MAY 2020 ISSUE 12
TEBOGO WAS DEDICATED AND COMMITTED TO THE MANDATE OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. IT IS A BEFITTING HONOUR FOR US TO FLY THE W&RSETA FLAG HIGHER AND CARRY THE BATON FORWARD IN HIS HONOUR. REST IN PEACE
IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR COLLEAGUE, BROTHER AND FRIEND TEBOGO MOKHUDU
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EDITORIAL TEAM
IN THIS ISSUE... SOUTH AFRICA MOVES TO LEVEL 3 Page 4
2020 YOUTH MONTH Page 5
STREAMLINING OUR ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE Page 6
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
OUR VALUE OF THE WEEK Page 8
Martha Editor-in-chief Rhulani Editor Desmond Production coordinator Connie Support team member
A SAD DAY... Last week Friday we woke up to the tragic news of the passing of our dear colleague Tebogo Mokhudu who was attached to GPS as a TVET Coordinator. In our time of mourning, let us remember his family in our thoughts and prayers for them to find comfort and strength during this difficult time. It is a trying time for us as an organisation, particularly who have worked closely with him over the years. It is not easy and our hearts are full or sorrow and sadness, but we shall pass through this tragedy. His contribution to the W&RSETA will forever be remembered. REST IN PEACE Bra Tebogo! COVID-19 lockdown level 3 kicked off yesterday following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on 23 May and the announcement of new and revised regulations for this level by the National COVID-19 Command Council. The President also warned that some areas could go back to levels 4 or 5, depending on their progress. It is now in our hands to combat Coronavirus so that both the number of infections and deaths are reduced. While we adjust to the new normal, we should bear in mind that the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over but we shall overcome. Our HR colleagues and Provincial Managers have been working hard to prepare the offices in terms of hygiene and safety as well as the implementation of the return to work plan. We have included a short piece on the level 3 measures following announcements by various Ministers. In addition to this, we have provided a brief summary on measures for the reopening of the post school education sector in preparation for level 3 lockdown as announced by Minister Nzimande. Our value of the week is on page 7. On 1 June, we started one of the most important commemorations for our country in the fight against apartheid - Youth Month. In this month we celebrate today’s youth and remember the efforts of the youth of 1976.
~ Rhulani, Editor
PLAY YOUR PART TO REDUCE THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN RISK TO LEVEL 1: • Stay home if you have not been issued an essential work permit • Wear a mask or scarf in public including in the office • Keep the social distance • Wash and/or sanitise your hands often • Cough on your elbow to prevent the spread of coronavirus TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND BE SAFE!
Where can you get help or information? Corona Virus(COVID-19) 24-hour hotline number: 0800 029 999 Corona Virus(COVID-19) WhatsApp Number: 0600 12 3456 W&RSETA COVID-19 Task Team: COVID19@WRSETA.ORG.ZA Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Emergency Number: 0800 428 428
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MEASURES IMPLEMENTED FOR THE POST SCHOOL EDUCATION SECTOR
On Saturday, 23 May 2020, Minister Nzimande announced the measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on level 3 of the national lockdown. The following are some of the key issues that the Minister highlighted: • Opening of institutions of learning by an incremental 33%, approximately two to three weeks after announcement of each level. • Universities will be required to implement online learning and government is to provide data to NSFAS beneficiaries for this purpose. • SETAs will prioritise skills development initiatives related to COVID-19, particularly to assist SMMEs and cooperatives to participate and benefit from the supply and demand of essential goods and services during this period and beyond.
• Training of learners to assist with OHS management in the frontlines which the W&RSETA has also planned to implement. • Non-payment of learner stipends at the beginning of the lockdown which had been subsequently corrected. • Employers to turn their workplaces into training spaces even at this time, considering that only a limited number of employees can return to the workplaces. The SETA will communicate the resumption of learning in the sector in due course.
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SOUTH AFRICA MOVES TO LOCKDOWN LEVEL 3
On 28 May 2020, the National Coronavirus Command Council conducted media briefings on the COVID-19 Level 3 lockdown regulations following the President’s announcement that the country will move to level 3 lockdown on 1 June 2020. Some of the revised or new measures on the level 3 lockdown include the following:
INDIVIDUAL/PERSONAL LEVEL • You can’t buy tobacco products. • Inter-provincial travel only for essential services or school. • Exercising allowed all day. No group exercise. • You can buy alcohol between Monday and Thursday from 09:00-7:00 for home consumption. • Gyms and recreational facilities remain closed. • Church services allowed for up to 50 people at a time under current health measures and social distancing. • Public gatherings prohibited, and cinemas, conference centres will remain closed. • Domestic workers can return to work. • Personal grooming salons still closed.
WORKPLACES • Daily screening will be mandatory. • Remote work to continue where possible. • Business domestic air travel and hotel accommodation will be permitted. • Gathering allowed for work purposes.
ECONOMY • Restaurants can include drive thru and collection services. • Agreements for sectoral safety standards to be determined by various sectors in terms of social distancing, PPE, working hours and screening. • Retailers have agreed to import substitution to boost small businesses and create employment.
The reopening of additional sectors and activities will result in higher risk of infection. It is in our best interest to comply with the regulations and health protocols to protect ourselves and others. The spread of coronavirus is in your hands! Click here to access level 3 regulations.
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2020 YOUTH MONTH
It has been 43 years since the 16 June 1976 Soweto youth uprising. Once again, the country celebrates the strength, promise and energy of the young people of today while remembering the contribution of the youth of 1976 and many others before and after them. Youth Day reminds us of the importance of the sacrifices made by the youth of 1976, synonymous to student riots, which should forever remain only in the history books of our country. As a SETA, we honour and celebrate our own young people within the Organisation who are making remarkable strides to develop themselves both professionally and personally. It is also important to recognise the young people of this great organisation who are contributing to the implementation of the W&RSETA’s mandate to skill the Wholesale and Retail Sector. We would like to give an opportunity to the W&RSETA’s youth to share their motivational stories to inspire fellow colleagues. The stories will be published in our weekly Insider update. The fallen heroes of 1976 shall never be forgotten! May you have a reflective Youth Month. #YouthMonth2020 #June161976_legacy
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STREAMLINING OUR ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE TO MOVE US FROM GOOD TO GREAT OD process recap…
The restructuring is at full steam with the HR team working around the clock to finalise this process. it is important for Management to finalise this process as soon as possible to alleviate anxiety and uncertainty among staff. We now all know that the restructuring has been necessitated by several challenges that we have been experiencing from a point of people, systems and processes which have impacted on our service delivery and overall performance. The restructuring will assist the W&RSETA to better respond to stakeholder needs while ensuring the SETA’s best asset – its people – are taken care of. It is an opportunity to advance your career so that you can be more fulfilled in your time with the organisation. Benefits So what are the benefits of restructuring the W&RSETA and who stands to benefit?
People
Processes
YOU
W&RSETA
• Working for an employer of choice • Career growth and development opportunities
• Efficient, professional, compliant, agile and responsive to stakeholder needs • High performance culture • Interdependence among departments • Positioned as an employer of choice
Systems
W&R Sector and South Africa
• Contribute to the objectives of the National Skills Development Plan 2030 • Alignment to needs and developments such as 4IR
In the next issue we will focus on the progress that has been made thus far. Please remember that your Managers are available to discuss any issues of concern that you may have. Let’s engage… let’s move forward, together! Click here to access level 3 regulations.
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WELL DONE, HR! A big shout out to the HR Team for demonstrating the W&RSETA values during this lockdown.
The team has worked tirelessly to ensure that the organisational restructuring process is implemented without delays through coordination of advertising of positions, interviews and appointments. This is a mammoth task and the team has risen to the occasion. MaKhumalo and Moshawa have been instrumental in getting HO ready to reopen and have ensured that the colleagues who returned to the office were well received, orientated and assisted to adjust to the new ways of working, thus ensuring the safety of staff. They have also been providing support to the regional offices to ensure that the SETA complies with the health and safety measures and protocols that are also articulate in our Return to Work Plan. Moshawa has also been opening and closing the office doors for staff each day for two weeks. The team has achieved all this under the leadership of the ACOCS, Ben Khonyane.
OUR VALUE OF THE WEEK
LIVING OUR VALUES TO TAKE US FROM GOOD TO GREAT
1-5 June
Living our values to take us from good to great Our value of the week is
Agility As we continue to navigate through these uncertain times, our value of Agility reminds us to adapt quickly and effectively to the changing needs and trends around the country and our environment. Let us continue to demonstrate our agility to our stakeholders in line with our commitments as follows: • • • •
We We We We
are responsive to the ever-changing needs and trends of industry are demand-driven work with foresight strive to be proactive through leadership
At best most of us have passed this test and can only get better by our collective efforts to live this value.
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THE STRUGGLE OF HAIR AND NAILS DURING LOCKDOWN With grooming salons closed due to the national lockdown, it has been a challenge for many to maintain their manes, beards and nails. We have all had to find other means, including becoming our own hairdressers, or other creative ways to be able to step out of the house still looking somewhat presentable. A few colleagues shared pictures to show how real the struggle is...
Tebo (HO) - Tebo’s pedicure is also on lockdown Lerato (HO) - Home DIY
Manoko (HO) - Home DIY for battered nails
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Sir Jeph (GPS) - Home DIY
Thendo (HO) - Au naturale
Liane (WC) - The makoti look seems popular and effortless…
FACEBOOK FANS OF THE WEEK This week we are sending a huge high five to the following Facebook fans who have joined or made an appearance after a long absence, on the SETA’s Facebook page. These colleagues have liked, commented and shared our posts in the past week. We greatly appreciate your efforts to increase visibility of the W&RSETA brand. You truly are brand ambassadors, colleagues!
O) Ditshego (H
Sedzani (LP)
Our super fans have been fantastic once again this week, we like you, too!
☺
Mlungisi (MP)
Bulelwa, EC
KK (KZN)
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY WINTER BABIES! Birthdays are a new start, a fresh beginning and a time to pursue new endeavours with new goals. Move forward with confidence and courage. May your birthday and your days ahead be amazing! Happy Birthday, colleagues
Larr y, EC 3 June
Lebogang, NC - 01 June
Phindiswa, KZN - 02 June
Nomvuso Chawana, MP 02 June
Siphokazi, WC – 3 June
Sedzani, LP - 12 June
Sindiso, HO – 14 June
Lerato, HO - 16 June
16 June Samela, HO –
Pat, HO- 17 June
Andrew, WC- 19 June
Mmariba, HO - 24 June
Funanani , HO – 28 June