"As An Accounting Officer… We Are Going To Do Things Differently" – HOD Sharpley
Story
by Vusi Shabalala & Images by Gugu Mtshali
Consultants in attendance at the special meeting with the Department’s management
On Thursday 11 April 2019, Dr Gaster Gilbert Sharpley, Head of Department for Public Works in
KwaZulu-Natal, accompanied by members of the Department’s Management Committee (MANCO)
made a significant imprint of cultivating healthy but prudent working relations with the Consultants,
Contractors and Landlords of the province at a special gathering in the Auditorium of the Department’s
Head Office, Pietermaritzburg.
The aim of the three-part session was twofold, first with Dr Sharpley’s ‘get-to-know-you’ or personal
meeting and introduction to a throng of consultants, contractors and property owners (landlords) as
well as a strategic direction the department will take in doing government business for the good of
effective service delivery that will move South Africans forward. He is now eight months at the helm as
Head of Department and thought it befitting to get to business, start things afresh. Especially with the
new financial year beginning to open its fresh leaves of ‘good governance’, it is probably the right time
to take stock.
The session was like reading a book now and tell a good story later. As a ‘new kid on the block’, Dr
Sharpley seek to open creativity in a new workspace and afford job enlargement for all. This sets and
paves a conducive service delivery pathway. One has to start by oneself and or ourselves and do at least
one thing different – do things right and do right things.Doing things right involves efficiency whilst
doing the right things responds to effectiveness.
It is a paradigm shift towards the Supply Chain Management (SCM) policy review, proper alignment and
implementation. The department is heading towards doing away with the ‘Variation Orders’ –
commonly known as ‘VOs’ using KZN Public Works’ jargon. On the other part, consultants, contractors
and proprietors alike will have to adjust to new changes. They have to review their costing models. This
will also assist in shaping the infrastructure development and economy of KwaZulu-Natal.
Interactive Session between the service providers and the Regional Directors (fltr) are
Messrs Mchunu, Majola and Hadebe with Ms Fihlela
According to Dr Sharpley, the Department is ‘an implementing agent of choice’ and shall remain as
such. Good partnership will be an order of the day with its ‘chemistry’ strongly natured but a strong
warning from Dr Sharpley was on the element of ‘corruption’. He has been very articulate and clear
that ‘corruption shall not be tolerated at all. “As an Accounting Officer, we are going to do things
differently,” he emphasised with firmness and confidence.
Let us acknowledge those committed partners (consultants, contractors and proprietors) who made it
possible to honour the invitation. They remain ever loyal to the course. It is also with assurance that a
message shall be extended to those who could not make it. As we turn the next page, Public Works
shall turn over a new leaf… change for the betterment of the people we serve. Yes, things will be done
differently.
