Sipho Sibuyi
In 2021 we had a successful Conference at the Lagoon Beach Hotel, Milnerton, Cape Town. When we left the Conference to return to our respective places in our Municipalities, the Local Government election results were still flagging on all television screens. Soon after, the 6 th Local Government Administration was inaugurated following the 01 November 2021 elections. I wish our Councillors in the Metros, Districts and Local municipalities a term of office pleasurable in contributing to service delivery.
Before the year 2021 ended, South Africa came into the passing of the Nobel Prize winner Desmond Mpilo Tutu, commonly known as Bishop Tutu. We acknowledge the role he played in the struggle to abolish the apartheid system. He was also credited with coining the term Rainbow Nation to describe the ethnic mix of post-apartheid South Africa.
Again, the year 2022 began well with some achievements and setbacks. You will recall how some parts of our Provinces were severely affected by floods and landslides
caused by heavy rainfall, which caused death to many and left thousands of households destroyed. The death of twenty-one young teenagers at Enyobeni Tavern was devastating.
The South African Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla repealed the country’s remaining Coronavirus related restrictions following a decline in hospitalisations and reported Covid-19 cases. These include the wearing of masks, curbs on gathering sizes and border checks.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy….
Banyana Banyana was crowned champion of Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against Morocco
at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in July 2022. Well done to coach Desiree Ellis and her technical staff. “Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo”. As a country we
were able to host the rugby match between the Springboks and New Zealand. Thanks to all South Africans who rallied behind our teams.
As we were celebrating women’s month in August 2022, a young girl from Tzaneen in Limpopo Province, Ndavi Nokeri, was crowned Miss South Africa. This glittering
pageant finale was held at the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Pretoria. She wrote alongside a carousel of her crowning moment on Instagram, “A dream come
true… I can’t believe it’s already been a week since this life changing moment, and what an incredible week it has
been”. Congratulations girl!
Let me acknowledge Mr Tete Dijana a security employee at the University of North West, Mahikeng Campus, the winner of the Comrades Marathon which was held here in
Durban (KZN). He breasted the tape in 5 hours 30 minutes, and 38 seconds. To you Mr Dijane we say congratulations.
Our theme this year is “Developing an Inspired Workforce”.
Well researched topics covering the diverse equity inclusion, coaching benefit to staff, Human Resource Analytics Management Cycle, Performance Management in terms of the Municipal Staff Regulations just to mention but a few.
Local Government is continually on the road map towards professionalisation in order to depoliticise the appointment of public servants. Appointments of public servants should be based on competency and qualification. This has been what IMPSA stands for since its foundation. We will
continue to support and work together with the National Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to achieve this goal.
Let me end with a quote from Tony Robbins, “Your income right now is a result of your standards, it is not the industry, and it is not the economy”.