Colleagues representing the KZN Department of Public Works Head Office look stunning in their traditional attire. Different racial groups formed part of a-day long programme held on Wednesday.

PIETERMARITZBURG: Recently, the KZN Department of Public Works’ Change Management and Service Delivery Sub-Directorate extended an invitation to our Departmental Team of Government Communicators to provide media coverage and give prominence to the Heritage Day celebration.

As per the calendar of events, the 28 September 2022 was earmarked as a special day for celebration. Well-organized festivities became the order of the day at the main Auditorium of the KZN Department of Public Works’ Headquarters in Pietermaritzburg.

A myriad of live traditional performances and well-rehearsed performances of different racial origins took centre stage. The entire day’s proceedings catapulted solid recognition and cultural wealth of our nation.

The core business of the day was to touch on the importance of Ubuntu (humanity) and reflect on the the theme, “Celebrating the Legacy of Solomon Linda and South Africa’s Indigenous Music.”

The line-up of activities covered interesting presentations on Indian, IsiZulu, Seswati, Sesotho and Isixhosa Dance. This is where the invited Guest Speaker, Dr Ngogi Mahaye’s impressive and well-articulated speech attracted “oohs and aahs” from the audience which packed the venue capacity.

In his opening remarks, Dr Mahaye describes Ubuntu as a broad concept which in simplest terms means caring for one another. This concept embodies the values and norms around mutual respect and moral compass. It also touches on good practices associated with extending a helping hand to the needy. Most importantly, this concept when put into perspective, cuts across all cultures with the notion that, all cultures are equal, even when coupled with their respective customs.

A round of applause echoed full blast when, he concluded the day by saying, the racist claim that Ubuntu is primitive, archaic and non-universal must be rejected with the contempt it deserves. He goes on to say, this was one way to silence and relegate African culture so that people perceive their cultural wealth as barbarism.

Colleagues were commended for organizing such an event of this magnitude and urged to continue preserving their different cultures and reject racism, sexism, tribalism and religious intolerance.

Such challenges create conflicts and negate social cohesion, nation building and economic development.

South Africans have a duty to deal decisively with the added of imported religions that have been adapted to justify slavery, colonialism and the superiority of one race over others.

Story by: Bonginkosi Nhaca
Pictures by: Lungile Mseleku

Written by Bheki Khawula.
Photos by Neliswa Nhlabathi.

On Wednesday, 28 September 2022, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Public Works held a Heritage Day celebration at Harry Gwala District Office eXobho. This was on a cloudy with a little drizzle day. The temperature was moderate, not hot and not cold but just a compromise between the two. This kind of weather made it possible to accommodate such an outdoor event setup.

When welcoming all the attendees, Miss Nokwanda Dube (Regional Director Southern Region) made a call for everyone to go back to basics. She encouraged people to revisit the old time habits. To support one another and speak good about one another in order to make a good work family support structure. She emphasized that the correctly cultured and one spirited workforce will always move towards an intensified desired organizational productivity.

Miss Nomcebo Shange from Life Line made a speech about gender based violence (GBV). She began by describing various types of violence. She said that there is a high prevalence of reported cases of gender based violence in the Harry Gwala District. She said, the way in which people are raised up, has an effect in what they become in their adult age. She also spoke about the role of cultural beliefs and practice in GBV.

Nomcebo spoke about physical abuse that which takes place in love relationships. She said that assaulting and shouting at each other as partners or lovers is a big sign of disrespect. She also spoke about emotional abuse. She mentioned that this involves throwing vulgar or insults to one another. In many cases where there are mistakes committed in relationships, they are largely attributed to the female partners. Said Nomcebo.

Male partners are also victims of GBV. There are women who use their male partners and multiple-line them up for their selfish and greedy financial fix or convenience. There are video clips depicting male partners being abused and assaulted. These result in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide being committed. She cautioned partners from invading each other’s cellular phones. She encouraged partners to often appreciate one another and take each other out continuously.

Mr Nhlapo from Department of Arts and Culture spoke about cultural development. He began by explaining the Zulu traditional wear for people of all sizes and both sexes. He also narrated the importance of this month in the religious and cultural aspect, saying that Nazareth Baptist Church members as well as Zulus have significance attached to September. He encouraged all the attendees to love their culture. Finally, he thanked all present staff members for participating in this cultural event and said that loving the culture is self-loving.

In closing, Mr. T.W. Nkomo from Harry Gwala District Office requested all attendees to please close the gap that which creates a division between all the people. With this, indeed unity will be forged, continued Mr Nkomo. He concluded by requesting that such events must not seize to take place in Harry Gwala District. The jubilations, traditional singing and dancing by all staff members dressed to kill in their traditional gear is indicative enough of the fact that Harry Gwala is indeed the place in which to gather people and let them interact to strengthen their work relations, promoting Public Works oneness spirit prevalence.

On Wednesday 28 September 2022, the Extended Public Works (EPWP) Unit located at the Midlands Region hosted the Eyesizwe Contractor Training Workshop under the tutelage of the relevant Deputy Director, Ms Jane Ntetha.

The EPWP and Eyesizwe programmes are strategically interlinked government initiatives designed to provide specific information, training and promotion of skills development targeting designated groups which include, youth, women, people living with disabilities and military veterans.

At an event held at the Newcastle Town Hall, it came to light that, the primary objective of the workshop is to address challenges facing emerging contractors, continuously develop their skills and knowledge, on the same token, ensure provision of proper guidance and compliance in line with relevant government prescripts. This automatically addresses critical stumbling blocks which tend to cripple daily operations of contractors located within the built and construction environment.

The event was attended by local contractors of multiple grades and stakeholder representatives from the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) and Newcastle Business Forum.

 Left, Ms Jane Ntetha, Deputy Director EPWP and Ms Gugu Mthethwa Deputy Director Supply Chain Management

The Deputy Director, Youth, Women, People with Disabilities and Military Veterans, Mr Mthinteni Nzuza made a presentation on the ECDP and outlined the holistic information and data capturing process.

Quoting from his presentation, the Eyesiwe Contractor Development Programme is a Public Works initiative aimed at developing small businesses and emerging contractors. The programme is designed for training and mentoring of contractors which fall within the designated bracket catered for, in the EPWP scope of work, this directly speaks to Women, Youth, People living with Disabilities and Military Veterans. The initiative is anchored around the relevant policies promulgated by the National Department of Public Works and the Construction Industry Development Board.

 Mr Mthinteni Nzuza Deputy Director: Youth, Women, People with Disabilities & Military Veterans presenting on Eyesizwe Contractor Development Programme

The ECDP presentation highlights the current statistics of Phase 3 of the programme, with credible information captured which, to date, gives comfort and registers complete justice to the entire system.

As part of the public consultation process, Mr Nzuza apprised attendees of the EPWP daft policy which has been recently published for public comment. The policy seeks to strengthen, develop, and direct programme implementation using explicit policy stances. This is also intended to overcome challenges encountered during the programme implementation drive rolled out in previous years.

The Midlands Regional Deputy Director, Supply Chain Management Ms Gugu Mthethwa made a detailed presentation focusing on critical steps the Department of Public Works takes to engage in tender processes. She lectured contractors on completion of tender documents and relevant paperwork associated with such processes.

Contractors were afforded an opportunity to participate in a "question-and-answer" session, a platform created to reflect on bread and butter issues which require government intervention. Issues raised range from database used to collect and capture credentials, claiming that, it is not user friendly. They requested the Department to consider hosting more accredited training workshops in the near future.

The Amajuba Business Forum representative confirmed that, forging such a strategic partnership with the Department will assist in eliminating all existing obstacles which impede effective provision of much-required support for emerging contractors.

The Eyesizwe Contractor Development Programme has over the years, recruited and developed small businesses while ensuring socio-economic sustainability to the society at large.

Article by Ntokozo Biyela and Images by Sane Mbhense

Written by Bheki Khawula.
Photos by Neliswa Nhlabathi.

On Wednesday, 27 September 2022, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Public Works Southern Region celebrated Heritage Day in Durban, Mayville. The diverse cultural and traditional origins of the region’s workforce prescribed a colourful and multi-cultural practice and visibility on that day. Such a trend of unity in diversity was firstly set by the cultural religions practice, as all participants from all religions which were present in this event were individually, one after the other, granted an equal opportunity to say an opening prayer in form and language of their choice. After this, all staff members from various sections of employment were given the stage in succession to perform according to their preferred cultural practice. The colourful traditional wear, ululation, whistle-blowing, praise-singing, shouting, singing and dancing amplified as fusion, reflecting the significance of the day.

The whole purpose of the day was absolutely served. Attendance was massive. The multi-cultural diversity was warmly embraced. This also gave staff members an opportunity to celebrate one another across all race and ethnical groups. Such celebrations result in the building of strength in unity and cohesion within the staff. Mr G.S. Blose (Regional Director) was very impressed by the full-house attendance of this event. He observed a lot of hidden talent as staff members from different sections sang, danced and did various cultural performances aligned to the Heritage Day celebration. The talent displayed in the Southern Region was very artistic. Participants were innovative indeed. Ndelu takes this event as a foundation to build on and grow. Covid-19 infections and restrictions troubled Public Works’ workforce. Now is the time for regroup in recovery and display victory since the country has once again opened up for such gatherings.