PSM March 2019 Edition by Topco Media

PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGER MARCH MARCH 2019 2019

THE MAGAZINE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR DECISION-MAKERS

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CHANGE IN THE PIPELINE FOR

AMATOLA WATER Despite having been at the helm of essential services utility Amatola Water for less than a year, CEO Vuyo Zitumane has made major strides in turning the business around and, most importantly, ensure water reservoirs in the Eastern Cape are replenished.

Amatola Water is on the

to play in ensuring not only that the public has access

forefront of solving Makana

to water, but that this precious resource is conserved.

Local Municipality’s water scourge as commissioned by the Eastern Cape Government. Having dealt with numerous pipe bursts

“Water access and security are important, not only to our business, but also to nation building. Our team understands its role and is committed to delivering on its mandate. “To be sustainable in this industry, we need to keep abreast with water technology trends,” she says.

resulting from ageing infrastructure that can no longer handle the water pressure they are subjected to, Amatola

“We are in the business of water in a technology era, so when it comes to water, we cannot afford to be static in innovation and implementation.”

Water has been facing a serious challenge: finding

In line with these commitments, the CEO and the

the funding to replace its

board have created a five-year turnaround strategy

vast pipeline network.

that will boost the utility’s financial stability and growth, and increase bulk water service delivery.

While this may seem like an insurmountable hurdle,

To ensure these goals are achieved, Zitumane and

Zitumane believes that the

more than 400 Amatola employees will be rolling up

utility is capable of overcoming

their sleeves to implement the plan, which has been

this issue. With her novel approach to problem-solving and a proven ability to build stakeholder relationships, the CEO is tackling this difficulty head-on.

sanctioned by the Department of Water and Sanitation. An early indication of this hard work can be seen in Thorn Hill, Rosedale, Port Alfred and Coega, where the utility has overseen multi-million rand upgrades to

After taking office in April 2018,

water infrastructure. All accelerated implementation

Zitumane acknowledged the integral

plans have been developed in order to ensure

role she and Amatola Water have

completion of these projects that will supply more

water in Amathole District Municipality and Buffalo City Municipality areas. In addition to this, Zitumane is driving research and innovation that will ensure the utility is able to cope with droughts and the resulting water shortages. Amatola Water also assisted the Department of Health in identifying challenges associated with their water billing systems in hospitals – no small feat, and an achievement to be proud of. In addition to increasing Amatola’s output and service delivery capabilities, the CEO is focused

CONTACT DETAILS AMATOLA HOUSE (HEAD OFFICE)

on ensuring that the utilities sector achieves its

Physical address: 6 Lancaster Road, Vincent,

transformation goals. In this vein, Zitumane plans

5247, East London

to implement B-BBEE regulations throughout the

Postal address: Private Bag X3, Vincent, 5217

utility’s supply chain management to ensure

Tel: +27 (0) 43 707 3700

equitable distribution of business to empowered

Fax: +27 (0) 43 707 3701

service providers.

Email: aw@amatolawater.co.za

While all of this might add up to a task too

Tollfree: (only from landlines)

daunting to undertake for most, Zitumane’s track

Nahoon Dam: 0800 864 699

record is proof that she is the woman for the job.

Sterkspruit: 0800 332 709

Having operated in the public sector as a go-to turnaround specialist, she has helped stabilise multiple municipalities, including the Amathole District Municipality, Sundays River Valley Local Municipality, Mnquma Local Municipality, King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.

24HR queries: 043 709 3700 NAHOON DAM REGIONAL OFFICE Physical address: 17 Grant Davis Road, Nahoon Dam, East London Postal address: Private Bag X02, Nahoon Dam, 5200 Tel: +27 (0)43 709 3700

Amatola Water is also key in sorting out the

Fax: +27 (0)43 745 1375

Department of Education’s sanitation challenges

Email: aw@amatolawater.co.za

in the Eastern Cape Province – a challenge Zitumane and her team are more than ready for.

Contents: March 2019

Provincial focus Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle is proud of the strides the province has made

International relations South Africa has been elected as African Union chair for the year 2020

Management and professional development Human rights for all South Africans

Features 10

Prioritising SA’s development President Cyril Ramaphosa identiﬁed ﬁve priority areas, to ensure South Africa’s progress, in the State of the Nation Address

Regulars 16

Conversations with leaders President Cyril Ramaphosa elaborates on government’s efforts to move the country forward

Proﬁles in leadership CEO of the South African Human Rights Commission Advocate Tseliso Thipanyane explains the important role the organisation plays in protecting rights

Women in the public sector Nosipho Mkhupheka is a public servant who leads by example Trailblazer Nuclear physicist Gaopalelwe Santswere ensures safety at South Africa’s nuclear research reactor Vital stats Fast facts at your ﬁngertips

In other news News you need to know when you are on the go

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

22 22

Budgeting for SA’s new trajectory Budget 2019 puts the country on a bold new path

SA’s budget in numbers A closer look at some of the important numbers from the Budget Speech

Economic growth high on the agenda Government is pulling out all the stops to accelerate inclusive economic growth and create jobs

State of the Nation Address pictorial All the glitz and glam of the red carpet

NHI war room to improve healthcare Efforts to ensure universal health coverage that will bring quality healthcare to all South Africans are being stepped up

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

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Ensuring a professional public service The Department of Public Service and Administration will investigate allegations of bullying in the public service

Corrupt public servants will feel the might of the law Government is escalating efforts to clampdown on fraud, corruption and racketeering

Major investment boost for ELSEZ The East London Special Economic Zone is attracting a more diversiﬁed crop of investors

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Contributors

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Public Sector Manager • March 2019

14 NOVEMBER 2019

B O O K Y O U R S E AT N O W

For more information on nominations, contact Aisha Crombie at aisha.crombie@topco.co.za or call 0860 00 95 90

MESSAGE FEATURE FROM THE MINISTER

We all need our rights protected

uman rights are at the very

It is an unfortunate reality,

foundation of our lives,

however, that after the oppression

and every single human

of apartheid, many South

being is entitled to them. When a

Africans are still being deprived

person’s rights are protected, they

of their rights today. Poverty,

are able to be healthy, secure and

inequality, discrimination and

educated. They are able to live a

violence still plague our society.

life free from discrimination, oppres-

While significant progress has

sion and social injustice.

been made in addressing these

Over the past 25 years, South

social ills over the past 25 years,

Africa’s Bill of Rights has been at

there is still much that needs to

the heart of our democracy. This

be done to fulfil the ideals of the

month, our focus will turn to these

Bill of Rights. It is crucial that we

non-negotiable rights, centering

make this our primary goal as we

around Human Rights Day on

carry out our responsibilities as

21 March. This milestone date in

public servants.

South African history marks the

In an election year, it is also

Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni- Abrahams.

the results always reflecting the will of the people. All of us should

tragic Sharpeville Massacre of

important to remember that

take advantage of the precious

1960, when 69 people were killed

every person is entitled to their

platform we have to participate

by apartheid police as they rose

political rights. Every citizen has

in South Africa’s democracy.

in unison to fight for their rights.

the right to free, fair and regular

Those who lost their lives

It is pleasing to note that the

elections, and every adult has

number of registered voters on

paid the ultimate price simply

the right to vote in elections for

the roll for this year’s National

for fighting for what they were

any legislative body established

and Provincial Elections stands at

entitled to as human beings. As

in terms of the Constitution.

almost 27 million, 2 million more

public servants, the least we can

The Independent Electoral

than the last elections in 2014.

do is to work towards ensuring

Commission has established a

We look forward to seeing every

that the rights of every South

robust and fair voting system

one of them, including public

African citizen are protected. In

that allows citizens to exercise

servants, heading to the polls to

fact, the Bill of Rights specifically

these rights. We are fortunate

exercise their political rights. Let

states that government “must

that, throughout our democracy,

us fully acknowledge and fight

respect, protect, promote and

our elections have always been

for the rights we have as human

fulfil the rights in the Bill of Rights”.

regarded as free and fair, with

beings.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL

Quality healthcare for all

n his 2019 State of the Nation Ad-

The number of AIDS-related

and are therefore deprived of the

dress, President Cyril Ramapho-

deaths has declined from almost

healthcare benefits that higher-

sa announced that the National

300 000 to 115 000 over the

income citizens enjoy.

Health Insurance (NHI) Bill will soon

same period. Overall, the quality

be ready for submission to Parlia-

of healthcare for the majority

NHI will address this imbalance

ment.

of South Africans has improved

through the establishment of

significantly. In 2017, the General

a fund that will provide quality,

Household Survey from Statistics

free healthcare services at

The NHI will result in a complete overhaul of the country’s

If effectively implemented, the

healthcare system, with the aim of

accredited facilities such as

providing all South Africans with

clinics, hospitals and private

access to quality healthcare.

health facilities. This move towards

As President Ramaphosa

universal healthcare is guided by

acknowledged, the state of

international frameworks laid out

our public healthcare system is

by the United Nations and the

currently well below the required

World Health Organisation, and is

standard. This is not to say that

also based on the constitutional

there haven’t been significant

right of citizens to access

improvements in healthcare

affordable, quality healthcare.

since the dawn of democracy.

The NHI will require strengthening

Healthcare in South Africa was

and reorganising of the

not immune to the impacts of

healthcare system – a process

apartheid. Most funds were channeled into the building of quality healthcare facilities

which is already underway. Phumla Williams, GCIS Acting Director-General.

in urban areas, serving the

The Department of Health has identified 872 primary healthcare facilities in the NHI’s pilot districts

white minority. The majority of

South Africa found that 81.7

which are being constructed or

black people only had access

percent of households attending

revitalised. The NHI and quality

to poor quality services and

public health facilities were either

improvement war room in the

suffered higher rates of disease,

satisfied or very satisfied with the

Presidency, comprising various

malnutrition and mortality.

service they received.

key government departments,

The democratic government

However, many South

also signifies government’s

has gained good ground in

Africans, especially those from

collective commitment towards

reversing this injustice. Better

disadvantaged areas, are

implementing the initiative.

access to healthcare, along

still unable to access quality

with an intensified fight against

healthcare close to their homes.

have the right to a healthy life.

diseases such as HIV and AIDS

Access to healthcare is also

The NHI represents a major step

and tuberculosis have increased

highly unequal. Lower income

towards this goal. As society and

the average life expectancy from

households cannot afford the

government, we should all stand

52.57 in 2005 to 65.5 in 2018.

high costs of medical schemes,

in solidarity to make this a reality.

Every South African should

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

ADVERTORIAL

NATIONAL SKILLS CONFERENCE AND SKILLS AWARDS 2019

The National Skills Authority (NSA), in conjunction with the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Naledi Pandor, is convening a National Skills Conference

• Fast-tracking occupations in high demand and

and Skills Awards on 14 and 15 March 2019. The

encouraging international best practice on skills

conference will be attended by 1 000 delegates

development

who are stakeholders in the post-school education and training system in order to ensure high-level discussions and maximum participation. The objectives of the conference are as follows: • Communicating the new National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) and the SETA landscape beyond March 2020 • Aligning skills development strategies with national key priorities and the Fourth Industrial Revolution by strengthening collaborations of labour market institutions with education and training institutions

• Giving social partners a platform to pledge support and commitment to implement the strategy • Creating a platform for skills development stakeholders to showcase their organisations and to disseminate information. An exhibition focusing on career guidance opportunities will run parallel with the conference. It is expected that 2 250 high school learners from surrounding areas will participate at the exhibition. The exhibition seeks to motivate and engage the learners on the various career paths and opportunities available.

(TVETs, CETs and universities)

CONTACT DETAILS: Physical Address: 178 Ndinaye House, Francis Baard Street (Old Schoeman street), 6th Floor, Room 6111 Dr Thabo Mashongoane: Executive Officer NSA Tel: (012) 312 5066 | Email: Mashongoane.T@dhet.gov.za Web: www.nationalskillsauthority.org.za

SONA

Writer: Allison Cooper

Prioritising SA’s development President Cyril Ramaphosa is determined to get to the heart of South Africa’s challenges, as is evident by his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).

resident Cyril Ramaphosa

(SOEs) will be kept firmly under

can jointly determine a strategic

identified five priority areas

the President’s thumb through the

path for SOEs to create jobs, en-

that will help South Africa over-

establishment of a Presidential SOE

able inclusive growth and become

come some of its pressing challenges

Council which will provide political

operationally and financially sus-

at the SONA on 7 February – and he

oversight and strategic manage-

tainable,” the President said.

pulled no punches when it came to

ment to reform, reposition and

Eskom and corruption.

revitalise them.

A well-received announcement

“We want SOEs to be fully self-

Eskom in crisis

was that people who have abused

sufficient and able to fulfil their

President

or stolen state funds and property

development and economic role.

Ramapho-

will become the target of a new

Where they are not able to raise

sa did not

investigating directorate that will

sufficient financing from banks,

mince

be established in the office of the

capital markets, development

his words

National Director of Public Prosecu-

finance institutions or the fiscus, we

when he

tions to deal with serious corrup-

need to explore other mechanisms,

said that

tion and associated offences.

such as strategic equity partner-

It will focus on the evidence that has emerged from the Zondo Commission into State Capture and

ships or selling off non-strategic assets. “We also seek to build

other commissions and disciplinary

a pragmatic and co-

inquiries; identify priority cases to

operative relationship

investigate and prosecute, and

between govern-

recover assets identified as the

ment, organised

proceeds of corruption.

labour and private

The President also told the nation that state-owned enterprises

sector stakeholders, where we

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers t he 2019 State of t he Nation Address.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

Eskom is in crises and poses great

affordable tariff increase. We need

we shall immediately embark on a

risks to South Africa.

to take steps to reduce municipal

process of establishing three sepa-

“It could severely damage our

non-payment and confront the

rate entities – generation, transmis-

economic and social development

culture of non-payment that exists

sion and distribution – under Eskom

ambitions. We need to take bold

in some communities. It is impera-

Holdings. This will ensure that we

decisions and decisive action. The

tive that all those who use electric-

isolate cost and give responsibility

consequences may be painful, but

ity – over and above the free basic

to each appropriate entity.

they will be even more devastating

electricity provided – should pay

if we delay,” he noted.

for it,” the President stressed.

Government is leading the pro-

Government will support Eskom’s

“Of particular and immediate importance is for the entity to manage an independent state-owned

cess with labour, Eskom and other

balance sheet, without burden-

transmission grid, combined with

stakeholders to work out the details

ing the fiscus with unmanageable

the systems operator and power

of a just transition and sustainable

debt. “To ensure the credibility of

planning, procurement and buying

plans to address the needs of

the turnaround plan and avoid a

functions. It is imperative that we

those who may be affected. “As we

similar financial crisis in a few years’

undertake these measures without

address the challenges that face

time, Eskom will need to develop a

delay to stabilise Eskom’s finances,

Eskom, we also need to safeguard

new business model,” the President

ensure security of electricity supply

our national fiscal framework,

said.

and establish the basis for long-

achieve a positive impact on our

He explained that the business

term sustainability,” the President

sovereign credit rating, and pay

model needs to take into account

attention to the rights and obli-

the root causes of its current crisis

gations of Eskom’s funders,” the

and the profound international

Other priorities

President said.

and local changes in the relative

Other than fighting corruption and

costs and market penetration of

strengthening SOEs, government

energy resources, especially clean

has four other urgent tasks for the

technologies.

year ahead. These are to continue

Eskom has come up with a ninepoint turnaround plan. “In line with this plan, Eskom will need to take urgent steps to significantly reduce its costs. It will need more revenue through an

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

“To bring credibility to the

added.

to accelerate inclusive economic

turnaround and to position South

growth and create jobs, improve

Africa’s power sector for the future,

the education system, improve

SONA

living conditions and strengthen

grate responsibility for ECD centres

been historically the most disad-

capacity. “These tasks will underpin

from Social Development to Basic

vantaged and are located in the

everything that we do this year,” the

Education and put into place the

poorest communities, including

President stressed.

process of ensuring two years of

multi-grade, multi-phase, farm and

compulsory ECD for all children

rural schools.”

Over the past year government has implemented measures to

before they enter Grade 1.

Educator and learner training

Another critical priority is to sub-

is being expanded to respond to

investor confidence, support em-

stantially improve reading compre-

emerging technologies, including

ployment and address the urgent

hension in the first years of school.

the internet, robotics and artificial

challenges that affect vulnerable

“This is essential in equipping chil-

intelligence. Several new technol-

society members. These measures

dren to succeed in education, in

ogy subjects and specialisations

will continue in the year ahead.

work and in life – and it is possibly

will be introduced, including

ignite economic activity, restore

the single most important factor

technical mathematics and tech-

education, the President said, “Our

in overcoming poverty, unemploy-

nical sciences, maritime sciences,

history demands that we should

ment and inequality,” the President

aviation studies, mining sciences

improve the education system and

said.

and aquaponics. “To expand par-

When it comes to improving

develop the skills that we need

Government will also expand

ticipation in the technical streams,

the availability of early reading

several ordinary public schools

Government has already es-

resources across the foundation

will be transformed into techni-

tablished a firm foundation for a

phase and will, over the next six

cal high schools,” said President

comprehensive early childhood

years, provide every school child in

Ramaphosa.

development (ECD) programme

South Africa with digital workbooks

that’s an integral part of the edu-

and textbooks on a tablet. “We

ing first year students, introduced

cation system. This year it will mi-

will start with schools that have

last year, is being phased in over

now and into the future”.

Free higher education for qualify-

five years until all undergraduate students, who qualify in terms of the criteria, can benefit. Stabilising the business processes of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme will also be a priority in the coming year.

Improving living conditions “We are duty bound to improve the conditions of life for all South Africans, especially the poor,” the President said. The National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill will soon be ready for

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

To improve public servants’ capabilities and strengthen service delivery the National School of Government is introducing a suite of compulsory courses which will cover areas like ethics and anticorruption, senior management and supply chain management. Government will also process the operationalisation of Section 8 of the Public Administration and Management Act, which strengthens the outlawing of public servants doing business with the state and will enable government to deal more effectively with corsubmission to Parliament and government has established an

their respective mandates. A Human Settlements Develop-

rupt activities. This will see harsher penalties, including fines and/or

NHI and quality improvement war

ment Bank, that will leverage

prison sentences for officials that

room in the Presidency, consisting

public and private sector financ-

transgress.

of various key departments to ad-

ing to aid in housing delivery, will

dress the crisis in the public health

be established. In addition, the

Integrity and Disciplinary Techni-

system while preparing for the

People’s Housing Programme,

cal Assistance Unit to strengthen

implementation of the NHI.

where households are allocated

the management of ethics and

serviced stands to build their own

anti-corruption and ensure

houses, will be expanded.

consequence management for

“We have a funded national quality health improvement plan to improve every clinic and hospital that will be contracted by the NHI,” he said.

It will also establish the Ethics,

breaches of government pro-

Strengthening capacity

cesses. In his closing remarks the Presi-

President Ramaphosa also high-

dent stressed, “The task before us

ment will continue to build human

lighted the need to strengthen

is formidable. Above everything

settlements in well-located areas

the capacity of the state to ad-

else, we must get our economy

that bring together economic

dress the people's needs.

working again. I call upon every

On the housing front, govern-

opportunities and all the services

“We have made progress in

South African to make this cause

that people need. The Housing De-

examining the size and structure

your own. Because when we suc-

velopment Agency will construct

of the state and will complete this

ceed − and of this we are certain

an additional 500 000 housing

work by the end of this adminis-

− it is the entire nation that will

units in the next five years, and

tration,” the President said when

benefit. As government, as busi-

R30 billion will be provided to mu-

talking about his fifth focus area

ness, as labour and as citizens, let

nicipalities and provinces to fulfil

for the year ahead.

us unite to embrace tomorrow”.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENT

Johannesb Manageme The aim of limits of ou Johannesb within the • Th lea • Th lea de • Th wo • If t usi op allo • Th Th • On lea tea • An

PIPE

Johannesb 499 km of further 633 In the finan • Mid • Sa • Ro • De

Water is a all resident vened the 011 758 96

ND NT

ACTIVE LEAK DETECTION PROGRAMME

Johannesburg Water has an active leak detection programme that was approved as a part of a five year Water Demand Management strategy in August 2016. The aim of this strategy is to implement various programmes that will ensure our water demand is reduced to within the limits of our allocation from Rand Water in terms of their Water Use License. Johannesburg Water has 15 teams that do active leak detection on a daily basis in an effort to reduce water demand within the city. • These are dedicated teams that survey our water infrastructure on a daily basis picking up leaks that are either visible and not reported or not visible. • The process that is followed includes the inspection of the water reticulation for any visible leaks and the use acoustic listening sticks (equipment that uses the sound the leak makes) to determine if there might be a leak on the system that is not visible. • The visible leaks are reported daily through the SAP PM system to the relevant depot who would then dispatch a plumbing team to repair the leak. • If they, through making use of the listening stick, pick up a sound, it is further investigated by using ground micro phones and leak noise correlators. These types of equipment allows the operator to pin point the invisible leak more accurately since it is not visible. This will then allow the plumbing team to excavate at the correct location and repair the leak. • These leak detection teams cover more than 10 500km of our water infrastructure per annum. This is more that 85% of the infrastructure length. • On average per annum these teams report: 1 456 burst pipes, 5 227 leaking meters, 341 leaking valves and 217 leaking hydrants. These leaks are repaired by the network plumbing teams within the specified response times. • Annually 8 100 Ml of water is saved due to this programme.

PIPE REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME Johannesburg Water has implemented a pipe replacement programme over the past five years. By the end of June 2017, 499 km of water pipes have been replaced. Going forward into the next five years, Johannesburg Water plans to replace a further 633 km of water pipes. In replacing these pipes the burst frequencies will reduce and water losses will be minimised. In the financial year of 2017/18 thus far in: • Midrand, we have replaced 3 500 meters of pipe • Sandton, 15 171 meters of pipe has already been replaced • Roodepoort and Diepsloot, we have placed 2 281 meters of pipe • Deep South Region, 3 627 meters of pipe have been replaced Water is a scarce commodity and Johannesburg Water is committed to provide a sustainable water and sanitation supply to all residents of the City. Level 1 water restrictions are still in place and will be enforced by fines to consumers who contravened the Water Services By-law and consumers are urged to report non-compliance by phoning the JMPD 24/7 hotline on 011 758 9650.

City of Johannesburg Johannesburg Water (SOC) Ltd 17 Harrison Street Marshalltown Johannesburg

@jhbwater

PO Box 61542 South Africa 2107

Johannesburg Water

www.johannesburgwater.co.za 24 Hour Water Hotline 011 375 5555 / 0860 - JOBURG or 0860 562 874 JW SMS Line : 082 653 2143 email: customer@jwater.co.za Providing Water. Providing Life

CONVERSATIONS WITH LEADERS

Writer: Dale Hes

President puts SONA plans into perspective I

n the weeks following the State of

clarity on some of the key points

government programmes benefit

the Nation Address (SONA), the

made in the address, while oth-

the people of South Africa, par-

wheels of democracy have been

ers voiced new concerns and

ticularly the poor and vulnerable.

turning at full speed. President Cyril

brought other issues to the table.

President Ramaphosa asserted

Ramaphosa’s planned interven-

The SONA debate was a highly

that the overarching role of gov-

tions, policies and programmes

constructive platform for ironing

ernment programmes should be

were placed under the spotlight

out the uncertainty.

to continue improving the lives of

during two days of heated debate

these people.

during various in-depth interviews

Advancing the lives of people

in the SONA has at its core

with the media.

Much of the debate revolved

the needs and interests of the

around the issue of ensuring that

poor people of our country,” he

from members of parliament, and

South Africans have sought

“The programme we outlined

stressed. The past 25 years have heralded some major achievements for South Africa, but the President acknowledged that there are still immense challenges facing millions of South Africans. “Although we have raised millions of people out of absolute poverty; although we have built over three million houses and provided water and electricity, there are still more than two million families that live in informal settlements. Nearly a third of children under the age of five are stunted due to severe and long-time malPresident Cyril Ramaphosa during his reply of t he State of t he Nation Address debate.

nutrition,” President Ramaphosa noted. More than seven million jobs have been created in South Af-

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

they do not set policy and are therefore too easily ignored, yet their interests must be placed at the forefront,” he pointed out. A more concerted effort is being placed on the first 1 000 days of children’s lives, when adequate healthcare, social skills, good nutrition, quality childcare, a clean and safe environment and structured early learning, will have the most profound impact on rica since the turn of democracy.

grammes have contributed

But this has not been keeping

a great deal to enabling us

pace with the number of people

to address the challenges of

ternal and child health, make

entering the job market.

unemployment that many of our

access to ECD universal, provide

“…we cannot continue at this

their future prospects. “Programmes to improve ma-

people face. Since the start of

grants and nutrition support to

rate. This is why we are working

the fifth administration this pro-

the very poor are as important

every day to accelerate econom-

gramme has led to the creation

to the economic future of our

ic growth and make meaningful

of 3.2 million work opportunities

economy as anything we do in

progress on finding work for the

at a total of 225 sites across nine

the area of investment, trade and

9.7 million South Africans that are

provinces.”

skills development.”

currently unemployed,” said the President. The ground-breaking Youth Employment Service will be a central

The fourth phase of the EPWP will begin in April, targeting the

crucial not only in schools, but in

overall creation of five million work

society as a whole.

opportunities.

roleplayer in this aim, but the President also emphasised the importance of other programmes, such as industrial parks our town-

Literacy programmes are also

“The programmes outlined are about teaching young people

Prioritising children and education Issues such as early childhood

from the most deprived areas to read at a level comparable to not only their compatriots but also to

ships and rural areas that are be-

development (ECD), education

their peers across the world,” said

ing revitalised as part of efforts to

and protecting the rights of chil-

the President, adding that the

turn these into areas of economic

dren were high on the agenda

improvement in quality education

opportunities.

during the President’s response to

in South Africa needs to continue.

He also alluded to the success

the SONA debate.

of the Extended Public Works

“Though they consist a third of

Programme (EPWP), which will

the population, though they hold

The environment and climate change

continue to expand in the com-

in their hands the future of our

Climate change has far-reaching

ing years.

nation, the voice of our children is

impacts on all sectors of society,

seldom heard. They cannot vote,

including agriculture and the

“Public employment pro-

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

CONVERSATIONS WITH LEADERS

economy as a whole. United Na-

getting renewable energy at

directorate. This will focus on

tion’s Secretary General António

some of the lowest tariffs in the

specific areas that need proper

Guterres has described climate

world. Under renewable energy,

investigation that will lead to

change as the biggest and most

112 projects have been procured

prosecution without fail.”

damaging threat facing the

and it is envisaged that these

world. President Ramaphosa said

projects will create 114 000 jobs

misappropriation of state funds,

that the impacts are especially

over the construction and 20-year

the President said that budgets

harsh on poor people.

operations period,” said President

needed to be realigned towards

Ramaphosa

key programmes.

“The poor are most affected by climate change ravages; by the

In March, government is also

Responding to concerns about

“We need to direct our re-

impact this has on food prices

expected to launch the landmark

sources to those programmes

and availability of water. Unless

Good Green Deeds campaign,

that have the greatest impact

we tackle climate change, we will

which aims to encourage the

on poverty alleviation, job crea-

not be able to meet our develop-

public to protect the environment

tion and economic growth. We

mental objectives.”

by reducing littering and illegal

are determined and committed

dumping.

to getting value for our money

South Africa is a signatory to

through better systems, improved

the Paris Agreement to combat is currently finalising a national

Corruption and public spending

climate change bill to contribute

The President clarified the forma-

to a reduction in global warming.

tion of an anti-corruption unit

the Public Audit Amendment Act

within the National Prosecuting

empowers the Auditor General to

Authority (NPA).

act more directly against those

climate change, and government

“We encourage investment in cleaner energy through the Renewable Energy Independ-

“We are setting up, as allowed

ent Power Producer Procurement

by the NPA Act, a special inves-

Programme. South Africa is now

tigating unit in the prosecuting

productivity and consequences for non-performance.” President Ramaphosa said that

who squander and misappropriate public funds. “We will have already started

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

work to ensure that the out-

of much controversy since SONA.

lines of the AU Assembly in Addis

comes of investigations by the

President Ramaphosa said that

Ababa, the President touched

special investigating units are

this was not a sign of privatisa-

on the major issues facing the

more rigorously and speed-

tion, but rather of government’s

continent.

ily acted upon,” the President

need to intervene in the func-

added.

tions of Eskom. “There are sound, valid and

Apart from speaking about the support South Africa is giving to embattled countries such as the

Revitalising Eskom

compelling reasons to effect this

Democratic Republic of Congo

The President said that recent

change we are talking about. It

and Zimbabwe, the President

loadshedding due to the break-

is to look at the business model

spoke about the importance of

down of Eskom’s generating

of Eskom and see what will work

trade relations.

units underlined the severity of

best. It is not a path to privatisa-

the problems at the state-owned

tion. Ultimately this promise is

developed than others so

enterprise.

intended to ensure security of

therefore we play a role of being

electricity supply for the country

supportive and of assistance

the problems at Eskom, there just

which is critical to building on

to other countries. But at the

is no one silver bullet,” he said,

the positive investor confidence

same time we also have to look

explaining that the turnaround

and the investment we need to

at our own national interests.

would need a combination of

create jobs,” he said.

The continental free trade area

“There’s no single solution to

restructuring, refinancing, tariff increases and better plant maintenance.

“Our economy is much more

agreement enables us to level

Creating a prosperous Africa

the playing field to make sure that all countries get an oppor-

President Ramaphosa has re-

tunity to trade their goods and

Eskom into three separate units –

cently been announced as the

services on an equal basis.”

generation, transmission and dis-

African Union (AU) Chairperson

tribution – has been the source

for 2020. Speaking at the side-

The planned restructuring of

He added that the efforts underway to fight corruption and to deal with business barriers such as restrictive visa and permit requirements, were encouraging for investment in South Africa. “I know of no country that has instituted the type of cognition process that we have where we have opened ourselves up to things that happened in the past and are dealing with it. Fortunately, many investors know that we are addressing them; they are not running away from us or turning their backs on us,” he said.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

OUR PERFORMANCE ON BROAD-BASED EMPOWERMENT IN 2018 REFLECTS HOW WE DO BUSINESS

OCEANA AT THE FOREFRONT OF EFFECTIVE TRANSFORMATION B-BBEE STATUS

The Oceana Group’s history started on the West Coast when level 1inB-BBEE status Lamberts Bay Canning Ltd. wasObtained established 1918. From with improvement in overall score to 106 this humble beginning, Oceana has grown into South Africa’s largest ﬁshing company and is amongst the most empowered companies listed on the stock exchange.

2017: 96.77 2016: 100.39 2015: 97.81

The dawn of South Africa’s democracy brought with it necessary In 2006, the company established the Oceana Empowerment OWNERSHIP ENTERPRISE AND major disruptions to the commercial fishing sector. At the time, only Trust (OET) with the objective to unlock and convert the value SUPPLIER Oceana is a black-owned and fishing rights into shared, broad-based 1% of fishing rights was held by black South Africans,• and today, the of harvesting value forDEVELOPMENT black-controlled company commercial fishing industry is one of the most transformed sectors eligible employees, namely black South African citizens who • R3.6 billion recognised spend with • The three main shareholders are: B-BBEE suppliers (2017: R1.3 billion) in our economy. are permanently employed or employed as permanent seasonal Tiger Brands Limited, Brimstone • R2.8 billion recognised spend workers within Investment Corporation and the Oceana. The OET has 10% shareholding in Oceana with black owned suppliers “Our company can count many great achievements inOceana our Empowerment with aTrust market value estimated at just over R1 billion. To put that (2017: R554 million) (66% combined black hundred-year history,” says Oceana CEO, Imraan Soomra. “Being scale in perspective, the OET is the largest 100% black-owned • R448 million recognised spend shareholding) with black woman-owned suppliers regarded as one of the global leaders in the fishing industry is a fishing entity in South Africa in terms of ownership. (2017: R315 million) point of pride, but a key milestone was becoming a majority blackowned and black-controlled company in 2011.”

Since inception the OET has transformed the lives of its beneficiaries who have now become financially empowered as “At Oceana we believe that any large company that is afforded authentic stakeholders in South Africa’s formal economy. As of the right to fish must prove their commitment to turn fishing rights 30 September 2018, 2,460 beneficiaries haveSOCIO received R415.2 MANAGEMENT ECONOMIC into social and economic benefits in a sustainable and inclusive million through the Trust. These pay-outs enable broad-based CONTROL DEVELOPMENT manner,” remarks Soomra. “We have put extensive focus on empowerment to be delivered to our employees and to the • R4.6 million invested in CSI in 2018 • 66.7% black representation in ensuring that we improve our B-BBEE rating. We attained a level communities in which we operate. mainly in food security and education board and executive management 1 rating in terms of the Revised Codes of Good Practice and projects (1.1% of NPAT) • 22% women representation in achieved a recognition rating of 135% for procurement. This is executive “A management responsible and transformed commercial fi•shing is R32.2industry million invested in CSI in SA since board and the Africa, launch of the Oceana Foundation • 40.1% female representation in testament to the successful implementation of our transformation key to unlocking economic development in South because in 2012 mainly in food security and our South African workforce strategy throughout the group’s management structures and daily fishing value chains offer opportunities for inclusive growth and education projects in the coastal • 36.7% black female representation business activities. employment in rural shing communities in our South African workforce at variable skills levels and can befiaccessible coastal communities,” says Soomra. However, effective transformation is more than ticking boxes on the B-BBEE scorecard; it must be born from a real commitment “Society is experiencing fundamental challenges to the status to implementing the South African Government’s policies and quo, and socio-economic dynamics are changing at a rapid pace in OCEANA SKILLS objectives on transformation and empowerment. Oceana continues South Africa. Society’s needs and expectations are growing more EMPOWERMENT to strive to set the industry benchmark in promotingDEVELOPMENT broad based vocal, more complex and more urgent. As South Africa’s largest TRUST transformation to ensure that our shareholders, our employees, the fishing company we have the responsibility to empower our • R19.1 million spent on skills communities in which we operate, our customers, suppliers, and thefor black country. We realise that the only way to build•our competitiveness development 2469 black beneficiaries hold employees 13.2 million shares in Oceana Group, government all benefit from the value we create through making and resilience is through growing our social dividend and • 146 unemployed learners the best possible use of our fishing rights. effectively transforming the commercial fishingtranslating industry.”to 10% shareholding with a participated in learnerships, market value of R1.1 billion (30 Sept 2018) apprenticeships and internships • R415.2 million distributed to across the group beneficiaries through the Trust

100 YEARS 1918 - 2018

D-BASED CTS

96.77 100.39 97.81

AND VELOPMENT

d spend with 7: R1.3 billion) d spend pliers

ed spend ned suppliers

OMIC NT

n CSI in 2018 and education T) in CSI in SA since ana Foundation security and he coastal

ENT

es hold Oceana Group, reholding with a billion (30 Sept 2018) uted to he Trust

HOW WE DO BUSINESS OUR PERFORMANCE ON BROAD-BASED EMPOWERMENT IN 2018 REFLECTS HOWOUR WE PERFORMANCE DO BUSINESS ON BROAD-BASED

OUR PERFORMANCE ON BROAD-BASED EMPOWERMENT IN 2018 REFLECTS EMPOWERMENT IN 2018 REFLECTS OUR HOW PERFORMANCE ON BROAD-BASED WEBUSINESS DO BUSINESS HOW WE DO EMPOWERMENT IN 2018 REFLECTS

B-BBEE HOW WESTATUS DO BUSINESS

2017: 96.77 2016: 100.39 2015: 97.81 2017: 96.77 Obtained level 1 B-BBEE status B-BBEE STATUS 2016: 100.39 B-BBEE STATUS with improvement in overall score to 106 97.81 2017: 96.77 2017:2015: 96.77 Obtained level 1 B-BBEE status with improvement in overall score to 106

B-BBEE STATUS

1 B-BBEE ObtainedObtained level 1 level B-BBEE status status2016: 100.39 2016: 100.39 with improvement in overall score to 106 2015: 97.81 with improvement in overall score to 106 2015: 97.81

B-BBEE STATUS

2017: 96.77 Obtained level 1 B-BBEE status 2016: 100.39 106 OWNERSHIPwith improvement in overall score toENTERPRISE 2015: AND 97.81 • Oceana is a black-owned and black-controlled company • The three main shareholders are: Tiger Brands Limited, Brimstone • OWNERSHIP Oceana is OWNERSHIP a black-owned and Investment Corporation and the black-controlled company • Oceana is a black-owned and Oceana Empowerment Trust Oceana a black-owned and are: • •The threeis main shareholders black-controlled company (66% combined black black-controlled company Tiger Brands Limited, Brimstone • The three main shareholders are: •shareholding) The three main shareholders Investment Corporation andare: the Brimstone Tiger Brands Limited, Tiger Brands Limited, Brimstone Oceana Empowerment Trust Investment Corporation and the Investment Corporation and the (66% combined black Oceana Empowerment Trust Oceana is Empowerment Trustand • Oceana a black-owned (66% combined black shareholding) (66% combined black black-controlled company shareholding) shareholding) • The three main shareholders are: Tiger Brands Limited, Brimstone Investment Corporation and the Oceana Empowerment Trust (66% combined black shareholding) • 66.7% black representation in MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT board and executive management CONTROL • CONTROL 22% women representation in board and•executive management 66.7% black representation in • •66.7% black representation 66.7% black representation inin • 40.1% female representation board andmanagement executiveinmanagement board and executive board and executive management our South •African workforce 22% women representation in • •22% women representation 22% women representation inin • 36.7% blackboard female representation and executive management board management board and and executive executive management in our South African workforce • 40.1% female representation in 40.1% female representation inin • •40.1% female representation our South African workforce our South African workforce our South African workforce • 36.7% black female representation 36.7% black black female representation • •36.7% female representation inrepresentation our South African • 66.7% black in workforce in our South in our South African Africanworkforce workforce board and executive management • 22% women representation in board and executive management • 40.1% female representation in our South SKILLS African workforce SKILLS 36.7% million spent black female on representation • R19.1 skills DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT in our South African workforce development for black employees• R19.1 million spent on skills • R19.1 million spent on skills development • 146 unemployed learnersfor black development for black • R19.1 million spent on skills employees participated in learnerships, employees for black development • 146 unemployed learners internships •apprenticeships 146 unemployedand learners employees participated in learnerships, across the group participated in learnerships, • 146 unemployed learners and internships apprenticeships apprenticeships and internships participatedacross in learnerships, the group across the group apprenticeships and internships across the group • R19.1 million spent on skills development for black employees • 146 unemployed learners participated in learnerships, apprenticeships and internships across the group

OWNERSHIP

MANAGEMENT CONTROL MANAGEMENT CONTROL MANAGEMENT CONTROL

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT •ENTERPRISE R3.6 billion recognised spend with AND B-BBEE suppliers (2017: R1.3 billion) SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT AND • R2.8ENTERPRISE billion recognised spend ENTERPRISE AND

with black owned suppliers DEVELOPMENT • R3.6SUPPLIER billion recognised spend with SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT (2017: R554 million) B-BBEE suppliers (2017: R1.3spend billion) • million recognised R3.6 billion recognised • R448 spend with • R3.6 billion recognised spend with • R2.8 billion recognised spend B-BBEE suppliers (2017: R1.3 billion) with black woman-owned suppliers B-BBEE suppliers (2017: R1.3 billion) with suppliers •black R2.8 owned spend • R2.8 (2017: billion recognised spend R315billion recognised million) (2017:with R554 million) black owned suppliers with black owned suppliers (2017: R554 million) spend • R448 million recognised (2017: R554 million) •black R448woman-owned million recognised spend with suppliers • R448 million recognised spend spend • R3.6 billion recognised with with black woman-owned suppliers (2017: R315 million) with black woman-owned suppliers B-BBEE suppliers (2017: R1.3 billion) (2017: R315 million) (2017: R315billion recognised million) • R2.8 spend

ENTERPRISE AND SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT

SOCIO ECONOMIC with black owned suppliers (2017: R554 million) DEVELOPMENT • R448 million recognised spend •SOCIO R4.6 million invested in CSI in 2018 with SOCIO black woman-owned suppliers ECONOMIC ECONOMIC SOCIO mainly in food security and education (2017:ECONOMIC R315 million) DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT projects (1.1% of NPAT) DEVELOPMENT

• R32.2 million invested in CSI in SA since

•million invested R4.6 million invested in in CSI2018 in 2018 • R4.6 CSI • R4.6 million invested in CSI inin2018 the launch ofinthe Oceana Foundation mainly food security education insecurity food security and and education mainlymainly in food and education in 2012 mainly (1.1% in food security and projects of NPAT) projects of NPAT) projects (1.1% (1.1% of NPAT) education projects in the coastal • R32.2 million invested in CSI in SA since • R32.2 million invested CSI in SA since • R32.2 million invested in CSI ininSA since fishingthe communities launch of the Oceana Foundation the launch of the of Oceana Foundation the launch the Oceana Foundation in 2012 mainly in food security and in 2012 in foodinsecurity and in mainly 2012 mainly food security and education projects in the coastal education projects in the coastal education projects in the coastal fishing communities • R4.6 million invested in CSI in 2018 fishing communities fishing communities

SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

mainly in food security and education

projects (1.1% of NPAT) OCEANA • R32.2 million invested in CSI in SA since EMPOWERMENT the launch of the Oceana Foundation OCEANA in 2012 mainly in food security and OCEANA TRUST OCEANA EMPOWERMENT education projects in the coastal EMPOWERMENT fi shing communities •EMPOWERMENT 2469 black beneficiaries hold TRUST TRUST 13.2 million shares in Oceana Group, TRUST • 2469 black benefi ciaries hold with a translating 10% shareholding • 2469 black benefito ciaries hold

million shares in Oceana Group, market13.2 value ofOceana R1.1 billion (30 Sept 2018) 13.2 in Group, • million shares 2469 black benefi hold translating tociaries 10% shareholding with a • R415.2 million distributed to a translating to 10% shareholding with 13.2 million shares Oceana Group, market value ofinR1.1 billion (30 Sept 2018) benefi theSept Trust market valueciaries of R1.1through billion (30 2018) translating to million distributed 10% shareholding • R415.2 towith a • R415.2 million distributed to marketbenefi valueciaries of R1.1 billion Sept 2018) through the(30 Trust beneficiaries through the Trust

OCEANA EMPOWERMENT • R415.2 million distributed to TRUST beneﬁciaries through the Trust

• 2469 black beneﬁciaries hold 13.2 million shares in Oceana Group, translating to 10% shareholding with a market value of R1.1 billion (30 Sept 2018) • R415.2 million distributed to beneﬁciaries through the Trust

FEATURE

Writer: Allison Cooper

Budgeting for SA’s new trajectory Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has assured South Africans that the country is on a bold new path.

inister Mboweni’s maid-

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s strate-

en Budget Speech pro-

gic priorities for the country.

vided South Africans

The Minister said that the

In October 2018, during the 2018 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, Minister Mboweni

with detailed information on just

Budget is built on six fundamen-

outlined the main budget fiscal

how government plans to support

tal prescripts, namely achiev-

outlook.

ing a higher rate of economic

“I projected that in 2018/19,

growth; increasing tax collection;

tax revenue would be R1.3 trillion

reasonable, affordable expendi-

and that spending would be

ture; stabilising and reducing

about R1.5 trillion. This left us with

debt; reconfiguring state-owned

a budget deficit of R215 billion,

enterprises (SOEs); and manag-

or 4.3 percent of gross domestic

ing the public sector wage bill.

product (GDP). I said we were at a crossroads and could go to heaven or the other way. Then, we expected economic growth of 0.7 percent in 2018. “This is still our estimate. But, many of the risks that we warned about have materialised and we now expect a slower, but still steady, recovery after the 2018 technical recession. It is expected that real GDP growth in 2019 will rise to

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni delivers t he Budget Speec h.

1.5 percent and strengthen moderately to 2.1 percent in 2021,” he said.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

Eskom to pay its own debt President Ramaphosa’s plan to

he has built at the Department of Public Enterprises will continue to exercise close and

port just to continue operating. “Isn’t it about time the country asks the question: Do we still

stabilise electricity is the subdivi-

ongoing monitoring of Eskom,”

need these enterprises? If we do,

sion of Eskom into three inde-

the Minister said.

can we manage them better?

pendent components which, the

If we don’t need them, what

Minister said, will allow for

should we do? I said in

more competition, trans-

October that we would

parency and a focused

have no holy cows

funding model.

when it comes to our

He was adamant that

approach to SOEs,” the

national government will not take on Eskom’s debt. “Pouring money directly into Eskom in its current form is like pouring water into a sieve. I want to make this clear. Eskom took on the debt and it must ultimately repay it,” he said. Government is setting aside R23 billion a year to financially support

Minister said.

ECONOMIC GROWTH TAX EXPENDITURE DEBT SOEs WAGE BILL

He confirmed that government is reviewing its framework for SOE support. During the past financial year total guarantee utilisation to SOEs increased by R51.1 billion. Eskom used an additional R50 billion of its R350 billion guarantee in 2018/19; Denel was granted a further

Eskom during its recon-

R1 billion guarantee; and

figuration. “Fiscal support

SAA guaranteed debt

is conditional on an in-

increased by R6.2 billion.

dependent chief reorganisation

SOEs pose risks

officer being jointly appointed by

Minister Mboweni said that SOEs

guarantee rules need to be tight-

the Ministers of Finance and Pub-

pose very serious risks to the

ened and confirmed that Cabi-

lic Enterprises, with the explicit

fiscal framework and that fund-

net is considering a proposal to

mandate of delivering on the

ing requests from South African

end the issuing of guarantees for

Presidential Task Team’s recom-

Airways (SAA), South African

operational purposes.

mendations.

Broadcasting Corporation, Denel,

Minister Mboweni stressed that

Eskom and other financially chal-

SARS on the mend

in the coming weeks. Minister

lenged SOEs have increased,

Tax revenue was revised down by

Gordhan and the strong team

with several requesting state sup-

R15.4 billion, compared to

“We will make announcements

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

FEATURE

Education

will be a slight upward adjustment of the tax-free threshold for personal income taxes, with no

R30 billion - To build new schools and maintain infrastructure.

change to the personal income tax brackets. “Together, these will raise R12.8 billion.”

Dig deeper Excise duty increases will see consumers digging deeper. The the October estimate. Approximately half of the increase in the

sioner will be appointed in the

excise duty on a can of beer

coming weeks,” said the Minister.

went up to R1.74; a 750ml bottle

shortfall is due to higher than ex-

In addition, the Illicit Economy

pected Value Added Tax refunds.

Unit will fight trade in illicit ciga-

while a 750ml bottle of sparkling

“This lowers revenue collection

rettes and tobacco; the large

wine went up by 84 cents. Whis-

for the year, but puts money

business unit will be introduced;

key drinkers will feel the pinch

back into the economy,” he said.

SARS’ IT team and systems will

with an increase of R4.54, smokers

The South African Revenue Ser-

be strengthened; and informa-

have to fork out an extra R1.14

vice (SARS) is being fixed thanks

tion sharing agreements will be

per pack of 20, and a typical

to recommendations made by

signed to help fight cross-border

cigar will cost 64 cents more.

retired Judge Robert Nugent and

tax evasion schemes.

his panel. “A new SARS commis-

The Minister said that there

of wine saw an increase of R3.15;

Fuel levies will increase by 29 cents per litre for petrol and 30 cents per litre for diesel. Minister Mboweni said that the Road Accident Fund’s levy increase is not enough to match its R215 billion liability. “We urge the Department of Transport to quickly resubmit the Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill for Parliament’s urgent consideration. It will help stabilise fuel prices,” he said.

Redistributive budget The Minister said that taxes raised in wealthier areas fund poorer provinces and municipalities. In this budget, 47.9 percent of nationally raised funds have been allocated to national govern-

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

ment, 43 percent to provinces

interest spending of R5.87 trillion

and 9.1 percent to local govern-

over the next three years, with the

ment. “Pro-poor spending contin-

largest allocations being

port people who want to own

ues to grow in real terms,” he said.

R1.2 trillion for learning and cul-

their own homes and R14.7 billion

One of the key interventions that

eliminate malaria in South Africa. Government continues to sup-

ture; R717 billion for health servic-

has been reprioritised to two new

government is taking to reduce

es, including the National Health

conditional grants for informal

compensation spending is to ad-

Insurance; and nearly R900 billion

settlement upgrading, which will

just the public wage bill, which the

for social development.

provide these households with

Minister said is unsustainable.

Fully subsidised education and

“We must shift expenditure to

basic amenities. “Our Help to Buy

training for the poor is govern-

subsidy helps first-time home buy-

investment. National and provin-

ment’s flagship higher education

ers purchase a home. As a pilot, it

cial compensation budgets will

intervention. It will spend

gets R950 million over three years,”

be reduced by R27 billion over the

R111.2 billion to ensure that 2.8

the Minister said.

next three years.”

million deserving students from

Government has allocated

“The first step is to allow older

poor and working class families

R19.8 billion to industrial business

public servants, who want to do

obtain qualifications at universi-

incentives, which includes R600

so, to retire early and gracefully.

ties and technical vocational

million to the clothing and textile

This will save an estimated

education and training colleges.

competitiveness programme. “This

R4.8 billion in 2019/20, R7.5 bil-

In addition, over R30 billion is to

will support 35 500 existing jobs

lion in 2020/21 and R8 billion in

build new schools and maintain

and create 25 000 new jobs over

2021/22. In time, this will be com-

infrastructure and R2.8 billion is to

the next three years,” the Minis-

plemented by limits on overtime,

replace pit latrines at over 2 400

ter said. The Jobs Fund is a vital

bonus payments and pay progres-

schools.For health, R2.8 billion has

complement to private sector job

sion. The system of staffing our

been reprioritised to a new hu-

creation. “It has disbursed R4.6 bil-

diplomatic missions is unjustified

man resources grant and

lion in grant funding and created

and should be reviewed urgently,”

R1 billion for medical interns. In

over 200 000 jobs since inception.

he added.

addition, R1 billion will be used to

The allocation will rise over the

raise community healthcare work-

next three years to R1.1 billion.

ers’ wages to R3 500 per month

In addition, R481.6 million was

and R319 million will be used to

allocated to the Small Enterprise

Spending priorities The budget proposes total non-

Development Agency to expand

Health

the small business incubation programme,” he added. When it comes to land reform,

R717 billion – For health services, including the National Health Insurance.

government has allocated R1.8 billion to the implementation of 262 priority land-reform projects and has set aside R3.7 billion to assist emerging farmers to acquire land to farm.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

FEATURE

SA’s budget in numbers

inance Minister Tito Mboweni’s

tion of 262 priority land-reform

whiskey went up by R4.54.

first Budget Speech in Parlia-

projects.

R16.66 – Excise duty on a pack of

R3.7 billion – To assist emerging

20 cigarettes went up by R1.14.

ment summed up how gov-

ernment plans to put South Africa

farmers seeking to acquire land

on a bold new path.

to farm.

Fuel levies

Below are some interesting

R30 billion – To build new schools

29 cents – Increase, per litre, of

figures that emerged during the

and maintain infrastructure.

petrol.

speech.

R2.8 billion – To replace pit toilets.

30 cents – Increase, per litre, of

R111.2 billion – For students to

diesel.

Social grant increases

obtain qualifications.

R80 – Increase for old age, dis-

R567 billion – For social grant pay-

Division of revenue

ability, war veterans and care

ments.

47.9 percent – Nationally raised

dependency grants. R40 – Increase for the foster care

funds allocated to national gov-

Tax revenue

ernment.

R1.3 trillion – Projected tax revenue

43 percent – Nationally raised

in 2018/19.

funds allocated to provinces.

Programme of action

R1.5 trillion – Projected spending

9.1 percent – Nationally-raised

R5.87 trillion – Proposed for total

in 2018/19.

funds allocated to local govern-

non-interest spending over the

R215 billion – Budget deficit in

ment.

next three years.

2018/19.

grant.

R1.2 trillion – For learning and

State-owned enterprises

R717 billion – For health services,

Excise duties on alcohol and tobacco

including the National Health

An excise duty is tax levied on

set aside, per year, to financially

Insurance.

goods during the manufacturing

support Eskom during its recon-

R900 billion – For social develop-

stage, rather than at sale.

figuration.

ment.

R1.74 – Excise duty on a can of

R50 billion – The additional

R19.8 billion – For industrial busi-

beer went up by 12 cents.

amount used by Eskom of its

ness incentives.

R3.15 – Excise duty on a 750ml

R350 billion guarantee in 2018/19.

R481.6 million – For the Small

bottle of wine went up by 22 cents.

R1 billion – A further guarantee

Enterprise Development Agency

R10.16 – Excise duty on a 750ml

granted to Denel.

to expand the small business

bottle of sparkling wine went up

R6.2 billion – The amount by which

incubation programme.

by 84 cents.

South African Airways’ guaranteed

R1.8 billion – For the implementa-

R65.84 – Excise duty on a bottle of

debt increased.

culture.

R23 billion – The amount being

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

EASTERN CAPE ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT BY FIONA WAKELIN

Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle delivers the 2018 State of the Province Address.

PROVINCIAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT The mission of the Eastern Cape Office of the Premier is to ensure responsive, integrated and sustainable service delivery through strategic leadership, critical interventions and coordinated effective provincial government.

STRATEGY Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle has identified the youth as a key focus area for his administration – this was evident in the province’s 2018/2019 budget speech that saw skills development as a catalyst for entry into the labour market.

ADVERTORIAL

Budgetary allocations, which had youth at their

presentation”, said SAYC Eastern Cape Provincial

epicentre, included:

Chairperson, Vuyiseka Mboxela.

JOB CREATION

Commenting on the allocation of R1.4 billion in

R1.4 billion was allocated for the absorption of 20 000

2018/2019 for the absorption of more than 20 000

graduates in internship and learnership programmes,

graduates to an internship programme that prepares

with R4 billion earmarked over the Medium Term

them for the work place, Mboxela said:

Expenditure Framework (MTEF) – creating a new layer of skilled civil servants.

MANUFACTURING SKILLS R7 million was allocated to the Office of the Premier (OTP) to continue with the skills programme in

“We believe that it will go a long way in exposing our youth to the work environment. We also welcome the R7 million allocation to the Office of the Premier for the purposes of continuing with the skills development programme in partnership with Volkswagen South Africa.

partnership with Volkswagen South Africa. The training

“As SAYC we also welcome the R43.7 million allocations

imparts critical skills to the youth, who will be absorbed

to the Office of the Premier to continue with youth

into the manufacturing sector.

development projects such as Youth in Agriculture,

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Maritime, Youth Service and Training.

The infrastructure development programme is the result

“Lastly, we are joyful that a R942.8 million was allocated

of a partnership between the Office of the Premier, the

to the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture.”

Department of Defence, the Department of Higher Education and Training, Eastern Cape Department of

COMMITMENT TO THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Education and Eastern Cape Department of Health.

PROGRAMME

In this programme, young people with high school

There are currently eight departments in Eastern Cape

qualifications and National Vocational Certificates

– Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs,

holders will be trained as maintenance officers and

Department of Health, Department of Roads and Public

equipped with technical skills that can be used to fix

Works, Department of Social Development, Department

infrastructure at government departments, schools and

of Transport, Department of Rural Development and

hospitals. More than 400 young people will benefit from

Land Reform, Department of Rural Development

this initiative in 2018/19.

and Agrarian Reform and the Office of the Premier –

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS R43.7 million was allocated to the Office of the Premier to continue with youth development projects such as Youth

which have put in place institutional arrangements for implementation of the provincial Youth Development Programme. These include:

in Agriculture, Maritime, Youth Service and training.

• Nation Building Programmes (empowerment and

SPORTS, RECREATION, ARTS AND CULTURE (DSRAC)

• Skills Development Programmes (work readiness

awareness programmes) R942.8 million allocated to DSRAC. The South African Youth Council (SAYC) in Eastern Cape welcomed the budget speech: “We are particularly happy and excited by the fact that the budget speech showed collaboration

programmes • Cooperative Development Programmes (Youth in agriculture, sewing, arts and crafts) • SMME development (manufacturing, agriculture, incubation) • Youth dialogues and awareness (drug-free schools,

between what was pronounced by the Premier on

crime prevention, road safety and health and

critical aspects of youth development and the budget

education) .

OVERVIEW OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES PROVINCIAL MARITIME YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Supported by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) this programme was launched by Premier Masualle in 2017. The Maritime Youth Development Programme gives

Maritime Youth Development Programme results:

opportunities to the youth to participate in the oceans

First cohort

economy and targeted 150 unemployed young people

150 candidates completed the training and 97

who had passed Grade 12, offering them training in

candidates were placed on an MSC cruise liner.

basic competence as seamen and seawomen. Second cohort Out of the 130 youth from Port St. John’s, Ingquza Hill,

200 candidates drawn from all districts/metro

Nyandeni, Mbizana and Buffalo City, 50 successful

municipalities are currently undergoing training.

candidates were issued with seaman/woman books/ SCTW certificates and provided with opportunities for employment in the maritime industry starting with placement on international cruise liners.

The programme is set to continue until 2020.

YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAMME Thirty-three cooperatives have been empowered

“Our plans, our dreams, and our wishes hinge on our

and supported and 120 permanent jobs created

economy performing optimally. It is for this reason

through Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Youth in

that we are prioritising the transformation of the

Agriculture Programme.

economy to create jobs and sustainable livelihoods,” said Premier Masualle. Sobantu Tilayi, Chief Operating Officer of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) welcomed the support from the Office of the Premier for the MYDP programme which he said was important for growing the maritime sector in skills development and training.

The goal is to increase these numbers and link with agricultural institutions.

YOUTH IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME In line with the provincial Youth Development Strategy, The Youth in Infrastructure Development Programme aims to reach about 5 000 youth over a period of five years for maintenance officer training and placement

“South Africa has a youth unemployment rate

in schools and clinics, as well as hospitals. Its launch

that is reaching critical levels. Although there are

coincided with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Youth

various institutions and initiatives that exist in both

Employment Services (YES) initiative, which aims to

the private and public sector, there is a high level

create employment for youth in partnership with the

of unemployment among youth in the country,

private sector.

particularly in informal settlements or peri-urban areas. “The objective of the MYDP is therefore to attract youth to the maritime sector while making an immediate positive impact on their lives and their communities in a substantive way. This programme is about making real change to youth and their communities,” Tilayi added.

July 2018 saw Premier Masualle lead the inaugural passout of newly trained youth from Programme Makanda. Three hundred and ninety–five trainees were certified as facilities maintenance officers prior to receiving letters of placement at schools across Eastern Cape. The second cohort starts training in 2019.

ADVERTORIAL

Provincial Youth-in-Infrastructure Development Programme at the SA Army Base in Makanda (Grahamstown).

UPCOMING FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES YOUTH ENTERPRISE PROGRAMME ROLL OUT WITH COCA COLA This is a youth empowerment initiative targeting young entrepreneurs. The beneficiaries will be provided with

Environmental Affairs aimed at advancing training and placement of the youth in environmental programmes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including the Environmental Ambassadors Programme.

CONCLUSION

spaza shops in a container. Successful candidates will

Although there is still a long way to go, it is encouraging

also receive an NQF Level 2 qualification in business

to note that the province, in terms of the Labour Force

management.

Survey, in the Q1 2018, recorded a decline of 3.4 percent

The programme aims to benefit 30 entrepreneurs to the value of R250 000 each â&#x20AC;&#x201C; repayable over a stipulated term.

in the unemployment rate; this is an indicator that, with concerted effort, through various programmes and initiatives such as the flagship programmes, it is all

YOUTH IN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

systems go for youth employment in the province to

The programme is a collaborative initiative by the

gradually improve.

Office of the Premier and the National Department of

CONTACT DETAILS: Physical Address: Office of the Premier Building, Independence Avenue, Bisho Postal Address: Private Bag X0047, Bisho, 56075 Tel: 040 609 6644 | Fax: 086 681 9493 | Web: www.ecprov.gov.za

Writer: More Matshediso Photographer: Siyabulela Duda

PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP

SAHRC:

Custodian of human rights in SA

dvocate Tseliso Thipanyane

Speaking to PSM about his role as

experienced apartheid first

the CEO of the commission, Thip-

hand, so he is all too famil-

anyane said he appreciates being

iar with what it feels like to have one’s

able to assist people whose lives

rights trampled on.

have been violated.

He now finds himself in a position

“As a man who grew up and lived

through which he can contribute

through the apartheid era and

to restoring the dignity of previously

suffered the indignity of that era

oppressed South Africans, some-

and having seen the poverty that

thing he describes as a thrill and

people were subjected to and the

joy.

poor education system, I find my job

Thipanyane is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the South African

at the commission to be fulfilling,” he said.

Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The SAHRC is the national institu-

Human rights watchdog

tion established to support constitu-

In its role as human rights watch-

tional democracy. It is committed to

dog, the commission requires

promoting respect for, observance

relevant organs of state to provide

and protection of human rights for

it with information on the measures

everyone without fear or favour.

that they have taken towards the

It has three mandates: promoting

realisation of the rights in the Bill of

human rights, monitoring and as-

Rights concerning housing, health-

sessing the observance of human

care, food, water, social security,

rights in South Africa, and address-

education and the environment.

ing human rights violations. The commission has the power

“Basically, we are the watchdog of how our country meets its human

to take steps to secure appropriate

rights obligations in terms of the

redress where human rights have

Constitution, Bill of Rights and inter-

been violated and to carry out

national instruments. At the same

research and education.

time, we advise government on

CEO of t he Sout h African Human Rights Commission Advocate Tseliso Thipanyane.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

how best to meet its own human

commission cannot be sued un-

rights obligations at national,

less it has acted in bad faith or

out that this does not mean that

regional and international level,”

with maliciousness.

South Africa should ignore the

he explained.

Thipanyane was quick to point

“We have a little bit of immunity

challenges it faces, including

so that we can do our work more

high levels of corruption, vio-

mandate, we are also allowed to

effectively and courageously in

lence, poverty, unemployment, in-

receive complaints from any-

order to contribute to addressing

equality, racism, gender discrimi-

body within and outside govern-

the tremendous challenges fac-

nation, tribalism and intolerance

ment on human rights violations,

ing our country,” he said.

of people who are different.

“In terms of our constitutional

whether in the instance of gov-

As the accounting officer of the

“We must not relax because

ernment or the private sector,”

commission, part of his respon-

these are serious challenges

Thipanyane added.

sibilities is to help the leadership

which, if not attended to, could

of the commission (the commis-

send us back to where we were

sioners) execute its mandate.

before 1994,” he said.

The SAHRC is one of the few institutions in the country whose mandate cuts across private and public sector.

It is also his responsibility to

Thipanyane is proud to be a

develop strategies and to submit

member of the SAHRC, which

budgets and annual reports.

has become a household name.

in terms of how they conduct

Currently, the commission has

“With the good job that we are

themselves with regard to the Bill

a budget of R189 million and a

doing, there is increasing expec-

of Rights and we can investigate,

staff complement of around 175

tations and high expectations

make findings which we now re-

employees.

also lead to high disappoint-

“We keep an eye on everybody

gard as binding, and take those matters to court.

ments,” he noted.

Reason to be proud

However, he said, when one

“We have a tremendous

Looking back at how the country

considers that fewer than 180

amount of power, including

has fared since 1994, Thipanyane

employees have to serve a

search and seizure without a

said South Africa can give itself a

population of about 57 million,

search warrant, and we can

pat on the back.

it becomes clear how well the

compel people to testify during

“If you had to assess our coun-

SAHRC is faring.

our investigations,” he pointed

try, in view of where we come

out.

from, alongside where many

sion in 1996 as head of research

other African countries were at

for about eight years. He was

fere with the work of the com-

their 25th anniversary post-inde-

mainly responsible for the moni-

mission but more importantly,

pendence, we have done well.

toring of economic and social

Section 181 of the Constitution

“Although sometimes we are

It is a criminal offence to inter-

Thipanyane joined the commis-

rights and access to information

has placed the obligation on all

very hard on ourselves as a

organs of state to assist and sup-

country, if we were to compare

port the commission and uphold

apples with apples we would

but left the commission in 2009

its dignity.

realise the progress that we have

to spend five years in New York.

made,” he said.

While in New York, he was a

According to Thipanyane, the

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

rights. In 2005, he became the CEO

PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP

lecturer at the Columbia Univer-

yane said it is the duty of every

history and future as South Af-

sity Law School and the Ramapo

citizen to uphold the legacy of

rica,” he said, emphasising that

College of New Jersey. His

human rights, for which many

human rights matter, and that

courses dealt with human rights

people suffered and died during

ubuntu matters and is important.

and African politics.

the Sharpville massacre on 21

“Without human rights there is

March, 1960, when residents of

no South Africa,” he said.

He came back to South Africa in 2015 and worked as the

Sharpeville, Langa and other

director of the Safer South Africa

communities across the country

facing the country, Thipanyane

Foundation, a non-governmen-

embarked on protest against

said South Africa is in a different

tal organisation that focuses on

pass laws.

place than in 1994.

crime prevention “I returned to the SAHRC as

The apartheid police shot and

Despite the current challenges

He maintains that there is still

killed 69 of the protesters at

lots of hope and belief that

CEO in 2009,” he said, explaining

Sharpeville, many of whom were

South Africa can be better and

that being back at the same

shot while fleeing. Many other

its people are committed to a

desk was a ‘weird’ experience.

people were killed in other parts

better future.

He has a number of qualifications, including a BSc in Biology

of the country.

“That is why they end up pro-

The tragedy came to be known

testing when they are not satis-

and Chemistry, LLB and LLM in

as the Sharpeville Massacre and

fied with the decisions taken by

Constitutional Litigation and an

it exposed the apartheid govern-

government or there is a lack of

LLM in Corporate Law.

ment’s deliberate violation of

service delivery in their commu-

human rights to the world.

nities,” he said.

Adding on the important job that the commission is doing,

After 1994, the democratic

On changing perceptions in

Thipanyane said bodies like the

government declared 21 March

South Africa, he said: “There is a

SAHRC were created to strength-

Human Rights Day to commem-

sense that people like us, South

en the country’s democracy,

orate and honour those who

Africans who were formerly

stabilise it and help to create a

fought for our liberation and the

oppressed, cannot build great

culture of human rights.

rights we enjoy today.

institutions. So we need to show

“Through the work of the

Thipanyane shared his Human

our citizens that we can build

commission, we believe we can

Rights Day message, saying that

institutions that are efficient,

realise the kind of South Africa

South Africa has a rich history

that are not corrupt and that

that we want, where there is

and culture of ubuntu, and that

all of us can be proud of, even

respect for ubuntu, humanity

the notion that “I matter be-

in the public sector. By 2030, we

and dignity.”

cause you matter” is the essence

would like all South Africans to

of human rights.

be proud of the SAHRC,” said

Celebrating Human Rights Month

sometimes forget this important

hope to be remembered as

As the country celebrates hu-

value. “Human Rights Day is a

one of the best CEOs in the

man rights every March, Thipan-

very important reminder of our

country.

He said that it is a pity that we

Thipanyane, adding that it is his

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

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WOMEN IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Writer: Silusapho Nyanda Photographer: Mthunzi Mkhungo

Nosipho Mkhupheka is setting t he bar high for ot her public ser vants.

Nosipho Mkhupheka

– A public servant worthy of emulation

osipho Mkhupheka is a

One of those she helped was

We salute you”.

public servant who has

Facebook user Marius Botha, who

tongues wagging – for all

sang Mkhupheka’s praises on his

post by her sister while she was

social media page. The post read:

at church. Mkhupheka’s children

“I want to thank Mrs Nosipho

also kept calling her to tell her

Home Affairs official has earned

Mkhupheka for her unselfish and

that she was trending. “They kept

the praise of many South Africans,

exceptional service beyond the

on calling to tell me I was trend-

and even that of the Minister, af-

call of duty. This wonderful lady

ing and I was asking my sister

ter news of her work ethic made

works at the Dpt of Home Affairs,

what is trending. It was the first

its way to Facebook.

Scottburgh. Today at 16:00 all her

time I even heard of the phrase

the right reasons. The unassuming Department of

Mkhupheka, who is the Chief

She was alerted to the trending

colleagues left their workstations

‘trending’. I was so confused,” she

Administrations Clerk at the Scott-

and went home. Mrs Mkhupheka

told PSM.

burgh Home Affairs office, stayed

stayed and help(ed) the last 40

behind after normal working

customers all on her own and

hours to assist about 40 people

with a smile on her face!!! You are

Three decades of dedication

who could not be attended to

my hero. South Africa needs more

Mkhupheka, who has been

during office hours.

people like you. Thank you.

with the public service for 30

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

years, started out as typist at the

When we were young, people

who are dedicated to serving our

Umkomaas Magistrate’s Court

dreamt of being teachers, nurses

people with a smile. When I arrived,

in 1989. At the time the Justice

or police officers and I just wanted

the office was full and she was still

Department also housed the

to be a social worker because I

assisting our citizens. The people

Department of Manpower, Interior

would have been able to work with

who were there at the time I arrived

and Welfare and Pensions.

people every day,” she explained.

said they appreciated her work,”

“I began as a typist at the then

he said.

Department of Justice, which

Another normal day

Home Affairs fell under, and

Reflecting on the attention she has

when it became an independ-

received since the Facebook post,

Walking in others’ shoes

ent department I chose to join

Mkhephuka said 8 February was a

Mkhephuka does not view herself

Home Affairs as I am passionate

normal day for her as she always

as an exception to the rule but

about working with people,” she

stays behind, with some members

rather puts herself in the shoes of

recalled.

of her team, to ensure that those

the people she serves. “What I try

who were already in the queue

to do is to think of myself as one of

clerk before being transferred to

when closing hour arrived are

those people. I always tell my team

the Mbumbulu Magistrate’s Court

helped.

that we must help the people as

In 1992 she become a senior

where she was exposed to more

“At half past three we close the

they come to us from far and wide

door and serve those who have

with serious problems. Some of

tickets. At 4pm some of my col-

them are in the line as early as four

became a separate department I

leagues leave for home but myself

o’clock in the morning,” she said.

was asked to join the Prospecton

and two other young colleagues

The first thing she does before

office and I agreed because it

often stay behind and help those

she even opens the office’s doors

brought me closer to my dream

who already have tickets,” she

is to check if all the stationery and

of working with people,” she said.

explained.

computers are okay. She then

Home Affairs-related work. “In 1997 when Home Affairs

The mother of three was made

Mkhephuka caught the at-

Chief Administrations Clerk in 2008

tention of Home Affairs Minister

greet everyone finding out what

while still at the Prospecton office.

Siyabonga Cwele who paid her a

brings people to the office and

“In 2012 I moved to the Scottburgh

special visit at work. Mkhephuka

then directs each of them to the

office and I continued to work

said even though she was excited

right desk.

there in the same way I had all

and shocked by the visit it was

these years,” said Mkhephuka, who

also humbling. “Even though I was

those who need urgent help, those

aspired to be a social worker in her

shocked I was very excited that

who are disabled and the elderly.

younger days.

people recognise my work,” she

That way we can urgently process

said.

their differing needs.”

She said being a social worker would have allowed her to work

During his visit Minister Cwele

opens the doors and proceeds to

“This allows me to easily identify

Mkhephuka said she is inspired

with people. “In 1985, after finishing

commended Mkhephuka for her

by being able to help other

school, I wanted to study to be a

dedication. “Ms Mkhupheka is

people. “We get all sorts of visitors.

social worker but I got married and

one of the best examples of the

Some of them are elderly peo-

had children so that fell through.

thousands of Home Affairs officials

ple, mothers carrying children

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

WOMEN IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

and young people. A lot of these

happy because they are getting

are unable to they make sure

people come from very far so im-

married to those who are travel-

to explain the situation to their

agine telling them that they must

ling overseas. We also get people

clients.

come back another day.”

who are dealing with death and

Once the morning ritual is done she checks if all her colleagues

are already in pain. “I implore my team to be sensi-

The church leader accredits all the recognition she is receiving to God.

are at their desks and if one is not

tive in how they treat people.

she takes over that work station.

You don’t want a person who is

everyone and I thank God for all

“When they go on a lunch break I

already dealing with the death of

the recognition I am getting. My

don’t just lock myself in the office,

a loved one to walk out of there

children were telling me that the

I take over a work station and

feeling even more hurt.”

post had been shared by people

ensure that service delivery is not

Mkhephuka pointed out that it

“As a public servant I serve

from overseas.”

halted,” the Umkomaas resident

was a team effort, saying her work

said.

was made easier by her manager

one to bring fame to my family.

and team, who have the same

My husband and I always expect-

vision. “My manager gives me

ed our son, who is an aspiring hip

Treating people with dignity

“I never thought I would be the

space to supervise and my team

hop artist, to be the one. I am just

The human resources graduate

and I have great rapport, based

glad that people see my efforts

says she is driven to give dignity

on mutual respect. Whenever

as they are not for financial gain

to people when they visit her

something happens we always

but just to help people, which is

office.

work as a team without fear of

my passion,” she said.

“I always implore my staff to give

recrimination.”

Her message to other public

a service that will make people

Mkhephuka said even though

feel that they were treated with

at times they are not able to im-

have just entered the public sec-

dignity. We get people from all

mediately assist people, her office

tor, is for them to be loyal. “If you

walks of life, from those who are

does its best to assist and if they

are entering the public sector

servants, especially those who

you need to be humble and loyal. You need to be able to stick it out when the public sector challenges you. Loyalty is key in the public service.” Mkhephuka hopes that she will leave a legacy of hard work when she retires in about eight years’ time. “Right now I am okay with my job even though one day I hope to also become a manager of an office,” she said.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

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Lwandile LwandileNtwana Ntwana Lwandile Ntwana

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TRAILBLAZER

Writer: More Matshediso Photographer: Siyabulela Duda

Ensuring safety in the nuclear industry N

uclear science and

the country’s only nuclear

technology is an

research reactor, which is

industry with many

by far Africa’s largest pro-

opportunities that have the

ducer of a range of medi-

potential to address South

cal isotopes that are used

Africa’s economic and en-

for diagnostic purposes

ergy problems.

and the therapeutic treat-

This is according to Gaopalelwe Santswere, who

ment of cancer. SAFARI-1, or the South

is a nuclear physicist at

African Fundamental

the South African Nuclear

Atomic Research Installa-

Energy Corporation SOC Ltd (Necsa).

tion 1, is a 20 megawatt tank-in-pool type material

Necsa

testing nuclear research

houses

reactor. In simple terms, research reactors are nuclear reactors that serve primarily as a neutron source. They are also called non-power reactors, in contrast to power reactors that are used for electricity production, heat generation or maritime propulsion. Santswere’s role is to ensure that the

Gaopalelwe Santswere is a nuclear physicist at t he Sout h African Nuclear Energy Corporation .

research reactor operates within the licence conditions as

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

required by the National Nuclear

that any accident will be radia-

He enrolled at the North West

Regulator (NNR).

tion-free,” Santswere explained.

University to study a Bachelor of

All the facilities that are operat-

“Some of the containers are

ing within the nuclear industry in

transported overseas, and we

the country must be licensed by

have to ensure that even if the

the NNR.

container should drop from the

my degree, a nuclear science

Science in Chemistry and Physics. “Just when I was about to finish

sky, it would be intact when it

course was presented to us in

Safety is key

reaches the ground. We do this

class. We then discovered that

Explaining his key responsibilities,

not to only satisfy the regulator

there is an industry that we

Santswere said he analyses the

but to protect the lives of ordi-

had not been exposed to. I was

safety of the research reactor in

nary citizens,” he said.

interested in it and I applied for a

detail by using calculations to

He added that the calcula-

post-graduate degree in nuclear

ensure that the operations of the

tion period ranges from a day,

facility do not result in harmful

week or month to three months,

radiation exposure.

depending on the scope of work

aware that there was a company

at hand.

like Necsa.

After doing his calculations, he has to produce safety reports

science,” he said. At that time, he was not even

Now he is a nuclear physicist

which are continuously submit-

A rewarding role

with more than 10 years’ expe-

ted to the NNR.

Santswere said one of the ele-

rience in the nuclear regula-

ments he loves most about his

tory environment, nuclear safety

ees go for routine medical tests

job is being able to give the

analysis for nuclear installations

to check their radiation levels.

assurance that what he says will

and licensing of nuclear facilities.

work, actually works.

Before joining Necsa, he worked

Santswere said Necsa employ-

Necsa has a team of 14 nuclear physicists who work in the

Guaranteeing safety is the most

for the Department of Energy

licensing and safety analysis sec-

fulfilling part of his job, he said,

tion. All of them double check

given the risks associated with

“I also taught physical science

each other’s work before submit-

nuclear incidents. It is also the

to Grades 10, 11 and 12 prior to

ting the reports to the NNR.

most challenging, he added.

joining Eskom,” he said.

They also do safety analysis for

and Eskom.

“The thought that if we do not

any radioactive material that has

do our jobs properly, it could

to be transported from Necsa.

endanger the lives of innocent

Meaningful contribution

people, is sickening,” he said.

Santswere is currently a PhD can-

“We do these calculations to

Santswere explained that he

didate at the North West Universi-

occur while transporting the

ended up becoming a nuclear

ty and wants to focus on energy

radioactive material, no radiation

physicist by default. He could not

system modelling, which he said

will be released into the environ-

even remember what he wanted

will eventually contribute to the

ment from the container that we

to become when he completed

energy planning mechanisms of

use. Our calculations must show

matric.

the country.

ensure that, should any accident

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

TRAILBLAZER

sional Society (SAYNPS) and the

careers in the nuclear science

strategist and contribute mean-

“I want to be a corporate

public relations subcommittee

industry because it is broad and

ingfully to the economy of my

chairperson for the Nuclear

offers many opportunities.

country by helping to resolve the

Industry Association of South

energy challenges that we are

Africa.

facing,” he said. Santswere is also a professional

In addition, Santswere is the president of the newly estab-

Nuclear science is found in a variety of career fields, such as healthcare, research, energy and nuclear power.

natural scientist registered with

lished body, African Young

the South African Council for

Generation in Nuclear, and is

in this field include nuclear

Natural and Scientific Profes-

chairperson of the South African

engineer, nuclear physicist, and

sions.

Radiation Protection Association.

nuclear medicine technologist.

The most prominent careers

He holds a Master's degree in

He serves as a national repre-

Those who are interested

Applied Radiation Science from

sentative and board director for

in these types of careers will

North West University Mafikeng

the International Youth Nuclear

have to choose mathematics

Campus.

Congress, of which SAYNPS has

and physical science as main

been an affiliate member since

subjects in high school and

2002.

must study nuclear science and

He is currently serving his last few months as the national executive chairperson of the South African Young Nuclear Profes-

Santswere advises young people to consider taking up

technology-related courses at university level, he advised.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

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VITAL STATS FEATURE

SONA in numbers

rapple. Strengthen. Plan. These words best define the essence of President

Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address, which laid out strategies for tackling current challenges, for deepening the gains already made on many fronts and for plotting the nation’s course forward. As the President spoke about the state of the nation, a number of interesting figures emerged.

Investment and job creation 10 – The number of industrial parks in rural or township areas that have been revitalised, with another six to follow.

of the African Continental Free

10 – The number of enterprise sup-

R1.2 trillion – Government’s five-

Trade Area.

plier development incubators.

year investment target.

275 000 – The number of addi-

14 – The number of rapid youth

R300 billion – The sum of invest-

tional direct jobs government’s

incubators.

ment pledges made at the

Presidential Jobs Summit social

inaugural South Africa Investment

partners aim to create every year.

Conference.

250 000 – The number of small

Operation Phakisa’s Oceans Economy

R70 billion – The inflow of foreign

emerging farmers who are work-

R30 billion – The sum of invest-

direct investment in the first three

ing the land and need govern-

ments secured since 2014.

quarters of 2018, compared with

ment support to grow.

7 000 – Direct jobs created. R3.8 billion – The expected invest-

the R17 billion in 2017.

investment conference held in

Small business incubation programme

2018.

51 – The number of technology

another R65 billion.

$3.3 trillion – The combined GDP

business incubators.

100 000 – The number of direct

R187 billion – The value of projects being implemented following the

ment in the sector over the next five years by government. The private sector is expected to invest

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

jobs to be created through

and provinces to enable them to

creative and cultural industries

Oceans Economy investments.

fulfil their respective mandates.

by 2030.

Social grants

Educating the nation

17.5 million – The number of

Nearly 4 000 – The number of

monthly social grants paid.

schools without appropriate sani-

Another 250 000 indirect jobs will be created.

Infrastructure development

tation facilities.

More than R1.3 trillion – The

Local municipalities

699 – The number of schools pro-

amount spent building schools,

57 – The number of municipalities

vided with safe and appropriate

two new universities, thousands of

that have been supported and

sanitation facilities.

new houses and electrifying more

stabilised.

1 150 – The number of schools in

than a million homes.

10 000 – The number of munici-

the planning, design or construc-

R100 billion – The amount govern-

pal infrastructure projects being

tion stages.

ment intends on investing in the

implemented.

700 000 – The number of children

new Infrastructure Fund over a

accessing early childhood edu-

Welcome to SA

cation in the past financial year.

10 million – Tourists visited South

6 – The number of years it will

Housing

Africa in the past year.

take to provide every school child

500 000 – The number of addi-

21 million – The target for interna-

with digital workbooks and text-

tional housing units the Housing

tional tourists by 2030.

books on a tablet device.

Development Agency will con-

2 million – The number of jobs

90 – The percent of textbooks in

struct in the next five years.

that the sector can create in

high enrolment subjects across

R30 billion – The amount that will

food and agriculture, construc-

all grades that have been digit-

be provided to municipalities

tion, transport, retail, and the

ised.

10-year period.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

IN OTHER NEWS

Source: SAnews

Unemployment marginally down South Africa’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.4 of a percentage point to 27.1 percent for the fourth quarter of 2018, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). This means that the number of

ment rate declined by 0.4 of a

000, utilities with 22 000 and con-

employed persons increased by

percentage point to 27.1 percent

struction with 21 000.

149 000 to 16.5 million in the last

compared to the third quarter of

Employment gains were recorded

quarter of 2018, while the number

2018.

in five of the nine provinces in the

of unemployed persons declined

Employment increased in three

fourth quarter of 2018.

by 70 000 to 6.1 million when

of the four sectors in quarter four,

The largest employment increases

compared to the third quarter of

with the formal sector recording

were recorded in Gauteng at

2018.

the largest employment gains of

86 000, Free State with 33 000 and

Announcing the results of the

92 000, followed by private house-

Western Cape with 26 000.

Quarterly Labour Force Survey

holds with 65 000 and agriculture

The Eastern Cape and North West

(QLFS) report, Statistician Gen-

with 7 000.

recorded the largest employ-

eral Risenga Maluleke said this

Informal sector employment, on

ment losses with 15 000 and 6 000

resulted in an increase of 79 000

the other hand, declined by 15

respectively.

(up by 0.3 percent) in the number

000 jobs.

The report compiled by Stats SA is

of people in the labour force.

The industries that recorded de-

a household–based sample survey

The absorption rate increased by

clines in employment were com-

that collects data on labour mar-

0.2 of a percentage point to

munity and social services, with

ket activities of individuals aged 15

43.3 percent and the unemploy-

51 000 losses, transport with 30

to 64.

SA, India to strengthen cooperation in agriculture

Farmers Welfare, Parshottam Ru-

Group on Agriculture between the

pala, in New Delhi, India, recently.

two countries.

The bilateral meeting was aimed

During the meeting, Ministers

The governments of South Africa

at strengthening cooperation in

Zokwana and Rupala recognised

and India have agreed to strength-

agriculture, forestry and fisheries,

the importance of agriculture to

en cooperation in the fields of

with a special focus on the areas

the economies of their respective

agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

of crop and animal production,

countries, and committed to con-

The two countries made the com-

research, food and nutrition secu-

tinue deepening bilateral trade in

mitment during a bilateral meeting

rity, agroforestry, aquaculture and

agricultural commodities.

between South Africa’s Minister of

agro-processing.

South Africa gained market access

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisher-

The meeting was a culmination of

for persimmons and mangoes

ies, Senzeni Zokwana, and Indian

technical discussions which took

in 2016. Work is currently at an

Minister of State for Agriculture and

place at the 4th Joint Working

advanced stage to gain market

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

access for avocados, litchis and

The areas to be covered in the

Development Goals

pickled sheep and goat skins.

work plan include crop breeding,

(SDGs) with specific reference

The Ministers recognised the sign-

silk production, agricultural bio-

to SDG 1 – addressing poverty;

ing of the Memorandum of Under-

technology, post-harvest technol-

SDG 2 – addressing hunger; and

standing on Agricultural Research

ogies and agriculture education

sharing their experiences in the

and Education between the Agri-

and training.

development of drought resistant

cultural Research Council of South

They also agreed to explore

varieties and bio-fortified varie-

Africa and the Indian Council of

opportunities in the area of the

ties.

Agricultural Research in 2018. They

bamboo value chain.

Both Ministers further noted the

urged both institutions to expedite

Further agreements were

importance of the soil-water-

the finalisation of a work plan to

made on working together

energy relationship and

outline a programme of action

on mutual food and security

committed to intensifying initia-

on cooperation in research and

initiatives directed towards the

tives in this nexus to address sus-

education.

achievement of the Sustainable

tainable agricultural systems.

North West to beneﬁt from water services lab

She added that the laboratory

people through its Learning Acad-

comes at a time when the country

emy.

Residents of the North West will

is faced with challenges of not

“Part of the Learning Academy Pro-

benefit from the newly launched

just water availability but of good

gramme seeks to develop gradu-

Magalies Water Services Labo-

quality water.

ate trainees in the Department of

ratory which provides services

“As we know, the country has been

Water and Sanitation in different

ranging from water quality testing

affected by drought, and this re-

disciplines relevant to the water

and sampling, research and other

gion was not spared from it…

and sanitation sector; in-service

services rendered in a scientific

“The lack of rainfall affected the

training in partnership with Group

laboratory.

work of the Water Board as less

5; and determine the availability

This is according to the Water and

good quality water was abstracted

of full bursaries to follow different

Sanitation Deputy Minister Pamela

from the sources. The laboratory

disciplines at numerous universities

Tshwete who launched the state-

that we see here today is therefore

in the country.

of-the-art laboratory located in

an intervention that was necessary

“The various disciplines open for

Brits.

in the region.”

study to strengthen capacity in

“It is important to impress upon all

She said the facility will ensure

the sector include water scientists;

of us that the work of the labora-

that there is even closer coopera-

hydrologists; geo-hydrologists; civil,

tory will impact most positively on

tion with its clients, municipalities,

electrical and chemical engineers

public health in the locality.

mines, industries and agriculture.

and environmental anthropolo-

“This will be through the monitoring

The Deputy Minister also encour-

gists, to name but a few,” the

of drinking water supplies, process

aged young people to look into

Deputy Minister said.

monitoring of water and waste-

opportunities in the water and

The department also offers com-

water works and environmental

sanitation sector.

prehensive bursaries for the full

monitoring of rivers and dams,” the

She said the Department of Water

qualification on average of

Deputy Minister said.

and Sanitation develops young

R75 000 per student per annum.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

UPCOMING EVENTS

AviaDev Africa 24–26 April 2019

the Air Service Development

AviaDev Africa is the only

authorities and civil avia-

dedicated aviation air service

tion authorities. Topics under

development event for Africa

discussion will include tourism

SchoolNetSA Digital Learning Conference 26 June–28 June 2019

taking place on the African

and the quantifiable benefit

The Royal Bafokeng Insti-

continent. The event is focused

of a new air service, financing

tute and Lebone II Col-

on building air connectivity

airport infrastructure in Africa,

lege, in partnership with

between African nations and

and technology’s role in driving

the North West Depart-

also connecting Africa to the

aviation profitability.

ment of Basic Education

world.

Workshop for airports, tourism

Host sponsors of the event

Bojanala District, will host

include Cape Town Air Access

the SchoolNetSA Digital

portunities between airports,

and the Airports Company

Learning Conference.

airlines, tourism authorities,

South Africa.

It facilitates networking op-

governments and industry sup-

AviaDev Africa takes place at

Teachers with a passion for digital learning, ICT co-

pliers via pre-arranged meet-

Century City Conference Cen-

ordinators and eLearning

ings, interactive workshops and

tre in Cape Town from 24–26

officials will be exposed to

an exhibition.

April 2019. For more information, go to

three days of professional

https://www.aviationdevelop.com/africa

development and best

The event will kick off with

practices for digital teaching and learning.

POWERGEN Africa 14–16 May 2019

With an expected audience

The conference will

of more than 10 000 technical

focus on the following

POWERGEN Africa 2019 and

experts, this year’s event will

themes: “Digital Resources

the co-located African Utility

focus on power generation,

in the Classroom; Cultivat-

Week represent a global meet-

transmission and distribution,

ing Creativity; Leadership

ing place for the continent’s

new technologies and water.

in Digital Education; Gam-

power, energy and water

It will also focus on issues fac-

ing, Coding and Maker-

value chain.

ing the electricity generation

spaces and eAssessment

industry.

Strategies and Tools”.

First launched in 2012 in Johannesburg, POWERGEN

Host partners include the

The conference takes

Africa addresses the grow-

Department of Energy and the

place at the Lebone II

ing demand for the delivery

City of Cape Town.

College of the Royal Ba-

of secure energy services to

POWERGEN Africa takes

fokeng in Phokeng, North

rapidly expanding economies

place at the Cape Town Inter-

West from 26–28 June

across the African continent. It

national Convention Centre

2019.

also offers the power industry

from 14–16 May 2019.

For more information, go to

opportunities to make positive

For more information, go to

http://www.schoolnet.org.za/confer-

change in the region.

https://www.powergenafrica.com/

ence2019/

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

PROVINCIAL FOCUS

Eastern Cape making strides E

astern Cape Premier Phumulo

basic services like electrification,

milestone of his tenure the intro-

Masualle is satisfied that he

water and sanitation; and ac-

duction in 2016 of a three-year

and his leadership have up-

cess to healthcare services has

turnaround education plan that

held the pledge he made five years

been broadened. These and other

helped improve the matric pass

ago to transform the impoverished

achievements have resulted in

rate.

and underdeveloped province.

improved life expectancy and a

“At the start of the term, we set out to develop and transform the Eastern Cape economy to address

In 2015, the Eastern Cape was

better quality of life for more of our

the worst performing province

inhabitants.

with a pass rate of 56.8 percent.

Premier Masualle said significant

Following the implementation of

the triple challenge of poverty,

achievements have been made

the turnaround plan, the province

unemployment and inequality,” he

in education, health, economic

achieved a 65.8 percent pass rate

said.

development, agriculture and

in 2017, and a 70.6 percent pass

infrastructure.

rate in 2018, which meant that for

The premier said that access to education continues to improve; more people have access to

The Premier remains passionate about education and lists as a

the first time in seven years, it was not the worst performing province.

Job creation With regard to economic development, the province’s two industrial development zones (IDZs) – Coega in Nelson Mandela Bay and the East London IDZ – and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) have attracted investments well above R30 billion and created more than 29 000 jobs. The ECDC is a dynamic economEastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle (in t he green vest) during an anti-corruption drive in Makhanda.

ic development agency tasked with implementing the province’s economic development policies. It has done much over the past

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

five years to grow entrepreneurship

Lady Grey, Barkley East and Elliot;

demonstrating its ability to acceler-

and has invested R578.2 million

and the R63 between Bedford,

ate service delivery.

into small, micro and medium

Adelaide, King William’s Town and

enterprises (SMMEs).

Komga.

Through the Jobs Stimulus Fund,

The upgrade of Mthatha Airport

In partnership with the South African Maritime Safety Authority and Department of Defence, the prov-

which assists distressed com-

has positioned it as one of the

ince implemented youth develop-

panies that have employees in

province’s major gateways and

ment programmes for seafarers

danger of losing their jobs, govern-

travel hubs.

and infrastructure maintenance

ment disbursed R26.3 million, thus saving 2 632 jobs. The Expanded Public Works

programmes, leading to employ-

Focus on health As part of investing in commu-

ment opportunities in the sector. Small towns have not been ne-

Programme created over 430 000

nity healthcare infrastructure, the

glected in the past five years, with

temporary work opportunities.

revamped state-of-the-art Cecilia

government allocating resources

Women made up 61 percent of

Makiwane hospital has become a

to intervene, save, upgrade and

the beneficiaries, seven percent

symbol of promoting better health-

improve the infrastructure of rural

were youth and one percent was

care for all Eastern Cape residents.

villages and towns, enabling basic

people with a disability.

The hospital benefited from a

services such as water, surfacing of

R988 million upgrade and Masu-

strategic internal roads, sanitation

alle said it is now a proud example

and ensuring that there is stable

of the excellence the province’s

electricity through the revamping

With regard to infrastructure in

40 424 healthcare employees in

of power stations.

the province, Masualle said that

89 public hospitals and 772 public

good strides were made on build-

clinics strive to deliver.

Improving infrastructure

ing a road network that supports

From 2015 to date, 1.5 million

As part of building the capacity of the state, through the Provincial Audit Intervention Plan, the admin-

economic activities. In the past

people have been tested for

istration has improved the audit

five years, over R850 million was

HIV/AIDS and there has been a

outcomes of departments from

spent on roads and bridges for in-

marked decrease in tuberculosis

eight unqualified audit opinions

creased access to schools, health

prevalence, from 967 cases per

at beginning of the fifth term to 13

institutions, tourism entities and

1 000 in 2014 to 506 per 1000 in

with unqualified audit opinions.

agricultural facilities.

2018.

In addition, over 3 500 km of grav-

“A significant part of local

In addressing service delivery dissatisfaction, Operation Masi-

elled roads were re-gravelled, while

government service delivery is

phathisane, which is an integrated

over 75 000 km of gravel roads

the creation of liveable human

service delivery model, introduced

were bladed.

settlements. This is not only a hu-

a new way of doing business

man rights imperative, it is one of

to ensure services delivered are

African National Road Agency

our revolutionary goals as dictated

driven by the needs of the com-

Limited, the province rehabilitated

to by the Freedom Charter,” said

munity.

road networks, including the N10

Masualle. He expanded, saying

to Alexandria; Peddie to East

that the province has delivered

Tackling crime

London; R58 between Aliwal North,

over 50 000 houses in this term,

Another issue that affects the

In partnership with the South

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

PROVINCIAL FOCUS

quality of life of residents is crime

Amacwerha Substation to sup-

of fraud and corruption, the gov-

and the provincial government

ply energy to more than 25 000

ernment intensified the Provincial

has worked hard to reduce con-

houses in rural Ntabankulu.

Anti-Corruption Drive which saw

tact crime by inculcating ethics

With regard to tourism, Masu-

at school level. In addition, it has

alle said the sector has played a

conducted community safety

significant role in supporting the

forum campaigns that focus on

economy. “The Eastern Cape is

provincial government provided

stock theft, school safety, police

rated among the best in tourism

social assistance services to

killings, the effects of substance

and nature conservation, with the

the poor in the province, with

abuse, crimes against women

province securing more national

as many as 2.5 million people

and children and the killing of the

tourism awards during this term,”

supported through the social

elderly. As a result, there has been

he said.

security system.

Social cohesion

our administration, we are happy

As part of its social cohesion

that a great deal of work has

from 15 wind farms and one solar

drive, the government supported

been done, and much ground

farm in the province. “The East-

the establishment of fashion

has been covered. It is equally

ern Cape is now home to eight

brands that epitomise the values

true that more still needs to be

manufacturers in the renewable

and promote the spirit of the prov-

done.

energy sector with a combined

ince, such as MaXhosa Designs.

an improvement in conviction rates, said the Premier. The energy sector has benefited

investment value of over R1 bil-

the institutionalisation of ethics officers in all departments.” To achieve social equity, the

“As we close the fifth term of

Premier Masualle said the

“Despite enormous challenges and constraints, we have made

province achieved moral regen-

substantial progress in delivering

eration through the advocacy of

against our mandate, commit-

trification Programme, Eskom

good behaviour, mutual respect,

ments and targets as we look

and the provincial government

ethical conduct and leadership.

ahead to the end of our term in

lion,” he said. As part of the Provincial Elec-

unveiled the multi-million rand

“In our quest to rid the province

2019,” said Premier Masualle.

An operating room at t he Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, whic h under went a R988 million upgrade.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

SA to chair the AU in 2020

outh Africa has been elected

March 2018. South Africa

as African Union (AU) chair

signed the agreement in

for the year 2020, when it will

July 2018 in Nouakchott,

take over from the current chair,

Mauritania, and has now

Egypt. The chairship is decided annu-

handed in the instrument of ratification to Moussa Faki

ally on a rotational basis among

Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU

the five regions and it is the

Commission.

Southern region’s turn to chair in 2020.

"This step demonstrates South Africa’s binding and unwavering

in recognition of his contribution to Africa’s liberation and unity. On the margins of the Assembly

commitment to the implementa-

the President attended a South-

the 32nd Ordinary Session of the

tion of the AfCFTA agreement,

ern African Development Commu-

Assembly of the African Union

which will remove trading barriers,

nity (SADC) meeting, convened

Heads of State and Government,

boost intra-Africa trade and build

by the SADC Chair and President

which took place in Addis Ababa,

an integrated and diversified

of Namibia, H.E Hage Geingob.

Ethiopia, recently.

markets, with a GDP of approxi-

“The meeting received reports

mately US$3.3 trillion,” said the

on the consolidation of SADC po-

Presidency.

litical efforts in supporting SADC

South Africa was elected during

President Cyril Ramaphosa led a high-level delegation of South African Cabinet Ministers to the

The Assembly also received

Member States and progress

assembly, which took place under

and engaged with reports on a

made in the implementation of

the theme: “The Year of Refugees,

number of issues including the

the Institutional Reform of the Af-

Returnees and International Dis-

institutional reform and financing

rican Union and in Post-Cotonou

placed Persons: Towards Durable

of the continental body; peace

Partnership Agreement Negotia-

Solutions to Forced Displacement

and security on the continent; de-

tions,” said the Presidency.

in Africa”.

velopments related to the AfCFTA;

President Ramaphosa also

and negotiations for a new coop-

held bilateral talks with several

handed in the instrument of ratifi-

eration agreement between the

heads of state and government

cation, a formal approval by Par-

European Union and the African,

including Ethiopia, Democratic

liament of the African Continental

Caribbean and Pacific develop-

Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe,

Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agree-

ing countries post-2020.

Mozambique, Mali, eSwatini and

President Ramaphosa also

ment, to the AU Commission.

The AU also immortalised the

Rwanda. He also met with the

former Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile

United Nations Secretary General

the agreement was launched

Selassie, best known as one of

António Guterres and software

during an Extra-Ordinary Sum-

the founding fathers of the Or-

industry entrepreneur, humanitar-

mit of the AU Heads of State and

ganization of African Unity, by un-

ian and philanthropist, Bill

Government in Kigali, Rwanda, in

veiling a commemorative statue

Gates.

According to the Presidency,

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

WORKPLACE SKILLS PLAN (WSP) SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 30 APRIL 2019 Companies are required to submit the following documents in order to obtain their skills

•

Identify the existing skills within your organisation

•

Compile the above into a WSP and a report

•

Document the ATR against the company’s prior WSP

•

Act as the Skills Development Facilitator (SDF)

Documents to be submitted: Workplace

•

Submit your WSP and ATR including SETA registrations

Skills Planning (WSP) and Annual Training

•

Report as per BEE requirement

Reports (ATR)

•

Assist in application of SETA grants

WSP and ATR must be submitted in order

•

Complete and submit an Inter-SETA Transfer (IST) to the Department

development points on their BEE scorecard. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW •

•

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

to recognise skills development points on

of Labour, should the need arise.

the BEE scorecard. The skills development

Should you need any assistance with this year’s WSP and ATR submissions or wish to find

element contributes up to 25 points on most

out more, please email: craig.mcnelis@amathuba-hub.co.za or call us on (011)783-7190.

scorecards – thus it is imperative to submit on time in order to maintain your BEE level. With the submission date fast approaching, Amathuba Hub would like to offer their services

IN ADDITION TO HELPING YOU COMPILE A WSP AND ATR, WE CAN HELP WITH Mandatory grants & discretionary grants The WSP and ATR submission opens up access to mandatory grants for your company, as well as the opportunity to apply for discretionary grants from the respective SETAs.

in helping you correctly compile and submit the

These grants will help companies fund training and development for employees and

necessary documents.

unemployed people.

CONTACT DETAILS: Address: 106 Leslie Avenue, Douglasdale, 2055 Email: info@amathuba-hub.co.za Phone: +27 11 783 7190 | Fax: (086) 733-8826

MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Human Rights for all South Africans H

uman Rights Day is celebrated annually on 21 March, and Human Rights Month is

commemorated in March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices made during the struggle for liberation and freedom in our country. The history of Human Rights Day is grounded in the Sharpeville Massacre that took place on 21 March 1960, where the apartheid police shot and killed 69 people in a peaceful protest march. The new democratic government sought

Africans, without exception, enjoy

is ensuring protection for all, while

to use this painful chapter of our

all rights such as the right to life,

simultaneously striving to provide

past to unify South Africans. It is

equality and human dignity as

opportunities. One area of im-

an affirmation that the dark deeds

enshrined in our Constitution.

mense contestation in this regard

of our past will never be repeated again in a democratic society.

Furthermore, the Bill of Rights ensures that everyone is equal

has been that of land reform. Equitable access to land is a

before the law and has the right

vital step in ensuring dignity for all.

important for all South Africans to

to equal protection and benefit

Government has assured South

celebrate living in a country that

of the law. It also ensures that

Africans that this process will be

guarantees that never again will

the inherent human dignity of all

undertaken in a fair and bal-

humanity be taken from any South

South Africans is respected and

anced manner, while also ensur-

African, irrespective of their race,

protected.

ing that existing property rights

During Human Rights Month it is

gender, creed or sexual orientation.

At face value this may seem like a simple thing, but South Africa is

are protected and strengthened. Anyone who has ever begun a

a country with vast inequalities.

business knows that land or prop-

Universal rights

Therefore ensuring that all have

erty is a valuable asset. It can be

Human rights are universal and

human dignity, self-worth and

used to open up doors to capital

are applicable to everyone. Since

a sense of belonging has been

or as a base to begin an enter-

1994 government has sought to

undertaken by various administra-

prise or business.

build on these rights and has

tions since 1994.

continued to ensure that all South

A significant part of this process

But due to our ugly and divided past, access to this resource is

Public Sector Manager â&#x20AC;˘ March 2019

skewed, and this leads to millions

value for individuals and com-

is important we also do more to

being trapped outside the eco-

munities and will be done in a fair

protect the human rights of all

nomic and social mainstream.

and sustainable manner.

in our nation.

This state of affairs is not only

Those with existing property or

All sectors of society have a

immoral but is also unsustainable.

land also need not fear this pro-

responsibility to work together to

Our urban and rural landscapes

cess. Property rights are protected

build a more inclusive economy

have slowly changed since 1994,

by the Constitution and our com-

that truly reflects the demo-

but many people are still confined

mitment to upholding the rule of

graphics of the country. Togeth-

to homes far away from places of

law. Section 25 of the Constitution

er we must support redistribu-

work or economic centres.

states that: “No one may be de-

tive measures that enhance the

prived of property except in terms

standard of living and quality of

heid spatial planning has to be

of law of general application, and

life for all.

addressed and therefore President

no law may permit arbitrary depri-

Cyril Ramaphosa has set in mo-

vation of property”.

This continued legacy of apart-

tion a process to speedily release land for use.

However, our commitment to

We must work towards a South Africa where all people can contribute and we must

property rights also includes

strengthen nation building, and

ensuring land tenure security for

social cohesion. Nation build-

all. Never again can we have

ing, is a process and we must

people being evicted from land

continue to nurture and defend

Speaking during the 2019 State

that they have worked for genera-

it. Let us combat racism‚ racial

of the Nation Address, President

tions. Insecure land tenure leaves

discrimination‚ xenophobia and

Ramaphosa said that: “Through

rural populations vulnerable to

related intolerance on all fronts.

an accelerated programme of

dispossession and this must be

Public servants must be at the

land reform, we will work to ex-

addressed.

forefront of these efforts, ensur-

Promoting economic inclusion

pand our agricultural output and

Government is therefore working

ing that the work we do ena-

promote economic inclusion.”

to ensure through legislation and

bles South Africans to enjoy all

He further emphasised that

other measures that farm labour-

their human rights. Many died

policy and legislative interventions

ers and their families living on

for these rights and no public

will ensure that more land is made

privately owned land are treated

servant should disregard these

available for agriculture, industrial

fairly and not unjustly evicted. In

sacrifices, by depriving the pub-

development and human settle-

addition, efforts are underway to

lic of their rights through their

ments.

ensure that people living in situa-

actions.

“As part of accelerating land

tions of insecure tenure in urban

South Africans should use

reform, we have identified land

areas, such as informal settle-

Human Rights Month to foster

parcels owned by the State for

ments and backyard dwellings,

social cohesion, nation building

redistribution. Strategically located

have better protection.

and our national identity. Let

land will be released to address

us also use the discussion over

human settlement needs in urban

A shared responsibility

land to build a better and more

and peri-urban areas,” he said.

Ultimately in the year that we

prosperous future for all who

celebrate 25 years of freedom it

live in our nation.

This process will begin to unlock

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

SONA FEATURE

Writer: Allison Cooper

Economic growth high on the agenda President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 7 February that massive new investment is needed to make significant gains in job creation.

ne of government’s top

government implementing meas-

five priorities over the next

ures to ignite economic activity,

“The inaugural South Africa In-

12 months is to acceler-

restore investor confidence, sup-

vestment Conference, in October

ate inclusive economic growth and

port employment and address

last year, provided great impetus

create jobs.

the urgent challenges that affect

to our drive to mobilise R1.2 trillion

vulnerable society members.

in investment over five years. It

“Last year, our economy was confronted by the reality of a

However, the President said

community and government.

attracted around R300 billion in

technical recession. Government

that the levels of growth needed

investment pledges from South

responded with an economic

to make significant gains in job

African and international compa-

stimulus and recovery plan that

creation are not possible without

nies.

redirected public funding to areas

massive new investment.

with the greatest potential for

“To prove that our investment conference was not just a talk

Attracting investment

shop, where empty promises were

Government aims to raise more

made, projects to the value of

our way out of our economic trou-

investment by again hosting the

R187 billion are being implement-

bles, but to set the economy on

South Africa Investment Confer-

ed and projects worth another

a path of recovery,” the President

ence, which last year resulted in

R26 billion are in pre-implementa-

said.

concrete agreements between

tion phase,” the President said.

organised labour, business, the

Following the conference, a

growth and job creation. “Our approach was not to spend

The past 12 months thus saw

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

group of South African business

ranks South Africa at 82 out of

kept many young South African

leaders, moved by the spirit of

190 countries tracked. “We have

entrepreneurs and small enterpris-

Thuma Mina, initiated the Public-

set ourselves the target of being

es out of the economy or confined

Private Growth Initiative to facilitate

among the top 50 global perform-

them to the margins,” President

focused investment plans to lead

ers within the next three years,” he

Ramaphosa said.

companies across 19 sectors of

said.

the economy, from mining and

There was a significant increase

As part of government’s efforts to increase investment and foster

renewable energy to manufactur-

in foreign direct investment last

greater inclusion and create more

ing and agriculture.

year. In 2017, government re-

opportunities, the President will

corded an inflow of foreign direct

soon sign into law the Competi-

stantially expand investment over

investment of R17 billion. Official

tion Amendment Bill.

the next five years and create a

data shows that in the first three

vast number of new jobs, especial-

quarters of 2018, there was an

authorities the ability to address

ly if we can enhance demand for

inflow of R70 billion. “This is a phe-

this problem. But, more impor-

“These industries expect to sub-

“This will give the competition

local goods, further

tantly, it will open

stabilise the labour

up new opportuni-

environment and improve conditions for doing business,” he added. As part of its work

“In 2017, government recorded an inflow of foreign direct investment of R17 billion.”

ties for many South Africans to enter various sectors of the economy and compete on an

to remove constraints

equal footing.

to greater investment,

“To stimulate

government has established a

nomenal achievement compared

growth in the economy, build more

team from the Presidency, Invest

to the low level of investment in

businesses and employ more

SA, National Treasury and the De-

the previous years,” the President

people, we need to find new and

partment of Planning, Monitoring

said.

larger markets for our goods and

and Evaluation to address policy, legal, regulatory and administrative barriers that frustrate investors.

services. We will therefore be focus-

Economic concentration

ing greater attention on expanding exports.”

“It has long been recognised that

In line with commitments from

our work to improve the ease of

one of the constraints that inhibit

the Jobs’ Summit government will

doing business in South Africa,

the growth of the economy is the

focus on the export of manufac-

which is essential to attracting

high level of economic concentra-

tured goods and trade in services

investment. This team will report

tion. The structure of our economy

such as business process out-

progress to Cabinet monthly,” the

was designed to keep assets in a

sourcing and the remote delivery

President said.

few hands.

of medical services. “To improve

“This is an important aspect of

The World Bank’s annual Doing Business Report currently

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

“This has stifled growth and enterprise and has to a large extent

the competitiveness of our exports, we will complete the studies

SONA

that have begun reducing the

– and in advancing broad-based

land who need support to fully

costs of electricity, trade, com-

empowerment – government is

develop their businesses.

munications, transport and other

focusing on significantly expand-

costs,” he said.

ing its small business incubation

gramme of land reform, we will

“Through an accelerated pro-

programme. The programme

work to expand our agricultural

ment of the African Continental

provides budding entrepreneurs

output and promote economic

Free Trade Area offers great oppor-

with physical space, infrastructure

inclusion. Our policy and legisla-

tunities to place South Africa on a

and shared services; access to

tive interventions will ensure that

path of investment-led trade, and

specialised knowledge; market

more land is made available for

to work with other African coun-

linkages; training in the use of

agriculture, industrial develop-

tries to develop their own industrial

new technologies and access to

ment and human settlements,” the

capacity. “The agreement will see

finance.

President said.

The agreement on the establish-

the creation of a market of over

It consists of a network of 51

As part of accelerating land

a billion people with a combined

technology business incubators,

reform, government has identified

Gross Domestic Product of ap-

10 enterprise supplier develop-

land parcels owned by the state

proximately $3.3 trillion,” President

ment incubators and 14 rapid

for redistribution. Strategically

Ramaphosa said.

youth incubators. As part of the

located land will be released to

expansion of this programme,

address human settlement needs

township digital hubs will be es-

in urban and peri-urban areas.

Increasing local demand Government will also pursue measures to increase local

tablished, initially in four provinces, with more to follow. The President said that govern-

“As part of the stimulus package in agriculture, we have invested significantly in comprehensive

demand through increasing the

ment has also extended the Em-

farmer development support to

proportion of local goods and

ployment Tax Incentive for another

ensure that restituted and com-

services procured by government

10 years and has called on the

munal land is productively utilised.

and the private sector. “Increasing

private sector to support the Youth

“We will continue to prioritise

local demand and reducing the

Employment Service, which places

targeted skills development and

consumption of imports is impor-

unemployed youth in paid intern-

capacity building programmes for

tant because it increases oppor-

ships. In addition, the requirement

smallholder and emerging black

tunities for producers within South

for work experience at entry-level

farmers. And, in the coming year,

Africa to serve a growing market.

in state institutions has been done

we will continue to focus on high-

Through this we will intensify the

away with.

value agricultural products with

‘buy South Africa’ programme.”

export potential such as the fruit,

Land reform

wine and vegetable industries

businesses play in stimulating eco-

There are about 250 000 small

and poultry and red meat,” he

nomic activity and employment

emerging farmers working the

added.

Given the key role that small

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

SONA PICTORIAL

SONA 2019

ressed to the nines, Members of Parliament and guests used the 2019 State of the Nation Address

to show off their style on the red carpet.

President Cyril Ramaphosa with First Lady, Dr Tshepo Motsepe, Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete (on the left) and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Thandi Modise (on the right).

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi in a yellow dress.

Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams (right) in a red dress.

Public Sector Manager â&#x20AC;˘ March 2019

Minister of Small Business Development (left)Lindiwe Zulu in a black dress.

Deputy Minister of Basic Education Enver Surty in a beige suit.

Public Protector of South Africa Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe.

University of Cape Town Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi President Cyril Ramaphosa Phakeng. delivers the State of the Nation Address

Deputy Minister of Communications Pinky Kekana.

Public Sector Manager â&#x20AC;˘ March 2019

FEATURE

Source: SAnews

NHI war room to improve healthcare

he Presidency has set up a National Health Insurance (NHI) war room to address challeng-

es in the public healthcare system. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi

various key departments to ad-

we are developing the skills of our

said this when he addressed the

dress the crisis in the public health

people to be active in this econo-

launch of the Presidential Health

system while preparing for the

my, it is essential that we build and

Summit Report on behalf of Presi-

implementation of the NHI,” he

maintain a healthy nation,” he said.

dent Cyril Ramaphosa at Tuynhuys

added.

in Cape Town recently. President Ramaphosa indicated

Minister Motsoaledi said govern-

The Minister’s remarks and the launch of the report come after

ment is guided by the insight that

the health sector held a summit in

in the State of the Nation Address

improving the health system and

Ekurhuleni in October 2018. Deputy

that in 2019 government will take

introducing the NHI are two sides

President David Mabuza offici-

a significant step towards universal

of the same coin.

ated the summit under the theme:

health coverage that will bring

“Strengthening the South African

quality healthcare to all South

NHI Bill

health system towards an integrat-

Africans.

He said after extensive consulta-

ed and unified health system”.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister said the NHI delivery model will be based on the primary health-

tion, the NHI Bill will soon be ready for submission to Parliament. “The NHI will enable South Afri-

During the summit, concerns were raised about the poor quality of healthcare that people experi-

care approach, which emphasises

cans to receive free services at the

ence in clinics and hospitals dur-

the importance of providing pre-

point of care in public and private

ing their moments of vulnerability.

ventative, promotive, curative and

quality-accredited health facilities.

rehabilitative services.

“Repairing our national health

The complaints varied from inadequate access to medicines

system is an endeavour that

and equipment; inadequate

social solidarity and cross-subsidi-

requires the input, involvement

numbers of staff at facilities; the

sation, we aim to reduce inequality

and innovation of all role players

unprofessional conduct of staff as

in access to healthcare. Realising

who understand that good health

well as labour unrest; corruption

the magnitude of the challenges

makes for a good life and a good

and theft of hospital property.

in healthcare, we have established

economy.

“By applying the principle of

an NHI and quality improvement war room in the Presidency. “This war room brings together

“At a time when we are laying

Cost of private care

the foundations for increased

One of the barriers to access to

investment in our economy and

healthcare, said the Minister, is the

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

unsustainably high cost of private care.

pointed the way forward not only

for patient confidentiality. “Having identified critical chal-

for health, but for other key sectors

lenges, the summit called on

where inclusive engagement can

ence above-inflation increases

government to urgently prioritise

make a great difference in the

in medical schemes contribu-

“Many users of this care experi-

the filling of critical vacant posts.

quality of life of South Africans.

tions, and the failure of medical

“The summit tasked National

“The summit has underlined

schemes to pay for patient ser-

Treasury to develop a sustainable

once more the benefit of working

vices that have been rendered.

financing model, and urged prov-

together as a nation and building

inces to prioritise their financial

greater understanding through

raised concerns with me regard-

resource allocation to ensure the

the involvement of a wide range

ing the dysfunction of the health

delivery of quality healthcare is

of persuasions and expertise,”

system, to the point that it is clear

not compromised,” he added.

noted the Minister.

“Several organisations have

that the system is in crisis and

He said a Presidential Health

are issues that must be addressed

Stronger coordination needed

collectively by all stakeholders if

Minister Motsoaledi said further

together which commits sectors to

we are to prevent a collapse of

proposals relate to the develop-

work together to implement identi-

our health system,” he said.

ment of expertise and funding to

fied solutions.

needs urgent rehabilitation. These

There is a need for a robust, effi-

infrastructure plan in a manner

a country where more than seven

that will respond to changing

million people live with HIV; rising

population and clinical dynamics. This, the Minister said, demands

and cancer; and where maternal

stronger coordination between

and neonatal death rates must

the Department of Health and

be reduced.

partners such as the Department

Minister Motsoaledi said that

of Public Works.

last year’s summit proposed a

The summit acknowledged the

centralised, national procure-

critical role the private sector has

ment system, which will achieve

to play in the realisation of uni-

economies of scale and assist in

versal health coverage and

addressing corruption.

the vision of the NHI, and

The success of a quality health

called for the inclusive pro-

system rests on information

cess, started through the

systems that can generate valid

summit, to continue.

information at the right time and

“Through this

in the right format for decision

inclusive and col-

making and monitoring at all

lective approach,

levels of management. It must

the Presidential

also take into account the need

Health Summit has

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

summit’s outcomes, was being put

implement government’s health

cient and caring health system in

rates of diabetes, hypertension

Summit Compact, based on the

Healt h Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said t he establishment a NHI and quality improvement war room in t he Presidency would help deal wit h t he healt hcare c hallenges.

FOSTERING COLLECTIVE ACTIONS specialists, media, and international organisations by facilitating Africa-centric hygiene, water and sanitation conversations – a bold and ambitious attempt in transforming South Africa’s and Africa’s sanitation future and hopefully that of many cities around the world. Speaking at the launch of the Safe Sanitation Initiative in 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa noted: “The United Nations Development Programme estimates that, globally, there are more than 2.4 billion people who do not have access to basic sanitation like toilets and latrines”. He further mentioned, “… by finding innovative solutions to a challenging problem, we will not only be making our schools Dr Canisius Kanangire, AMCOW Executive Secretary (left) and Dr Doulaye Kone, Deputy Director of Water, sanitation and Hygiene at Gates Foundation (right)

The Water Research Commission (WRC) and its partners, including the Gates Foundation and the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance, are pursuing new possibilities in the sanitation revolution. This matter has been a priority discussion of the South African sanitation community together with global partners in the convergence of two

safer and the lives of learners better, but will be opening new possibilities for environmentally sustainable sanitation”. Historical inequities have resulted in large parts of the South African population having inadequate access to sanitation facilities and services. South Africa’s Vision 2030 goal is to provide universal access to piped water and access to hygienic toilets, thereby contributing to a healthy population and environment, which will ultimately lead to a stronger economy.

major international conferences: the 5th Faecal Sludge

South Africa has acted purposefully to attain this goal

Management (FSM5) and AfricaSan 5 where 1 400 experts

through government-sponsored programmes, which

from 36 countries enthusiastically engaged the matter with

aimed to provide basic sanitation services to all,

a keynote address from Honourbale Minister Gugile Nkwinti.

including the poor and unserved communities. Our

This event differed significantly from previous ones in that for the first time since inception, it was jointly hosted with the AfricaSan 5 meeting – an initiative of African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) with the objective

national percentage of households with access to improved sanitation facilities rose from 62% in 2002 to 80% in 2015, reaffirming government’s commitment to provide access to this basic human right.

of accelerating best practice and sanitation coverage

This journey has not been easy, and we continue to

across Africa.

have technical challenges. Though significant progress

The value that AMCOW brings in joining forces with FSM is indicative of the political will that is now creating synergies between the technical and academic expertise of the sector to ensure that sanitation transformation does meet the Sustainable Development Goals targets.

has been made since the democratic dispensation from 1994, many new challenges have emerged with a growing aspiration for better solutions. The binary model of gold standard in the form of full-flush toilet versus hole standard in the form of pit latrines for rich and poor areas respectively, has not closed the gap but reared a myriad

The conference was predicted to increase opportunities

of new operational challenges.

for collaboration and partnership between ministers

Compounding this is the fact that South Africa is

and high-level political decision makers, sector

a water-scarce country and universal access to

ADVERTORIAL

TO DISPENSE SANITATION FOR ALL waterborne sanitation may not be realised due to the prohibitive costs and the availability of water. The deeper problem is that there is no sanitation market, especially for the poor. There is a call and recognition for serious sanitation transformation in the sector so that we can tackle the binary technology problem. Climate change will put greater constraints on sanitation. Disrupting the sanitation environment with smart solutions and service models is necessary to usher in much-needed transformation. It was at the National Sanitation Summit in 2015, hosted

Partners at Water Research Commission.

by the Department of Water and Sanitation, where the

The Sanitation Transformation Initiative is disrupting

then Deputy President Ramaphosa issued a clarion

the current sanitation paradigm by incorporating the

call, saying: “it’s not all about flushing”. This is a key

following elements:

sustainability factor in the wake of climate change. The President’s ambition did not end there. He also wants a model that seizes the opportunity to catalyse the development of a globally competitive South African sanitation industry. This is only possible through public and private sector partners passionate about developing a new industrial pathway for sanitation for South Africa and its regional partners. The WRC will initiate a process to develop the South African New Sanitation Alliance to co-ordinate collaborative action while the presidency is very keen on the benefit that can be gained from partnerships.

• Off-the-grid sanitation that meets user needs and expectations • Circular economy principles in which products in the value chain are recycled or re-used • Establishing market needs and demands • Presenting a research and development (R&D) pathway to achieve technical, policy and procurement targets The WRC will continue to forge opportunities for sector partners to participate, share value and co-create impactful solutions towards a globally competitive South African sanitation industry.

The South African partners led by the Presidency WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION

include national government departments like the

Physical address: Lynnwood Bridge

Departments of Basic Education, Environmental Affairs,

Ofﬁce Park, Bloukrans Building,

Science and Technology, and Trade and Industry.

2nd Floor, 4 Daventry Street,

We can steer our communities toward more responsible

Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria

water usage by using innovative technological solutions

Postal address:

with the ultimate goal being protecting the health of

Private Bag X03, Gezina, 0031, Pretoria

citizens and the environment. Specific to the water and sanitation research science domain, the WRC has conceptualised an approach upon which all collaborative actions can be anchored.

WAT E R

RES EA RC H C O M MI S S I O N

Tel: +27 (0)12 761 9300 Fax: +27 (0)12 331 2565 Email: info@wrc.org.za Web: www.wrc.org.za

FEATURE

Ensuring a professional public service T

he Department of Public Service and Administration will investigate allegations of work-

place bullying and unfair treatment of junior employees within the public service. Minister of Public Service and Administration Ayanda Dlodlo has instructed the department’s labour and human resources units to follow up on such allegations and uncover these cases. This comes after a Public Service Commission report published recently, that noted cases of misconduct and other grievances against senior managers are not being investigated. “We are concerned about such allegations of unfair treatment of junior employees. This does not only reflect badly on our discipli-

immediately, we have to make sure

the strengthening of the enforce-

nary system as the Public Service,

that we investigate such incidents

ment powers for the Public Service

but it also dampens the morale of

and deal with them decisively,”

Commission, will contribute to the

these employees and affects work-

added Minister Dlodlo.

institutionalisation of enforcement

place productivity and relations,”

Further to strengthen the fight

mechanisms to combat corrup-

against corruption in the Public

tion and increase accountability

Service, a Technical Assistance Unit

across all organs of state, and

the Public Service Act decentral-

for discipline, ethics and integrity

ensure that discipline and integrity

ises discipline to respective heads

will be established by 31March

are enforced in the public service.

of departments, which makes it

2019.

said the Minister. “Even though, Section 7(3) (b) of

difficult for us to detect such cases

This technical unit, including

The team from the department’s labour relations and human

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

resources units will commence the

In addition, Articles 5 and 7 of

investigation with immediate effect

the Public Service Charter com-

She added that research around

and are expected to table a report

mit all parties to a set of service

the world indicates that the use of

to the Minister before the end of

standards and ethical standards

internet and social media in par-

the financial year.

for public servants on how to treat

ticular has helped organisations

and serve members of the public.

both in identifying exceptional

Reference checks

It's the eight Batho Pele Principles,

talent and in avoiding negligent

In a separate development the

which are a set of values aimed at

hiring.

Minister also confirmed a circular

guiding public servants on how to

issued by her department regard-

perform their duties.

our objectives.”

The Minister emphasised that departments that exercise the

ing the use of the internet as an

“In order for us to recruit individu-

option to broaden their verification

additional platform for reference

als that meet the above prescripts,

through the internet should obtain

checks on candidates who are

we need to employ all tools and

the consent of the candidate

looking for employment in the

methodologies of screening in-

concerned.

public service.

cluding the use of the internet and

The circular to all government departments, which is not pre-

“We are fully aware of the con-

social media in particular,” said

stitutional obligations on privacy

the Minister.

of every individual and the fact

scriptive but advisory in nature, is

that government is still seized with

intended to ensure that govern-

Meticulous recruitment

the task of developing a policy

ment’s recruitment processes are

However, she cautioned that “this

on internet use. That is why it is

enhanced with the use of other

circular does not seek to restrict

important to obtain the consent

platforms beyond the traditional

the constitutional rights to pri-

of the candidate when such web

means of screening.

vacy of any individual or group

searches are be conducted,” she

of people seeking employment

said.

The Minister said that the public service has an obligation to

in the public service. It also does

ensure that all those recruited into

not seek to suppress or muzzle any

candidates that they would not

the system fit with the legislative

ideological or political views of

be prejudiced for their refusal to

and policy prescripts of govern-

people whatsoever – neither is it

consent to a web search on their

ment.

designed to disadvantage South

profile.

These include the National Development Plan which places a responsibility on government to

Africans on the basis of party political affiliation. “People should remember that

The Minister assured prospective

“This recruitment practice is not a mechanism to prejudice people, it is an international trend in recruit-

professionalise the public service

we are on a path of building a

ment and as a country aspiring to

and Section 195 (1) (a) of the

professional public service and

digitise its systems, and use social

Constitution which states that

such an endeavour requires that

media as an empowering tool, it

“Public Administration must be

we become meticulous in the

is time that we embraced such

governed by principles that foster

recruitment of our employees – we

practices to enhance the profes-

a high standard of professional

want to build a new organisational

sionalisation of the public service,”

ethics”.

culture that will help us achieve

she stressed.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

FEATURE

Writer: Silusapho Nyanda

Corrupt public servants will feel the might of the law

ublic servants who misuse

involved in defrauding the state

state funds should beware!

may also find themselves out in

Government is escalating ef-

the cold because a company

forts to clamp down on fraud, cor-

seeking to maintain its reputation

ruption and racketeering and the

could fire directors involved in

consequences could not only be

such crimes. “In some instances,

career ending but could land per-

as a businessperson, you may be

petrators behind bars.

declared a delinquent director

The National Prosecuting Author-

and therefore be prohibited

ity’s spokesperson Advocate Lu-

from being a director of a

vuyo Mfaku said that if convicted,

company,” Mfaku said.

a person’s employment prospects

Fraud is described

diminish. Worse still, they could

by the Oxford diction-

face a prison sentence of no less

ary as “the crime

than 15 years.

of cheating some-

“The prescribed minimum sen-

body in order to get

tence for fraud and corruption is

money or goods

15 years for a first offender and

illegally”. Corrup-

20 years for a second offender,”

tion is described as

Mfaku said. He added that one

“dishonest or illegal

may receive a lesser sentence

behaviour, especially

in cases where special circum-

of people in authority”.

stances exist.

Racketeering, which

“Racketeering carries 25 years'

carries the heaviest pen-

[imprisonment] or a fine not ex-

alty of the three charges,

ceeding R1 billion,” he told PSM.

is “the activity of making

These sentences would be in addition to the loss of job opportunities due to a lack of trust.

money through dishonest or illegal activities”. If you detect or suspect

A government employee found

any fraud, corruption or rack-

guilty of any of these crimes

eteering in the public sector

would be barred from future pub-

you can to report it on the

lic sector jobs.

Fraud Hotline on

People in the private sector

0800 601 011.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

ADVERTORIAL

USING TECHNOLOGY TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY WATER LOSSES BY JULIAN LESHILO-SEBAKE

The CARRS project has been implemented in a number

Despite being a water-scarce country, South Africa is reportedly losing an estimated 36.8% of its water through non-revenue water, i.e. water that is produced but “lost” before it reaches the customer. Of this, an estimated 25.4% is lost through leaks. Water leaks are costing the country around R7 billion per annum.

of district and local municipalities across the country. Greater Taung Local Municipality in the North West has demonstrated huge success in using CARRS, with 99% of reported water-related incidents resolved. The municipality uses the system in conjunction with a call centre. “It is encouraging to note that CARRS is progressively

To help prevent these losses, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and its entity, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), have developed a web-based incident reporting and infrastructure monitoring

being adopted by the targeted municipalities, and that the usage by both municipal officials and communitybased task teams is also increasing,” says Project Manager Goodhope Maponya.

system to help municipalities to improve their turnaround

Maponya says that, despite the ongoing challenges,

times when attending to service delivery complaints.

the findings so far indicate that municipalities are starting

The Corrective Action Request and Report System (CARRS) will help communities to timeously report water

to get used to managing incidents in a smarter way through CARRS.

supply disruptions, leaks and related incidents. Through

Dr Patrick Hlabela, competence area manager of

CARRS, the reported incidents will be routed to the

the CSIR’s hydraulics infrastructure engineering group,

relevant municipal authority, who will be expected to

describes CARRS as being similar to a workflow system.

respond within a reasonable time by implementing a

“The system will help municipalities to be proactive and

corrective action to resolve the reported incident.

prompt when dealing with service delivery issues. It boosts

Gaopalelwe Mokoena, a resident of Moretele Local Municipality, laments the long turnaround time for

their monitoring ability and contributes to a strong culture of accountability.”

incidents reported to the municipality. “It can take up

Hlabela emphasises the importance of building

two weeks for the incident to be attended to. I personally

relationships with end users and understanding their needs,

cannot wait for the CARRS project to start,” she said.

as it helps no one to come up with a technology that is not

CARRS is made up of three components, namely incident management, hydraulic modelling and network analysis, and smart water metering. The incident management

going be used. “The involvement of people is important because if they are excluded, they get frustrated, and that leads to service delivery protests,” he says.

component functions through a specially developed

Although CARRS is currently being piloted for water-

electronic communication mechanism, connecting

related incidents only, it can ultimately be deployed for

customers to a processing centre and providing them

the improved management of any municipal service.

with feedback from the respective task teams on the remedial actions to be taken by the municipality or the relevant water service provider.

Along with other initiatives – including projects involving algae-based wastewater treatment, low-pour/low-flush toilets, and point of use water heaters – CARRS forms

The hydraulic modelling and network analysis

part of the DST’s flagship Innovation Partnerships for Rural

component helps the municipality or water service

Development Programme. The programme is geared

provider to understand the underlying causes of the

towards improving service delivery through demonstrating

incident. The smart water metering component, through

innovative technologies that can improve quality of life

smart meters installed at key points in the water network,

and service delivery in rural communities.

allows for the monitoring of usage patterns, leakages and other abnormalities.

Julian Leshilo-Sebake is the Account Executive at the Department of Science and Technology

CONTACT DETAILS: Switchboard: +27 12 843 6300 Address: DST Building (Building No. 53) (CSIR South Gate Entrance) Meiring Naudé Road, Brummeria Postal Address: Private Bag X894, Pretoria

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AGENCY INITIATIVES TO BOOST BIOECONOMY DEVELOPMENT BY ZAMA MTHETHWA TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION FOR THE MEDICAL DEVICE AND DIAGNOSTICS INDUSTRY The DST’s Director for Health Innovation, Glaudina Loots, says achieving a thriving medical device and diagnostics industry in South Africa requires a supportive and engaged stakeholder ecosystem in which members are aligned in their focus, policies and support. “Important and significant participants in this ecosystem include all three levels of government, multiple agencies, medical device companies at every industry and sector level, academic institutions, science councils and industry. This industry support and coordination role is crucial to create a thriving industry,” Loots adds. Key stakeholders in the medical devices and diagnostics industry have come together to formalise this industry support and coordination role through the establishment of the MED3IC. The TIA's Chief Executive Officer, Barlow Manilal.

The role of MED3IC is to facilitate industry development by networking, coordinating efforts and aligning the

It is expected that by 2030 the bioeconomy will be

objectives of the various stakeholders in order to

making a significant contribution to South Africa’s gross

produce focused outcomes. It will assume the role of a

domestic product (GDP) through the creation of bio-

knowledge and innovation integrator, helping to grow

based services, products and innovations and support for

the industry by identifying key gaps and/or market

bioentrepreneurs.

failures, and partnering in the establishment of new services and infrastructure.

To assist in achieving this, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science

MED3IC will be linked with the Global Health Innovation

and Technology (DST), has partnered in the launch of

Accelerator established by the South African

three initiatives to help the bioeconomy take root and

Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the DST

boost its development in the country.

and administered by the Strategic Health Innovation Partnership at the SAMRC.

These initiatives are the Medical Devices and Diagnostics Technology Innovation Cluster (MED3IC), the Agricultural

AN INTEGRATED AGRICULTURAL BIO INNOVATION

Bioeconomy Innovation Partnership Programme, and the

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME

pan-African biotech incubator, OneBio.

The DST has allocated R44.6 million over three years, effective from 1 April 2018, to the TIA for the

According to Sarusha Pillay, Acting Executive:

implementation and management of the Agricultural

Innovation Enabling and Support at the TIA, these

Bioeconomy Innovation Partnership Programme (ABIPP).

initiatives aim to lower the technology development barriers faced by small-, medium- and micro-sized

ABIPP funds, co-funds, coordinates, facilitates and

enterprises (SMMEs) across the country. This will be

actively manages multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional

done by providing SMMEs with access to biotechnology

research programmes focusing on agricultural bio-

infrastructure, expertise, and finance in the form of

innovation, product processes and services that

seed funding, technology development funding as well

contribute to increased productivity, food security and

as pre-commercialisation funding.

sustainable rural development. It also encourages local

ADVERTORIAL

collaboration on national priorities, and promotes the

incubation and biotech support services respectively

global competitiveness of the agriculture sector.

for more than a decade.

The DST already has a number of initiatives being

According to Dr Reinhard Hiller, Managing Director of the

implemented under ABIPP. Grain SA is responsible for

CPGR, OneBio will support startups at the convergence

the maize breeding and wheat breeding programmes,

of laboratory work and computational science, and

the soybean plant improvement programme, and

will draw projects from disciplines including material

the climate change, crop protection and soil-borne

science, energy, food, natural products, nutraceuticals,

diseases programmes; while the Oil and Protein Seeds

agriculture and healthcare.

Development Trust (OPDT) is responsible for the soybean food and nutrition development project.

“The government has recognised the opportunity for the country to flourish as a globally competitive

Like all ABIPP initiatives, the OPDT’s soybean project

biotechnology economy, launching the Bio-economy

seeks to improve food security while contributing to

Strategy in 2014,” Dr Hiller said. “The vision is for South

poverty alleviation in the country. The members of 20

Africa’s bioeconomy to be a significant contributor to

rural communities have received training under the

the country’s economy by 2030. OneBio will support this

programme, including 11 women leaders belonging to

goal with the development of critical entrepreneurial

the African Cooperative Action Trust and Ethembeni Trust

skills and support for home-grown biotech ventures.”

from the uThukela and uKhahlamba districts respectively. The programme has been piloted in rural areas in KwaZuluNatal, the Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng.

Highlighting the need for collaboration, the TIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Barlow Manilal, believes that industry and government alike have to keep up with research,

Werner van der Merwe, Acting Executive for Innovation

development and innovation in order to maintain a

Funding and Pre-Commercialisation Support at the

competitive edge and ensure efficient service delivery.

TIA, says ABIPPs’ current efforts are mainly focused on establishing the Bioinnovation Aquaculture Programme, as well as agroprocessing pilot projects involving indigenous niche commodities such as marula, honeybush and Cape aloe. The Industrial Development Corporation, Agricultural Research Council and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research are the lead partners

“Together with academia, science councils and other institutions, we have the collective expertise to drive innovation for South Africa’s benefit”, Manilal says. Zama Mthethwa is the Account Executive at the Department of Science and Technology

in these projects. INCUBATION SUPPORT FOR HOME-GROWN BIOTECH VENTURES A specialist not-for-profit contract research organisation, the Cape Town-based Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR) was established with TIA funding to provide support and services to South Africa’s life science and biotech communities. The CPGR combines state-ofthe-art, information-rich genomic (study of the genome) and proteomic (study of proteins) technologies with biocomputational pipelines to create fit-for-purpose offerings for customers in academia and industry. In 2018, the CPGR entered a partnership with the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi) to create

CONTACT DETAILS: Switchboard: +27 12 843 6300

OneBio, a pan-African biotech incubator that will help

Address: DST Building (Building No. 53)

bioentrepreneurs and bioinnovators from across the

(CSIR South Gate Entrance)

continent to commercialise and scale biotech startups.

Meiring Naudé Road, Brummeria

OneBio will build on the expertise of CiTi and the CPGR, which have been successfully providing business

Postal Address: Private Bag X894, Pretoria

FEATURE

Writer: Siya Miti

Major investment boost for ELSEZ T

he East London Special Eco-

government’s investment promo-

vested R502 million. Yekani Tech-

nomic Zone (ELSEZ) is attract-

tion entities, such as the ELSEZ,

nology’s high-tech manufacturing

ing a more diversified crop of

have been working hard to diver-

facility, which cost R1.35 billion, is

investors, with over R1.5 billion in in-

sify the local economy to protect it

the largest single investment in the

vestments secured in the past year.

from the risk of relying on a single

ELSEZ and was officially launched

dominant sector.

in June last year. Yekani manufac-

Previously known for its automotive supplier park, the ELSEZ

Yekani Technology, Meek Mines

tures smart phones, DSTV Explora

(formerly East London Industrial

SA and Nulatex are lauded as

decoders and tablets, among

Development Zone) is increasingly

part of the ELSEZ’s success in

other devices.

attracting investors in information

diversifying the Eastern Cape

and communications technology,

economy, which previously relied

general manufacturing and phar-

mainly on the automotive industry

Black Industrialist Programme

maceuticals, as is demonstrated

in the main urban centres.

The latest ELSEZ

by its latest investors. According to the Eastern Cape

Meek Mines and condom manufacturer Nulatex have jointly in-

investors are 100 percent

MEC for Economic Development, Oscar Mabuyane, the provincial

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

black-owned and are part of

is a significant development,” he

economic potential of the prov-

government’s Black Industrialist

explained.

ince and skew the scales in favour

Programme. Trade and Industry Minister Rob

Minister Davies said the De-

of socio-economic development

partment of Trade and Industry

in the Buffalo City Metropolitan

Davies said Yekani’s investment

provided R350 million for the

region over the next five years.

is a significant milestone as it will

construction of the company’s

enhance the value proposition of

infrastructure through the Special

percent black-owned company,

a diversified regional economy.

Economic Zones Fund at the ELIDZ.

cuts and polishes diamonds

“We’ve also provided a R50 mil-

sourced from within Africa for

It is significant because it’s a bil-

Meek Mines SA, which is a 100

lion-rand investment, he said, and

lion incentive grant to the com-

supply to both the domestic and

because South Africa needs to be

pany to acquire their equipment,

foreign markets, MEC Mabuyane

producing more of the products

which in turn will allow them to

said.

demanded by the Fourth Industri-

create 1 000 jobs, which will be

al Revolution – such as cellphones

quality jobs for young people and

the Eastern Cape economy.

and tablets, rather than importing

women.”

Meek will export 80 percent of its

them. “So a factory that is operating in this space and is world-class

“It is investing R423 million into

product to Belgium and the Mid-

Job creation

dle East while the remainder will

Meeks Mines SA and Nulatex will create 450 jobs for locals. Their half a billion

be supplied to the local jewellery industry. The company has taken over an existing facility and is located within the general manu-

investment

facturing sector, which includes

will help

diamond cutting and beneficia-

unlock the

tion. Meek plans to create 150 jobs over a five-year period beginning in 2019,” he added. Nulatex Condoms South Africa, which is also 100-percent black owned, is a pharmaceutical company. It will manufacture male and female condoms and other latex products from a facility in Zone 1A of the ELSEZ. “The company is investing R79 million into the provincial economy and plans to create 300 direct jobs. This first investor in the ELSEZ’s pharmaceutical cluster has already signed an

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

FEATURE

off-take agreement with the pro-

which

vincial department of health for

makes

the supply of their latex products,”

it ideally

said MEC Mabuyane.

positioned for

He said the investments contrib-

importing raw ma-

ute to the job creation priorities

terial and exporting

of the province indicated in the

the finished products.

provincial economic development

Meek Mines has taken over

plan and investment promotion

premises previously occupied

strategy.

by Matla Diamonds and has

“We are pleased as the prov-

installed plant equipment with

ince that through Nulatex and

an estimated value of R25 million.

SEZ

Meek Mines, 450 people will no

The facility has the capability to

and

longer be counted amongst the

process up to 60 000 carats per

ELSEZ,

unemployed. They will be able to

term and has acquired a benefi-

are poised

participate fully in the economy

ciation licence under the South

for such invest-

and realise their dreams.

African Diamond Act of 1986 as

ments. The 2018/19

an authorised representative.

financial year is a good

“The new investors will respond

year for our SEZs and the

to government’s call to promote regional integration and beneficiation and to create meaningful jobs,” said the MEC.

Investment promotion and local beneficiation

people of our province,” noted the MEC. In his 2018/19 budget speech,

Yekani Technology, Nulatex and

Mabuyane said SEZs would be key

ber of jobs that will be created,

Meek Mines have committed to

tenets of economic growth stimu-

there will be value chain oppor-

create over 1 000 jobs in the ELSEZ,

lation in the province and were

tunities for local small businesses

said MEC Mabuyane.

poised to benefit local business.

He added that beyond the num-

that will also bring money into the

President Cyril Ramaphosa previ-

“We must applaud our SEZs for

ously announced that Special

being unambiguous about their

Economic Zones (SEZs) remain

commitment to local beneficia-

pected to produce three billion

important instruments that govern-

tion. At the Coega SEZ, 78 percent

condoms per annum. The compa-

ment will use to attract strategic

of supplies are sourced locally,

ny said it favoured the ELSEZ as a

foreign and domestic direct invest-

while 84 percent of contracts in

site for its plant because it is situat-

ment.

the ELSEZ are locally based,” he

provincial economy. At full capacity, Nulatex is ex-

ed near the East London harbour,

“Our two world-class SEZs, Coega

said.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

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THE PUBLIC SERVICE REORIENTATION PROGRAMME RECOMMITTING TO PUBLIC SERVICE VALUES The National School of Government’s new course ensures all public servants are able to provide South Africans with high-quality, consistent assistance that furthers the Batho Pele principles. EMMANUEL CHAUKE

BACKGROUND

While the ROP was created with the assumption that

A high-performing public service that is staffed with a well-

learners are already knowledgeable about the public

trained workforce ensures excellent service delivery which

service, it’s underpinned by the understanding that

contributes to creating a healthy, educated and prosperous

information becomes outdated. The programme is thus

society. Public servants are an integral part of the system,

introduced as an intervention to ensure that experienced

ensuring that service delivery mechanisms, government

officials are updated with the latest information regarding

initiatives and institutional development – among others – are

the public service.

furthered in line with the Constitution.

The ROP forms part of a suite of compulsory induction

In addition to this, public servants are the leaders of the

programmes offered by the NSG. It caters for public servants

state machinery and are well placed to manage the

who are not covered by the July 2012 Ministerial Directive on

administration and community interface. Their experience

the Compulsory Induction Programme (CIP).

and skills enable them to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate service delivery which would otherwise have stagnated. When working optimally, public servants keep the public service vibrant and ensure consistent delivery of quality services.

PURPOSE The purpose of the ROP is to enable active public servants to revive their understanding of the Constitution and their mandate in creating citizen-centred service ethos, enthusiasm for public duty and commitment to improving

Chapter 13 of the National Development Plan calls for the

service delivery. It also calls for serving officials to commit

development and maintenance of a professional public

to building a capable state and an administration that is

service. To ensure that this chapter is upheld, the National

responsive, caring and proactive in dealing with citizens

School of Government (NSG) has developed the Public

and their challenges. It provides an opportunity for

Service Reorientation Programme (ROP).

participants to:

Targeted at public servants who were appointed prior to

• Ignite their thinking

2012, the programme aims to improve these individuals’

• Energise their approach to work

understanding of constitutional values as they apply in

• Reconnect with their colleagues to innovate

the public service environment. Having recognised and

• Solve problems with passion and commitment.

understood the gaps in inductive knowledge, particularly as it relates to the contribution of government in instituting constitutional demands, the NSG aims to increase positive returns through educating the workforce.

CURRICULUM The ROP is unmatched in its value proposition to clients. Rooted in the Batho Pele doctrine, the curriculum embraces

ADVERTORIAL

the Batho Pele principles of We Belong, We Care and We Serve, structured in three thematic areas: I Care, I Value and I Serve. These thematic areas directly translate into the three units focusing on

CONTACT DETAILS:

three key topics that locate a learner in contemporary discourse both at home and in the rest of the world. The first topic exposes a learner to socio-economic challenges facing South Africa, global change drivers and African multilateralism. The second tackles matters of government planning in the context of the Constitution and other legislation. Finally, learners are educated about governance, institutions and accountability.

LEARNING OUTCOMES AND MODALITY Learning outcomes that require public servants to demonstrate an understanding of the material covered are the hallmark of the ROP. At the end of the programme, learners will be able to: • Demonstrate an understanding of how global, regional and national issues affect them and the people they serve, as well as the commitment to unblocking service delivery challenges.

Switchboard: 012 441 6000 Contact centre: 086 100 8326 Fax: 012 441 6030 Physical address: 70 Meintjies Str, ZK Matthews Building, Sunnyside Postal address: Private Bag X759, Pretoria, 0001 E-mail: contactcentre@thensg.gov.za Website: www.thensg.gov.za Twitter: @thensgZA Facebook:

• Demonstrate the application of developmental values, constitutional principles and citizen-centred approaches to their work and the

The National School of Government

public they serve. • Demonstrate an understanding of regulatory frameworks from the perspective of a lay person and a commitment to dedication in implementing government priorities. These outcomes are successfully achieved due to the programme’s learning modality. With the options to either learn through contact sessions or e-Learning, the ROP ensures learners have a fulfilling experience that will empower them to serve better in a public service that truly takes the country to greater heights.

school of government Department: National School of Government REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

DSTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nanotechnology Innovation Centres Celebrate 10 Years of World-class Research, Development and Innovation

he Nanotechnology Innovation Centres (NICs) funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) celebrated 10 years of conducting world-class research, development and innovation in the field of nanotechnology. The NICs, hosted by MINTEK and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), have a mandate to build capacity that will ensure the development of commercial nano-enabled products for South Africa to compete globally in the field of nanotechnology. Both centres were established in 2017 as part of the National Nanotechnology Strategy to advance the key national science and technology priorities, aimed at enriching the lives of South African citizens through cutting-edge scientific research.

In the last decade, the DST-CSIR National Centre for Nanostructured Materials (NCNSM) has undertaken innovative research on nanostructured materials and established an extensive research network with key local and international research organisations. The centre is well equipped with cutting-edge scaling up, polymer processing, characterisation and testing facilities, to undertake research and develop skills in nanotechnology related areas. Amongst its achievements, the centre has developed a prototype breath analyser to detect diabetes without the need of a blood test; set up the water and catalysis research groups as new research areas in nanotechnology; established the polymer-processing laboratory for the testing and evaluation of industrial samples; and developed and established the Nanomaterials Industrial Development Facility (NIDF) in 2015. The NIDF enables industry, research entities and small, medium and micro enterprises to develop and scale up high-tech materials. Prof Suprakas Sinha Ray, head of the NCNSM, says the centre plays a crucial role in availing its high-tech instrumentation to various stakeholders within the nanotechnology research space. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Research and development at the nano centre supports the manufacturing of bulk materials with improved properties, such as plastics, that are able to tolerate very high and low temperatures and plastics that possess fire retardant properties or high resistance to tearing. This includes the development of detection devices that use nanomaterials capable of detecting, gases at parts-permillion levels with greater sensitivity and accuracy,â&#x20AC;? says Prof Ray. The DST-MINTEK NIC, a consortium of research institutions that include the DST, the Medical Research Council, the Water Research Commission, Rhodes University, the University of Western Cape and the University of Johannesburg, conducts multidisciplinary research in the sectors of health, water, mining and minerals. Among its achievements is its

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contribution to human capital development, through the training of scientists, engineers and industrialists, as well as the training of numerous students in the areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology, who graduate and join the workforce at universities, industries and government, where they contribute to economic growth. In addition, the NIC launched a state-of-the-art cleanroom research facility in 2015, for the development and commercialisation of nanoparticle-containing, point-of-care, rapid diagnostic devices for the detection of Malaria, TB and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. The cleanroom comprise of the pharmaceutical grade (ISO 5), Biosafety level 3 (BSL 3) and the electronic device fabrication (ISO 3) cleanrooms. The ISO 3 is the first of its kind in South Africa. The NIC remains globally competitive, adhering to stringent International Standards Organisation (ISO) requirements and addresses environmental issues through the responsible and sustainable development of nanotechnology.

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Dr Lucky Sikhwivhilu, head of the DST/Mintek NIC said, “As we celebrate a decade of the DST-MINTEK NIC, the next 10 years challenge us to continue to use nanotechnology in innovative ways to address the challenges faced by every South African”. To support effective communication and engagement with the research conducted by the NICs, both centres have developed Nanotechnology Facility Tours, the first of its kind in Africa, through collaboration with the Nanotechnology Public Engagement Programme (NPEP). The tours include an audio-visual presentation to familiarise the viewer with the science of nanotechnology, its origins, potential applications and risks, and a physical tour conducted in the laboratories to encourage engagement and to explore opportunities to support and collaborate with the work done at the centres. Despite the commendable contributions of the NICs to the South African nanotechnology sector, the next decade will require more efforts to ensure an increase in the country’s intellectual outputs in this field. With reports indicating that South Africa has been granted fewer than 10 nanotechnology patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office between 2005 to 2015 there is an urgent need for collaborations between the NICs, domestic and international academia and industry to ensure that South Africa reaps the economic benefits of its investments in nanotechnology. The Nanotechnology Public Engagement Programme (NPEP) is an initiative funded by DST and implemented by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF). NPEP aims to promote credible, fact-based understanding of nanotechnology through awareness, dialogue and education to enable informed decision-making on nanotechnology innovations to improve quality of life.

For more information, visit: info@npep.co.za or visit: www.npep.co.za or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nanotechn/ or on Twitter: @npeptweet

the burg, ts is its

2019/02/22 08:39

FOOD AND WINE

Writer: Gilda Narsimdas

Marvellous meat-free delights T

ake meat-free Monday to a

Directions:

Serves: 3 - 4

new level with these delicious

Wash and slice brinjals length-

Ingredients

vegetarian and vegan meals.

wise about 3mm thick (keep

• 2 glugs olive oil

These healthy, delicious options are

them as thin as possible). Heat

• ¼ tsp mustard seeds

sure-fire quick dinner winners. Local

a large non-stick pan on high

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

chef Videhi Sivurusan, a columnist,

heat. Fry the brinjals on both

• 1 medium brinjal, diced into

recipe creator, food blogger and

sides until they are cooked and

former vegetarian chef on Lotus FM

slightly charred, once cooked

shares her favourites.

remove and keep aside. You can

square pieces • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

add a drop of oil when frying the

• 1 tsp (5ml) cumin powder

Brinjal wraps

brinjals.

• 1 tsp hot or medium chilli

Preparation: 10–15mins

On a slice of cooked brinjal, layer

Cooking time: 30mins

some lettuce, carrots, cabbage

• ½-1 tsp salt

powder

and spring onions next to each

• 1 tbsp (15ml) tomato paste

Ingredients

other along the length of the

• ¾ cup coconut milk (full cream

• 2 large brinjals

brinjal slice. Add a small dollop

• 2 handfuls speciality lettuce or

of dressing and then roll up from

curly leaf lettuce

one end like a Swiss roll and se-

or lite) • 1 small red cabbage, finely sliced

• 2 medium carrots, julienned

cure with a toothpick.

• 200g rice noodles

• 1 small red baby cabbage,

Serving suggestion: Perfect as

• Fresh coriander leaves to gar-

finely sliced • 4-5 springs onions, finely sliced lengthwise

starters or snacks.

nish

Hot tip: The dressing can be replaced with hummus.

Directions: Heat the oil in a pot and toss in

1 cup (250ml) vegan mayon-

Chickpea and brinjal rice noodle bowls

naise

Preparation: 10mins

five minutes. Add the aubergine

½ cup (125ml) sweet chilli sauce

Cooking time: 30mins

and cook for five to eight min-

Dressing (mix the following ingredients together in a bowl)

the mustard seeds. As soon as they pop add onion and cook until golden brown, for three to

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

utes. Toss in the chickpeas, cumin

• Pinch of salt

powder chilli powder and salt and

• 4 tsps (20ml) baking powder

give it a good stir. Add the tomato

• 1 knob softened vegan butter/

paste and sauté for another minute.

margarine • 1 cup (250ml) luke-warm water

Pour in the coconut milk, bring-

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced • 2 tbsp (30ml) tomato paste • 2 medium plum tomatoes, puréed • 2 ½ cups (625ml) boiling water

ing to a boil and then reduce the

Curry

heat. Cover the pot with a lid and

• 4 tbsp (60ml) olive oil

simmer for eight to 10 minutes until

• ¼ tsp mustard seeds

gravy thickens and brinjal softens.

• ¼ tsp cumin seeds

Directions:

Once done, turn off the heat and

• ¼ tsp fennel seeds

Toss the flour, salt, baking powder

keep aside.

• 1 small cinnamon stick

and butter into a mixing bowl. Use

Blanch the red cabbage for five

• 1 cup (250ml) onion, finely

your fingertips to rub in the butter

minutes in boiling water. Cook the rice noodles as per the instructions on the pack. In a big bowl add a good serving of rice noodles, followed by a gen-

chopped • cup (80ml) celery stalk, finely sliced • 1 tbsp (15ml) coriander powder

• ½ cup (125ml) celery leaves to garnish

until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the water a little at a time, bringing the dough together. Knead until smooth (do not over work the dough). Divide

erous amount of cabbage and a

• ½ tbsp. (7.5ml) cumin powder

into eight portions, roll into small

good spoonful of chickpea coco-

• 1 tsp (5ml) turmeric powder

balls and then cover and set

nut curry. Garnish with coriander

• 1 tsp (5ml) garam masala

leaves and serve.

• 2-3 tbsp (20-45ml) mixed masala or chilli powder

Curried Soya Chunks and Dumplings

• 1 cup (250ml) dry soya chunks soaked in boiling water

Preparation: 15mins

• 1 ½ tsp salt

Cooking: 40mins

• 1 tsp (5ml) garlic powder • 1 tsp (5ml) onion power

Dumplings • 2 cups (500ml) cake wheat flour

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

• 1 large potato, peeled and cut into 8-10 pieces

FOOD AND WINE

aside to rest.

a boil.

Drain and rinse out the softened

Gently pop in the dumplings. Cover

soya chunks and season with

with a lid and cook on medium to

garlic and onion powder.

high heat for 25 to 30 minutes. Try

• ¾ cup roasted cashew nuts

Heat the oil in a big pot (that has

not to open the pot for the first 15

• 9 pieces pickled ginger

a good fitting lid).

minutes. Once done serve hot.

• 1 carrot, sliced into ribbons

Toss in the mustard seeds, cumin

Hot tip: Dumplings tend to soak

• 2 tsp (10ml) black sesame

seeds, fennel seeds and cin-

up the gravy. To add more gravy,

namon stick. Once the seeds

remove the dumplings once done

pop add the onions and celery

and add another ½ to ¾ cup water

Sauce

stalks and fry until the onions are

and cook until the gravy thickens.

• 8 tbsp (120ml) soy sauce

golden brown.

You may also use one cup of veg-

• 4 tbsp (60ml) rice vinegar

Add the coriander powder, cumin

etable stock to increase the flavour.

• 4 tsp (20ml) brown sugar

masala and mixed masala and

Mango pokè bowls

Directions:

give the pot a quick swirl. Add the

Preparation: 10–15mins

Boil the sushi rice according to

soya chunks and salt and give it

Cooking time: 25–30mins

the instructions on the pack.

cubed • 1 cup red cabbage, shredded

seeds

powder, turmeric powder, garam

Once the rice is cooked allow to

a good stir. Cover and cook for two to three minutes.

Ingredients

cool and keep aside. Mix all the

Add the potato, carrots and

• 1 ¼ cup (250ml + 60ml) sushi

sauce ingredients together until

tomato paste and stir. Cook for a minute and then pour in the pureed tomatoes. Stir and cook until the tomatoes are cooked through for about 10 to 12 minutes. Pour in the boiling water, bring to

rice • ½ cup (125ml) frozen peas, thawed • ½ cup (125 ml) frozen sweetcorn, thawed • 1 big ripe mango peeled and

the sugar has dissolved. Next divide the rice into three parts in three separate bowls. Mix the sweetcorn and peas together and then spoon into the bowls. Divide the mango, red cabbage, cashew nuts and ginger into three parts and spoon each into three separate bowls. Roll up the carrot ribbons and place three carrot roses into each bowl. Sprinkle sesame seeds on mangoes. Divide the sauce mixture into three parts and spoon over just before serving.

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

NICE-TO-HAVES FEATURE

Writer: Nicholas Francis

f you think it is time for a bedroom revamp we know just what you should start with. 2

Sticking to solid colours when it comes

to accessory choices will give you the freedom to be more creative in your choice of

bedding and curtains. We have selected a few key items that will spruce up your bedroom and also work perfectly with any linen changes you make.

1. Mr Price Home, Via Della pedestal, R599.99.

5. Woolworths geo print scented candle, R130.

2. Sixth Floor astro ďŹ&#x201A;oor lamp, R1 039.

6. @Home pine mirror, R2 099.

3. David Jones luxe faux fur throw, 150x240cm, R899.

7. Mr Price Home jewellery drawer box, R129.99.

4. Sixth Floor shine velvet cushion cover, R129.

Public Sector Manager â&#x20AC;˘ March 2019

CAR REVIEWS

Writer: Ashref Ismail

BMW expands X4 and X3 ranges

f you are already confused with the number of individual models

out all the sporting addenda. The highly successful BMW X3, sits

they are falling over themselves to bring about innovative designs. And, others are following suit.

in the various BMW model ranges,

between the baby X1 and newly

things are about to get much worse.

launched X5, all known as Sport

The BMW X3 M, BMW X4 M, BMW

BMW has now added two special

Activity Vehicles (SAVs). Coming

X3 M Competition and BMW X4 M

sporty editions to its X3 and X4 rang-

soon will be ginormous, full, seven-

Competition all feature increased

es.

seater, X7. The X4, powered by the

engine outputs and exclusive

same range of engines that moti-

standard equipment.

So successful has the M Sport or M edition models become for the

vate the X5 is dubbed the Sports

company that a sizeable number

Activity Coupe, given its stylish

ogy is brand new and boasts two

of BMWs ordered by private buyers

slanting c-pillar design.

turbochargers that ensure high-

The M TwinPower Turb technol-

revving character that is suitable

are special M editions. Sometimes, I wonder if the company would

Creating niches

for driving on race tracks, doing

not actually pass the cost benefits

A decade ago, a car of such de-

the daily commute and venturing

over to the customer if it just de-

sign tendencies would have been

off the beaten track. The multi-

cided to make all of its cars M edi-

ridiculed and sidelined, but today,

purpose feature of these vehicles

tions. But, I guess there will always

German manufacturers are so

explains their phenomenal sales

be many fleet owners who want a

intent on creating niches and split-

success across the world.

cheaper ‘de-speced’ version with-

ting them into further niches that

Depending on the specific

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

model, power is transferred via an

(BMW X3 M), rear spoiler (BMW

red start/stop button, interior trim

eight-speed M Steptronic transmis-

X4 M) and 20-inch M light-alloy

strips in aluminium carbon struc-

sion to the M xDrive all-wheel drive

wheels in twin-spoke design fitted

ture, as well as the M sports seats.

with rear-biased set-up and two

as standard.

selectable modes. The newly devel-

BMW’s excellent Connected

M Competition models have

Drive navigation package to-

oped M-specific suspension, with

distinctive design features, such

gether with a large menu of driver

electronically controlled dampers

as 21-inch M light-alloy wheels

assistance systems and extensive

and M-specific kinematics, com-

and an M Sport exhaust system.

connectivity ensure that your

bined with the Dynamic Stability

The optional M Carbon exterior

hard-earned cash is relatively well

Control (DSC) and the Active M

package with exclusive design el-

spent. Truth be told, if I had a fam-

Differential at the rear axle ensures

ements in carbon fibre-reinforced

ily with two kids and I was looking

that road-holding, agility and di-

plastic are expected to be avail-

for a high-end, premium luxury ve-

rectional stability are enhanced.

able from August 2019.

hicle that displays multiple talents

Superior performance

motor sport ambience is further

pressed not to take one of these

BMW claims 0 to 100 km/h amaz-

enhanced by splashing the M

vehicles. For added space and

ing acceleration figures of 4.2

insignia on the M-specific instru-

long-term travelling plans, the X3

seconds for the BMW X3 M and X4

ment cluster, M leather steering

would be the pick, but for the mo-

M, and 4.1 seconds for the special

wheel with gearshift paddles and

notonous daily commutes, I think

Competition editions. Not so long

M buttons, M gear selector lever,

the X4 Coupe will do just fine.

Inside, the sporty and luxurious

and personalities, I would be hard

ago those were performance figBMW X3 M

BMW X4 M

Power

353 kW/480 hp

375 kW/510 hp

Torque

600Nm

Consumption

10.5l/100km

ures reserved for high-end exotic supercars. The cars' settings can be configured to suit individual driving

BMW X3 M Competition

BMW X4 M Competition

Emissions

239g/km

styles, by simply adjusting the DSC

Fuel

Petrol

settings including M Dynamic

Transmission

8 –Speed auto

Mode, damper settings, steering responses, M xDrive mode and Mspecific Head-Up Display content. M buttons on the steering wheel can be used to select two prestored overall set-up options. There are numerous signature M design tell-tale features that set these models apart from the vanilla models such as large air intakes in the front apron, air breathers with integral M gills, M-specific design for the exterior mirrors, rear apron, roof spoiler

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

GEMS – what’s new in 2019! GEMS – what’s new in 2019! GEMS – what’s new in GEMS – what’s new in 2019! 2019!

ADVERTORIAL

ENHANCED HEALTHCARE VALUE FOR Members can forward STATE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES Members can look look forward to to several several Members can look forward to several new and benefits new and improved improved Members can look benefits forward to several new and improved benefits Members can look forward to several new and improved benefits new and improved benefits

More More cover cover –– an an increase increase of of 5.4% 5.4% for for all all inin- and and out-of-hospital benefit limits across all GEMS More cover – an increase of 5.4% for all in- and out-of-hospital benefit limits across all GEMS Moreofcover – anbenefit increase of 5.4% for all all GEMS inbenefit out-of-hospital across Members the public sector limits and their families areand benefit options. options. More cover – anbenefit increase of 5.4% for all all GEMS in- and out-of-hospital limits across benefit options. receiving optimal value with healthcare cover from out-of-hospital limits across all GEMS benefit options. benefit Extended on and –– Extended benefits benefits on Emerald Emerald and EVO EVO the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS). benefit options. an additional R500 per per beneficiary per year for: Extended benefits on Emerald andper EVO – for: an additional R500 beneficiary year Significant benefits enhancements in excess of Extended benefits on Emerald andper EVO – for: l additional Network GP consultations; an R500 per beneficiary year l Network GP consultations; R800 Extended million canbenefits beR500 by the members for on Emerald andper EVO –thefor: an additional per beneficiary year l Acute medicine GPenjoyed consultations; l Network Acute prescribed prescribed medicine obtained obtained at at a a an additional R500 per beneficiary per year 2019 l benefit year while contribution increases were kept l network Network GP consultations; pharmacy; and Acute prescribed medicine obtained at a for: network pharmacy; and l Network GP consultations; Acute prescribed medicine obtained at a l the among lowest in the industry. Pathology tests performed at a preferred network pharmacy; and l Pathology tests performed at a preferred l Acute prescribed medicine obtained at a network pharmacy; and pathology l Pathology tests performed at a preferred pathology laboratory. laboratory. network pharmacy; and l Pathology tests performed at a preferred pathology laboratory. South Africa’s largest restricted medical scheme has l Pathology tests performedRuby at a preferred pathology laboratory. Extra value for members –– limits an enhanced in- and benefit by an Extra all value for out-of-hospital members on on Ruby an extra extra pathology laboratory. R500 per year to extend your your Out-of-hospital Extra per value forto members on Ruby – an extra R500 year extend Out-of-hospital impressive 5.4% across its entire portfolio of benefit options. Extra value forto members on Ruby – an extra Block Benefit. R500 per year extend your Out-of-hospital Block Benefit. Extra value forto members on Ruby – an extra R500 per year extend your Out-of-hospital Block Benefit. More benefits providing meaningful R500 per year to extend your Out-of-hospital Block Benefit. Sapphire Sapphire gets gets richer richer –– Sapphire Sapphire members members will will Block Benefit. member value have access to private hospital care for Sapphire gets richer – Sapphire members will have access to private hospital care for additional additional Sapphire gets richer – hospital Sapphirecare members will procedures and treatments. have access to private for additional procedures and treatments. Sapphire gets richer – hospital Sapphire members will have tointroduced private care for additional and treatments. “This procedures year, access we have an out-of-hospital primary have access to private hospital care for additional procedures and treatments. for your medicines – Sapphire and Beryl care More extender benefit on selected options. This will More for your medicines – Sapphire and Beryl procedures andmedicines treatments. members have R250 per beneficiary per year More your – Sapphire Berylfor members have R250of per beneficiary per year for provide anfor extra cushion about R500 perand beneficiary More for your medicines –limited Sapphire and Beryl over-the-counter medicine, to R90 per event. members have R250 per beneficiary per year for over-the-counter medicine, limited to R90 per event. per year on the Emerald and Emerald Value options so More for your –limited Sapphire and Beryl members have medicines R250 per beneficiary per year for over-the-counter medicine, to R90 per event. that members can continue to access healthcare if their members have R250 per beneficiary per year for over-the-counter medicine, limited to R90 per event. Family Family planning planning gets gets easier easier –– a a contraceptive contraceptive over-the-counter medicine, limited toprescribed R90 per event. benefits for general practitioner services, benefit of R2 822 per family per year Family planning gets easier – a contraceptive benefit of R2 822 per family per year now now available available medicine and pathology limits outnow before the Family planning gets easier – run a year contraceptive on benefit of R2and 822Beryl. pertests family per available on Sapphire Sapphire and Beryl. Family planning gets easier – a year contraceptive benefit of R2and 822Beryl. per family per now available end of the year,” says Dr Stan Moloabi, Chief Operations on Sapphire benefit of R2and 822Beryl. per family per–year now available on Sapphire Expanded Officer of GEMS.screening Expanded screening services services – all all benefit benefit options options on Sapphire and Beryl. will out-of-hospital screening services Expanded services – all benefit options will receive receive screening out-of-hospital screening services Expanded screening services – all benefit options including: will receive out-of-hospital screening services including: Families on the GEMS Ruby option will–also receiveoptions an Expanded screening services all benefit will receive out-of-hospital screening services l Childhood hearing and optometry tests including: l Childhood hearing and optometry tests extrawill R500 per year to extend their current out-of-hospital receive out-of-hospital screening services including: l Childhood hearing and optometry tests blockincluding: if this benefit depleted. l benefit Childhood hearinglimit andbecomes optometry tests l Childhood hearing and optometry tests

With With GEMS, GEMS, your your health health is is taken taken care care of of –– so so that that you you have time to focus on what is important to you and your With GEMS, your health is taken care of – so have time to focus on what is important to you that and you your Withas GEMS, your health is taken care of –you so of that you family. This year is no different! have time to focus on what is important to and your pockets their employer subsidy may cover 100% family. This year is no different! With GEMS, your health is taken care of so that have time to year focus on what is important to–you and you your family. This is no different! their contributions,” Dr Moloabi advises. have time to focus on what is important to you and your family. This year is no different! Accessible: Accessible: family. This year is no different! l With the goal of universal health coverage in Accessible: l the With the goal Sapphire of universal health in Members on entry-level option now coverage also Accessible: mind, our 2019 benefit enhancements place l mind, With the goal ofbenefit universal health coverage in our 2019 enhancements place have additional access to private hospitalhealth care atcoverage network Accessible: l greater With the goal ofbenefit universal focus on vulnerable groups –– children, mind, our 2019 enhancements place in greater focus on vulnerable groups children, With goal ofbenefit universal health coverage healthcarel facilities for selected procedures, including mind,the our 2019 enhancements place in women and elderly greater on vulnerable groups – children, women focus and the the elderly mind, our 2019 benefit enhancements place greater focus vulnerable groups – children, l and circumcisions removal ofon tonsils for children, cataract GEMS provides greater access quality and the elderly l women GEMS provides greater access to to quality greater focus on vulnerable groups – children, womenprovides andthrough the a array of networks healthcare GEMS greater access and retinallprocedures, andelderly knee replacements for the healthcarehip through a wide wide array to of quality networks women and the wide elderly l GEMS provides greater access to quality Because of our beneficiary definition, healthcare through a wide array of networks elderly, as lwell as certain gynaecological and obstetrics Because of our wide beneficiary definition, you you l healthcare GEMS provides greater access quality a wide array to of networks you for more of your family members l can Because ofthrough our wide can care carechildbirth, for more of beneficiary your family definition, members procedures, including and hospitalisation for healthcare a beneficiary wide array of networks you l Because ofthrough our wide definition, can care for more of your family members certain mental health conditions. l can Because of our wide care for more of beneficiary your family definition, members you Affordable: Affordable: for more of your members l can Our care growing reserve ratio family provides security for Affordable: l Our growing reserve ratio provides security for GEMS has Affordable: a special chronic medicine programme that and your family l you Our growing reserve ratio provides security for you and your family Affordable: members of benefit options canincreases access in keep orderus to Our growing reserve ratio provides security for l all Lowest contribution you and your family l Lowest contribution increases keep us l Our growing reserve ratio provides securitythe for you and your family At 4.3%, EVO has experienced avoid paying for these medicines out of their allocated l affordable. Lowest contribution increases keep us affordable. At 4.3%, EVO has experienced the you and your family l Lowest contribution increases keep us lowest increase 2019. affordable. At 4.3%, EVO hasfor experienced day-to-day benefits. means that the members’ day- the lowestThis contribution increase for 2019. l Lowest contribution increases keep us At 4.3%, EVO has experienced the l affordable. Members moving from the Emerald option contribution increase for 2019. to-day benefits can last much longer and members will to l lowest Members moving from the Emerald option to affordable. At 4.3%, EVO has experienced the lowest contribution increase for 2019. will experience a discount of over 16% l EVO Members movingthat from thechronic Emerald option to EVO experience atheir discount ofmedicine over 16% have the option of will requesting lowest contribution increase for 2019. l on Members moving from the Emerald option to contributions before subsidy EVO will experience a discount of over 16% on contributions before subsidy be conveniently delivered monthly no Emerald additional cost to l Members moving from the option EVO will experience aatdiscount of over 16% on contributions before subsidy by the scheme’s contracted courier pharmacy. EVO will experience a discount of over 16% on contributions before subsidy Richer benefits: Richer benefits: on contributions before subsidy l GEMS has Richer benefits: l GEMS has invested invested over over three three quarters quarters of of a a Richer Beneficiaries allbenefits: GEMS benefit options have quarters access for to of a a billion rands in benefit enhancements l of GEMS has invested over three billion rands in benefit enhancements for our our Richer benefits: l GEMS has over three quarters a members special preventative careinvested benefit, which includes cover billion rands in benefit enhancements forof our members l billion GEMS has invested over three quarters of a rands in benefit enhancements for our l GEMS has richer benefits members for routinelhealth screening and and certain vaccinations. GEMS has better better and richer benefits –– our our lowlowbillion rands in benefit enhancements for our members option, Sapphire is richer in benefits than l cost GEMS has better andisricher – our lowcost option, Sapphire richerbenefits in benefits than members l other GEMS has better and richer benefits – our lowsimilar-priced products in the market cost option, Sapphire is richer in benefits than other similar-priced products in the market “With the influenza season approaching, why not protect l GEMS has better and – our lowcost option, Sapphire isricher richerbenefits ininbenefits than other similar-priced products the market yourself with the preventative influenza vaccine to ward cost option, Sapphire is richer in benefits than other similar-priced products in the market off this unpleasant illness,” suggests Dr Moloabi. otherviral similar-priced products in the market

has also been introduced. 0860 0860 00 00 4367 4367 0860 00 4367 enquiries@gems.co.za “We would like to encourage qualifying public service enquiries@gems.co.za 0860 00 4367 enquiries@gems.co.za 0860 00 4367 employees on employment levels one to five to consider www.gems.gov.za www.gems.gov.za enquiries@gems.co.za the fact that if they join the GEMS Sapphire option, they www.gems.gov.za enquiries@gems.co.za www.gems.gov.za may not have to pay any contributions out of their own www.gems.gov.za

formularies and available benefits.

“This is just one of the ways that GEMS is working to safeguard the health and wellbeing of members of the public service and their families. Join us to experience the GEMS difference,” Dr Moloabi concludes. Lesoba 18439 Lesoba Lesoba 1843918439

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For more detail on the GEMS in Members on the Sapphire have benefits a medicines available “As we approach winter, we encourage GEMS For more detail on option the rich rich benefits available on on GEMS in 2019, 2019, For more detail on theof rich available on GEMSchannels. intake 2019, benefit of R250 per beneficiary per yearbenefits for out-of-hospital beneficiaries to advantage of the fact that the contact us using one our available communication contact usingon one ourbenefits available communication For moreus detail theof rich available on GEMSchannels. in 2019, prescribed us and using over-the-counter medication, limited to influenza vaccine, or flu shot, is covered through the contact one of our available communication channels. For moreusdetail on theofrich available on GEMSchannels. in 2019, contact one ourbenefits available communication R90 per event. Ausing family planning benefit of R2 822 per year preventative care benefit, in line with the scheme rules, contact us using one of our available communication channels.

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GEMS – what’s new in 2019! GEMS––what’s what’snew newinin2019! 2019! GEMS Members can look forward to several Members can look benefits forward to several new and improved Members can look forward to several new and improved benefits new and improved benefits More cover – an increase of 5.4% for all in- and out-of-hospital limits across More cover – anbenefit increase of 5.4% for all all GEMS in- and More cover – an increase 5.4% for allallinand benefit options. out-of-hospital benefit of limits across GEMS out-of-hospital benefit options.benefit limits across all GEMS benefit options. Extended benefits on Emerald and EVO – an additional R500 per beneficiary year Extended benefits on Emerald andper EVO – for: l Network Extended benefits on Emerald and EVO – GP consultations; an additional R500 per beneficiary per year for: anl R500 per medicine beneficiary per year prescribed obtained at afor: ladditional Acute Network GP consultations; l Network GP consultations; network pharmacy; and l Acute prescribed medicine obtained at a l l Acute prescribed at a Pathology tests medicine performed at a preferred network pharmacy; and obtained pharmacy; and pathology laboratory. l network Pathology tests performed at a preferred l Pathology tests performed at a preferred pathology laboratory. pathology Extra value laboratory. for members on Ruby – an extra R500 year extend your Out-of-hospital Extra per value forto members on Ruby – an extra Extra value for members on Ruby – an extra Block Benefit. R500 per year to extend your Out-of-hospital R500 per year to extend your Out-of-hospital Block Benefit. Block Benefit. Sapphire gets richer – Sapphire members will have access to richer private– hospital for additional Sapphire gets Sapphirecare members will Sapphire getsand richer – Sapphire will procedures treatments. have access to private hospitalmembers care for additional have access toand private hospital care for additional procedures treatments. procedures and treatments. More for your medicines – Sapphire and Beryl members have medicines R250 per beneficiary per year More for your – Sapphire and Berylfor More for your medicines – Sapphire and Beryl over-the-counter medicine, limited to R90 per members have R250 per beneficiary per yearevent. for members have R250 per beneficiary year over-the-counter medicine, limited toper R90 perfor event. over-the-counter medicine, limited R90 per event. Family planning gets easier – a to contraceptive benefit of R2 822 per family per year now available Family planning gets easier – a contraceptive Family planning gets a contraceptive on Sapphire Beryl. benefit of R2and 822 pereasier family– per year now available benefit of R2 822 family per year now available on Sapphire andper Beryl. onExpanded Sapphire and Beryl. services – all benefit options screening will receive screening out-of-hospital screening services Expanded services – all benefit options Expanded screening services – all benefit options including: will receive out-of-hospital screening services l receive will out-of-hospital Childhood hearing andscreening optometryservices tests including: including: l Childhood hearing and optometry tests l Childhood hearing and optometry tests

With GEMS, your health is taken care of – so that you have time to your focushealth on what is important to–you and you your With GEMS, is taken care of so that With GEMS, your health is taken care of –toso that you family. This year is on no what different! have time to focus is important you and your have timeThis to focus what is important to you and your family. year on is no different! family. This year is no different! Accessible: l With the goal of universal health coverage in Accessible: Accessible: ourgoal 2019 enhancements place in l mind, With the ofbenefit universal health coverage l With the goal of universal health coverage in greater focus on vulnerable groups – children, mind, our 2019 benefit enhancements place mind, our 2019 benefit enhancements place women and the elderly greater focus on vulnerable groups – children, l greater focus groups children, GEMS provides greater access to–quality women and on thevulnerable elderly and the elderly healthcare through a wide array to of quality networks l women GEMS provides greater access l l GEMS provides access to of quality Because ofthrough ourgreater wide definition, healthcare a beneficiary wide array networks you healthcare through a wide array of can care for more of your family members you l Because of our wide beneficiary networks definition, l Because of our wide beneficiary definition, you can care for more of your family members can care for more of your family members Affordable: l Our growing reserve ratio provides security for Affordable: Affordable: yourreserve family ratio provides security for l you Our and growing l l Our growing reserve provides security for Lowest contribution increases keep us you and your familyratio and your family affordable. At 4.3%,increases EVO has keep experienced the l you Lowest contribution us l Lowest contribution increases keep us lowest contribution increase for 2019. affordable. At 4.3%, EVO has experienced the l affordable. At 4.3%,from EVO hasEmerald experienced Members moving the optionthe to lowest contribution increase for 2019. contribution increase for 2019. EVO will experience a discount of over 16% l lowest Members moving from the Emerald option to l Members moving from the Emerald option to on contributions before subsidy EVO will experience a discount of over 16% EVO experiencebefore a discount of over 16% on will contributions subsidy on contributions Richer benefits: before subsidy l GEMS has invested over three quarters of a Richer benefits: Richer benefits: billion rands in benefit enhancements forof our l GEMS has invested over three quarters a l GEMS has invested over enhancements three quarters for of a members billion rands in benefit our l billion rands in benefit for– our GEMS has better andenhancements richer benefits our lowmembers members cost option, Sapphire is richer in benefits than l GEMS has better and richer benefits – our lowl GEMS has better and richer benefits – our lowother similar-priced products in the market cost option, Sapphire is richer in benefits than cost option, Sapphire isproducts richer in benefits than other similar-priced in the market other similar-priced products in the market

For more detail on the rich benefits available on GEMS in 2019, For moreusdetail theofrich available on GEMSchannels. in 2019, contact usingon one ourbenefits available communication For more detail on the rich benefits available on GEMS in 2019, contact us using one of our available communication channels. contact us using one of our available communication channels.

Lesoba 18439 Lesoba Lesoba 1843918439

0860 00 4367 0860 00 4367 enquiries@gems.co.za 0860 00 4367 enquiries@gems.co.za www.gems.gov.za enquiries@gems.co.za www.gems.gov.za www.gems.gov.za

Working towards a healthier you

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Working towards a healthier you Working towards a healthier you

TRAVEL FEATURE

Writer: Richard Brown

Wonders

under the sea

ualifying as an advanced

landscapes and unfamiliar life

priced courses, fun dives and any

diver in Sodwana Bay more

forms, it is easy to see why.

other scuba speciality you can

than 16 years ago, I have

On this occasion, a group of us

think of.

managed to log quite a few dives in

travelled there from Cape Town

the interim. I’ve dived in a number of

– quite a trek, but worth it – and

Spectacular sights

locations and explored most of the

stayed at Coral Divers, an establish-

Once the members of the group

reefs along both the South African

ment boasting an array of hous-

had all completed the three-day

and Mozambican coasts. Sodwana

ing options, including cabins, and

programme and were suitably cer-

Bay still ranks near the top of my list

tents on undercover decking with

tified and confident, we decided

in terms of breath-taking underwater

beds which are all within walking

on a Bay. ‘Seven-mile’ refers to the

scenery and marine life.

distance of the beachfront.

distance the boat travels from the

This small diver’s haven in

The lodge is fitted with a large,

beach to the reef. The depth at

northern KwaZulu-Natal attracts

well-appointed self-catering

seven-mile is typically around 25m

scuba enthusiasts in their thou-

kitchen, restaurant, bar, big braai

– a depth that requires divers to

sands. Once you have tumbled

area, beautiful swimming pool

hold an advanced diving qualifica-

backwards off the dive boat into

and tanning deck. It also happens

tion.

the vast underwater world and

to be the biggest dive charter in

marvelled at the strange marine

Sodwana Bay, offering reasonably

The next morning, we stumbled from our tents before a sparrow had time to stir. The sky was an assortment of pink, red and orange shades when we headed to the lodge for coffee. Once the caffeine had kicked in, we hopped on the shuttle that would cart us, and all our hired diving kit, down to the water. The boat ride itself is usually a lot of fun, and this time even

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

more so, as we were treated to a few spectacular and rare sights. We were pleasantly cruising along, enjoying the sound of the engine’s roar and the stretches of deep blue water all around us, when our seasoned skipper, Jerry, suddenly whooped. As I turned my head in the direction he was pointing, a spinner dolphin nearly brushed against my hand, so close

that we had reached our intended

safety stop at five metres below the

was it to the boat.

reef. We kitted up and, on his

surface to decompress, a shadow

countdown – “three, two, one” –

passed the edge of our vision. I

and somersaulted backwards.

wrote it off as a trick of the light.

Spinners are famous for their acrobatics and get their name from the entertaining spinning action

A moment later, one member of

they make when leaping out of

Alien universe

our group, wide-eyed, urgently

the water. To our utter delight, they

As I swam down to the reef 25m

signalled ‘shark!’ I whipped around

cavorted alongside the speeding

below the waves, I realised that this

and there it was, the distinct,

boat for a bit before disappearing.

alien universe, where no human

fearsome outline clearly visible. It

should be able to breathe, is where

closed in and circled around us

neared the five-mile mark, I was

I am most at peace. The silence

inquisitively, giving us a look at

staring at the horizon, still think-

is only disturbed by air bubbles

its rough hide and intimidating

ing about the dolphins, when,

exhaled through a regulator and,

dentistry.

out of nowhere, a monstrous dark

if you are lucky, the occasional

blue mass erupted from the water

whale cry in the distance.

A few moments later, as we

about 100m from us. I let out a cry

We had barely reached the

It was an oceanic blacktip, comfortably 2.5m long, and the biggest shark I had seen on a dive. We

and everyone turned in time to

bottom when shoals of brightly col-

admired the grace of this predator

see the giant humpback whale fall

oured fish started darting around

before it left as suddenly as it had

back into the water with a crash of

us, while the coral was astonishing

appeared giving us the chance to

white spray. The dive master later

in its various species and hues.

exhale a few bubbles of relief.

explained to us how rare a sighting

Suddenly, I felt a tug on my fin.

a full-body breach is, and we could

Our dive master made the hand

whoops of delight at what could

hardly believe our luck. My day

signal for ‘turtle’. I looked at where

only be described as a spectacu-

was already made; any notable

he was pointing and noticed it – a

lar sighting, but predictably, as our

underwater sighting would only be

leatherback turtle gently cruising

boat came around, the group of

a bonus.

by, not paying us a shred of atten-

10 divers was out of the water and

As we surfaced, everyone let out

tion. Could this dive get any better?

on board in what must have been

instruments – simply by looking

Nearing the end of the dive, I got

record time. What an awe-inspiring

at land beacons – Jerry abruptly

my answer.

experience. Sodwana Bay never

Without any sort of GPS or sonar

slowed to a stop and announced

Public Sector Manager • March 2019

On our obligatory three-minute

disappoints.

DATA SECURITY SITS AT THE HEART OF DEMOCRACY BY THOMAS MANGWIRO, PUBLIC SECTOR SPECIALIST – MIMECAST SOUTH AFRICA

have a crippling effect on the economy, global investor confidence, disbursement of social and public services, and citizen trust in government institutions.

SOUTH AFRICAN CYBER RESILIENCE IN THE SPOTLIGHT A succession of high-profile government data breaches both locally and abroad has cast a stark light on the importance of effective public sector cybersecurity policies and protections. Without fully functional public institutions such as revenue collection, freight handling, military defence and social grant disbursement, governments will find it hard to instil confidence among its various stakeholders, and service delivery to citizens, businesses and public institutions will be impeded. Thomas Mangwiro

The rise of the smart city – a catch-all phrase for Cybersecurity in the public sector is receiving

cities that utilise emerging technologies such as IoT

unprecedented attention in the wake of sensational

to improve service delivery and enhance the citizen

news articles regarding foreign influence in other

experience – further complicates matters. With the

nations’ democratic processes. Hackers and hostile

digitisation of government in full swing, any exploitation

cyber forces pose not only a threat to individual

of cybersecurity vulnerabilities of the operational

citizens or businesses but entire countries, including

technologies that power our electricity generation or

South Africa.

freight handling capabilities could cripple essential

Military risks immediately spring to mind: a recent report found that even the Pentagon’s latest advanced

government services and leave millions without muchneeded public or social services.

military systems are vulnerable and can be “easily

The South African government has taken note: the

hacked”. The consequences for citizens of rogue

Cybersecurity Hub established by the Department of

military assets is unthinkable. But that fear is not

Telecommunications and Postal Services is a positive

reserved for fighter jets and frigates: the hacking of

step toward improved cybersecurity awareness and

a nation’s tax collection system, for example, would

information sharing across the South African public

ADVERTORIAL

and private sectors. Defence and Military Veterans

Government-led education initiatives in collaboration

Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula recently commited

with private sector companies can significantly improve

to collaborate with other countries to effectively deal

the awareness of staff at all levels of the public service to

with the challenge of modern cybersecurity.

identify and combat emerging cybersecurity threats.

I would argue that Minister Mapisa-Nqakula and her

The concept of cyber awareness training should play

colleagues should prioritise cyber resilience within

a starring role in any government-led cyber defence

the public sector as a first line of cyber defence.

initiative. Public sector employees that display risky

Cyber resilience refers to an organisation’s ability

behaviour – such as opening emails from unknown

to continue to operate or deliver services despite

senders, clicking on links without validating them first,

adverse cyber events. And its first port of call in

opening attachments without care and using work

this regard should be greater awareness among its

devices for personal activities – should undergo regular

hundreds of thousands of employees regarding the

training to ensure they understand the risks associated

different types of cybersecurity threats, how to spot

with such activities.

them, and how to prevent them.

According to a Google Consumer Research report

ACTION PLAN FOR IMPROVED CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS

commissioned by Mimecast, nearly one in four

In a global study by Mimecast and Vanson Bourne,

and ransomware. Imagine the dire consequences of

more than a third of global public sector companies

a successful ransomware attack on a government

lacked confidence in their employees’ ability to

department providing medical services to vulnerable

identify impersonation fraud asking for sensitive

citizens. Cybercriminals are constantly innovating and

company data such as HR or financial information.

finding new ways to infiltrate an organisations defences.

And yet, only 14% train their employees continuously

So, without adequate awareness and understanding

to ensure they have the awareness and knowledge

of the various ways cyber criminals could penetrate

to identify potential cyber threats.

government systems, no amount of investment in

Awareness training, a process of ensuring employees

employees aren’t even aware of the most basic cyber threats to their organisation, including phishing

technology will safeguard our public institutions.

have the knowledge and insight to identify potential

Public sector employees are government’s most

cyber threats, is an indispensable part of any effective

valuable assets in the fight against cyber threats. But

cyber defence strategy. But government should look

without proper awareness and training, they will remain

beyond defence-only cybersecurity to a cyber resilience

ill-equipped to deal with the growing complexity of

strategy built on three key principles: 1) ensuring the

modern cyber threats – with potentially devastating

correct security measures are in place prior to an attack;

consequences for our citizens, country and democracy.

2) implementing a durability plan to keep email and business operations running during an attack; and 3) ensuring they have the ability to recover data and critical IP after an attack. The ability to adapt to continually evolving and escalating cyber threats is critical, but it’s a task made

CONTACT DETAILS:

immensely challenging by a global shortage of skilled

www.mimecast.com

security professionals. This places the spotlight on end-

T: 0861 114 063

user training: without the relevant security skills in place,

E: info@mimecast.com

it becomes even more important for cybersecurity to be a shared responsibility across the organisation.

Abdul Malick Salie, Chief Investment Officer

Howard Plaatjes, Chief Executive Officer

Tatenda Bundo, Chief Financial Officer

Vanessa Govender, Director of Corporate Affairs

DIGITAL ECONOMY TRANSFORMED Offering a diverse portfolio of network integration, security, consulting and managed services; digital intelligence; and infrastructure, cloud and software development

AYO Advert v2_Z edit.indd All Pages

CORE INDUSTRY VERTICALS AYO is one of Africa’s leading information and communication (ICT) services companies that serves clients in a range of industries across the continent. It leverages its strong empowerment credentials and multinational partnerships to benefit its customer base in locally relevant ways. The company brings together expertise from across the organisation in strategy, consulting, technology and management services. To complement this, AYO offers development with cutting-edge innovative technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR). AYO operates through a host of leading brands and partners that draw on a combination of functional expertise as well as technological innovative capabilities. The company seeks to provide innovative services that differentiate the clients’ business performance and creates value for their customers and stakeholders. Part of AYO’s growth strategy is making sufficient investments through strategic acquisitions, thought leadership and talent development.

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2nd Floor, Old Warehouse Building, Black River Park, 2 Fir Street, Observatory, Cape Town 021 879 1527

ayotsl.com

2019/02/26 11:47

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