faReWeLL poppy BapeLa

Farewell

It’s hard to say goodbye, but for the past 34 years I worked in the Department, time has arrived that Poppy Bapela has to say farewell to all colleagues.

I started working in the Department in 1988 March in the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, as an Arts and Culture official. I loved my job and still do.

My journey through the years

Carnival

1. Coordinated Carnival troupes in Tshwane from Region 1-7. 2. Working in partnership with Arts and Culture officials from Tshwane – Mr. T. Mojela and the Arts and Culture Forum. 3. Coordinating Choral Music, Indigenous Music (Clap and Tap) and Amazion 4. Conducting workshops on Carnival Conceptual and presenting the concept to the adjudicators Won the Gauteng Carnival in 3 consecutive years on the Best Troupe, Best Costumes, Best dance Groups, Best Float, Best Theme and Big Costumes 5. This earned me a prestigious Award for being the Best Carnival Coordinator in Tshwane for winning 3 consecutive positions 1 in the Carnival for the best troupe Best Costume, Best Choreography, Best conceptual costume drawing and Best Costumes, Best dancers in all dance genres. 6. I was granted a Carnival tour to 1 of the Best Carnival destination in Trinadad and Tobacco oversees with Mr. Joseph Tshisevhe and the best choreographer Mr. Mzimeni.

Craft Coordinator for the Province

1. Every National Crafters Exhibition was coordinator by myself. 2. This earned me a tour to Scotland International Craft Exhibition with 5 Crafters from Gauteng. I was honoured by National Arts and Culture Department for my hard work, involvement, and participation in all the Arts and Culture Programmes Nationally, Provincially and Regionally. I was afforded an opportunity to attend the Five Continent Cultural Festival in Japan – Narita with a cultural dance group of my own choice. I chose to go with Vuma Wethu Cultural Dance group from Mamelodi whom I took to the National Indlamo Cultural dance Competition in Johannesburg and they won position 1 for Zulu dance.

I was not trained for officiating but passion and love for my work helped me to succeed.

I Officiated 5 Provincial Active Ageing competitions in Gauteng as the Programme Director under the auspices of Ms. Cecilia Phiri.

This earned me a position to officiate my 1st National Active Ageing Competition in Bloemfontein.

THE HUB MASS PARTICIPATION PROGRAMME

I was placed at Onverwacht in the rural area in Region 5 as a Hub Manager. In 2010 we were the number 1 Hub in the nine Provinces for Mass Participation Programme. The adjudication was done by Johannesburg University panel. Within the 5 years I worked at Onverwacht, the Department had employed 10 young people from Onverwacht and Refilwe in Region 5.

I serviced the rural areas of Region 5 and 7 for the longest time I’ve been in the Department. Sokhulumi, Ekangala, Dark City, Zithobeni, Rethabiseng, Bronhorstspruit, Cultra, Refilwe, Kameeldrift plot 175 and 123.

Moved to Library Information Service and Archives

In the Library Information Service and Archives were I am taking my departure to pension from working as a Programme Librarian, I learned library programmes and I do well in all the programmes. That is proven from my performance assessments. I am a self- skilled employee. All the training I’ve gone through the department Events/Project management helped me to be at a level where I could prove through my work that everything is possible when you love and cherish your work. I am an organizer, an implementer, facilitator, coordinator.

I’ve proved beyond doubt that I am capable, and I can initiate programmes hence I qualify to be a programme librarian. I have never failed in executing my duties in the Department and I think I was a good asset for the Department.

Stakeholders

I Coordinated Reading programmes in all 8 Correctional Centres in Gauteng. In the North Corridor I worked at Zonderwater Correctional Centre where I was awarded with 2 shield trophies and 1 Silver plated trophy for my performance as the best official in the book clubs.

I have worked with many stakeholders including ECDs, Department of Education, Hospitals and Clinics as well as municipalities.

I leave my footprints in all the areas I worked in, the stakeholders and target groups whom I touched their hearts and made a difference in their lives.

June Staff Birthdays

Jacob Matlhobogwane 2-Jun Ntomfuthi Khumalo 2-Jun Simon Makhaya 2-Jun Vivian Lehong 3-Jun Lydia Setshedi 4-Jun Keamogetswe Moeketsane 5-Jun Zodwa Shezi 5-Jun Boitumelo Thabalaka 7-Jun Mmakgauta Ramonyadioe 7-Jun Jabu Mahlangu 8-Jun Oupa Monakhisi 8-Jun Richard Masote 8-Jun Lesiba Shima 11-Jun Mandla Mabena 11-Jun Sibongile Nkosi 11-Jun Tshisamphiri Diperere 12-Jun Gezephi Mbata 13-Jun Kefilwe Mphake 14-Jun Lonwabo Mashalaba 14-Jun Romano Fortuin 14-Jun Anthony Groëning 15-Jun Luchiano Moatshe 15-Jun Shane Maja 15-Jun Vusumuzi Shabalala 15-Jun Andries Kekana 16-Jun Desmond Sizane 16-Jun Mandisa Mafuna 16-Jun Mpho Ranake 18-Jun Poppy Bapela 19-Jun Catherine Masemene 20-Jun Mandlenkosi Nxumalo 20-Jun

Oupa Monakhisi Richard Masote Lesiba Shima Mandla Mabena Sibongile Nkosi Tshisamphiri Diperere Gezephi Mbata

Kefilwe

Mphake Lonwabo Mashalaba Romano Fortuin Anthony Groëning Luchiano Moatshe Shane Maja Vusumuzi Shabalala Andries Kekana Desmond Sizane Mandisa Mafuna

Mpho Ranake

Poppy

Bapela Catherine Masemene Mandlenkosi Nxumalo Stanley Mthiyane Kenneth Sibongile Boyce Ramoyadi Nhlapo Joko Nonkululeko Njiako Elizabeth Sewelakae Phumzile Mohapeloa July Chere Thabang Ramaboya Joseph Tshisevhe Owen Green

Godfrey Mpho

Nketsi Matsoso Nomazwe Ntlokwana Simon Ndhlala

Jerry Moumakwe

8-Jun 8-Jun 11-Jun 11-Jun 11-Jun 12-Jun 13-Jun 14-Jun 14-Jun 14-Jun 15-Jun 15-Jun 15-Jun 15-Jun 16-Jun 16-Jun 16-Jun 18-Jun 19-Jun 20-Jun 20-Jun 20-Jun 21-Jun 21-Jun 23-Jun 23-Jun 24-Jun 24-Jun 25-Jun 25-Jun 26-Jun 26-Jun 27-Jun 27-Jun 27-Jun 27-Jun 30-Jun