Fresh Impression and an Assertive Character
It is official, Mr. Cyprian Bhekinkosi Khawula has been appointed and assumed office on 2 November
2020, as Assistant Director for Communication. Astonishingly and interestingly, he is found to be a man
that displays an assertive character. It with a sense of pride and positivity to share the news that as a
fresh start, he was honoured at a graduation ceremony hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Society for the
Blind in Durban on Tuesday 10 November 2020. Bheki – as he is commonly known by his family and
friends received a certificate after successful attendance, participation and completion of a short course
in Facilitating Learning Using Different Methodologies. A fresh impression indeed.
There is no age limit for education and learning in life. Equally so, there are no physiological or physical
conditions that would prevent, discourage or deter one from learning and acquiring education. It
therefore serves to be known that Bheki is living with a disability. On the other hand, Public Works as
‘employer of choice’ is gradually gaining ground in ensuring that ‘equity and disability’ in the workplace
receive the prerequisite it deserves.
Unfortunately, Mr. Khawula joins the ‘Communication Team’ at a very crucial period where the
‘directorate’ requires at least a reasonable staff complement. Godly so, you win some and lose some.
The reader may understand the assertion. There are of course a set of specific goals that are tailored
for Bhekinkosi’s position which of there will be targets for him to meet. As he settles into his new
position, these goals might have to be adjusted so as to help provide guidance of what is expected of
him – taking his condition into account.
Advancement in life has its pointers and that is normally affirmed by the power of education that
encourages changes in knowledge, values, skills and attitudes to enable a more sustainable and just
society for all – this also reflects to him too. It is acknowledgeable that a new brush sweeps clean but
experience also remains a key aspect in any state of human mind. Certainly, it is within a mind-set to
not set unreasonable goals, setting an employee up to fail will only lead to job dissatisfaction and
possible turnover. Bheki will indeed need extensive induction and support. As he displays a ‘fresh leaf’
in the public business, it is therefore pertinent that the communication operations remain realistic and
continue to setting few key goals for the first few months that he would be working on – an progressive
induction programme that would add value to him and the Department.
Photo Shoot: Bhekinkosi Khawula (left) with Kenneth Ngwenya (right), a Workshop Manager from the KZN Society for the Blind
The rationality is for all abled staff to consistently offer unconditional practical support to those that
are living with a disability in the workplace. There should be that desire and commitment for all to think
about the attributes needed to be a positive, good and effective support system that will create open
communication; fostering and nurturing talent and remove any barriers preventing those living with
disabilities reaching their goals. These are arguably the skills one would need to continue supporting
any disabled employee.
The department has been very exemplary in the inclusion and implementation of guidelines and policies
that embrace Persons with Disabilities in its employ. The statistics may seem very low but there are
significant and reasonable adjustments made by the department’s Corporate Services in making sure
that officials who have a disability or health condition are not substantially disadvantaged when
executing their duties. The component continues to offer support with special equipment to those in
need of such, assisting them getting to and from work and many more other benefits. This may seem
quite less for those with limited information knowledge but in the real sense it is public business
accomplishment.