Umzinyathi District makes its mark again…and again
Vusi Shabalala reports and pictures by
Ntokozo MbathaNgcobo
It is a Government’s call for enhancing
skills within the Public Service. This call
has not been shunned by the
Department of Public Works.
Umzinyathi District makes it marks
again…and again. This time it is about
the results which respond to a training
session which was recently attended by
the departmental employees as Artisans
and Plumbers while still under the
employ of KZN Public Works during the
2012 economic and productivity year
under review where they eventually
graduated with pride. To add cherry-ontop-of-the- cream is that the graduates
were undergoing their respective
training under the mentorship of
District Inspectors and the pride one
refers to is that the officials have
injected almost over ten year of service
within government.
In response to the MEC’s call in
enhancing skills within the Department
as per his budget Speech this year
Umzinyathi District is proud to indicate
that it has responded positively to the
call of skills enhancement in the Public
Service.
This achievement leaves the life
improvement of the officials with
upgrades from level 2 to Grade A (level
5) in terms of salary structures in which
this marks an improved better
conditions of living.
From the Desk of Ms Ntokozo
MbathaNgcobo, the District Manager
congratulatory words and wishes for
the best including positive thanks that
have been relayed by the Departmental
Senior Management who has made
provisions for such developments
within the Core functions of the
Organization possible and realistic.
(Fltr): Mr SSG Makhaza (Electrical works inspector and
also acting chief artisan superintendent); Mr CD Mqadi;
Mr TE Sokhela; Mr MP Ndlovu; Mr P Buthelezi; Mrs NI
Mbatha(District Manager); Mr TE Shiba and Mr ZP
Phakathi
During the photo shoot, the plumbers, line supervisor, mentors and district manager were very delighted with the success of the district in this typical achievement. It should also be acknowledged that this is just the beginning and the best is on the roll.
Artisans with their mentors From left: Mr TE
Sokhela[Artisan Plumber]; Far right: Mr MA Dladla
[works inspector-structural]; Front: Mr CD Mqadi
[works inspector-structural]
New Artisan Plumbers with their certificates
From left: Mr MP Ndlovu; Mr P Buthelezi; Mr TE Shiba
and Mr ZP Phakathi
Appreciation is a key ingredient for a
thriving workplace including the
Umzinyathi District Office but one that
is normally undervalued by many
organizations. However, this is the
sentiment from Ms Ntokozo
MbathaNgcobo, the District Manager,
who has shown her countless
management expertise that through
leadership the district could do the best
and yet the best. In that main reason the
much needed credit also goes to the
Midlands Regional Manager, Mr Gcina
Hadebe, who at most times and
moments makes and provides room for
employees to feel appreciated.
Equally so appreciation has the biggest
impact when it is given randomly and
that is the reason why the Umzinyathi
District Office keeps on making a mark
again and again. Furthermore, it has also
been discovered that random
reinforcement by management and
supervisors more strongly anchors
personnel or employee behaviors than
consistent reward. Consider how one
views a manager who arranges a
surprise on Workers’ Day compared to a
boss who for no reason acts with a
gesture of appreciation. This is similar
to gestures of affection in intimate
relationships. Compare the romantic
scale of a single rose gifted on
Valentine’s Day with one given on an
ordinary day.
We need to acknowledge that many
employees want to see change or
growth of their positions and need to
refresh and enhance skills, learn more
for their career betterment. However, in
order to qualify like the graduates did, it
required commitment, patience,
eagerness and dedication. Employees
often need to brush up on skills to
prepare for the best in future. Others
may find certain aspects of their jobs
challenging due to some unforeseen
circumstances. Therefore, the skills
enhancement approach offered by the
District would require commitment
from all the officials like those who
graduated through small classes manto-man deliberations by caring mentors
who dedicated their efforts to helping
employees in achieving their personal
education and career goals.
Congratulations to the entire
Umzinyathi District management and
personnel for their support in raising
the performance bar on the part of
enhancing those much scarce skills to
employees. This has directly and
indirectly benefited the Department of
Public Works through:
- Better preparing employees for
organizational changes;
- Helping address skill shortages;
- Improving performance;
- Increasing job satisfaction,
motivation and self-confidence;
- Reducing employee turnover
and stress; and
- Supporting a healthy learning
culture in the Department of
Public Works.
In conclusion, on may agree that skills
enhancement is an effective way to help
employees improve their essential skills,
and it does not require a lot of resources
to be successful. Opportunities are
never lost, once you miss it, the next
fellow takes it.