, wealth or the economy”, Sakhumnotho is a company geared towards giving back to communities whilst uplifting the South African economy, Africa and the world.

S

outh Africa based, Pan-African investment holding company, Sakhumnotho Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd., has thrived year in and year out – since 2000 – as a diversified investment firm with interests in financial services, mining, property, oil and gas, education, surveillance and security systems, ICT, document storage, aviation and other strategic sectors.

Under the leadership of Founder and Executive Chairman, Prof. Sipho Mseleku, and the guidance of the Head of Energy, Bradley Cerff, Sakhumnotho has continuously invested in the experience, track record and sound management of well-run businesses, prioritising minorities and influencing decision-making to accelerate the growth of enterprises.

Big on impact Born and raised in the East Rand township known as Katlehong, in Gauteng, Prof.

Mseleku attributes his strong work ethic and unique business acumen to his God-fearing parents and Christian family upbringing. “My parents brought

PROF. SIPHO MSELEKU Founder and Executive Chairman Sakhumnotho Group 10 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

us up, as children, in prayer, the church, and with an overall Christian orientation. This became a big part of our lifestyle. And I thank God that I was brought up by such a great family, and with such great parents”, says Mseleku. Today, Prof. Mseleku has ingrained his faith and values into the foundation and upholding of Sakhumnotho, making it a “Godcentred organisation”. Thus, the company is underpinned by the notion of “From self to others”.

Personal success, to me, is just making a difference in other people’s lives Mseleku is clear that the company’s largest focus remains on ‘impact’, and making a positive influence on society and communities in South Africa. At the forefront, business facilitation, entrepreneurial education, mentorship and training, and youth development are of highest importance for the organisation. Through the Global School of Entrepreneurship (GBSE) and Global Business Roundtable (GBR), the Sakhumnotho Group remains dedicated to the creation of conducive environments needed for SMEs to flourish across the continent.

“We’re very big on impact. We [Sakhumnotho] believe that the very reason for our existence, as a company, is to make an impact in the lives of many people.

Through global organisations, we’ve impacted millions of people

around the world, and our future is about those organisations. We exist as a business to support those organisations - to see the lives of many people change and to see them contribute meaningfully to the economy”, explains Mseleku.

“Consistently, over the past eleven years, we’ve invested more than R200-million supporting the work of the Global Business Roundtable, The Global Fund for Jesus, the expansion programmes across the globe, the activities and the events, TV programmes, leadership academy”, Mseleku continues. “ To see many lives transformed has been very rewarding”.

SAKHUMNOTHO’S SUCCESS: Agility Quick adaptation Good team & great work ethic Strong unity Strong investment teams Give as much as we can Understanding that ‘for every seed there is a harvest’ We put God first Secrets to success As a seasoned business professional and academic, Prof.

Mseleku holds many titles and has contributed to multiple sector Boards, both public and private

- at national and international levels. With an impressive background as a business expert, he is the immediate past President of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, representing commerce and industry from all 46 African countries. Mseleku is highly passionate about African business, and feels strongly about intraAfrican trade.

In 2009, he established the Global Business Roundtable, of which he is the Convener, which has a significant impact in close to 60 different countries. Prof. Mseleku also holds multiple academic qualifications, namely, BA (Hons), LLB, LLM (Tax Law), and H.Dip Company Law - all of which was obtained at the University of the Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg.

Mseleku is also a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, and an Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.

Additionally, Prof.. Mseleku is the chairman of the Global Fund for Christ - uplifting the disadvantaged through education, health, infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, food security and employment creation programmes.

When asked about all the success he has achieved thus far, Prof. Mseleku explains that he maintains an understanding of personal success that is “not quite traditional”.

“Personal success, to me, is just making a difference in other people’s lives, living for a purpose,

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 11

and understanding why you exist - why God created you. Once you find your meaning, you begin to succeed in life”. When it comes to

PROF. MSELEKU’S INVESTMENT ADVICE FOR AFRICA

01 02

We will see a trend in investment in innovative start-ups, from real transformers and changemakers.

In order to truly invest in SMEs, we need to have training and entrepreneurship introduced in schools from as early as grade 8

03

Green Energy is the future: Renewable Energy Investment in South Africa is on the rise.

04

Fintech is going to be big, globally, and is one of the biggest ‘future industries’ that we need to be following carefully.

05

Society needs to prepare for ‘meaningful participation’ in the economy.

06

BBEE must be made more impactful: we need to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit.

We also need to prioritise inclusivity in terms of jobs and social impact projects.

12 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

facing hurdles in all spheres of his life, Prof. Mseleku’s approach is to “have faith, trust and hope in God”.

He emphasises that it is prayer which assists him with focus and resilience which retains his drive to succeed and overcome obstacles.

“Try to focus on transforming one additional life per day”, he urges.

“When you’re confronted with hurdles and bad situations, you need to focus and be persistent do not lose focus of your purpose”.

With such drive and commitment to all pillars of life, it’s no surprise as to why Prof. Mseleku was just recently appointed as an Adjunct Professor in the College of Economics and Management Sciences at the University of South Africa (UNISA). He will be inspiring and teaching young students, as a guest expert, providing industry insight and key thought leadership ideas.

Conquering Covid strategically As the pandemic has had negative effects on all businesses worldwide, Mseleku explains that as a diversified investment holdings company, Sakhumnotho has investments in many sectors (including mining, energy, real estate, ICT, agriculture etc.) which felt the pain of Covid-19, for the 2019-2020 period. However, most of these sectors are bouncing back and making a great recovery.

“It [Covid-19] did, however, create opportunities amidst these challenges, in that we had to adapt quickly, learn new ways of doing business, and we became more efficient in terms of using our time to focus on business”,

explains Prof. Mseleku.

Mseleku shares that despite Sakhumnotho being ‘cushioned’ by all it’s diversified investments, pain was felt and many had to pivot.

“In business, if the first approach doesn’t work out, take a different approach, and know when to move on and work towards something else”, he encourages.

Prof. Mseleku is excited about the road ahead for the Sakhumnotho Group, indicating that the focus will still be on making a significant, positive impact on people, despite taking a knock during this pandemic. At present, there are plans put in place for better integration, reaching 200 nations through new projects and initiatives, and facilitating a training camp geared towards ‘linking people to opportunities and mentors’.

Sakhumnotho energy in focus A key member of the Sakhumnotho Group and the Head of Energy, Bradley Cerff, has been with the organisation for almost 5 years, making critical contributions to the group’s energy investments - with a particular focus on power, oil and gas. He Is responsible for strategic portfolio management, investment review, cash flow and delivery.

A member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Southern African Institute for Business Accountants (SAIBA), and an Advisory Board member for the South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC), at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Bradley has

previously obtained a BSc and BSc (Hons) degree, as well as an MSc from UWC), and a BBA (Hons) and MBA from Stellenbosch University.

He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Western Cape.

We need green, renewable energy.

We cannot rely on just one source

The energy mix Cerff began his journey in the energy space as a geo-physicist from the Cape Flats, with a bright future ahead of him. As a graduate, he worked for De Beers, and then went on to work for a JSE-listed company, known as SacOil Holdings (now Efora Energy), as a Senior Executive. He was instrumental in contributing to the drafting of the JSE Gas Codes (tracking codes used to list companies). Cerff’s work at Sakhumnotho, then, began in 2016. His passion for Sakhumnotho’s Energy division stems from his core belief: “South Africa is where the opportunities are in the energy business”.

Green energy is here to stay If there’s one thing that this pandemic has taught us all, is that we need to change our approach to how we deal with hurdles. As Prof. Mseleku stated, though Sakhumnotho was cushioned, there were farreaching consequences to face and manage. “We need to look at the opportunities in energy”, says Cerff. “For example, loadshedding is seen as negative, but yet the renewable energy boom came out of it...We need to believe in our abilities.”

As the Head of Energy, Cerff comments that, with renewable energy sources and cleaner living and energy production, Sakhumnotho will make a huge difference to the energy mix. “We need green, renewable energy.

We cannot rely on just one source. What we do now is going to have implications tomorrow”, he continues.

“Green needs to be part of our energy mix, and our everyday habits...

“Sakhumnotho is a global business with various subsidiaries. We have footprints in various countries; our focus is in South Africa, but we have an outlook globally”, he says.

“My ‘why’ comes from wanting to make a positive contribution through everything I do - life, family or career… Be positive and make a positive difference”.

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 13

Green energy alternatives will bring more energy to the people, from a South African standpoint.”

Cerff urges us to remember that “there is no planet B” at this stage. This is why it is so reassuring to see younger generations getting on board with cleaner energy lifestyles.

“We still need ‘base load’. So greenenergy can only get us so far. In time, things will change.

We will see a change in thinking and energy perspectives in terms of creating less pollution. For example, research has shown that wind can be considered for base load as a low carbon energy source”, explains Cerff.

Major investment and value One of Sakhomnotho’s biggest energy investments is Total - a broad energy company, which produces and markets fuels, natural gas and electricity. Total contributes to the downstream side of Southern Africa’s fuel and retail, in terms of petroleum and renewables. However, Covid-19

SAKHUMNOTHO’S ESG PRACTICES Zooming in in renewables and producing clean fuel Good Governance Structure Compliance with Government legislation and exceeding these expectations Minimizing environmental impact at all costs

14 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

has had a definite impact on the energy division, as a whole. Cerff comments that many investment projects were stalled and exited.

“The impact on the reach of the South African renewable programme has various knock on effects which have had an impact on business, but with the right, new protocols in place, we will make a good comeback.

Things will be improving in the next six months or so.” Even in the midst of multiple new challenges, Bradley strongly believes that many countries in the world can actually learn a thing or two for South Africa.

“They can benefit from what we’ve done and from the legislation practices”, he says.

“The move to renewables was a very necessary one. South Africa has built up renewable energy expertise. There is lot’s of synergy, now, between people and countries as we are helping others with energy infrastructure,

which leads to economic cooperation”.

As Sakhumnotho Group Holdings continues to make profound and meaningful impact on people’s lives and economies around the world its growth strategy remains anchored in one goal: becoming an exemplary Pan African global company and with Prof. Mseleku at the helm the future is bright for this purpose-driven global investment company. n

CREATING SPECIAL BONDS FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES. Having a place to call home is what we all work towards. It’s a place where we are able to raise our families and create long-lasting memories…something that you deserve. At SA Home Loans, we understand your wishes, needs and dreams…and cater for them.

These are just a few ways we can help you: BUYING A HOME: With the interest rate at a 40-year low, AND a special deal for government employees, now is the time to get onto the property ladder!

RENOVATING YOUR HOME: If you already own your own home, you can switch your current bond to SAHL and access extra cash all because you’re a government employee.

BUYING OR BUILDING ON COMMUNAL OR FAMILY LAND: You can get financed to buy or build on land that has no title deed.

To find out more, speak to a friendly consultant who will guide you through the process.

0860 2 4 6 8 10

www.sahomeloans.com

Terms and Conditions apply. Please refer to our website for further details. SA Home Loans is a Registered Credit Provider. Registration Number NCRCP1735.

TRAILBLAZER

BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

Leading Multi-disciplinary Engineering

KIREN MAHARAJ, THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF GIBB POWER AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ENERGY ASSOCIATION, NAVIGATES SA’S ENERGY MIX

I

n 2019 Kiren Maharaj assumed her role of Managing Director at GIBB Holdings Pty Ltd. - a multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy company.

Her highly-celebrated appointment has led to various innovative developments, enhancing the South African Energy Mix. Today, she is also the well-respected Chairperson of the South African National Energy Association (SANEA). Upon taking up her new role, Group CEO of GIBB Pty Ltd, Richard Vries, commented “We are fortunate to have Kiren lead GIBB Power, which is the entry point to the entire power solutions value chain that GIBB and EDF offer. We welcome her to GIBB Power and wish her all the best.”

He added that, “With her at the helm, we believe the combined effect between EDF and GIBB’s expertise will pave the way to increasing our activities in the power market in Africa. In addition, GIBB Power will enable EDF Group to identify, screen and develop greenfield projects in Africa, which, for GIBB, adds unique value, not only to projects, but to the benefit of the communities in which we serve”.

Entrepreneur meets energy sector Thus far, Kiren has established herself as a leading professional within the power and energy landscape, as well as within management consultancy, having fulfilled various high-level roles inside of leading companies in the South African energy sector, such as Eskom.

A woman of many talents, Kiren is

16 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

also a well-known entrepreneur, having started her own start-up ventures as a way to make the most of opportunities and the potential of the energy landscape.

In 2016, she co-founded Trenex (Pty) Ltd - a power services and investment company that plays the role of an active partner in all investments by providing operations and maintenance, EPC and asset management services to clients during the entire life cycle of large scale power projects.

Kiren has acquired exemplary strategic, management and operational expertise in the energy field Prior to her professional career success, Kiren completed a BCompt Degree at UNISA. She then went on to complete a Postgraduate Degree, MBA, at Wits Business School. She also completed a Certificate Programme in Leadership Coaching at Wits Business School, in 2017, which includes volunteer coaching for current MBA students.

Women in energy As a dynamic leader, with experience that spans over more than two decades, Kiren has acquired exemplary strategic, management and operational expertise in the energy field. Thus far, she has been involved in multiple game-changing projects and initiatives across the energy value-chain. Kiren has been instrumental in launching an energy trading and auctioning system that facilitates internal

power pool trading. She has, additionally, led a company-wide cost re-engineering initiative geared towards identifying potential cost savings, productivity and organisational enhancements in a highly-lucrative company.

Just last August, she was a special guest at the Women in Energy Webinar, hosted by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), in partnership with the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) and SANEA. The DMRE’s Women’s Month commemorative event was attended by more than 200 delegates. As Chairperson of SANEA, Kiren spoke on the impact of Covid-19 on women and business during her keynote address.

Key points made By Maharaj: • Shifting the risk landscape is identified as a key mechanism to realise South Africa’s “New Gold Rush” and to grow the sector and the economy.

• Women in the energy sector must play a key role in the just energy transition and build on existing efforts, using our best minds, and leveraging our diversity.

great difficulty”. “If it was easy, it would have been done already”, she continued. “For a country like South Africa, if we just think about not having coal-fired power generation, it impacts Eskom and the power stations themselves; it impacts the coal mining industry, towns that survive on the power station and a coal mine; it impacts the businesses in those towns. So, it has far-reaching consequences.

It’s not just a simple answer”, exclaimed Maharaj.

“This doesn’t mean it’s not important… Everything in life can be seen as a problem or an opportunity”, Kiren continues as she highlights positive outcomes in the energy sector.

Some burning questions for Kiren right now revolve around how to “Create new energy options, still be able to supply electricity, while doing it with a lower carbon footprint - that’s what’s important”, she said. n

Opportunities for the future In her recent discussion, as part of the #CriticalInfrastructureSA Series, Kiren addressed climate changes and energy supply in South Africa.

She also addressed ‘The Carbon Question’ and the urgent need for ‘balancing the need for reducing emissions with our current Energy Mix’. Kiren admitted that The Carbon Question can only be approached, right now, “with

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 17

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

Nelisiwe Magubane CHAIRPERSON STRATEGIC FUEL FUND

Former Director General for the Department of Energy, Nelisiwe Magubane, tackles new role as Chairperson of Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF)

T

he former Department of Energy Director-General, Nelisiwe Magubane, was announced as the newest Chairperson of the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF), mid2020. The SFF is a subsidiary of the State-owned Central Energy Fund (CEF). Nelisiwe took over the reins from the then CEF Chairperson, Dr Monde Mnyande, who fulfilled the interimposition.

Nelisiwe, who holds the position of Chairman of Matleng Energy Solutions, and is also an Eskom board member, was appointed with immediate effect, being handed the position during a turbulent time.

“These [new] appointments could not have come at a better time when the group is embarking on a journey to merge three subsidiaries, PetroSA, Strategic Fuel Fund and iGas, to form a national oil and gas company of South Africa”, said Dr Mnyande.

The CEF also announced its restructuring strategy during the orientation meeting of legislators in May last year, indicating that the CEF holding company intends to renounce its

18 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

laid-back ‘parenting strategy’ in favour of becoming a ‘strategic guide’. The objective, here, is to centralise group strategy, funding and capital expenditure.

25 years of energy sector expertise With more than two decades experience in energy, Nelisiwe initially worked in the private sector as a consulting electrical engineer. Thereafter, she joined the then Department of Energy, back in 2000, fulfilling the role of Chief Director. There, she headed efforts surrounding the restructuring of the electricity sector, planning and implementation of the electrification programme.

25 years of energy sector expertise, with more than two decades experience in energy She was later appointed as the director-general at the department, in 2009, where she was actively involved in the development of the Integrated Resource Plan and accelerated access to electricity for more than a million local households, until 2014.

Nelisiwe obtained a B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration and, today, is a certified engineer.

She has been recognised as one of the top 50 most influential people in Southern Africa’s Power

sector by the ESI Africa Magazine, and was nominated for the Entrepreneur of the Year® award, in South Africa’s premier annual entrepreneurial competition, in 2017.

Nelisiwe established Matleng Energy Solutions in 2014 - the 70% women-owned company which offers topclass energy solutions - which has since grown to incorporate Pendo Energy.

She was also nominated, by the Academy of Science in South Africa, to contribute to a study geared towards investigating the energy efficiency technologies of South Africa.

Outlook for Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) As she moved into her new role with the SFF, Nelisiwe expressed her objectives and biggest areas of concern regarding the fuel and energy sector.

“What I am really worried about at this point in time is the adequacy and the availability of strategic stocks… The biggest challenge is the policy on the finished product”, she explained.

“For me, the importance is not just on the adequacy - in terms of Crude Oil stocks - but also on finished products [like Diesel].

That is also going to be quite an important issue that we need to deal with”.

Neliswe further explained that she is dedicated to addressing issues around infrastructure and pipelines, in order to enhance

the transportation of finished fuel products, and looks forward to working closely with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on finalising policy and improving efficiency.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS Improving access to electricity for over a million households Developing and implementing the Integrated Resource Plan Securing billions of dollars in investments Completing the Integrated Energy Plan (IEP), South Africa’s vision for the 2050 energy sector Successful negotiations between the Cahora Bassa power system and the Governments of Mozambique and Portugal Contributed to the Grand Inga Treaty between the Governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Botswana, and the Republic of Namibia.

Restructuring of Tanesco - the Tanzanian electricity utility - in collaboration with the Tetratech team, as per the Power Africa Transactions and Reform Programme. n

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 19

LEADERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

BUILDING

Biodiversity

THE MAN TASKED WITH PROTECTING SOUTH AFRICA’S NATURAL WEALTH

T

here is a new face of South Africa’s mission to preserve its biodiversity - and the newly appointed CEO of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) holds the responsibility of protecting some of the country’s richest ecosystems.

Shonisani Munzhedzi has been newly appointed as CEO of SANBI, bringing with him a wealth of expertise in conservation and biodiversity management. In April, Cabinet approved the Board’s decision to appoint Munzhedzi as CEO, with both the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, and Deputy Minister, Makhotso Sotyu, welcoming the appointment.

Dedicated to conservation, The SANBI is an entity of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. It contributes to South Africa’s sustainable

20 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

development by facilitating access to biodiversity data, generating information and knowledge, building capacity, providing policy advice, showcasing and conserving biodiversity in its national botanical and zoological gardens.

SANBI’s work is key to the survival of the country’s immeasurable natural wealth Munzhedzi has been appointed amid a key public consultation process. The Revised National Biodiversity Framework 2019 to 2024, is an important policy instrument for the management and protection of species and ecosystems, is currently under public consultation, and SANBI is closely involved in the

preparation of the Framework and a bioregional or biodiversity management plan. The new CEO brings a wealth of experience to SANBI. He most recently held the position of Deputy DirectorGeneral: Biodiversity and Conservation in the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. He has held positions in various public service environment and conservation portfolios for more than 26 years, including in areas of Climate Change Adaptation, Conservation and Biodiversity Management.

Munzhedzi’s experience includes the post of Senior General Manager responsible for Environment and Tourism in the Limpopo Province, where he was responsible for the strategic management of disciplines such as conservation, protected areas management, waste management, scientific

services, integrated environmental management, environmental impact management, enforcement and compliance, regulatory services and tourism planning. He has also held management positions at Joburg City Parks. He serves on the boards of the South Africa National Parks (SANParks), the African World Heritage Fund and the South African Wildlife College.

But Munzhedzi’s role will have a much bigger impact than simply managing a government department. SANBI’s work is key to the survival of the country’s immeasurable natural wealth.

The organisation plays a key role in providing knowledge and information, giving policy support and advice, and engaging in ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation programmes and best practice models to manage biodiversity better.

Protecting SA’s natural splendour South Africa boasts exceptional biodiversity – it is home to as much as 10% of the world’s plant species and 7% of its reptile, bird

and mammal species, despite occupying only 2% of the world’s land surface area. The country also harbours 15% of the world’s marine species. But despite scoring so high on the biodiversity scorecard, much of the country’s flora and fauna is under threat.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species has estimated that as much as 10% of South Africa’s birds and frogs, 20% of its mammals and 13% of its plants are under threat. According to SANBI’s National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment, a large portion of river ecosystems, vegetation types and marine areas face threats.

At least 16% of South Africa’s plants are threatened with extinction, the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment has also found.

One example is the Cape Floral Kingdom. Hosting just short of 40% of the country’s plant species, this region is both the smallest and most threatened of the world’s six floral kingdoms. An estimated 20% of all the plant species in this floral kingdom are threatened with extinction. It’s this natural

splendour that SANBI works to protect. SANBI was established in 2004 under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act. The organisation plays a leading role in South Africa’s national commitment to biodiversity management and works in partnership with the Department of Environmental Affairs and the biodiversity sector, to lead the biodiversity research agenda.

Research remains central to SANBI’s work, especially relating to climate change and bioadaptation. The research arm of the organisation is aimed at informing climate change policy development and decision making by increasing access to appropriate scientific knowledge.

As South Africa re-evaluates its response to climate change over the coming decades, this research will be vital in not only protecting South Africa’s natural heritage, but potentially that of many other nations. n

SHONISANI MUNZHEDZI CEO | SANBI

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 21

COVID-19 UPDATE

BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

A DOSE OF

good news PFIZER VACCINES HAVE LANDED IN SA!

T

he Pfizer-BioNTech jab has been one of several vaccine options submitted for approval in numerous countries, and has been a glimmer of hope for at the end of the ‘Covid Tunnel’.

It has arrived!

On 3 May, it was announced that the very first batch of Pfizer vaccines had arrived on South Arican soil. A much anticipated-event, more than 325,000 doses of the jab had finally landed at OR Tambo International Airport that Sunday night. In order to ensure that no vials were damaged or compromised, samples were immediately transported to the National Control Laboratory for quality assurance purposes.

It has been forecasted that the country should receive a batch of vaccines, of the same quantity, on a weekly basis. It is estimated that a total of 1.3 million doses will be delivered by the end of May. Subsequently, the supply of Pfizer

vaccines is expected to go up in number quite significantly to more than 636,000 per week in June.

Centre for the Aids Programme of Research (Caprisa), as well as Janssen Pharmaceuticals - which is owned by Johnson & Johnson.

Restarting Phase 1 The celebrated arrival of these Pfizer vaccines comes after the restart of phase 1 (resumed on Wednesday 28 April) of South Africa’s rollout. Phase 1 predominantly focuses on making sure that all healthcare workers in the country get vaccinated as soon as possible. This has been a key focus of the Sisonke Mass Implementation study.

Together with these large entities, provincial health departments and researchers have been actively involved in the vaccination of 26 000 healthcare workers. The health department has set a target of completing 500 000 inoculations by the end of the Sisonke study.

Government has, additionally, secured other vaccines which are set to arrive in the second quarter of the year.

We are confident that the final outcome will be positive The Sisonke study has been led by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), in collaboration with the national health department, Desmond Tutu Health Foundation,

22 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

Health Minister weighs in Health Minister Zweli Mkhize spoke in parliament on Wednesday prior to the arrival of the new vaccines, stating that the country was looking into obtaining a supplementary supply of vaccines, from both Russia and India. Minister Mkhize also indicated that plans have been set in place for the inoculation of 16.5

million South Africans from May to October, with the assistance of private healthcare providers - who will purchase vaccines from the national government.

This strategy is included in Phase 2 of the rollout, which will target all essential workers and vulnerable individuals with comorbidities.

Phase 3 of the rollout, scheduled for the start of November, will open up inoculations to the rest of the country. Additionally, the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) has announced that the first commercial batch of Johnson & Johnson vaccines (arriving from Aspen’s plant in Gqeberha) is expected to be ready by mid-May. Potential hurdles expected In light of these new developments, there are, however, areas of concern which could potentially slow down South Africa’s vaccine rollout. The extended international safety verification process, surrounding the Johnson & Johnson vaccines from Gqeberha, may pose some challenges. Minister Mkhize

said that these vaccines should be released around the middle of May. However, he also indicated that the release would only occur upon approval from US and South African regulators.

“This is a precautionary measure following the adverse findings during inspection of Emergent BioSolutions Bayview facility in the United States of America, one of the manufacturing partners of Johnson and Johnson, which prompted the authorities to extend their assessments of all Johnson and Johnson stock worldwide. These assessments are still underway”, said Minister Mkhize.

“We are confident that the final outcome will be positive and that, provided there are no further disruptions, Johnson and Johnson will be in a position to release the stock from the Aspen plant in Gqeberha by the middle of May. The stock is currently finished and ready for dispatch.” n

HON. DR ZWELI MKHIZE Minister of Health

5 FACTS ON THE PFIZER-BIONTECH JABS The scientific classification of the vaccine is known as BNT162b2.

It is a mRNA-type vaccine - a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases, which teaches our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies.

A benefit of this vaccine is that those who have been vaccinated will gain protection without ever having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.

The vaccine does not include ingredients such as eggs, preservatives, or latex.

However, it does have polyethylene glycol, which certain individuals may be allergic to.

Possible side effects include: tiredness, onset of headaches, muscular pain, fever, chills and nausea.

You may also experience swelling and redness on the arm with which the shot is administered.

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 23

AFRICA FOCUS

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

The AU’s

Vaccination Response Unity and co-operation – Africa’s secret in fighting future pandemics

T

he dream of a free trade between African states could be key to creating a medical manufacturing economy on the continents – a focus that has become vital as Africa Union members pool resources to fight Covid-19.

While Africa has been one of the continents least affected by the spread of Corona virus, the roll out of vaccines has been met with challenges which include: purchasing power, competing with wealthy developed nations in securing vaccine supplies, as well as certain shortcomings in the healthcare systems of some African countries.

Not only do most African countries face the challenge of providing healthcare to rural or inaccessible communities, they also are significantly reliant on the import of medical supplies and medications.

Less than 2% of the 690 million Covid-19 vaccine doses

24 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

administered globally have been in Africa. Many countries on the continent received vaccines in early May. Of the 43 countries to have received vaccine, 10 countries have administered 93% of the doses.

The African Union is aiming to vaccinate at least 750 million people, or 60% of the population “Although progress is being made, many African countries have only just moved beyond the starting line. Limited stocks and supply bottlenecks are putting Covid-19 vaccines out of reach of many people in this region,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.

Moeti explained that vaccine roll out in some countries has been delayed by operational and financial hurdles or logistical

difficulties such as reaching remote locations.

“Africa is already playing Covid-19 vaccination catch-up, and the gap is widening. While we acknowledge the immense burden placed by the global demand for vaccines, inequity can only worsen scarcity,” said Dr Moeti.

“More than a billion Africans remain on the margins of this historic march to overcome the pandemic.” Through the COVAX Facility, 16.6 million vaccine doses – mainly AstraZeneca – have been delivered to African countries.

The African Union has secured 400-million Covid-19 vaccines from Johnson & Johnson (J&J), which are expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2021. The African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (Avat) could increase this order by an additional 180-million doses during 2022. There have been an estimated 4.3 million Covid-19 cases on the African continent,

which have resulted in less than 120 000 deaths. Kenya is currently experiencing a third wave and the epidemic is showing an upward trend in 14 other African countries, including Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mali, Rwanda and Tunisia.

The African Union is aiming to vaccinate at least 750 million people, or 60% of the population, to reach population immunity in the face of the pandemic.

A move towards manufacturing But one of the most significant challenges facing the continent is a lack of medical manufacturing and a dependence on imported drugs. The pandemic has highlighted the opportunities for growth in African nations’ pharmaceutical systems. Part of the challenge facing the continent is that a number of African nations rely on manufacturers in countries such as India and China, to supply medication.

Francis Aboagye-Nyame – programme director of the USAIDfunded medicines, technologies, and pharmaceutical services project at the US-based health organisation, Management Sciences for Health – estimates that between 70% to 90% of medication is imported by African nations. To improve the country’s independence, and increase access to much needed medications, the Africa Union has called for the continent to do more of its own manufacturing to help ensure a sustainable supply of medicines. To this end, the organisation has developed the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa, endorsed by heads

of states in 2007, which looks to strengthen the continent’s capacity to produce high quality, affordable pharmaceuticals across all essential medicines. This will not only improve healthcare on the continent but will also bring with it economic benefits.

But the part to a stronger medicine manufacturing industry lies in regionalism. If countries promote manufacturing based on regional needs rather than their individual country-by-country requirements, it will remove regulatory and trade bottlenecks, in turn making it easier for medicines to reach people — both within and across countries.

This would require medical products to be listed as a priority sector for the African Continental Free Trade Area. The African Union has been working towards a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) taking the decision to establish one in 2012 a single continental market for goods and services, with free

movement of businesspeople and investments. This would ultimately lead to the establishment of the Customs Union.

The CFTA would bring together a combined gross domestic product of more than US $3.4 trillion, across 54 African countries, with a shared population of more than one billion people.The agreement would enhance competitiveness at the industry and enterprise level through exploitation of opportunities for scale production, continental market access and better reallocation of resources.

“Regional collaboration could also leverage pooled procurement mechanisms, speeding up purchasing and distribution, and enabling smaller markets in Africa to have easier, cheaper access to more products,” explained Aboagye-Nyame.

This concept has recently been put into practice through the

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 25

Africa Medical Supply Platform.

The platform offers personal protective equipment, rapid test kits, ventilators, and other Covidrelated medical products, some locally made. It then aggregates demand and allows participants to negotiate prices.

Partnerships for progress The principle of sharing economic resources to boost the continent’s economic power is being put to the test in the fight against Covid-19. The continent has been forced to look to partnerships to increase the African Union’s ability to procure, and roll-out, vaccines.

One such partnership has been with mobile carrier Vodacom, which has joined forces with the African Union Development Agency (Auda-Nepad) to build digital infrastructure in managing vaccines. The mVacciNation Platform allows healthcare workers to track what vaccines and medical equipment are available nationally, patients to register and

MATSHIDISO MOETI WHO Regional Director for Africa

26 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

be assigned an appointment at a vaccination site, as well the management of resources to specific sites as needed.

Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of AudaNepad, said: “The response to the Covid-19 crisis has significantly accelerated the adoption of frontier technologies. Africa’s booming digital sector offers great opportunities for publicprivate partnerships to help build resilience in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis and respond to critical continental priorities.

As the development agency for the African Union, we act as a channel to connect innovators and governments to roll out and localise these solutions.”

In an effort to pool resources, the African Union has established the Covid-19 African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) under the AU’s Africa Vaccine Strategy. This allows African governments to pool financing

for the acquisition of vaccines in an effort to be more competitive against wealthier developed nations. IN establishing AVATT, South African President and ex-Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa noted that Africa needed to urgently implement its vaccine strategy, with a focus on acquisition and financing, in order to fully control the spread of the virus. The Africa Union would need around $12-billion to fund the vaccination drive, with funding expected to come from the COVAX Donor Initiative, The World Bank, direct donors. The African Import Export Bank has committed to raise up to $5 billion to fund the vaccinations.

It is partnerships such as these, both between private companies and member states, that hold the potential to allow the African Union to not only roll out a response to Covid-19, but to improve healthcare provision across the continent.n

ADVANCED CYBER SECURITY FOR YOUR BUSINESS For more than 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services. Over 400,000 businesses and 110m users worldwide rely on us to deliver reliable, comprehensive protection.

SECURE YOUR BUSINESS DATA, WITH ESET

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 27

28 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 29

ENERGY ALTERNATIVES

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

A R e ne w a b l e F u t u r e SOUTH AFRICA COMMITS TO SLASHING CARBON EMISSIONS – AHEAD OF TARGET

P

resident Cyril Ramaphosa has announced new carbon emission target ranges that will see South Africa’s emissions decline a decade earlier than initially anticipated. The ambitious plan includes generating more than 17 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030.

President Ramaphosa unveiled the new plan to world leaders at US President Joe Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate. The Summit ran over two days, coinciding with Earth Day (22 April) and saw 40 world leaders gathering to discuss the effects of climate change.

A New Strategy Our President told delegates that South Africa’s emissions would begin to fall by 2025, rather than peak and plateau that same year.

According to the previous nationally determined contribution (NDC), South Africa’s emissions were expected to peak and plateau in 2025. They would then only start to decline from 2035.

However, Hon. Ramaphosa said at the conference, South Africa’s emissions will begin to decline from 2025. This will effectively move the country’s emissions decline forward by a decade.

South Africa is fully committed to enhancing its ambition and accelerating its climate actions The NDC is a commitment to reduce emissions and implement other climate change reduction efforts in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Paris Agreement, to which South Africa is a signatory.

This document is currently being updated, following the Paris Agreement. Under the Agreement all parties are required to deposit NDCs every five years. South

30 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

Africa deposited its first NDC with the UNFCCC in October 2015, committing to keeping national greenhouse gas emissions within a range from 389 Mt CO2-eq for 2025 and 2050.

The 2030 target range in the updated NDC (398 - 440 Mt CO2 e q) has been described as “an ambitious improvement” on the country’s previous NDC target, as the upper range of the proposed 2030 target range represents a 28% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the 2015 NDC targets. In 2020, South Africa finalised a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, to run alongside its Low Emissions Development Strategy. These will inform the country’s transition to a low-carbon, sustainable and climate-resilient development path.

“South Africa is fully committed to enhancing its ambition and accelerating its climate actions,” - President Ramaphosa.

Looking Beyond Coal South Africa is the world’s 14th largest emitter of greenhouse gases. These emissions are largely a result of the country’s heavy reliance on coal to produce electricity. Last year, South Africa was ranked the most reliant on coal for electricity in a comparison of all G20 countries by independent climate and energy think tank Ember.

renewables is set to continue, as the country plans a significant shift away from the use of coal as fuel, towards gas and renewables.

production. Renewable energy remains a critical focus in the country’s plans, Ramaphosa told the delegation.

While coal will continue to play a role some time, the government plans to have no new coal plants built after 2030. By 2050, 80% of their capacity will be closed, with renewable energy sources supplying the bulk of electricity.

South Africa has plans to build capacity to generate more than 17 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030 – almost half of the energy currently produced by Eskom, Ramaphosa explained.

Research by the think tank found that more than 85% of South Africa’s electricity production used coal, compared to the global average of around 34%. This is, however, a steady decrease for the country, as 93% of South Africa’s electricity production in 2015 relied on coal. The decline in reliance on fossil fuels has been attributed to more renewable energy sources being used for electricity production. The use of renewable energy sources is gaining traction in the country – their share in the electricity mix has tripled since 2015 and now stands at 6%. This is, however, lagging behind the global average of 9.4%. The increased use of

Energy Source Under Investigation: Hydrogen The South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is working with the energy sector to explore the possibility of setting up a hydrogen valley. The proposed valley would start at Anglo American’s Mogalakwena platinum group metals (PGMs) in Limpopo province, stretching more than 835km to Johannesburg and Durban.

The investigation follows on a 2020 plan to integrate hydrogen into the economy and will look to identify tangible opportunities to build hydrogen hubs and explore possibilities for green hydrogen

While the move to renewables will see the coal mining sector shrinking significantly, especially as South Africa is the fifth-largest exporter of coal, President Ramaphosa has vowed to ensure that the renewable energy economy brings with it job creation. He emphasised the importance of ensuring a climateresilient future that is just and inclusive.

“We remain committed to contributing our fair share to reduce global emissions, and to do so in the context of overcoming poverty, inequality and underdevelopment.”

- President Ramaphosa. n

SOUTH AFRICA’S COAL INDUSTRY IN NUMBERS 7th largest coal producer in the world 200 000 000 tons: The amount of coal consumed by South Africans annually.

86 919 jobs were created in the coal industry in 2018.

66.7 billion tons: The recoverable coal reserves in South Africa, equivalent to about 7% of the world’s total.

R51 billion: The amount coal contributed to South Africa’s economy in 2013.

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 31

ENERGY EXPLORED

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION:

Operation Phakisa Drilling Deep for Economic Development

S

outh Africa is looking to alternative energy models not only to support industry needs but as an economic catalyst. Oil and gas are major internationally traded commodities. For many countries, trade in oil and gas products makes a significant contribution to their GDP. South Africa’s coastal waters are home to enough oil to support the country’s consumption for 40 years, and enough natural gas to supply 375 years of gas consumption. From a public sector perspective, unlocking these energy options falls to the South African Government’s Operation Phakisa.

The Oceans Economy Launched in 2014, Operation Phakisa, Oceans Economy looks to harness the largely untapped economic potential of the ocean.

32 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

South Africa is surrounded by oceans on three sides, spanning almost 4000 km, creating several vibrant industries that could help build the country’s economy. The cross-sector programme includes developing detailed and practical plans, which allow the government to fast track implementation.

Many national and international companies have expressed interest in investing in South African drilling.

The industries that have been highlighted as focus areas include tourism, fishing, shipping transport, ship repair and building, and oil and gas exploration. Offshore oil and gas exploration has found an estimated nine billion barrels of oil and around 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent to natural

gas. However, the extent of the country’s supply is uncertain at this stage, prompting authorities to set out a plan to drill exploration wells over the next decade. The goal of the Department of Mineral Resources is to drill up to 30 exploration wells in 10 years, with the hope that this will lead to the production of around 370 000) barrels of oil and gas per day within 20 years. This production of oil and gas would replace around 80% of the country’s imports.

But not only will the country spend less on imports, developing this sector has the potential to create 130 000 jobs, as well as contribute around $2.2-billion to the GDP. A renewed focus on the oil and gas sector will breathe life into South Africa’s energy sector. South Africa has six oil refineries, but three of those are currently not operating.

Laying The Foundations for International Investment However, there are several steps the Department is working to have in place before the first drill can begin. Authorities are in the process of providing the legislative framework that will govern offshore oil and gas, and the Department is creating a division to regulate the licensing process for offshore oil and gas exploration and production.

While the progress on the Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration project is on or ahead of schedule, the Department requires that amendments to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act be passed by the National Assembly. Other plans under Operation Phakisa include the creation of a world-class oil spill response capacity, which will

involve carrying out emergency response drills with industry stakeholders. The department also has plans to create and make operational an International Oil Pollution and Compensation Fund.

The project is still in the early stages of research and exploration, but many national and international companies have expressed interest in investing in South African drilling. One such company is Total, which has shown renewed interest after significant discoveries were made off the South African coastline.

Gas condensate was found in 2019 off the coast of Mossel Bay, followed by a 2020 discovery of gas nearby the first site. The two finds increase the chances of Total, and in turn other multinational corporations, investing in local offshore sites.

This kind of drilling could help kick start the country’s oil and gas sector, launching South Africa as a major player in the African market.

Natural gas - the world’s second-leading fuel Research has shown that, globally, natural gas is expected to overtake coal by 2030 to become the world’s second-leading fuel – a direct result of the international move to reduce dependency on coal.

The development of a gas economy brings with the promise of export revenue, as well as an opportunity to develop domestic markets. With a focus on reducing reliance on coal resources, gas and oil are a natural alternative to addressing South Africa’s energy needs. n

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 33

PROVINCIAL FOCUS: KWAZULU NATAL

BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone:

BUILDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD

A

round R1.8-billion has been invested into the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Programme in KwaZulu-Natal, which will offer tangible economic development in the wake of the global crisis caused by Covid-19.

The investments into the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) have been dubbed the start of a new era post Covid-19 and will see at least 800 direct jobs created.

Counting the costs of Covid-19 This job creation is vital as the country starts to rebuild its economy in the wake of the global pandemic. During her budget speech, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance Nomusa Dube-Ncube said that while around 1.4 million people became unemployed in 2020 as a result of the global pandemic, around 210 000 of those were in the province. Data released by Statistics South Africa

34 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

(Stats SA) shows that four out of 10 people are unemployed nationally.

However, according to Ms. DubeNcube, this amount is estimated at five out of ten in the province.

She also said the province faced a difficult economic recovery, with tax revenues severely impacted and likely to lead to shortfalls over the next two to three years.

“It is therefore imperative that we focus on reducing our debt and also focus on our economic recovery to set us on a surer footing in the future,” - Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

The start of a new era post Covid-19 Economic recovery is at the heart of the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone new investments – not only will they create jobs, but they will bring a

significant financial contribution.

The RBIDZ is a purpose-built and secure industrial estate close to the N2 business corridor. It is strategically placed to allow for transport to and from Durban, Maputo and, ultimately, areas of East Africa.

It is linked to an international seaport of Richards Bay. During a recent visit to the RBIDZ, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Nomalungelo Gina said the value of operational investments has increased from R17.7-billion by the end of the third quarter of the 2019-2020 financial year to R19.5-billion by the end of the third quarter of 2020-2021 financial year.

“This is a positive increase of R1.8 billion. During the same period, the number of investments has increased from 129 to 143,” says Hon. Gina.

Employment built on investment The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is the custodian of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) programme and a critical stakeholder in the implementation of the RBIDZ. Industrial Development Zones aim to encourage international competitiveness and the attraction of export-orientated manufacturing investment. They work hand-in-hand with the South African Government’s (SEZ) policy and programme. SEZs are geographically designated areas of a country set aside for specifically targeted economic activities, supported through special arrangements and systems that are often different from those that apply in the rest of the country.

“Government has to create a platform where shareholders and investors can be able to feel the impact of our intervention when it comes to Foreign and Domestic Direct Investments in these zones.

We need to look at the whole value chain and identify projects that will be able to empower all surrounding areas including entrepreneurs outside these zones,” - Hon. Gina.

According to RBIDZ’s Acting CEO, Simangele Ngcobo, two catalyst investment projects - Wilmar Processing SA (Pty) Ltd and Nyanza Light Metals (Pty) Ltd - are investing a combined private investment value of R5.8-billion. They are expected to create approximately 800 direct jobs, alongside an additional 2200 construction jobs.

“These projects come at a time when there has been a sharp decline in the construction sector and an increase in unemployment globally,” said Ngcobo.

The Wilmar Processing SA (Pty) Ltd project will see the construction of a R1.3-billion crude vegetable oil refining facility. The facility will be used to produce cooking oil, mayonnaise and margarine.

An estimated 50 employment

opportunities will be created during construction and 250 direct jobs during operation. Nyanza Light Metals (Pty) Ltd are investing in a R4.5-billion titanium beneficiation plant that will produce titanium dioxide pigment and other nano titanium-related products from titaniferous slag. The project will be rolled out in two phases, the first phase being for the construction of a Technical Services Centre which will house a semi-production plant, valued at R200-million. The second phase will see the construction of the main production plant valued at R4.5-billion.

Ngcobo added: “RBIDZ remains a strategic asset that will help change the face of the province moving forward. We are determined to contribute towards the creation of employment leveraging on the direct investments with different sectors of the economy being targeted to drive growth, spiralling skills transfer as well as value chain benefits to the people at large.” n

HON. NOMALUNGELO GINA Deputy Minister | Department of Trade Industry & Competition

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 35

LABOUR RELATIONS

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Supporting employees during remote working lies in communication

W

hile remote working has been slowly becoming more popular, the global pandemic has made working remotely more of a necessity than ever before. But managing a team remotely can come with human resource challenges, such as ensuring employee wellbeing during stressful changes and anxiety around the pandemic.

The potential for increased productivity Remote working has been a growing trend over the last few years. In the last five years alone, the number of those employees working remotely grew by 44%.

This number soared dramatically under Covid-19, as businesses were forced to close under lockdown regulations.

While many businesses are fully operational, large portions of their workforces are still working remotely or spending only part of

36 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

their workweek in the office – and would prefer to keep it that way.

Recruiting firm Robert Walters’ 2021 Salary Survey found that as many as 40% of respondent said they would like to move to full-time remote working, while another 27% said they would want to work remotely at least 50% of the time during this year.

More than ever, a holistic approach to employee wellbeing is needed The survey also estimated that some companies had been fasttracked to flexible working by as much as five to 10 years.

The shift to remote working has brought some benefits to businesses. The Remote Working in South Africa 2020 study found that the move to working from home had improved productivity

in almost a third of companies polled. Companies that had a digital transformation strategy in place before the pandemic increased productivity to 70%. This increased productivity was seen despite less than 40% of South African businesses being ready for remote working when it became mandatory.

The report added that South African trends mirrored the figures being recorded around the world.

The study said companies that had transitioned seamlessly, such that 38% of the study’s respondents, said they would allow staff to continue working from home.

Alongside improved productivity, many professionals have found personal growth and increased happiness through remote working. One such example is that half of the professionals in the 2021 Salary Survey said they

had improved on their business communication in a way that office working would not have encouraged. This improvement was primarily attributed to virtual presentations, over-thephone discussions, and video calls to conduct business. But as workplaces explore this new way of working, HR professionals also have to adjust.

Team members may face challenges such as distractions or isolation while adapting to new technology and changing processes, and it falls to HR professionals to find solutions to this.

Facing remote working challenges Some of the most common challenges expressed by employees are a lack of in-person supervision – where employees feel as if they don’t have access to managerial support and communication; a lack of access to information; social isolation; and distractions at home.

will need guidance on how to navigate these new technologies.

For employees experiencing isolation, it may also help to have regular social interactions – this can vary from creating a space to talk about non-work items at the start of a meeting or virtual team building sessions.

Another critical aspect to consider is employee wellness. More than ever, a holistic approach to employee wellbeing is needed – this includes physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.

Future Workplace’s The Impact of the Coronavirus in the Workplace survey found that many have trouble switching off from work because of the increasingly blurred lines between work and personal life. It reported around 42% of people reported poor sleep

compared to only 29% of those who worked at their employer’s premises. Future Workplace referenced data from VPN providers, which found employees were working longer hours, and often logging on between midnight and 3:00 – a trend that had not been seen before Coronavirus.

This focus on employee wellbeing is especially important, as people grapple with anxiety in dealing with the Coronavirus. While working from home has the potential to boost revenues and increase employee productivity, HR professionals will need to look to ways to transform their internal policies to ensure employee wellness and communication remain at the core of the organisation. n

Fortunately, research is being carried out to pinpoint ways organisations can adapt to the new normal of working. One of the ways to address some of the challenges faced by employees is through communication. This includes creating structured check-ins with employees and providing different communication technology options that go beyond email.

Along with this increased communication, HR professionals will need to relook at their rules of engagement – employees

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 37

IN OTHER NEWS

BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

Free & Fair

ELECTIONS

PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN OCTOBER 2021

O

n 21 April, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Wednesday, 27 October 2021, as the date on which local government elections will take place.

local government elections will lay the foundation for development and service delivery - which will directly impact districts and the lives of all community members.

“This will be the sixth time under South Africa’s democratic dispensation that voters will elect leadership and public representatives at metropolitan, district and local level”, said the Presidency in a recent statement.

“The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will follow the necessary legal process to proclaim the date and undertake other requirements.”

President Ramaphosa has

encouraged all eligible citizens, with an emphasis put on first-time voters, to take special care in ensuring that they’re properly registered to vote in the elections. These upcoming

Political parties were also invited to raise any issues or concerns regarding the elections including the impact of COVID-19 This early announcement ensures that the Electoral Commission and all other stakeholders have enough time to begin all preparations geared towards making the elections free, fair and safe.

LGE in Sight On 22 April, the Electoral Commission met with leaders and representatives of political parties in

38 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

the National Party Liaison Committee to talk through a range of themes relating to the elections. Included in the conversation, was the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, as well as the Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize and Mr Njabulo Nzuza, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs.

“The meeting is part of our on-going consultations and engagements with all the key stakeholders to plan and prepare for the elections”, said Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo.

“The meeting discussed, among others, the date announced by the President, progress in the

administrative planning for the elections, and issues related to the health and safety of participants under the continued COVID-19 pandemic. Political parties were

also invited to raise any issues or concerns regarding the elections including the impact of COVID-19 on conditions conducive to free and fair elections.”

During the discussion, numerous parties put forward their thoughts and concerns in light of restrictions on political gatherings and other limitations that could occur when campaigning under the current national state of disaster regulations.

A number of parties proposed postponing the elections due to the pandemic. On the other hand, some parties conveyed that the elections should go on, only that they should proceed under special COVID-19 protocols. Conclusively, the Commission presented its analyses of the Constitution and legal connotations should the elections be postponed. These recommendations were backed by the opinion of Senior Counsel.

Top LGE Priority Prior to the announcement of the Local Government Elections dates, the Electoral Commission has been finalising important dates and planning details for the elections. Top of their priority list is voter registration. The Commission will soon launch its national voter registration campaign to promote participation in the elections by as many eligible citizens as possible. The registration campaign is set to include ‘an extensive communication and education drive across multimedia platforms along with targeted interventions aimed specifically at first-time voters.’

“These will include registration

initiatives at schools, tertiary education campuses and other opportunities. This campaign will culminate in a national voter registration weekend during which all voting stations will open between 8am and 5pm to allow new voters to register and existing voters to change, update and check their registration details. The dates for this weekend will be announced soon following consultations with various stakeholders”, Mamabolo explained.

The Commission also took the opportunity to remind voters that there will be only one general voter registration weekend. This is due to resource limitations.

“We call on all eligible voters – especially first-time voters – to ensure they are ready to register to participate including obtaining ID documents where necessary.

We also urge all parties, the media, civil society and others to work with us to promote and encourage participation among all South Africans so that we can continue the increase in turnout which we have seen during the most recent local government elections”, said Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo.

proposals by numerous political parties for all options to be surveyed.

These include the extension of eligibility for special voting, which is aimed towards reducing congestion at voting stations on Election Day. Municipal By-Elections Results The Municipal By-Elections were held on 21 April. The overall results of the 14 by-elections contested were: •

•

The African National Congress (ANC) retained ten seats and won two seats from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) respectively The Inkatha Freedom Party and the Democratic Alliance each retained one seat The average voter turnout was 40.65 percent which compares well with the average voter turnout for byelections since the previous Local Government Elections in 2016 which is 38.73 percent. This bodes well for this year’s Local Government Elections n

Other top priority preparations will involve securing candidate nominations for ward and PR lists for more than 10 000 seats to be contested for 205 local municipalities, 8 metros and 44 district councils. Nominations are set to commence during August and September - - to be managed by an ‘Online Candidate Nomination System’. In addition, plans will also be set in motion for special votes.

The Electoral Commission has noted

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 39

LEGAL MATTERS

BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

South Africa Observes New

DISCRIMINATION LAWS A REVIEW OF DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE PROMOTION OF EQUALITY AND PREVENTION OF UNFAIR DISCRIMINATION ACT

E

arlier this month, the nation caught wind of the latest draft amendments to the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act. These new amendments are geared towards offering better protection to members of society who oppose and contest unjust discrimination, and those individuals who have been and are victims of hate crimes.

amendments will strengthen its ability to prevent discrimination and promote equality for all South Africans, as enshrined in Section 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996.”

The Acting Minister said the Bill will be gazetted and made available through the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s website at justice.gov.za.

Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni had announced that Cabinet approved the publication for public comment of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Amendment Bill of 2021, on Friday 26 February.

Unjust discrimination needs to be recognised as ‘aggravated’ offense

“The proposed amendments

seek to address the weaknesses that are in the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 (Act 4 of 2000). The proposed

40 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

Intention to discriminate not required The Bill, which aims to amend Section 6 of the Act, has been published for public review and

comment by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, and is expected to make significant alterations to the existing Act. The driving objective

behind the Act is to ascertain and amplify the constitutional right to equality in an effort to eradicate unfair (whether direct or indirect) discrimination by the state, or anyone else for that matter. The proposed Bill aims to to revise the underpinning definition of the term ‘discrimination’ in order to stipulate and reiterate that it is not a necessity for an individual to ‘act with intention’ before they being found guilty of unjust discriminatory practices and behaviour.

Employers become liable for their workers’ behaviour A major addition to the Act is the introduction of a law or policy that will render employers liable for any unfair discrimination that is perpetrated by individuals

legally employed at their business establishment. This recommendation does, however, indicate that employers will not be liable or prosecuted should

they be able to prove that they implemented ‘reasonable’ measures in order to make certain that their employees do not unfairly discriminate against persons whilst fulfilling their duties in the workplace. The Bill also proposes that any individual who causes, incites or solicits another individual to unfairly discriminate against others will be found guilty of unfair discrimination themselves.

Additional provisions made by the Bill One protective measure that

has been added condemns any forms of retaliation enacted against individuals who challenge unfair discrimination or who inducts proceedings under the Act to contest unfair discrimination. Another provision suggests that should gender, race or disability play a role in the discriminatory crime, then then unjust discrimination needs to be recognised as ‘aggravated’ offense factor when sentencing or punishing a perpetrator.

Subsequently, it has been proposed that Legal Aid approach

the Minister of Justice with recommendations of regulations that may be sanctioned to offer financial support to underprivelledged individuals who wish to fight against unfair discrimination in our courts.

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has invited all interested parties to submit written comments on the Promotion of Equality and the Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Amendment Bill by Wednesday, 12 May 2021. n

HON. KHUMBUDZO NTSHAVHENI Acting Minister in the Presidency

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 41

ADVERTORIAL Why suffer a sale when you can auction?

Selling your car can be a

personal vehicles on the

private buyers. After spending

painful process. Apart from

website. That means that all

considerable time showing off

getting your vehicle sales-

you need to do is list via a

her car, she decided to load

ready, you need to figure out a

simple, interactive platform

her car via the Woodford Bid

price and then deal with

– and then watch as verified

website, and within three days,

buyers trying to cut thousands

dealers bid on your vehicle

the car was sold for R358 000.

off that figure. Then there’s

during weekly auctions, with

the admin and safety aspect.

the sale only going through

The process to load and

Having prospective buyers

once your reserve price is met.

auction your car is not only

coming to see the car and

What’s more, you can sell for

simple and easy, it’s safe,

fielding questions and queries

more than you expected, if the

secure and free from the

can not only be exhausting –

dealers keep bidding beyond

hassle that’s associated with

during a pandemic, it can

your asking price.

the logistics of selling a car.

Take Joyce*, for example, who

During the auction, the

Luckily, there’s a new and easy

successfully auctioned her

seller will receive real-time

way to sell your car AND get

2017 Ford in March 2021 on the

notifications and updates,

the price you want.

Woodford Bid platform.

including when the reserve

be dangerous as well.

is met and when the vehicle In an industry-first, Woodford

After owing the bank around

is sold. There are no hidden

Bid – an established auction

R350 000, she made the

fees or commission charged,

platform for selling cars to

tough decision to sell her car,

other than a listing fee of R50

a large database of trusted

but was only being offered

and an admin charge only

dealers – is now offering the

between R300 000 and

once the vehicle is sold. The

public the chance to list their

R310 000 by local dealers and

real appeal, however, is the

42 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 WWW.WOODBID.CO.ZA

hicle trying spect. ons

e you

or he

During the auction, the seller will receive real-time notifications and updates, including when the reserve is met and when the vehicle is sold.

There are no hidden fees or commission charged, other than a listing fee of R50 and an admin charge only once the vehicle is sold.

The real appeal, however, is the trusted group of buyers that the individual is selling to. All buyers are vetted dealers, who are guaranteed not to waste the time of the seller or have any payment issues.

The approach is undoubtedly a game-changer for people around the already seen a great uptake If you would like to auction country wanting to sell their car, but don’t want to go through the the individual is selling to. All in privately listed being your car on the Woodford Bid headache of listing the vehicle in a public space. trusted group of buyers that

buyers are vetted dealers, who

purchased by dealers. In

platform, all you need to do

are guaranteed not to waste

March 2021, more than

visit www.woodbid.co.za and

on average.

You can also contact Anton

Since launching the feature, Woodford Bid has already seen a great uptake the time of the seller or have 50%During of these vehicles have select the “Sell Your Vehicle” the auction, the seller will receive notifications and in privately listed being purchased by dealers.

In March real-time 2021, more than updates, including when the reserve is met and when the vehicle is sold. any payment issues. been sold, at more than 10% tab.

50% of these vehicles have been sold, at more than 10% above retail value, above retail value, There are no hidden fees or commission charged, other than a listing fee of on average.

R50 and an admin charge only once the vehicle is sold.

Theyou approach is undoubtedly a sale when can auction?

The real appeal, however, is the trusted of buyers that individual a Woodford game-changer forwill people atgroup Woodford Bid for the further n be a painful process.

Apart from getting your vehicle Bid continue to update platform and develop solutions is selling to. All the buyers are vetted dealers, who are guaranteed not to waste ed to figure out aaround price and then deal with buyers trying Woodford Bid will continue the country wanting information: the time of the seller or have any payment issues. aimed at providing the best experience and results for the public. ff that figure. Then that there’s are the admin and safety aspect. tosee sellthe their but don’t want to update the platform and anton@woodford.co.za buyers coming to car car, and fielding questions The approach is undoubtedly a game-changer for people around the ing t only be to go through the like headache develop solutions that country wanting to sellare their car, but don’t want to go through the would g a pandemic, it canIfbeyou dangerous as well. to auction your car on the Woodford Bid platform, all you price headache of listing the vehicle in a public space.

ofneed listing the vehicle in www.woodbid.co.za a public aimed at providing the bestthe to do visit and select

w and easy way to sell your car AND get the price you

space. Since launching the

feature, Woodford Bid has You can also contact

“Sell Your Vehicle” tab.

Since launching the feature, Woodford Bid has already seen a great uptake experience and results in privately listed being purchased by dealers. In March 2021, more than

for at the public.

Anton Bid for further information: 50%Woodford of these vehicles have been sold, at more than 10% above retail value, Woodford Bid – an established auction platform for on average. anton@woodford.co.za ge database of trusted dealers – is now offering the n o list their personal vehicles on the website.

you need to do is list via a simple, interactive n watch as verified dealers bid on your vehicle during the sale only going through once your reserve price nthto e, you can sell for more than you 000 alers keep bidding beyond your asking price.

Woodford Bid will continue to update the platform and develop solutions that are aimed at providing the best experience and results for the public.

Now you can If you would like to auction your car on the Woodford Bid platform, all you AUCTION YOUR CAR TOneed OVER to do visit www.woodbid.co.za and select the “Sell Your Vehicle” tab.

1000 TRUSTED DEALERS You can also contact Anton at Woodford Bid for further information: and get the price you want anton@woodford.co.za

e ample, who successfully auctioned her 2017 Ford in d Woodford Bid platform.

nk around R350 000, she made the tough decision to s only being offered between R300 000 and R310 000 d it’s private buyers. After spending considerable time , she decided to load her car via the Woodford Bid ics ofdays, the car was sold for R358 000. three

d and auction your car is not only simple and easy, it’s e from the hassle that’s associated with the logistics of

O D B I D.CO. Z A

Now you can AUCTION YOUR CAR TO OVER 1000 TRUSTED DEALERS and get the price you want Visit Woodford Bid

Log On, Load, SELL www.wo o dbi d.co.za

Log On, Load, SELL Visit Woodford Bid www.wood b i d .co. z a

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 43

FINANCIAL FITNESS

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Capable public servants

ensure a capable state T

he successful formula for strengthening local government delivery can be seen in the management of several municipalities. At the heart of this delivery focus lies the commitment of public sector management and staff – something that new regulatory frameworks will look to build on.

The highs and lows Ratings Afrika released its annual Municipal Financial Sustainability Index report for the year to June 2020 in April. The report found that the aggregate cash fall facing the sector is around R50.7-billion. This number has been exacerbated by the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Index rates municipalities out of a score of 100, looking at their operating performance; liquidity management; debt governance; budget practices; affordability; and infrastructure development.

It considers financial sustainability as the ability of a municipality to deliver services, as well as develop and maintain

44 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

infrastructure, without unplanned increases in rates or decrease in its level of services.

The public service is diverse, with a huge range of skills, qualifications and capabilities The report found that South Africa’s big metros had felt the brunt of the economic consequences of Covid-19. In the top eight metros, which are home to around 40% of the country’s population, and are responsible for around 60% of the GDP, for the first time, the average financial sustainability score dropped below the minimum threshold for viability, as a result of the pandemic.

However, some municipalities are performing well. The report identified the top municipalities as Mossel Bay, Saldanha Bay, Swartland (Malmesbury) and Overstrand (Hermanus) – along with Midvaal in Gauteng.

Anton Bredell, the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in Western Cape says independent reports are critical weather vanes in indicating the ability of a municipality to provide services and a better life to the people in its communities.

“It doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges in those municipalities and these must be acknowledged.

There are many challenges and the triple impact of poverty, unemployment and inequality remains a massive issue. In the Western Cape, we continue to see massive population growth, driven in a large part by ongoing inward migration into the province.

We also see continued urbanisation that is placing strain on larger councils. However, reports like these show councils continue to perform despite the challenges.

It also shows the public that their money is being well managed and not stolen or wasted.”

National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service The success of the top-performing municipalities gives hope that municipal performance can be improved across the boarddespite the impact Covid has had on the economy and on livelihoods.

announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa “aims to build a state that better serves citizens, that is insulated from undue political interference and where appointments are made on merit” The framework was approved by Cabinet in November 2020 and structured consultation with various sectors of society are taking place.

One way to strengthen performance is through upskilling municipal managers. The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) has been vocal in calling for the training of key personnel. Freeman Nomvalo, SAICA CEO, explains:

The framework would see reforms, such as extending the tenure of Heads of Department based on merit and performance, doing occupation-based competency assessments and involving the Public Service Commission in the interviews of Directors-General and Deputy Directors-General. It will also aim to introduce integrity tests for all shortlisted individuals and compulsory entrance exams.

“We urgently need to review the mandatory minimum skills and qualifications required for all key financial management positions in local government. Then we need to train and upskill personnel or recruit suitably qualified staff for these vital roles.”

This drive to professionalise the public sector is what lies behind the National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service. This draft framework,

“We are suggesting a more rigorous approach towards recruitment and selection of public servants, induction and performance management. This includes continuous learning and a clear professional development path for every public servant... ““Professionalising the public service involves training for

accounting officers across all spheres of government on the applicable legislative provisions. The National School of Government has a vital role to play in this regard. The public service is diverse, with a huge range of skills, qualifications and capabilities. Many public servants have specialised skills that are necessary for the effective provision of services. It is therefore not necessarily the case that we need a smaller public service: what we actually need is a fitfor-purpose public service with suitable skills, a professional ethic and a commitment to serving the people. The men and women of the public service need to be capacitated to play their role in driving development and consolidating democracy. This is our best guarantee of a capable state that serves the interests of citizens, “ - President Ramaphosa.

Municipal service delivery is key for local governments to prosper – and the National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service will play a vital role in the country’s economic recovery plans.n

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 45

UPCOMMING EVENTS

BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

01 Energy Month in SA

Workers’ Day

May marks National Energy Month in South Africa. Each year Government takes this opportunity to raise awareness around how fuel and electricity can be used safely and sustainably.

Workers’ Day has been celebrated globally in multiple countries since 1891. This commemorative day stems from the late 1800’s and the struggle for workers’ rights and social justice. South Africa has a longstanding history of both labour and social conflicts.

The country has been experiencing an energy crisis, thus, we need to find some actionable solutions to save where possible. Every year campaigns circulate, involving households, businesses and government. The main objective is to work together towards positively changing our reliance on national energy providers to supply our energy. This year Green Energy Awareness and ‘clean’ methods will be a popular topic of discussion, as Government encourages the use of renewable energy sources.

46 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021

Our nation recognises this day, since the elections of 1994, as a celebration of workers’ rights and as a reminder of the critical role that trade unions, the Communist Party and other labour organisations played in the fight against Apartheid. This year, the public holiday falls on a Saturday.

Worker’s Day holds much cultural significance for our nation and the sacrifices that have been made surrounding employment standards.

03 World Press Freedom Day Initiated by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, after the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference, World Press Freedom Day raises awareness around journalism culture and practices. Each year, on the 3rd of May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is commemorated globally.

Press Freedom campaigns aim to celebrate the essential role of journalists and expressing press freedom, as well as drawing attention to the defense of the media from threats and attacks on their independence. This day also pays homage to the journalists who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Energy Month IN SA 17 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day The establishment of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) dates back to the signing of the First International Telegraph Convention, which took place on 17 May 1865. The global society has been celebrating World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ever since. The concept behind the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is to assist in raising awareness on all the potential that the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) provides to societies and economies.

This day also zooms in on the many ways that society can redress the digital divide. It’s all about empowering communities through the variety of uses ICT and The Internet present.

18 International Museum Day Celebrated for the first time in 1977, International Museum Day raises awareness of the critical cultural exchange in which museums participate. Museums enrich cultures and society at a global level, developing mutual understanding, partnership, collaboration and peace among communities.

Each year around the 18 May, cultural groups plan and activate events and projects geared towards educating the public and recognising the importance of museums and the service and insight they provide. More and more types of museums join in the festivities each year. This year the Iziko Museum and the Zeitz MOCAA - Museum of Contemporary Art Africa will be popular attractions for South Africans.

25 Africa Month - Africa Day On 25 May 1963, Africa made history with the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) the precursor to the African Union (AU). The establishment of this organisation marked the continent of Africa as a pioneer in focusing on continental unity and encouraging nation building behaviour.

In celebration of this milestone, the Department of Arts and Culture hosts a selection of events to acknowledge Africa Day on 25th May and throughout May for Africa Month.

Africa Month is also a great time to foster appreciation for our continent’s arts and culture goods and services, and to invite competitive markets to trade with African countries.

Public Sector Leaders | May 2021 | 47

CHANNEL AFRICA THE AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

Channel Africa is South Africa’s international public broadcast radio station whose primary audience is the entire African continent.

Our secondary audience is the rest of the world, where we harvest our news and information. As an International Public Broadcaster, our core values subscribe to the highest journalistic ethics which find expression in fairness, accuracy, and impartiality.

Channel Africa is a platform through which Africa is engaged in debate with itself, and recognises South Africa as a role player in continental and international affairs.

Vision: “The African Perspective” Mission: “to promote the regeneration, revival, and rejuvenation of Africa, through the production and broadcast of dynamic, stimulating, and interesting programmes”.

Contact Information: Tel: 011 714 2997 Fax: 011 714 2072 Email: info@channelafrica.co.za Web: www.channelafrica.co.za Twitter: channelafrica1 Instagram: channelafricaradio DSTV:802

BEAUTY BEAUTY RITUALS RITUALS BEAUTY BEAUTY RITUALS RITUALS BEAUTY BEAUTY RITUALS RITUALS that that are arealigned aligned with withthe thebody’s body’s areare are aligned aligned with with the the body’s body’s that that are that aligned that with aligned the body’s with the body’s

NATURAL NATURAL RHYTHMS RHYTHMS NATURAL NATURAL RHYTHMS RHYTHMS NATURAL NATURAL RHYTHMS RHYTHMS 1 0 0 % N1a0 N aN 11t u000r0% 0a%l%N at tuaurtarul ar la l Skincare | L S ki1fien0sct0 ay1rl% ee0||0LSN ipfaeas ttN yul ear |taSulpra a %

S kSiknicnacraer e| L| iLf ei fset sytlye l e| S| pSlap a S k i nSckai rnec a| rLe i |f eLsitfyelset y| lSe p|a S p a

C

M

Y

C

M

Y

CM

C

M

MY

CY

CMY

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Y

K

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Africology Skincare Africology & Spa Skincare & Spa @africology_sa @africology_sa www.africologyspa.com www.africologyspa.com

www.africologyspa.com 72 | Publicwww.africologyspa.com Sector Leaders | April 2021

www.africologyspa.com www.africologyspa.com

@africology_sa @africology_sa @africology_sa @africology_sa

apS & eracni

Africology Africology Skincare Skincare & Spa & Spa Africology Africology Skincare Skincare & Spa& Spa

Now you can AUCTION YOUR CAR TO OVER 1000 TRUSTED DEALERS and get the price you want

The perfect platform for you to auction your vehicle NOW: Easy Loading Process

The Latest In Technology

Full Control of Your Listing

No Additonal Fees

Trusted Buyers

Log On, Load, SELL Visit Woodford Bid www.woodbid.co.za

W W W.W O O D B I D . C O . Z A 50 | Public Sector Leaders | May 2021