The North West MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie, has
lauded officials who have served the department for a decade and more.
More than 170 employees received certificates recognising their long service, which
ranged from 10 to 40 years.
The department hopes the awards will inspire a positive and competitive workforce.
MEC Dantjie made a clarion call for a clean audit at the black-tie event held at the
Mmabatho Convention Centre, Mahikeng.
“This department has men and women who are capable of achieving a clean audit
with no hassles,” she said.
“It is a deep pain in my heart to see us floundering in achieving a clean audit. When
the department achieves a clean audit, the benefits are not for political principals but
the poor communities we serve.”
The MEC called on the officials to put their shoulders to the wheel to turn things
around.
She noted that she was deliberately emphasising the need for a clean audit during
the awards ceremony. “You are capable of being proactive and adding refreshing
ideas to the growth of the department,” Dantjie said.
“We must rid the department of wheelbarrow mentality. We cannot move only when
we are pushed.”
It was befitting that the employees in the North West Department of Social
Development received certificates of recognition, the MEC noted.
“Although this gesture is quite modest when compared to the loyalty and energy you
invested in taking the department to greater heights of service delivery, we want to
express our profound thanks to all the recipients of these awards for their loyalty and
dedication.”
Keamogetse Motate was one of the recipients, having served the department for four
decades.
She called on her fellow employees to love themselves first so they can love their
clients and dedicate their energy to serving them. “We are called to serve people, be
the face of government at the coalface. Let us all be dedicated to our work.”
The awards ceremony, to boost employee morale, increase productivity, and
reinforce the values of integrity and excellence within the public service, was held
under the theme “Professionalising the public service to build trust and restore
confidence in government”.
The theme underscored the urgent need to strengthen the capacity, integrity, and
performance of the public service as a critical lever for improving service delivery
and rebuilding citizen confidence in state capacity.
The focus on professionalising the workforce will see a clear improvement in service
delivery, with the community being the ultimate winner