By Bheki Khawula
and Neliswa Nhlabathi.
Perseverance bears rewards to North Coast Region long serving officials. This, as Mr Phiweyo Duma (Deputy Director General: Corporate Services) utters words of congratulations at the ceremony held in hornour of long-serving employees from all districts belonging to the North Coast Region on Tuesday, 30 January 2024 in Ulundi old parliament. The cloudy sky, warm weathered day set the tone, pitch and the mood of this historical event. Managerial staff members, both from the concerned region and head office blessed this special event with its presence.
When narrating the purpose of the event, Mr Nhlakanipho Sibisi, (Director: North Coast Region) said that it is in the departmental plans and programs to recognize and reward all employees for the good contribution towards service delivery in line of performing their daily duties. “The long service commitment recognition begins at the ten years mark.” Continued Bhovungana. This trend in such recognition continues habitually to be practiced every ten years. Thus why the department saw the need to reward all qualifying employees, those who are still alive and those who have passed away.
“You all deserve to be awarded for the role well-played and work time well-spent. At workplace, there will always be differences in views and opinions since we are all unique individuals but holding-on as team members to the common goal, will surely result in positive progress. Your continued stay in the service determines direction to our service delivery wagon and also sets the good trend for the next generation who will take the baton after us. As our years of service go bye, the direction to exit gets determined. Let us appreciate and be grateful for the walk so far well-walked.” Concluded Mahlase.
Mr Phiweyo Duma was the keynote speaker in this precious event. Talking about his nearing the exit, Mseleku announced to the audience that February 2024 will be his last month under the employment by the department. He is retiring February month-end. As one long-serving employee of the department, he congratulated all the awards recipients and shared with them good stories and hints for survival in public service. Mseleku has more than forty years mileage under soles of his shoes in the public service and the majority of those are in the Public Works Department. This explains Mseleku’s stance to favour Public Works more than all other government departments or workplaces.
Mseleku urges public servants to ask themselves the following: “What have the department gained so far by employing me? What loss has the department incurred by employing me?” Furthermore, Mseleku declared that he is not aware of anything because of which he cannot issue out to all the recipients the certificates of recognition. As his day to exit the public service nears, he expressed his highest gratitude to all public servants for the good work continuously done until this far. He said that he is proud to be counted as one of the players of this winning team. In conclusion, Mseleku advised the audience to use the following as aids along the path of public service delivery: prayer, honesty, integrity, discipline and mentorship.
Names of the different awardees, categorized in different years of service are as follows: 20 years of service; Gwala TG, Zulu BM, Sithole SP, Mpungose MS, Msibi M, Mango BS, Nzama BN, Macuacua Z and Mngomezulu NP. 30 years of service; Mhlongo MB, Buthelezi LZ, Mtshali SN, Schoeman IJ, Masuku HE, Nxumalo TM, Mathenjwa TN, Msane BS, Ntshembeni BA, Myeni B, Zulu FA, Mhlongo KE, Qwabe SM, Nzuza RM, Mbatha HA, Ntuli H, Nxele MA, Mathenjwa SR, Mathenjwa P, Zwane PE, Madlopha NL, Manyathi JN, Ngonyama B, Maphumalo EP, Magwaza NJ, Ngqulunga BA, Zulu ES, Mthimkhulu TO, Zungu FB, Ntshangase CN, Msibi SR, Mdluli BR, Dlamini TD, Shamase ME, Khumalo BI, Mkhonza MA, Thabede M, Mathe BM, Zulu MM, Nxumalo NE, Zulu NR, Mkhwamubi TB, Gumede PJ, Khoza SO, Mlambo PE, Nxumalo MI, Gumbi AT, Nene VZ, Mngomezulu HG, Dube JNS, Mvubu NQ, Dlamini LN, Mlaba MM, Madela L, Khumalo FS, Ntsele EMB, Mabika VT, Mdletshe PF and Ndwandwe MA. 40 years; Mahaye MS.