By Bheki Khawula
and Neliswa Nhlabathi.

“The last time we were here, conducting Operation Siyahlola, we set specific timelines for this project. There were areas that we wanted to be completed before the students come back to the residence for the beginning of the academic year. We therefore made the commitment to follow-up on the progress made so far. We are delighted to pronounce that what was promised to Honorable MEC Super Zuma for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will be achieved. Our inspection results depict that the beautiful world class kitchen and dining area will be delivered before the students come back to commence their academic year.”

On Wednesday, 31 January 2024, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Public Works Honorable MEC Sipho Caiphus Nkosi once more made an unannounced follow-up visit to the construction project situated at the Cedara Agricultural College in UMgungundlovu District Municipality, UMngeni Local Municipality, Ward 7. This preceded the site visit operation which was conducted on Thursday, 16 November 2024 by MEC Nkosi and his team. He conducted this collaboratively with MEC Super Zuma. Again this time around, MEC Nkosi’s team was made up of Mr. Skhumbuzo Shabangu (Director: Executive Support), Ms. Nokwanda Gcaba (Director: Southern Region), Ms. Zinhle Pfute (Acting Deputy Director-General), and Mr. Tholang Chakana (Deputy Director: Programme Management).

Furthermore, present in the site were the following stakeholders: Department of Public Works, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Labour, Consultants (Appointed Professional Team), Mr. Kalden Wassink (Contractor: Enza Construction) and Sub-Contractors, Local and District Municipality and local community. Lastly the project team members were as follows: Mr. Zweli Nhlumayo (Deputy Director: Programme Management KZN Public Works), Ms. Philile Xaba (Safety Officer), Mr. Sbonelo Dlamini (EPWP Officer), Thubalethu Architects, Quantity surveyor LDM (Pty) Ltd, EVN Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineer (Map Africa), Electrical Engineer (EG Africa Consulting Engineers), Mechical Engineer (SSA Consulting Engineers) and Enza Construction.

When Detailing the progress report, Ms Nokwanda Gcaba (Director: Southern Region) stated that in the discussion entered into with the contractor and the professional team on the previous Operation Siyahlola conducted on this very project, there was an agreement to adjust the project duration to a shorter period of twelve months.  This was with the view to experdite service delivery by accommodating the client’s (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) main priority of having the Cedara Agricultural College ready to be used as soon as possible for the benefit of the students.

In conclusion, MEC Super Zuma finalized the operation by voicing his satisfaction and appreciation of MEC Nkosi’s initiative of this Operation Siyahlola. “It was from this program that the agreement on the expedition of the project was born.” Continued Msholozi. “The project progress is currently 95% complete. The kitchen and the dining area will be completed by Friday, 9 February 2024 and hopefully it will be ready to be used by Thursday, 15 February 2024. The welfare of our students at Cedara Agricultural College is our priority hence we continue to monitor and ensure timeous completion of this project to their advantage.”

“Today we see the need to thank both Department of Public Works and Department of Human Settlements together with the Disability App Task Team for the hard work put towards the attainment of the Disability App, meant to uplift the Disability sector with access to employment and procurement opportunities available in both sister departments. Employment Equity in our Government is very specific on the minimum employment requirement of 2% suitably qualified disabled employees. Both sister departments comply to this requirement. We are together up in arms in a quest to assist those department who have not yet met this requirement to implement this prescript and comply accordingly.” KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works Honorable MEC Sipho Caiphus Nkosi uttered the above as he paid the Disability Sector and presented a surprise on the first day of the Provincial Disability Parliament.

The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial government held an International Day for People with Disability celebration on Sunday, 03 December 2023, in Newcastle, Richview Civic Hall, in Amajuba District Municipality. To this, the Disability Sector sent delegation from all KZN districts. This preceded the Disability sectoral parliament which was held on 4th of December in Newcastle Inn and 5th December 2023, in Richview Civic Hall. It is here where MEC Nkosi so the need to recognize the task team which played a major role in the setting up of the disability app meant to enable disable to access employment and procurement opportunities in the sister department of Human Settlements and Public Works.

The Disability App initiative came as a resolution to one of the problems discussed by the Disability Sector at the fruitful Disability Dialogue called by Department of Public Works in November 2019. The identified problem was the lack of inclusion of the disabled people in the economic development opportunities such as employment and procurement offered by the department. The dialogue resorted into the creation of an App which the department would use to advertise opportunities to the sector and in the same note, the suitably qualifying disabled people would use it to view the advertised opportunities and apply where they see the need.

A Chartered Accountant by the name of Dr. Sotobe Sibiya, who is also disabled, made a R25000.00 donation towards the setting-up of this app. The sister departments (Human Settlements and Public Works) saw the need to setup a task team to work on the sourcing of service providers and laying out services they would like the app to provide. A task team of 7 members was chosen in a meeting of Disability Provincial Chair persons. Several meetings were held where service providers were identified from whom quotations were obtained. When these were dealt with, it became very clear that R25000.00 was a drop in an ocean and that the sister departments had to put in more money towards the attainment of this dream.

Honorable Public Works MEC Sipho Caiphus Nkosi saw a need to make a good gesture to the Disability App Task Team members and offered them Lenovo Tablets in recognition of the remarkable role they played in the setting up of the disability app. Mphazima believes that as the world speedily embraces the 4IR, disabled people must not be found wanting but they also must be well-equipped in order to participate equally on the same platform and not just be observers. The tablets are disability friendly and accessible. They are equipped with a voice synthesizer facility, allowing blind to read text on the screen and also to make text input.

“I would like to utter words of our highest gratitude to MEC Nkosi and the sister departments for believing in disabled people.” Said Miss. Lindiwe Lolo Manana (Chair Person: Disability App Task Team). “I am thankful to the management of the sister department for entrusting us with the role of ensuring that the dream of Dr. Sibiya finally gets to its realization. Miss Delisile Mncube and Dr. Mduduzi Nhlozi worked tirelessly with us, putting long hours, overcoming a chain of challenges, giving us all the support as a result of which, this project is seeing this success at this point in time. Honorable MEC Nkosi, thank you very much for this wonderful surprise. It will go to good use.”

By Bheki Khawula
and Neliswa Nhlabathi.

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.    

Article and Images by: Sibongile Dlangalala

Left: The Programme Director for the day, Ms Nonjabulo Zondi giving a rundown of the day’s proceedings as Senior Management Service (SMS) members pay a careful attention. Right: Acting Director, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Ms Ramolla Marillier.

ETHEKWINI: On Friday 13 October 2023, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Directorate hosted a Cybersecurity Awareness training session for all Senior Management Service (SMS) members.

October is the Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CSAM) which is observed annually and forms part of a global initiative aimed at promoting cybersecurity awareness and best practices.

It serves as a month-long campaign to educate and empower individuals and organizations to protect themselves against cyber threats.

Originally launched in the United States in 2004, Cybersecurity Month has grown into a worldwide effort, involving governments, private sector organizations, and cybersecurity professionals.

The training which was hosted at Archie Gumede Conference Centre in Mayville is an effort by the Department to create awareness and understanding by end users when it comes to cybersecurity practices and other cyber threats that the Department faces every day.

In attendance were SMS members, representatives of the the KZN Treasury and consultants from State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and Sophos.

In her opening and welcome remarks, Chief Financial Officer, Ms Z.D Dlamini encouraged SMS members to come out of this session with a renewed outlook where cybersecurity is concerned.

“As a Department we should strengthen our relationship with our present stakeholders and also make cybersecurity a personal matter and concern in order to ensure that operations of the Department continue at all costs,” said the CFO.

The session continued with presentations from stakeholders outlining the following subjects:

• Cybersecurity Landscape in Government
• Cybersecurity Training
• Business Continuity Management (BCM)

Left: Mr Piet Nel, Regional Head; Sophos. Centre: Mark Goad, SITA Information Systems Security. Ronald Mamdoo, SITA Information Systems Security

In October and beyond, ICT will be providing cybersecurity best practices to Departmental officials. This is done to ensure that the officials can protect both their personal digital data as well as the Department's infrastructure while remaining cyber safe.