Staff Communique- September 2012

OCTOBER ISSUE 2012

> Staff Communiqué – October 2012 <

EE ROADSHOWS THE DEPARTMENT’S FRAUD HOTLINE NOW WORKING JOB PREPARATION AND REGISTRATION FOR DISABLED PEOPLE STAKEHOLDERS FLEX MUSCLES OVER LABOUR LAW AMENDMENTS 1

EDITOR’S LETTER EDITORIAL BOARD Page Boikanyo (Editor-in-Chief Isaac Modise (Chairperson) Sanele Nkungwana Jani de Wet Mokgadi Pela Isaac Modise Shadrack Mashalaba DESIGNER Nontembiso Kgatle DISTRIBUTION

Events of the past month are yet another indication that the Department is gradually occupying its space in the South African labour market arena. Minister Mildred Oliphant’s engagements for the period of August – September outlined a necessary and strategic emphasis on some of the key priorities of the Department.

The Minister took the campaign aimed at contributing to the creation of decent employment to Limpopo. A memorable moment to celebrate for all of us is a second clean Audit that the Department has received from the Auditor General’s office for the second successive financial year. This acknowledgement of good governance practice is a reflection of the good work and adherence to prescripts by all of you in your work. We thank all of you for your commitment to compliance with policies and procedures set by government to curb fraudulent and irregular activity.

Lloyd Ramutloa Gabriel Mothiba

We value your feed back and contributions, please contact Sanele Nkungwana: T: (012) 309 4648 E: sanele.nkungwana@labour.gov.za WEBSITE: www.labour.gov.za

Several other stories to look out for in this issue of the newsletter include the EE Road shows, Legislative amendments, the Job fair in the Limpopo Province, Fraud and Corruption, the partnership between the Department of Labour and SASOL to recruit job seekers.

I urge you to continue to send us those brilliant stories to ensure that the Staff Communique continues to update and inform us all about crucial matters and events in the Department and Government.

We are looking forward to your inputs because this is your forum and please use it to share crucial information with fellow employees on a wide range of subjects.

Page Boikanyo

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Stay in touch with the Department on Facebook (Department of Labour) and Twitter (@deptoflabour)

> Staff Communiqué – October 2012 <

EE ROADSHOWS

Employers were briefed about how to manage the Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) including Tuberculosis (TB) in the workplace.

Labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant, recently signed the new policy guideline including the Technical Assistance Guideline (TAG) which has since been Gazetted.

According to International Labour Organisation Senior Technical Advisor on health, Simphiwe Mabhele, one of the guest presenters at some of the Department of Labour’s employment equity Advisory Unit workshops said despite the ‘devastation’ caused by HIV/Aids it appeared “the baton had been dropped in dealing with the scourge and its effect in the workplace”.

and support. People are scared and still afraid to disclose their status. It is difficult to determine whether this could be attributed to lack of education, ignorance or lack of willingness!”

Mabhele said workers had a right to confidentiality - which means - the right of every person, worker, and job applicant to have their information, including medical records and HIV/Aids status be kept private.

He said that employees with HIV may not be dismissed on the basis of their status. He said employers have an obligation to explore alternatives to deal with affected employees.

Mabhele said with the finalisation of the new Code and its technical guide, there could be no excuses from employers on how to manage HIV and AIDS including TB in the workplace.

Mabhele said the spread of TB as an airborne disease had added another dilemma.

• Addressing one of the workshops in the Eastern Cape Innocent Magwarela an official at the Department’s EE Advisory Unit made an appeal to the employers to submit their 2012 EE Reports on time. Magwarela said it was imperative to submit on time to avoid a last minute rush that may result in a crash of the reporting system.

The workshops were held under the theme: “Bridging the equity gap”. A total of 12 workshops that generated a huge interest were held throughout the country.

In the previous year the Department captured 10 665 employers in the Public Register who made submissions and plans to increase the number in 2012.

The primary objective of the Code is to ensure the elimination of unfair discrimination and stigma in the workplace based on real or perceived HIV/Aids status; promote access to equitable employee benefits, employment protection and management grievance procedures.

The reporting season for manual submission opened on 1 September 2012 and closed on 1 October 2012. Posted or hand delivered EE reports were expected to reach the Department by no later than 1 October 2012. Online reporting for 2012 opened on 1 September 2012 and closes on 15 January 2013.

The Code also seeks to promote appropriate and effective ways of managing HIV/Aids and TB in the workplace.

For EE Assistance the contact helpline is 0860 101018 or website of the Department www.labour.gov.za

According to Mabhele: “We need to address fears, prejudices and misconceptions around HIV and AIDS to build understanding

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By Shadrack Mashalaba | Communication

In a quest to highlight the effect of occupational diseases, the manner in which these should be handled in the workplace and also encourage employers to submit their Employment Equity Reports on time, the Department of Labour recently held a national series of workshops.

> Staff Communiqué – October 2012 <

OLIPHANT APPEALS TO BUSINESS TO USE THE DEPARTMENT’S DATABASE The Department of labour’s drive for job creation and decent work received an added boost at a Jobs Fair outside Polokwane, Limpopo on Friday with Minister Mildred Oliphant urging employers to register their opportunities on the Departmental Public Employment Services (PES) Database.

The call came hot on the heels of similar meetings in East London, Richards Bay and Kimberley which were attend by thousands of desperate job seekers. The gatherings saw dozens of employers playing their part in registering the job seekers, mainly the youth, through the system.

has invested more than R4 billion with the Industrial Development Cooperation in job creation initiatives.

“We have also embarked on a number of subsidiary schemes that are aimed at providing training to the unemployed, as well as those injured on duty so that they are given an opportunity to go back into the labour market. More than 16 000 jobs have been created as a result of this initiative and a total of 18 463 jobs have also been retained”.

By Shadrack Mashalaba | Communication

“We have made a commitment to contribute to the creation of decent employment through inclusive economic growth and to respond to the strategic priorities of Government through increased focus on decent work, Public Employment Services, enhancing Inspection and Enforcement Services to effectively monitor and enforce compliance with legislation, strengthening social security and strengthening the institutional capacity of the Department”, the Minister said.

The audience included notable parliamentarians amongst them, Alleck Nchabeleng the chairperson of portfolio committee on labour, Mathole Motshega, the African National Congress Chief Whip and Godfrey Oliphant, the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Office of the Premier, Members of legislature, Acting Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality and Councillors.

Minister Mildred Oliphant urging employers to register their opportunities on the Departmental Public Employment Services (PES) Database

Oliphant said the Department has been registering work-seekers and matching them with available job opportunities and has also taken a conscious decision to go out and interact with job seekers so that it develops and designs different approaches that may be used in providing them with support.

“That is why we have brought our campaign to Limpopo today so that we can reach out to those who should be assisted”, she said.

She also told the meeting that the Department, through the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the Compensation Fund, 4

> Staff Communiqué – October 2012 <

Email: fraud@labour.gov.za

DID YOU KNOW THAT FAILURE TO REPORT FRAUD AND CORRUPTION IS A CRIME? Corruption in the Public Service undermines the fight against poverty by putting money that is meant for delivery of services to the community into pockets of corrupt officials.

The Protected Disclosure Act, Act 26 of 2000) provides protection for employees in both the private and the public sector when disclosing information regarding unlawful or irregular conduct by their employers or other employees without the fear of suffering an occupational loss/harm.

The Department encourages members of the public employees and suppliers of goods and/or services who suspect fraud or corruption to inform the Department.

HOW TO REPORT FRAUD AND CORRUPTION OR A CONCERN •

OTHER REPORTING MECHANISMS • • • • •

Fraud hotline: 0800 60 11 48 Email: fraud@labour.gov.za Fax line: 012 309 4676 Anonymous letters Personal visits (Room 321).

Concerns can be better raised in writing. The background and history of the concern, giving names, dates and places, where possible, should be set out and the reason why the individual is particularly concerned about the situation.

Let’s all eradicate fraud and corruption within the Department

It is the duty of all employees to report any illegal, dishonest behaviour or corrupt practices to their supervisors or a relevant authority as soon as they become of them.

By Freddy Buys | Risk Management

THE ELEMENTS/DIMENSIONS OF A CORRUPTION • • • • • • • • •

The first step will be for the employee to approach his/her immediate supervisor/ manager unless he/she or senior management is the subject of the complaint, or they can contact Risk Management Unit.

Bribery Embezzlement Fraud Extortion Abuse of authority Conflict of interest Misuse of materials or privileged information Favouritism Nepotism.

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> Staff Communiqué – October 2012 <

SHANDUKA

> Work seekers lined up outside the Sasol Club

MY JOB MY FUTURE:

A PARTNERSHIP WITH SASOL

The registered job seekers were also provided with employability enhancement programme, i.e. job preparation by the Career Counsellor, Ms Ricca Motshwane as well as the Career Counsellor Coordinator, Ms’ Valencia Matlala.

The key objective of the Public Employment Services is to contribute to job creation. Therefore PES needs to develop partnerships with opportunity providers, i.e. formal job, internships, learnerships for referral and placement of registered work seekers.

PES’s vision is to restore hope to the unemployed people by providing them with the services that would make them more employable or have an opportunity to access job opportunities in the labour market

By Nomsa Mashaba (AD: PES) & Tinyiko Masingi | Communication

> Ms. Ricca Motshwane with the job seeker

The Department of Labour through the Secunda Labour Centre has successfully partnered with SASOL to recruit job seekers locally within Govan Mbeki Municipality.

The job seekers were registered to be potentially employed by Shondoni Mine which is currently in its development stages of construction. The mine will be fully operational by the year 2015.

The shaft is situated around Kinross / N17 road and would be replacing the Middlebult Main and West shaft.

> work seekers getting registered on ESSA

The objective of the partnership is to utilise the Department as a point of departure for recruitment, selection and placement of job seekers.

The key objective of the Public Employment Services is to contribute to job creation

The registration of job seekers on ESSA commenced on 20 August 2012 at Kinross SASOL Club. The highly motivated and dedicated team comprising of ESSA pioneers from Secunda, Standerton Labour Center, ESP 2 from Ermelo, and the PES Provincial Office worked very hard to ensure that the process went smoothly.

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> Staff Communiqué – October 2012 <

> Nomsa Mashaba with one the work seekers who attended the Information Session

JOB PREPARATION AND REGISTRATION FOR DISABLED PEOPLE The majority of People with Disabilities in South Africa have been excluded from the mainstream society and thus have been prevented from accessing fundamental social, political and economic rights.

> Irene Kgopa assisting with filling in of the ESSA form

The primary objective of the information session was to equip PwD with necessary information on how to compile a CV and as well as how to prepare for an interview.

The information session was held at Gert Sibande District Municipality, and an estimation of ± 30 people attended.

The information session started with registrations on the ESSA system and was followed by a career counseling session by Mpho Makate from the Ermelo Labour Centre.

The information session started with registrations on the ESSA system and was followed by a career counseling session > Mpho Makate (career Counselor)

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By: Tinyiko Masingi | Communication

After having attended several meetings with the PwD (People with Disability) forum and identifying a need for PES services to be rendered to PwD as they are also the target market for PES, Labour Centre Ermelo together with the Greater Gert Sibande District decided to organise an information session for People with Disabilities.

HIV COUNSELLING AND TESTING (HCT) INTENSIFICATION CAMPAIGN

CASUAL DAY

27.09.2012

07.09.2012

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HERITAGE DAY

[Photos from KZN and Head office]

20.09.2012

Ukhozi FM DJ, Ngizwe Mchunu performing a zulu dance for staff members after giving a brief background about the Zulu nation

The KZN provincial office dancing together, celebrating their heritage day

MARIKANA

03.09.2012

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A SUCCESSFUL JOBS FAIR AND JOBS SUMMIT - FREE STATE

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant, graced the Free State recently to attend a successful Jobs Fair and Jobs Summit. Now the focus shifts to the North West, which is expected to host the next event.

The latest Jobs Fair and Jobs Summit were held at the University of Free State (UFS) South Campus in Mangaung (formerly Vista University). The occasion was attended by Department of Labour staff including top management, District Mayors, Provincial MEC, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament and the Portfolio Committee on Labour, Labour and Business.

By Shadrack Mashalaba | Communication

The Free State is made up of five districts which are: Fezile Dabi, Gariep, Lejweleputsa, Motheo and Thabo Mofutsanyana. Free State has a population of 2,9 million with an unemployment rate of 38,9%.

The Department’s Public Employment Service (PES) Branch statistics showed that the Free State has 61 companies using its Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA), an Information Technology system that links employers and prospective job seekers. These companies have placed more than 1 300 job seekers in work opportunities. Some of the companies that have recruited using the ESSA database include: Stats SA, Molapo Quyn, Boitumelo Hospital, Afriguar, WBHO, Central Refinish and Denmar. Minister Oliphant said the summit took place in the week in which Government launched the Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) report in which it announced the slow rate of progress by companies in reaching the targets for employment equity.

The Commission for Employment Equity announced that South Africa’s workplace was still dominated by white men. The CEE Report for 2012 showed that Whites still dominate with 65,4% at the Top Management Level, a figure which is nearly six times their Economically Active Population (EAP) and approximately double the representation of the sum of all Blacks at this level.

Oliphant said: “I must just indicate from the outset that the Free State, especially the public sector, is the best performing province in terms of race and gender”. She said this was encouraging and it shows that there was commitment to do what was right in this province. Minister Oliphant said the first challenge was to get people into jobs and this is the subject and spirit of our engagement today.

The Free State Jobs Summit and Jobs Fair is the fifth such meeting with the inaugural event taking place in the Eastern Cape, and was followed by the official launch of the Jobs Fair in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. The Northern Cape and Limpopo also held their own Jobs Fair and Jobs Summit recently.

Minister Oliphant said she was encouraged by the commitment to do what is right, however, cautioned on the need to first prioritise getting people into jobs. “We first have to restore hope to thousands of children who by virtue that their parents get new jobs, will lead an improved life and that their educational needs will be taken care of as a result of the employment of their parents.

“We are aware that much needs to be done to restore dignity to our people through pursuit of gainful employment,” Minister Oliphant said. According to her the Department has already started creating a database that will help employers and potential employees find work without having to pay for the privilege, which was in the spirit of the new Public Employment Services Bill.

“As part of our commitment to job creation we have also invited various sister departments to make presentations on the various opportunities that exist linked to their departments. We have also invited financial organisations to help unlock the funding should some of you here today need this kind of service. I do hope that you will make use of these opportunities to your benefit,” she said.

Further Jobs Fair and Jobs Summits are planned for Mpumalanga, Western Cape and Gauteng.

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> Staff Communiqué – October 2012 <

VIRTUAL OFFICE

“I am aware that business people do not have much time to fill in a stack of papers all the time, when you hire new employees, you must fill in papers, when you retrench, you must fill in papers as well.”

In the third leg of its route of its national campaign held in Limpopo (Thohoyandou), the Department of Labour’s Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) re-emphasised the importance of the new kid on the block, known as Virtual Office and how it will ease the burden off the shoulders of employers.

“This is why we are bringing to you this new system that seeks to eradicate the use of paper entirely, thus improving a speedy and hassle free service to the people,” Tshidavhu said.

Vusi Mnisi of Training and Development from UIF told attentively listening stakeholders that an employer needs to be registered with the Fund and have the reference number prior to activating their profile on uFiling.

In his welcoming address to a packed hall of inquisitive stakeholders from Organised Business, Organised Labour and Government, head of the Department in Limpopo, Albert Tshidavhu, said the days of long queues in the offices will be history from now on.

This new system seeks to eradicate the use of paper entirely, thus providing speedy and hassle free services to the public

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By Johannes Mokou | PCO: Limpopo

He said this online system was established by UIF to be utilised by SARS contributors and the non-contributors as well. “The system will help avert frequent visits to labour as everything you may need would be just at your fingertips”, Mnisi added.

> Staff Communiqué – October 2012 <

DID YOU KNOW THAT RISK MANAGEMENT CAN HELP THE DEPARTMENT TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES? WHAT IS RISK? • The uncertainty of an event occurring that could have an impact on the achievement of the departmental objectives.

• Risk is measured in terms of impact and likelihood.

LEGAL MANDATE The following prescribed legislation is applied: Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 as amended by Act no. 29 of 1999 and National Treasury.

RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE RISK MANAGEMENT? • Effective risk management enables the Department to achieve its objectives with greater certainty • A robust and effective risk management process aims at increasing awareness, transparent evaluations and sound mitigation of risks facing the Department • An integrated Risk Management Framework assist in achieving objective more efficiently • Risk Management as a management tool also promotes effective and efficient resource utilisation.

Risk Management process are executed following eight (8) interrelated and inter-dependent components, which are:

By Freddy Buys | Risk Management

• • • • • • • •

Internal Environment Objective Setting Risk Identification Risk Assessment Risk Management Strategy Control Activities Information and Communication Risk Monitoring.

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGEMENT?

Risk management should always be considered as a tool that increases the Department’s predictions of success through getting it right the first time and minimises negative outcomes

• To participate in risk identification and risk assessment within their line function • To analyse controls for adequacy and effectiveness and implement corrective and improvement measures.

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILIES OF OTHER OFFICIALS? • Must be aware of Risk Management principles and its benefits • Must practice management of risk in their day-to-day operations.

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> Staff Communiqué – October 2012 <

STAKEHOLDERS FLEX MUSCLES OVER LABOUR LAW AMENDMENTS

On the one side of the divide were the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), National Council of Trade Union (NACTU), and Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU), while on the other side you had the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa (AmCham), Agri-SA as well as Solidarity.

SALGA supported the objective of the amendments, especially that the amendments will create employment and decent work and protection for vulnerable employees against abusive practices. They however, said waste management should be declared an essential service.

SALGA said waste management is a public health issue that should be managed properly as failure to do so could negatively impact on the community.

Thulani Khumalo, Project Manager of NACTU, said they are in support of the amendments of current legislation to provide greater protection to vulnerable workers. “We believe that legislation plays an important role in creating decent work opportunities in the labour market.

We further believe that our current labour laws are very flexible.

Our understanding of flexibility is that labour laws should make it possible for business to operate without sacrificing workers,” said Khumalo.

COSATU’s Prakashnee Govender said “subsequent to the National Economic Development and Labour Council process on the amendments of these bills, we had several meetings with the leadership of the African National Congress to address amongst others our call for a complete and full ban on the usage of labour broking.”

She further suggested that there should be a provision for a new probationary type clause that would effectively allow employers to hire and fire employees during the first six months of employment, during which time the employees have no recourse to challenge an unfair dismissal either on substantive or procedural grounds or fairness.

AmCham said with these amendments, labour productivity will push up the cost of the least skilled labour without any corresponding increase in productivity and “this will result in higher cost of doing business in South Africa.”

Agri-SA said a larger number of the permanent employees on farms are provided with accommodation and it does not make sense to require farmers to provide seasonal workers with similar accommodation.

The union said on the section that empowers the Minister to make a sectoral determination regulating minimum increments, “this will punish employers who are paying in excess of the minimum wage and act as an undesirable disincentive to employ new employees than minimum wages. It also constitutes an unwarranted encroached by the State in collective bargaining.”

Solidarity called for the study on the regulatory impact assessment of the Bills prior to them going through Parliament.

The union also welcomed the proposed amendments to Section 21 of the Labour Relations Act aimed at extending the rights of minority unions.

They said this would strengthen collective bargaining particularly in the mining sector where “we have often borne the brunt of majoritarian approach.”

As expected, the Labour Broking Division of the Construction Engineering Association of South Africa called for the proper regulation of labour brokering as opposed to a total ban as demanded by the union members.

Govender also deliberated on the expansion of scope of “essential service” to include public officials exercising authority in the name of the State, thereby excluding them from exercising their rights to strike.

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By Mokgadi Pela and Johannes Mokou

The debate around the proposed labour law amendments raged on in Parliament with half the presenters supporting the laws while others vehemently opposed them.

> Staff Communiqué – October 2012 <

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION

By Rivalani Mkansi | EHWP and GDY

The month of August was declared Women’s Month by the democratically elected Government of South Africa, following a series of political activism by women during the struggle for liberation against colonisation and apartheid which culminated in the Women’s March on 9 August 1956. Women’s Month is a tribute not only to the thousands of women who marched on that day in 1956, but also as a tribute to the pioneers of the women’s movement in this country, dating back to 1912, when women like Lillian Ngoyi, led the way in establishing the ANC Women’s League and encouraging women to engage in the struggle for freedom.

This year, women’s month was celebrated under the theme “Addressing unemployment, poverty and inequality: together contributing towards the progressive future for women”.

The theme aimed at affirming the position of Government in addressing the Millennium Development Goals 1 and 3 which deals with “eradicating extreme poverty and hunger”, and “promoting gender equality and empowering women”.

In celebrating Women’s Month, numerous activities and events were held in the Department at the Provinces and Head Office.

The Chief Directorate of Human Resource Management convened a two day Women’s Day celebration on the 30 and 31 August 2012, with the first day focusing on Women’s Day Celebration and the second day focusing on the meeting of women in senior and middle management in observation of the Public Service Women Management Week.

The Women’s Day celebration convened at Head Office was attended by around 270 women from HQ, CF and UIF. The celebration included presentations on topical issues covering a wide array of issues ranging from amongst others: Financial Wellness which was presented by SANLAM, Image and Professional Look presented by Aneline Black Studios; and Cervical and Breast Cancer presented by CANSA. The presentations were aimed at raising awareness amongst women on topical issues pertinent to their health and wellbeing.

The presentations raised critical issues which will indeed assist women to realise and maximise their potential in taking control of their wellbeing.

The Public Service Women Management Week meeting was attended by women in middle and senior management positions, where they discussed the following HoD’s eight principles on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality: Transformation for non-sexism; Establishing a policy environment; Meeting equity targets; Creating an enabling environment; Gender mainstreaming; Empowerment; Providing adequate resources; and Accountability, Monitoring and evaluation. As part of the deliberations, challenges towards implementation of the eight principles were highlighted with recommendations for improvement advanced.

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VIRGIL ANZEL SEAFIELD

PROMOTED TO CHIEF DIRECTOR: STATUTORY AND ADVOCACY SERVICES Virgil Anzel Seafield has been promoted to Chief Director: Statutory and Advocacy Services at the Department of Labour. Seafield (52) was previously Director: Labour Relations and Employment Standards - wherein he was amongst other things responsible for strategy formulation in regard to the establishment of plans of action on minimum wages and conditions of employment for industry(ies); managing the Child Labour Programme of Action and its implementation.

The Chief Director obtained Baccalaures Artium (BA) and Baccalaureus Education (B.Ed.) degrees respectively at the University of the Western Cape. He proceeded with further tertiary education culminating in him obtaining his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Pretoria in 2004.

He has completed a thesis on the implementation of the Employment Equity Act. Seafieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career was initiated in 1986 when he joined the teaching profession at Tafelsig Primary School rising through the ranks and left the profession in 1997 as a school principal.

He joined the Department of Labour in 2007 as an Executive Manager. Seafield has represented the Department in a number of workshops and seminars both locally and internationally, including participating in dispute resolution forums and promoting social dialogue.

Among his successes in the Department him being instrumental in the establishment of provident funds in vulnerable sectors such

as private and contract cleaning. He also possesses experience in procurement and tendering processes in Government.

In addition, he has also been responsible for project management of the directorate programmes, involved in the establishment of the Conditions Commission (ECC) and the implementation of its programmes.

The ECC is a body that advices the Labour Minister on minimum wages and setting up of suitable conditions of employment, especially for vulnerable workers.

Seafield has also played an instrumental role in a number of sectoral determinations - initiatives that deals with setting conditions of employment and minimum wages in vulnerable sectors such as domestic and security, and played a pivotal role in developing communication strategies in the Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inspection Services He has two dependants. He counts among his favourite hobbies - playing golf and reading.

MEET OUR PROJECT SHANDUKA COMPETITION WINNER MR. LACTON RAMULONGO (Thohoyandou, Limpopo)

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By Shadrack Mashalaba | Communication

He matriculated in 1977 at Eersterust Senior Secondary School.

He proceeded to the Rand College of Education where he achieved a Primary Teachers Certificate and this was followed by a Primary Teachers Diploma.

> Staff Communiqué – October 2012 <

FIRST EVER MEN’S HEALTH DAY without communication. Men must learn to talk to their partners about everything, including the things that are worrying them.

Mr Mkansi also encourages men to be responsible for their happiness, as nobody else is responsible for your own happiness. “Accept yourself. Respect yourself. Love yourself first. Take good care of yourself and focus on your true needs.

Too often relationships fail because someone is unhappy and blames their partner for making them that way.”

Hundred and fifty Department of Labour male officials in the KwaZulu-Natal province converged in Durban Labour Centre this month to celebrate the first ever Men’s Health Day. The event was organised by the KwaZulu-Natal Local Employment Equity Consultative Forum (KZN LEECF) and EHWP in conjunction with the Head Office EHWP & GDY section.

Men must change the perception that going to counselling makes them less of a man or a failure. Counselling can turn a bad relationship around. It can also turn an average relationship into a brilliant one. Counselling can improve your relationship,” said Mr Mkansi.

The day was filled with a lot of activities and motivational talks such as medical screening, VCT, checking blood pressure (BP), head and shoulder massages conducted by GEMS medical aids, financial wellness and pension presentation by Old Mutual and CANSA educating males about diseases that affects them, especially testicular cancer.

LEECF chairperson in KZN Sifiso Ndebele said men are also abused in their homes, but that does not mean that they must also do the same to women. They must deal with abuse in the right way.

“As men we must make sure that we are building a free society, where women and children can live free. We must protect and love them,” said Mr Ndebele.

The guys laughed their hearts out as they were watching the comedy show by Trevor Noah, others won themselves nice goodies sponsored by Liberty Life and Old Mutual during the competitions and a raffle.

Inspector Rajan Govender from Durban Labour Centre shared his experience as an ex-alcoholic. He said there is a help available out there for alcoholics, but people first need to admit that they have a problem.

According to CANSA, our lifestyle (including diet) and environmental factors as well as genetics can all play a role in your risk of getting cancer. Sometimes there is no known cause for someone’s cancer.

For more information contact CANSA toll free on 0800 22 66 22, email info@cansa.org.za or visit www.cansa.org.za

“Alcohol destroys you and takes you to hell. If I managed to take a decision to stop to be an alcoholic 11 years ago, anyone can do the same. It’s not easy but there is no shame in seeking help,” said Mr Govender.

SYMPTOMS OF TESTICULAR CANCER: • A painless swelling or lump in one of the testicles • Pain in or a feeling of heaviness of a testicle • Enlargement of the testicle • An ache in the lower stomach, back or groin • A sudden accumulation of fluid or blood in the scrotum

During his address, the DD: EHWP & GDY Rivalani Mkansi focused on relationships; he said no relationship can survive

Men are encouraged to spend 10 minutes a month to examine their testicles, thereby investing in their own health.

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