Journal No 1 of 2000

1. Editorial

2.Finance strategises

Sport

3. Rain unable to dampen spirits as "amaGents" scoop first trophy

4.JHB Deeds trounces "amaGents"

5.DLA team does it again

Personalities

6.Meshack carries DLA flag high

7. Cabinet appoints Mayende to head DLA

8. Pumudzo joins Pietersbrg PDLA

9.Obituary for Gwen

10.DLA fares Budlender well

11.Mr "DFA" quits DLA

12. Corporate Services party for Snakes

Transformation

13.Definition of Transformation terms

Health

14. Lund vouches against HIV/AIDS discrimination

15. DLA representatives workshop HIV/AIDS policy

16. HIV/AIDS awareness created for land beneficiaries

17. Patients' Rights Charter launched

18. World AIDS Day conducted celebratorily

Poetry

19. Esta

General news

20.DLA becomes first to surrender firearms

21.DLA services within reach at Kgautswane

22. OD orientates old and new

23. PANSALB launches website

24. PLAAS publication list

1.Editorial

I do not exactly know whether the DLA National Office has any other sports teams either than the soccer and the road running relay teams. I have heard that there is information being collected about people playing golf, but I have not been informed that a golf team exists.

In the course of my work within the DLA I have come across what the two teams are doing. From what I have heard the two teams enjoy a substantial support among the DLA personnel. But, if one could visit the teams in any match or race that statement can sound like a hollow lie. As an example when there was the Africa Business Challenge Relay here in Pretoria recently, outside the runners themselves I was the only one who could be described as being on their side. Elsewhere in this publication I have said if the number of supporters for "amaGents" who turned up in a recent match, can be described as more than five, that would be an exaggeration. By so stating I am also not exaggerating too.

I have been a rugby player in the past. I remember during my days at Healdtown High School our team visiting Fort Beaufort to play against Lawson High School. At that time we were the uncrowned champions in the old Eastern Province/Border region. The mistake that was done by the school authorities was loading thirty players and a few prefects in a truck to Lawson. The two matches played there were one of the toughest Healdtown ever played at that time. They were tough because the hostile Lawson crowd drowned the few prefects' voices whenever they tried to inspire us. We only survived because we were a tough lot and we had a reputation and a dignity to defend.

If we were to look at the Premier Soccer League's teams, there is always a constant cry that attendance in matches is very poor. Reasons have been advanced for the failure of the crowds to come to the stadia. Suggestions have been made for the teams to learn at attendances in Europe or America. Another argument that has been made is that teams have to market themselves, and the crowds will automatically return to the stadia.

The DLA Relay Road Running Team has not said much about supporters. But I must vouch that the team needs it urgently, because all the teams they compete against have massive supporters that follow them wherever they go. Before long, the lack of support will take its toll on them.

From their side, the players of the DLA Soccer Team have been open about their dire need for supporters. As a former player, I understand that. But the question is, how does one become a supporter of any team? There has to be something attracting one to that particular team. If I may make an example about myself again about the Healdtown spirit, I will say there was a sense of belonging at Healdtown. All the teams there were part of us. Nobody could take that away from us. This was also true to those who had recently arrived at the school.

Perhaps one may ask how was the spirit cultivated at Healdtown. I do not know. When I arrived there it was already prevailing. Nobody enforced it on me. It was not sold to me. I just embraced it. I was very glad that I was part of it.

Even though, this may be irrelevant here in those years we were never beaten by Lovedale High School, and we had the audacity to trounce them in their own grounds 12-9.  

Net-ball

Lately, I have heard through the grapevine that there are endeavours in the Department to form a DLA net-ball team. We wish all concerned the best and may their efforts bear the desired fruits. Perhaps by the time you read this the team may be in existence and may have played a number of matches!

Transformation

The Transformation Office is now involved in trying to transform the DLA through sport. We will not be honest if we say we do not understand what role sport played in the near past in transforming our country, even though things are not as normal as we would like them to be. Our hope is that sport in our Department will also come up with the desired results. In that process all sporting codes getting the support they deserve.

By T K Sonjica

The DLA Financial Management Branch recently held in Pretoria a Strategic Planning Workshop aimed at reviewing the current Strategic Plan for the 1999/2000 financial year, taking into consideration the following:

• Current functions;
• Challenges; and
• Plans to overcome challenges.

The workshop also had to develop strategic objectives and measures for the period 2001-2003.

As a way forward and bearing in mind that the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) calls for products and services to be costed and the actual benefits to be measured, the workshop agreed that Financial Management officials need to be able to:

State the purpose of the service;

• Define client(s);
• State the expected output(s);
• Provide quantifiable indicators of the quantity and time;
• Provide measures for qualitative measures;
• Indicate how effectiveness will be measured; and
• Justify the resource allocation, decision-making and the relevance of such an activity.

In his address to the workshop, the Deputy Director-General (Finance), Mr Pieter Boonzaaier said as decentralisation rolls out it will become more and more important that the National Office should accept that Financial Management is happening in other components of the DLA. He said then, the National Office's responsibility would increasingly be to:

Provide policy and policy guidelines, and interpret the PFMA, Financial Regulations, the National Treasury Instructions and other Treasury Prescripts;

• Develop and issue DLA specific instructions and guidelines;
• Provide training and other support;
• Maintain consolidated accounts; and
• Maintain the necessary controls to safeguard the Director-General's accountability.

Mr Boonzaaier's address among others was highlighting the importance of the following topics:

• Improved business processes;

• Managing for results;and

  • Transformation imperatives.

Among the comments made by Mr Boonzaaier on Improved Business Processes were that, "... we should direct our support and inputs to effect the DLA=s business processes, irrespective where it takes place".

He also mentioned that the Branch should support the Minister and Top Management in assessing the appropriateness of the DLA's services and products regarding:

• The Constitution;
• The Government's Strategic Objectives;
• The Minister's strategies for delivery; and
• The needs of our beneficiary communities and structures.

On Managing for results, Mr Boonzaaier while accepting the premise of a customer being always right, warned that, "Principles of good practice, ethics and conduct may not be sacrificed because of that". He said no single person can be perfect, but a team can come closer to reaching that point.

On transformation he said people should take up the challenge of being Change Agents in the DLA and in the communities where negative perceptions and stereotyping may still be prevalent.

In his concluding remarks he said the challenges are:

• Numerous;
• Enormous; and
• Existing.

Mr Indran Naidoo ,then, from Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) said currently his directorate has in place a Differentiated M & E Programme (DMEP), which delivers different products and services to different levels of management within the DLA. He said they also promote transparency by engaging other spheres of government and NGO around research findings.

On clients of the DLA Mr Naidoo said whilst clients have been defined as those which exist external to the DLA (beneficiaries, the public), the DLA has not reached the point where units see each other as mutual clients. He said relationships between sections have often tended to be antagonistic and conflictual.

He said the problem stems from the following:

• • A limited attempt of the various sections to understand the business of each other;
  • Stereotyping and blaming B which has led to genuine attempts to rectify problems being         dismissed because of preconceived notions;
  • The lack of a managerial collegiality across sections B until recently;
  • A limited understanding or attempt to jointly solve problems;
  • A perceived or real lack of commitment to due process around tasks (tendering etc);
  • A holier than thou attitude from different sections of the DLA;

• It is only over the last year that there has been a recognition of the fact that we are all clients of each other, with various Strategic Planning Sessions reflecting this new thinking;
• Only when our products and services are defined according to client (Batho Pele) principles, and when there is a credible M & E of this, can we jointly improve our delivery to all sections of the DLA;

  * Once staff feel that their efforts are known (monitored and reported on), and given credit (assessed), there will be higher productivity and staff morale;

  * The decentralisation question needs to be resolved; and

  * The PPMS must reflect the activities the individual in relation to the issues raised above.

In describing the links between his directorate and the Financial Management Act, Mr Naidoo said:

C. Just as the FMA promotes efficiency, effectiveness and economy, M&E promotes transparency, efficiency and accountability;

C. The PFMA calls to products and services to be costed, and the actual benefits measured. This cannot be done without a proper M & E system in place;

C. The state is under increased scrutiny and pressure to perform a high-quality service with a defined resource base (funds and personnel);

C. Questions such as a cost-effectiveness, efficiency and accountability become important. The Information Act compels departments to answer any questions in that regard.

Some of the key issues the workshop felt it should enhance are the following:

_. Standardised online data capture functionality, and associated input and validation controls;

_. Migration of technology, that is, the upgrading of mainframe software and technology;

_. Invoice and order control, to prevent the duplication of document numbers and fraudulent transactions;

_. Enhanced management information, that is, improved output, including information for Vulindlela processing;

_. A re-designed debtor subject-system, including improved information output;

_. Budget blocking functionality, that is, to manage expenditure and budgets;

_. Revised and enhanced system documentation, such as operational system guidelines;

_. Development of Online functionality to support distribution, by means of technology utilization;

_. Comprehensive FMS functional and system training; and

_. Comprehensive FMS functional and operational support.

Ms Trien Bennett from salaries revealed the following plans that they aspire to implement to improve their service to their clients:

#. Training of staff;

#. Help desk;

#. Implementation of new Acts;

#. Fill up vacant posts after decentralisation; and

#. Publicise their services for educational purposes.

In the workshop, Mr Thabo Khanye from Organisational Development described the workshop as a good exercise. He said it was good to see people who do not normally talk to each other talking.

He also raised his concern about people who leave the DLA to go and work in other departments after the DLA has spent a lot of money training them. He said it is strange to see people opting to accept horizontal transfers to other departments than staying with the DLA.

Nelanie Naik and Connie van Tonder who were at the forefront in organising the workshop said theTeam Building exercise was a surprise to all who attended. They said the exercise worked at the session and the feedback they have

By T K Sonjica

The high spirits prevailing among the participating teams and the spectators during the Social Transformation Soccer Tournament of the Department of Land Affairs could not be watered down by the rain that kept showering throughout the event at the Pretoria Technikon Stadium recently.

The five participating teams were:

1. Pretoria (National Office) "amaGents";

2. Pietermaritzburg (Surveys,Deeds and PDLA);

3. Bloemfontein (Deeds and Surveys);

4. Cape Town (Surveys and Mapping); and

5. Johannesburg (Deeds).

The final was played at a water logged pitch between "amaGents" and Bloemfontein and at the end of the match the two teams were level with two goals apiece. They took penalties and "amaGents" emerged victorious by four goals to three.

Cape Town (0) Vs Pretoria (3)

Pietermaritzburg (2) Vs Johannesburg (1)

C. Bloemfontein (3) Vs Cape Town (1)

C. Bloemfontein (1) Vs Johannesburg (1)

C. Johannesburg (0) Vs Cape Town (10)

C. Pretoria (1) Vs Pietermaritzburg (0)

 

 

Mention must be made that the rain that kept showering hindered with the flow of play. The players could not maintain their rhythm and there was no way they could control the ball.

David Mtshali from Cape Town was voted the player of the tournament. Some of the factors considered for the accolade were the character and the discipline of the player on and off the field.

The Chief Director for Corporate Services Mr Nkateko Nyoka who was officiating on behalf of the Minister, awarded every participating player in the tournament a medal. The efforts of the organisers were also acknowledged and they also received medals for the success of the tournament. In his remarks Mr Nyoka commended all those who were taking part in the tournament.

Earlier on all the players and the spectators were addressed by the DLA Transformation Programme Manager, Shanaaz Matjiet. She told them that while the games were about winning, losing or drawing, the tournament was about changing people's attitudes.

Shanaaz urged them to be change agents once they return to their offices. She asked the players to encourage their female colleagues in their offices to form their own teams.

Shanaaz said transformation's main objective is the improvement of service delivery. She described it as a partnership programme for managers and their subordinates and urged her audience to be problem solvers in their offices.

"We will request your commitment and participation in transformation in your offices", Shanaaz concluded.

Even though the spectators did not come out in their numbers, it was good to see some members of the DLA staff with their families cheering their teams. Some of the DLA staff family members assisted with the activities of the tournament wherever there was a need, sometimes without being asked.

"AmaGents" coach, Mandla Lerungoane applauded all the teams that took part in the tournament after they had left their family responsibilities over that weekend. He thanked all their supporters who cheered his team to victory under difficult playing conditions.

"On Saturday the bad weather conditions were against us, but we had to finish the tournament. It was unfortunate for the KwaZulu-Natal guys to be pitted against us for we had a better game plan for them", Mandla said.

Collen Sohe, "amaGents" captain said the Bloemfontein team was underrated and was never expected to reach the final and was the suprise of the tournament. He said the Cape Town Team was the most feared team and it was a disappointment when it could only wallop the Johannesburg one (10-0), which did not win or draw a single match.

Collen conceded that the Bloemfontein team had a better game plan than them. He said the fact that they had a dignity and respect to maintain propelled them against all odds and expectations and beat the Bloemfontein team on penalties.

At the end of the match there were no complaints, and everything was accepted in good spirit. The guys were hugging each other like long lost good brothers and friends.

 

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5.DLA relay team does it again

By T K Sonjica

The DLA road running relay team did the department proud again this year when it scooped for the second time in succession another Silver Medal in the Africa Business Challenge relay race. There were 29 category teams and the DLA team was competing under government department teams, which were 45 in total this year.

The DLA like last year, entered two teams and Team 1 for the gold medal was beaten by the very same team that beat them last year, the Airforce Gymnasium. Team 1's time was 2h45m, an improvement of 10 minutes, and was position 40 out of 500 teams.

In all Team 1 again received a Silver Medal and a Bronze Medal . Team 2 received a Bronze Medal for finishing the race.

The distance run by the teams was 42,2 kilometres. Each team was having six relay members that ran various distances for relay which ranged between 5 and 9 kilometres.

Some companies had junior teams running for them. Some schools took their chances and entered their boys who did reasonably well in the race.

DLA's Human Resource Management's Director, Anton van Staden said the Race is one of the highlights of a year and is one of the most funfilled events that he has ever attended and participated in. He said the irony of the race is that few athletes have prepared for it and cannot be called physically fit.

"It would be great if we could enter more than two teams in 2000 so that this experience can be shared by more than just ten people, while that is done for the DLA. Through challenges like these we can build a really strong DLA that will not be discouraged by obstacles but can really focus on doing things we know we can do. Even if one is not a runner one can share in this challenge by being a supporter and be part of the social gathering after the race. This is truly a great event that must not be missed", Mr van Staden said.

Nosisa Soldati, a first participant in the race comments as follows:

"For me it was a wonderful experience participating in the relay and I think that DLA should get involved in other business relays as well. However, I would think that there is a need for organising ourselves in a formal way and invite more people who are interested in this sport to get involved as well. In that way we would be able to raise funds for the team and secure a budget from the department. Getting the team organised is one way of ensuring that team building does not only occur within components of DLA but right across the whole department. People who are interested and really enjoy running should consider organising themselves, come on join us its fun and you'll love it!"

Commenting on the race the Chairperson of the Pretoria Inner City Partnership, Alderman Bob Zylstra said, "This event has already proved itself as a highlight on Pretoria's events calendar. It is unique in the sense that it brings together the sporting fraternity and the corporate sector in a fun-filled out of the ordinary way".

Alderman Zylstra added that, "It is my hope that this event will not only be a memorable experience of team spirit and friendship, but that it will also serve to give you a glimpse of the value and uniqueness of our Inner City".

Alderman Zylstra's sentiments may be confirmed by the fact that many of the people who attended came in with the members of their families and all the provisions of a picnic. Those not running or cheering their teams this was a day for fun with all the potjiekos or braai.

The race also had a competition on T-shirts. Unfortunately the DLA did not participate in it even though it is constantly producing so many.

Meshack Mtombeni is one of the workers of the Department of Land Affairs who makes the DLA  Relay Racing Team successful. Because of that, T K Sonjica from Journal spoke to the man about his running activities.

Meshack hails from Mamelodi in Pretoria and stays with his mother, four sisters and six brothers. This matriculant has now been working for the Department of Land Affairs as cleaner for 2 years.

Meshack started running for the DLA Relay Racing Team in 1998. When we spoke to him he told Journal that he started running in 1989 at Japhta Bahlaku High School in Mamelodi and he has never looked back. He said it pleased him on his arrival at DLA to hear that there is a running team.

Big races he has participated in include the Mamelodi Half Marathon in 1989, the Wonderboom Fun Run which he won in 1992 and the Bronkorspruit 32 kilometre Marathon in 1997 in which he received a Silver Medal and a cash prize. A"I love running and I cannot exchange it for anything. Perhaps I may stop running when I am seventy years old", he said.

Meshack also revealed to Journal a secret and a dream of every South African or any long distance runner for that matter, running the Comrades Marathon. He told us that his training schedule for the 2000 Comrades Marathon presently is as follows:

Mondays: Running 19 kilometers to work every morning and repeating the same distance back home in the afternoons;

• Tuesdays: For an hour in the mornings and afternoons he does speed work;
• Wednesdays: For an hour both in the morning and in afternoon he does uphills;
• Thursdays: He does time running 10 kilometers as fast as he can;
• Fridays: He rests;
• Saturdays: He does an uphill for an hour;and
• Sundays: Between 05:00 and 07:00 he jogs.

Meshack belongs to the Telkom and Infracom sponsored Moratele Athletics Club which is based in Mamelodi, and they were Champions of the Coca-Cola Road Running League in 1996, 1997 and in 1999. When they have time, he says his team does coaching clinics for the schools in Mamelodi.

" Running is good in that it enables one to socialise with other people/races of our country. It builds friendship. It keeps one healthy. Because of running one can go places and an example I wish to cite here is that of Josiah Thugwana who won a Gold Medal in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia", with a smile Meshack explains his satisfaction with running.

In his message to all those who may some day run, Meshack said road running needs commitment and dedication. "One must love running and one has to tolerate the pain of training in road running. As a tip one must begin by jogging for about 30 minutes in the mornings and in the afternoons. The body will thereafter be able to take the pain", he said.

Meshack said he gets a lot of support from members of his family and his girlfriend Anna. Even though Anna is not a runner, in her encouragement she sometimes runs with him.

Outside road running, Meshack is a follower of soccer and listens R and B music when resting or just relaxing. He is a Christian and gives himself time to attend the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.

By T K Sonjica

The Acting Director-General of the Department of Land Affairs, Glen Thomas announced recently that the Cabinet has appointed Dr Gilingwe Peter Mayende as the new Director-General for the department.

At the time of writing Dr Mayende was the Deputy Director-General in the Office of the Premier, in the Eastern Cape Provincial Administration. In the past Dr Mayende was the Regional Land Claims Commissioner for the Eastern Cape and the Free State. According to information received from Mr Rinaldi Bester in the office of the Director-General, Dr Mayende will probably assume duties with the DLA with effect from the 01 May 2000.

An East London newspaper qouted him as having said his appointed was the highest in his career as a civil servant. It went on and said he was humbled by the honour as a dedicated servant of the people.

Biography

Dr Gilingwe Peter Mayende was born on the 22nd of December 1959 in Durban. Dr Mayende is married.

In 1986 graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Sociology and History at the University of Botswana. In 1987 he obtained a Masters of Arts degree in the Sociology of

Developing Societies at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom. He obtained his Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Anthropology in 1990, also at the University of Hull. He submitted a thesis entitled: ABureaucratic Intervention and the Development of Peasant Agriculture: the Case of ALDEP in Botswana@. The thesis deals essentially with the rural development policy process in Botswana, focusing on the redistributive agricultural programme called the Arable Lands Development Programme (ALDEP) which was formulated and implemented in that country during the decade of the 1980s.

Apart from academic research, Dr Mayende has published a number of articles, mostly on the subject of land reform and rural development. He is considered to be one of the specialists on the land issue in South Africa. He has also written many unpublished papers, most of which were presented by him at conferences and workshops. He is also a keen student in the field of law.

Dr Mayende has worked previously in the academic field, and by the time he left in 1994 he was a senior lecturer in Sociology at the University of Transkei. In March 1995 he took up the post of Regional Land Claims Commissioner in the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights, responsible for the Eastern Cape and Free State Provinces. He held this position until January 1999 when he joined the Eastern Cape Provincial Administration.

By T K Sonjica

Phumudzo Percy Makharamedza has recently joined the PDLA for the Northern Province in Pietersburg as a Communications Officer. Phumudzo can express himself both verbally and in writing in Tshivenda, English, Afrikaans and French and is an unmarried father of two children.

In communications, Phumudzo has a background of writing and is an alumnus of the ML Sultan Technikon. During his studies he won in 1996 the Excellence in Writing Certificate (Journalism Student=s Award) and in 1997 the Basic News Reporting Certificate.

As a reporter Phumudzo has worked for the Southern Globe and the City Press. During his spell at the City Press he also spent some time at the paper's Durban Bureau.

When asked by Journal if he had identified any weaknesses in the communications in his office, he said, "The main weakness is that there is no newsletter in the province. Another one is that when Communications Officers are appointed, they are not employed permanently. As a result thereof people tend to make short-term communications strategies".

In speaking about the attitudes of people within the DLA, Phumudzo said "People have been supportive in the office and they have been availing whatever information I need. There is a great team spirit here and I believe that is a good recipe for proper communications".

Phumudzo went on and added that people at National Office were also very supportive. He said this augurs well for his stay in the DLA.

His supervisor in Pietersburg, Ms Essy Letsoalo when asked if Phumudzo's presence has made any difference regarding communications in their office, said he is still new in the office to pass judgement on his activities. She said it would be unfair to be conclusive whether his presence has made any difference or not.

By TK Sonjica

The late Gwendoline Kgotsa began working for the Department of Land Affairs on the 01 January 1999. Annelize Roesch says Gwen, as she was popularly known, first worked as a secretary to the Director for Restitution Policy, Stanley Nkosi, then worked in the Administration Section at Restitution Policy and on the 01 December 1999 joined Durkje Gilifillan, the Regional Land Claims Commissioner for Northern Province and Mpumalanga.

Gwen was suffering from cancer and as a result thereof her one of her arms had to be amputated. The disability did not become an impediment in performing her duties.

Gwen leaves behind her husband Juja, her son Thabang, her parents Mr and Mrs Thobejane, two sisters and two brothers. She has been staying in Attridgeville all her life and she is an alumnus of the University of South Africa.

Once the news of her death came into the DLA, a cloud of sorrow prevailed. Exactly at that moment, the Chief Land Claims Commissioner, Mr Wallace Mgoqi called for an impromptu memorial service.

When Mr Mgoqi began describing the kind of person Gwen was, tear- drops fell down in many a face. He reminded them about the manner in which she had enjoyed herself at the year-end party.

Mr Mgoqi said Gwen's death is reminding us of "... the diligence and conscientiousness of a lady who was always present at work. She was ailing yet persevered, to surpass those of us who are able-bodied". He said those remaining behind are inspired by her example and will take off where she has left off.

"We salute the example of a woman, we salute her dedication to her work, we salute her deep regard for others, her altruism, her love for humanity. Let those who were close to her not hurt themselves. Let us learn to care for one another each day, for tomorrow is not ours", Mr Mgoqi concluded.

A bosom friend to Gwen, Nomsa Makena said Gwen loved life and wanted to live it to the full. She said while Gwen was in pain, Gwen loved all the people she was supposed to love and was always happy and gay.

Nomsa said Gwen was strong and did not want people to pity her. She said Gwen was a sister and a friend who taught her to be strong.

"I hope that we learn from these experiences. We must also not mourn when people are no longer with us. But we must love them when they are still alive. I will always love Gwen", Nomsa said.

Sarah Manthatha said Gwen had always showed enthusiasm in their interaction. She said after her amputation there were rumours that she would be relieved of her duties, but were later proved to be unfounded and she kept working up to the last minute.

By T K Sonjica

The erstwhile Director-General of the Department of Land Affairs, Geoff Budlender was bid farewell at a gala dinner by the Department's staff at the African Window Museum in Pretoria recently. All the components of the department were represented at the occasion.

The newly formed DLA National Office Adult Choir under the baton of Godfrey Monate provided choral ditties. Some of the songs were wishing Mr Budlender the best indicating that he will be missed in the DLA.

In his speech Mr Budlender said for the first two months he intends to travel internationally to study and gather more information. He said he is going to work for the Legal Resources Centre as Director of their Constitutional Litigation Department, as well as doing some private work.

"I will be working around the constitution in areas which will seek to do something for the poor", Mr Budlender said.

He said the Ministry has clear goals for the Department. While conceding that there were mistakes that were made, he said he thinks the department had not done too badly in the first five years when considering that it began from nothing.

"One of my great regrets is that I have not learnt anything from the people we serve. People who are involved with projects", he said.

Mr Budlender continued and said it is important to the public we serve it effectively:

• they want their survey diagrams approved and registered - and that is essential to              development and job creation;
• they want restitution for land which was taken from them B and that is related to justice;
• they want land B to live, to produce and to survive; and
• they want secure tenure and effective land administration so that they can invest their          labours and their money in their land.

Mr Budlender concluded by thanking his staff for having supported him. "... it is a myth that public servants have an easy time. My experience is that most servants work very hard, in a very difficult and a very exposed environment", he said to wide acclaim.

The Deputy Director-General's speech (Land Reform Policy), Ms Sue Land on Mr Budlender was read on her behalf by Mr Stan Nkosi, Deputy Director-General (Land Reform Implementation). Extracts from the speech read as follows:

ADuring his few years leading and managing the DLA there are some very important achievements history will surely note, and which we should record today particularly two aspects. The first is the establishment of key land reform and land rights laws, and the setting up of the institutional systems which have been necessary to begin to implement them. The Restitution Act, the Communal Property Association Act, the Interim Protection on Informal Land Rights Act, the Labour Tenants Act, the Extension of Security of Tenure Act and the Amendments to the Ingonyama Act, and Act 126, and the Rural Areas Act. These laws have all set vital standards, particularly for the poor and the vulnerable, for the way in which our people's land rights should be managed and protected in the future.

"The second aspect is the significant transformation of the Department. Geoff oversaw, led and drove a vital transformation process which has brought about a new and widespread commitment to service delivery excellence amongst our staff. It has also brought about very important demographic shifts in the cultural character of our Department, an achievement upon which we will certainly build for many years to come."

The Director for Monitoring and Evaluation Mr Indran Naidoo, speaking on behalf of the DLA management said the DLA has diversity. He said the transformation he has led has made an impact in the Department.

The former Chief Director for Corporate Services, Mr Snakes Nyoka, acknowledging Ms Vuyi Nxasana said, "Silahlekelwe yindlovu!". Loosely translated this means that we have lost a great one.

Mr Nyoka said Mr Budlender's departure was felt by all DLA staff members; from cleaner to top managers. He said the impact he had in the department is important and that impact is significant in the support services.

 

11."Mr DFA" quits DLA

Because of his close relationship with the Land Development Facilitation Directorate, Stephen Berrisford, has come to be known as Mr DFA in the Department of Land Affairs. But sadly now, that has come to an end for he has resigned from the DLA. T K Sonjica from Journal spoke to him before leaving the department.

Stephen started working for the DLA in 1996. After leaving university in 1993 he worked for local governments in Cape Town and Johannesburg. His chief responsibilities in the Directorate included the following:

• The implementation of the Development Facilitation Act  the first planning legislation of the post-apartheid South African government;
• The establishment and management of the national Development and Planning Commission B the body charged with advising the government on new law and policy for land development and planning;
• Advising the Minister, as well as the ministerial-level national Forum for Effective Planning and Development, on planning and land development related matters; and
• The administration of the Town and Regional Planner's Act.

Stephen states that his directorate " ...operates at a high level within the South African government as a strategic policy and planning unit, as well as having significant implementation responsibilities. It began operating formally in May 1997. It has now grown to its full size of 15 officials and is fully operational".

When asked about his reasons for leaving the DLA Stephen said he wants to pursue a career as a consultant. He said he feels he has been in the public service for a long time and now wants to try the private sector.

In describing his activities at DLA Stephen said he was involved with the first phase of transformation of South Africa. "I think it would be good for me to hand over the second phase to someone with new ideas", he said.

"The Development Facilitation Act is a crucial law for change and transformation in South African planning. I have been seen by many people as Mr DFA. I think it is important that someone else takes up the new challenge", Stephen said.

Talking about his achievements Stephen said he is proud of the team that he has built at the DLA. He said when he came in to the DLA there was only one person in the Directorate and he is now leaving behind a team of 15 committed people who are producing high quality work.

Regarding the establishment of the area of planning as a distinct and an important area of the department, Stephen said he thinks the department still has to go some way to recognise that importance in terms of structure and resources. "Nevertheless, there has been acknowledgement that the function has a distinct nature of its own", he said.

Stephen continued and pointed out that they haven't enough resources to do what they were supposed to do. He said on the other end the Green Paper spells out the functions of the National Government and with the resources that they have they cannot tackle them.

"We have produced this green paper on planning with the help of the Development Commission. That really points the direction of the long-term transformation of the planning system", he said.

On problems he has encountered within the DLA, Stephen said one of them was to make people understand that the directorate stands on its own and is not a facet of the land reform programme. "The directorate has been described as a step child of the Department. That has made our role very difficult", he said.

 

"The bulk of our relationships has been to support other spheres of government. We work closely with all provincial government departments that are involved with planning. At national level we work closely with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and the Department of Provincial Affairs and Local Government", Stephen said.

"I still do not understand the financial management system. When I think I understand it, I am told it is different. I think that is my failure within the DLA", Stephen pointed out.

"I have no regrets for having worked for the DLA. I think I have learnt a lot. I think I have grown a lot since working here", Stephen said. Meeting people of the DLA, the people in the country and the team he has worked with, within the Development Facilitation Directorate was described by Stephen as the highlight of his work experience in the Department.

"I will certainly miss the people that I have worked with and made friends with. I will also miss having a secretary. I will certainly miss that spirit of working in this era of a new democratic South African government. It was a privilege to work for it", Stephen added.

"It is sometimes frustrating to work for the government. But in that frustration we tend to forget how lucky we are to have worked for a democratic government", Stephen concluded.

Stephen has a Bachelor of Laws degree obtained from the University of Cape Town (UCT). He has a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning also from UCT and a Master of Philosophy Degree in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge.

Ms Lala Steyn, the Chief Director at Redistribution, Land Rights and Development under which Stephen's Directorate falls, described Stephen's departure as a loss to the department. She said Stephen is having a capable staff in his directorate which he built from nothing.

Lala said Stephen had handled his resignation well by informing the department in good time. She said this will facilitate for a proper hand over and under normal circumstances people often start in new jobs in January and not in December.

"From my side it has been a pleasure to work with him and also wish to work well with his replacement. I wish him luck in his new job", Lala concluded.

From his side Sbusiso Xaba who has been working with Stephen since 1997 said, "I think it is a terrible loss for the department, not just for the department but for the government regarding planning matter. He has got quite a lot of skills regarding planning, which he combines well with legal skills".

He said he thinks Stephen departs at a crucial time in two levels:

1. When the government is taking the issue of Spatial Planning more seriously than ever; and

2. When the department is stressing the need to align the Land Reform Programme with local planning processes. It is also at a time when the department has just published the Green Paper on development and planning. He was very instrumental in the drafting of the document.

Stephen's Secretary Emily Duncan said, AI am sad that Stephen is leaving. I think he made a real contribution to the work of the department. He is dedicated to his job. He is a person of integrity. He is conscientious and hardworking. I think he is sincere and concerned of all the officials in the directorate".

 

 

---

 

12.Corporate Services party for Snakes

By Moses Mushi

The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Land Affairs, Ms Sue Lund, wished the former Chief Director of Corporate Services Mr Snakes Nyoka well at a farewell party organised by Corporate Services for him in January at National Office's new lapa.

Mr Nyoka, left the DLA to join the Department of Water Affairs as a Deputy Director- General. Ms Lund said, Mr Nyoka is leaving the Department to take up a challenging new job at Department of Water Affairs.

She said she first met Mr Nyoka in the early 1980s in the days of the United Democratic Front. Mr Nyoka spent a long period in State of Emergency detention, and Ms Lund did not see him again before the early 1990s, when he was working at the Constitutional Assembly, chairing the commission dealing with the controversial Property Clause in the Bill of Rights.

Mr Nyoka got a reputation there for being fair, insightful, and rigorous in ensuring a satisfactory outcome amongst the difficult parties at the negotiations.

"By 1995, when I was putting together the DLA land reform policy teams, I tried to encourage Snakes to join the department in a policy management position. He decided against this in favor of further developing his skills by taking up a prestigious scholarship to the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, from which he returned in 1998," she said.

On his return, he applied for the difficult job of CD Corporate Services in the DLA. Ms Lund said that surprised her but at the same time she was delighted because she expected him to take up a job in a policy position not in a demanding corporate management role.

"He was appointed in late 1998, and while the rest of us went off on Christmas leave, he spent that time studying all the personnel regulations which he would need to manage," she said.

He is a lawyer by training, and is meticulous in his attention to his legal mandate. His first realisation that the situation was somewhat messy came, when the department was unable to give him a copy of the delegations under which he was expected to do his job. Mr Nyoka took charge very quickly, and has brought about significant improvements in the Chief Directorate in the last year.

The most notable of these changes for everyone, has been the dramatic turn-around in the workings of IT. This was undoubtedly a huge priority when he arrived. He made key changes in management, personnel, and operating systems to everyone's relief and benefit. Ms Lund said another key achievement was in managing, in record time, the mammoth skills audit of all staff, a first in the civil service, as far as she knows.

"I worked closely with Mr Nyoka over the last year on the decentralisation of support services, and together with Pieter and Shanaaz, our team was able to produce innovative plans for significant decentralisation and rationalisation of all the Corporate and Finance functions.

"Snakes was a driving force in that work, and I'm sure that he will take many of those management ideas with him to his new position at Water Affairs. I am still hopeful that our plans will be implemented, and trust that he will be able to look back on his short time at DLA with pride in those achievements", she said.

She said Mr Nyoka is, luckily, not lost to the public service, which greatly needs managers of his skill and integrity. Water Affairs is gaining a highly committed and resourceful civil servant that will make great strides in bringing about lasting transformation in the public service in the years to come. "We wish you every success and much enjoyment in your new job," she said.

Mr Nyoka said the DLA is going through a stress at the moment but that is temporal. Very soon the department will get going. "Our departure has nothing to do with the department falling apart, land reform will take more than 20 years to complete so the department still has a lot of work to do." He said the new people who come into the department will find the foundation has already been laid and will be able to carry the department forward.

"This is a very important department and even people who do not realise its importance will soon notice that. It is a department that is lucky to have skilled people from the old guard and new people. This is important because the mixture is necessary," he said. That he was successful, he said was because of the support he received from the line function offices.

Close-out represents the output of the final phase of a project. By this time the project would have accomplished all of its objectives, such as a situational analysis, design of the intervention, etcetera and would be recommending certain proposals to top management for implementation and ensuring sustainability of transformation.

14.Lund vouches against HIV/AIDS discrimination

The DLA's AIDS Day, on the eve of the World AIDS Day, while fun-filled had presentations and speeches that were serious in educating the Department's personnel on HIV/AIDS. T K Sonjica from Journal was present at the event and narrates the story as follows.

Ms Sue Lund, the DLA's Deputy Director-General, was the day's guest speaker and vouched that the DLA will not discriminate against people because they are HIV positive or suffering from AIDS. She said the Department of Health's statistics show that a reasonable estimate is that 10 - 15 % of the DLA's staff is HIV infected. While this will have an impact on the Department, people identified as such must not be discriminated against, and if they want their HIV status kept confidential, this must be respected.

On the 1999 World AIDS Day theme, "Listen, Learn, Live", Ms Lund said we must not only listen to our leaders, but also to those who live with HIV, and we must learn from them.

"We must also listen to the children for they are highly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS in the years ahead. By listening to their needs, protecting them from abuse, and keeping them informed, we will help them survive", she said.

Ms Lund mentioned that 1500 South Africans are getting infected with HIV/AIDS every day. She said this rate can be slowed when people educate themselves and their children.

She stated that it is predicted that by the year 2005 there will be about 1 million AIDS orphans and 6 million HIV positive people in South Africa.

Ms Lund congratulated the DLA's HIV/AIDS coordinator Colly Carey and her team for having established the Thusanong HIV/AIDS Pilot Project in Vereeniging. In the project beneficiaries of land reform are educated on HIV/AIDS and the DLA is the only organisation/institution that provides information on HIV/AIDS there.

She made a special call to all present to make sure that wherever they are, at work or at home, they spread the message on HIV/AIDS. "Today we can celebrate our knowledge on HIV/AIDS. But above all we have to stay safe", she said.

From her side Colly, presented her unit's progress report on HIV/AIDS in the DLA. One of the highlights is the collaboration her unit has cemented with the DLA's ABET and gender units and it would seem that whenever another unit is involved in a campaign, they work together.

Colly made a suggestion that was unanimously accepted, that on specific days all the DLA staff wear their HIV/AIDS T-shirts and lapels as a sign of their commitment to the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. The days are as follows :

* 1 December.

The winners of the HIV/AIDS Poetry/ Essay/ limerick competition which was run in the weeks preceding the DLA HIV/AIDS Day were announced and are:

• Pam Moonsamy - Surveyor-General: Pietermaritzburg;
• Andrew Hlongwane - Management and Advisory Support Services: National Office;
• Desiree Mastross - Surveyor-General: Pietermaritzburg; and
• Joan Viljoen B Director-General's Office: National Office.

Matsie Litheko who was in the panel of judges for the competition said they received 33 entries and it became very difficult for them to choose the winners. She described all participants as winners in championing HIV/AIDS awareness.

Kona from People Against Human Abuse (PAHA) chose to speak on rape and incest even though her organisation deals with all kinds of human abuse. She said rape and incest are related to HIV/AIDS.

In between the speakers the audience was entertained with music from the DLA Choir and Kwasa-kwasa dance by Dimakatso Khoza and her daughter Nthabiseng.

Molefi Matlou presented a poem, which is HIV/AIDS educational. The Drama Group from Ratoya Productions presented the play "The Virus" which is also educational on HIV/AIDS at the workplace and no one can blame many of the people watching for laughing into tears.

By C. Carey

#Launch committees will be established at national and provincial level;

# Strategies to market and launch the policy have to be developed . This will include:

- identifying a calendar event as the date for the policy launch;

- having a national launch by the Minister (in Pretoria or Cape Town);

        - having provincial launches with high profile             persons

-getting media coverage;

- printing the policy in leaflet and poster form;

- displaying the policy in all offices;

- distributing the policy to all staff; and

The policy will be shared with the IDC.

BY T K Sonjica

In its HIV/AIDS campaigns, the DLA has always been concentrating on conscientising its personnel corps. Lately, that was dramatically changed when the department's HIV/AIDS Programme Unit conducted its first ever HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with Land Reform beneficiaries at Thusanong in Westonaria in Gauteng, recently.

Thusanong is at Modderfontein Farm in Westonaria. It is described as being strategically well placed due to its proximity to cities, transport routes, busses and is also near the mines.

The land in which Thusanong is situated was bought by the DLA after its owner offered the property to those residing on it and inquiries were made for the settlement/land acquisition grant offered by the DLA. Information availed to Journal describes the people of Thusanong as having lived in conditions "... of abject poverty and except for access to clean water from the farm house, no other basic services exist".

Presently the DLA is busy assisting the beneficiaries at Thusanong with self-sustaining economic activity. That includes:

• Chicken and peach enterprise;
• Compost manufactured from chicken litter; and
• The development of small business projects such as brick-making, fence manufacturing, plastering, roofing, floor laying and any business venture that may be suitable there.

The DLA's HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator, Colly Carey in her opening remarks said some of the beneficiaries may have heard about HIV/AIDS, some may think that it does not exist and some may think that it is not their problem. She said she was there to tell them that HIV/AIDS is each and everyone's concern.

"You are the clients of the DLA and as such we have a responsibility to inform you about HIV/AIDS. What is the point of getting your land back if in a few years there is nobody to benefit from that land because people are all dead as a result of HIV/AIDS?" Colly asked.

"I'm not coming here to tell you how to live, but just to give information about HIV/AIDS so that you can protect yourselves", she continued.

Colly promised that some of the committee members of Thusanong will be trained to do HIV/AIDS education in the community. She said they will link up with other organisations so that people can go for testing and counseling.

"We will also train community members how to take care of people who are infected. We will also train people to look at their attitudes and not discriminate against people who are HIV positive", Colly committed herself to another promise.

The day's guest speaker, an AIDS infected person, Ms Prudence Mabele-Bokeer said HIV/AIDS exists and does not choose what colour of skin one has. She said the disease comes through one person and spreads amongst the poor and the rich, regardless of how many men or women one has.

Prudence said she got it through one boy friend. She said its first symptom is an unending flu, and when people have contaminated it, do not only spread it among themselves, but also spread it to children.

Prudence said because of a lack of understanding and knowledge when one dies of AIDS, people tend to believe that one has died of bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza or any other disease that one may have had. Answering a question, she said outside unprotected sex people can be infected with AIDS through the use of blades by witchdoctors or through blood.

She mentioned the following as its symptoms:

• Tuberculosis;
• Pneumonia;
• Glands on the neck;
• Ulcer in the mouth; and
• The change in one's skin.

The Ratoya Productions from Wits University presented an educational HIV/AIDS drama to the delight of all present. Its entertaining music gave room to gumboot, Sarafina and Zulu dancing.

Some of the subjects that are topical in the drama are:

• HIV/AIDS in the workplace;
• Conditions of employment in the workplace;
• Confidentiality by doctors;
• Women and children abuse; and
• Multi-lingualism.

Mr Patrick Msane, the Chairperson of the Thusanong Farmer's Association said he believes that HIV/AIDS is in existence and hopes that the spark that has been kindled at Thusanong will be used by all. He said many people do not believe in the existence of HIV/AIDS and those who have knowledge on it, do not take it seriously.

Mr Msane added that people have a false notion that all illnesses can be cured. He said they believe that doctors can cure any illness.

Mr Msane said the arrival of the DLA HIV/AIDS Team was a blessing because they have no clinic in the area. He conceded that there is a mobile clinic that visits their area, but said it has not started on an HIV/AIDS education programme.

Mr Msane said what makes people of Thusanong vulnerable to HIV/AIDS is that they are surrounded by mines. He said there is a lot of friendship that prevails between his people and the miners who come from countries like Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Zambia and throughout South Africa.

By T K Sonjica

• A healthy and a safe environment;
• Participation in decision-making;
• Access to health care;
• Knowledge of one's health insurance/medical scheme;
• Choice of health services;
• Treated by a named health care provider;
• Confidentiality and privacy;
• Informed consent;
• Refusal of treatment;
• A second opinion;
• Continuity of care;and
• Complaints about health services.

Dr Tshabalala-Msimang said the National Patients' Rights Charter expresses the government's commitment to the fundamental values of the National Health System; a comprehensive service available to all, responsive to expressed needs of the people and above all a service that is delivered with respect and compassion, at all times preserving the dignity of the recipient service. She said she was delighted to launch the charter because now, for the first time ever, the patient and the general public are afforded the opportunity to take the center stage and drive the government's attempts to improve the quality of health care the it so desperately needs to achieve.

"The Charter therefore provides true meaning to the concept, -people first-(Batho Pele). I am quite sure that like elsewhere in the world, the Patients' Rights Charter will contribute towards raising the awareness amongst both patients and our health workers on patients' entitlement to be treated with dignity, to complain, and the right to information, to mention but three of the twelve rights we have included into our Charter", Dr Tshabalala-Msimang said.

The charter represents one big stride and a positive programme of action for all communities to help turn these rights into realities for all South Africans. It should be viewed by both the patients and health workers as a tool to assist in changing the health system into a caring and compassionate health care delivery system. Taking on these responsibilities will contribute towards ensuring that the patient=s rights are met, the health providers' rights are respected, and that the partnership between health workers and patients is strengthened.

By T K Sonjica

With an emphasis on precautionary measures against HIV/AIDS the World AIDS Day at Church Square in Pretoria towards the end of 1999 under the auspices of the Inter-departmental Committee on AIDS was conducted in a celebratory mood.

The audience had condoms showered on them by helicopters in the sky. South Africans came in their numbers including sports people, musicians and film actors who conveyed messages on HIV/AIDS.

The Day's Guest Speaker, the Minister of Home Affairs, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and at that time acting as the country's President said the day's celebration were done because AIDS can be beaten. "As we enter a new cycle of history, there is little doubt that the HIV/AIDS crisis is the single greatest concern. There are many daunting challenges facing us beyond the year 2000, yet none compare to the certain death of our people and the destruction of a society which has fought so hard to survive", Dr Buthelezi said.

He went on and said, "We have experienced first hand the miracles of change and survival and growth, which have brought us to where we stand today. It is a testimony to our success that we may come across the boundaries of prejudice, ignorance, historical isolation and differences to celebrate the message that, once again we can succeed".

Dr Buthelezi said the circumstances and the history of HIV/AIDS are global and like many social evils the terrifying disease is endemic to human beings worldwide. He said there is no denying that the severity of the threat is greatest upon our continent and extreme, even in South Africa.

"The global nature of this problem should not allow us to wait for answers outside. The burden of responsibility rests upon the shoulders of every woman to effect a solution. Moreover, the solution is not one which can come from government or political leaders alone, for there is no law which will stop the spread of AIDS. There is but one determining factor which will cause AIDS to spread or regress, and that is the personal commitment of each of us to doing what must be done", he said.

Dr Buthelezi called upon people to spread the word on how and when to be tested and inform about the responsibilities attached to being infected. He asked for people to be trained what to expect, how to cope with AIDS and above all, how to break the deadly silence beneath which AIDS is moving furiously and fast.

"Once people start listening and learning, and talking, the chances of dying from irresponsible or ignorant actions diminish tenfold. We must inform ourselves of the facts of AIDS and take responsibility in the things we do", he said.

While applauding those who speak up the truth about HIV/AIDS, Dr Buthelezi condemned those who intentionally or ignorantly spread lies about the fatal disease. "It pains me to hear the ridiculous superstitions which some still adhere to, for I know that lives will be lost and people destroyed as a result. Let me state emphatically that AIDS cannot be cured. You cannot get better by engaging in sexual intercourse with a virgin. You cannot be cured by rape. Moreover, there is nothing more repulsive or abominable than a person who intentionally spreads AIDS, out of revenge, selfishness or total disrespect", he said.

Dr Buthelezi added that there is no justification for ostracising or discriminating against a person infected with HIV. He also told his audience that AIDS cannot be transmitted through hugging or shaking hands or even sharing eating utensils.

"We can ensure our own success. We can beat AIDS. Therefore, let us celebrate the World AIDS Partnership Festival of 1999 with unequalled joy, believing the sun indeed will rise upon the upturned faces of a united people, and we will walk together into a healthy tomorrow", he concluded.

In the same even Miss Teenage South Africa 1999, Shannel Dennis from Port Elizabeth, revealed that the world has 30 million HIV positive people. She said 4 million of those come from South Africa.

South African soccer star, John Moeti said there is no second chance with HIV. He however added that there is life after AIDS.

19.ESTA

By Ntombikayise Mogashoa

Esta is a mother who came all the way from land affairs to fight for your rights

promising to give love

especially protection

But things have changed

now she is your enemy

no more the mother you think you have

Mother where is your motherhood

they are evicting us

giving us court orders

killing us

beating us

even giving us names

But you have promised

I know if I have done wrong

you have to punish me

how can I be born here

after a minute I don't belong here

I'm forced to leave my ancestors

and not allowed to visit them

or to be buried next to them

Only the animals are important to take my place

How can you take care of me along the road?

where people such like thieves and criminals have no mercy

or in the mountainous place, where erosion

is taking place, no soil to plough and

no grazing for my cattle

Mother, do you remember the case of Moses

from Nelspruit who was jailed for intervening

for his blind father not to sign the documents

which he did not understand

And about Ndlela Langa, and Mr Bhengu's case

you know that I will mention many of them

Why are you not responding to that?

remember the time they closed our school

and when Vela Langa was evicted because

he is more than 18 years

you received numerous letters of complaints from us

that is why you are so quiet as if you are not there

because you are not the mother who sticks to her words

Mother Esta you have failed us

as your children we have lost confidence in you

it was better before you came

It's better for you to leave us alone with strangers

we are tired of unfulfilled promises

we will survive

I want you to know, that we have grouped ourselves

to support and educate others about you Esta

By T K Sonjica

The Department of Land Affairs became the first government department in South Africa recently to surrender firearms and ammunition in its possession for destruction to the South African Police Service. This is in line with the government policy of getting rid of firearms and ammunition that government departments are not in need of.

The firearms and ammunition belonged to the former Development Aid Department in the early 1980s when it was the policy of the government of that time that government officials be armed. The arsenal comprised of 83 firearms and 20 000 rounds of ammunition.

Before the event, in a letter to the DLA the Chairperson of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee, Professor Kadar Asmal, said the committee was delighted that the DLA intended to destroy the arsenal. He also granted approval for its destruction.

The then DLA Director-General Geoff Budlender handed over the firearms and ammunition, ranging from 9 mm pistols, hunting rifles and automatic assault weapons to Commissioner Morgan Chetty. Mr Budlender said the DLA is the first government department to surrender such weapons and hoped that other departments will follow suite.

Commissioner Chetty said before destroying the weapons and the ammunition, they would be checked if they were still suitable for use. He said all what is no longer viable for use would be destroyed.

By Phumudzo Makharamedzha

FOR the once government services hungry community of Kgautswane in the Southern Region of the Northern Province, the Department of Land Affairs (DLA) is now within reach.

The opening of the Kgautswane Multi-Purpose Community Centre (MPCC) recently has made the dreams of the more than 90 000 residents come true. They now only have to walk a couple of metres to get to the MPCC, which will have a hive of activities ranging from education to sports.

MPCC's are government's strategic one-stop information centres aimed at providing communities with government information on their rights and obligations as citizens. From this knowledge, citizens will be able to assess the information needs of communities and develop ways of meeting them.

Clara Masinga - whose brain-child the MPCC is - appreciates that apart from services such as applications for Identity Documents that will be rendered mostly on a part-time basis, the MPCC consists of a resource centre that will make it possible for the community to get information about departments such as Land Affairs.

Speaking while visiting the Land Affairs information stall in the hall, Masinga said, "I am very happy that I will be relieved from working as a Director, Magistrate, Social Worker, etc. Now I know the community will get any government information without struggling. In the past they had to travel for more than 30 kilometres to Praktiseer where they did not even get enough information."

She added that it is the reason why she asked the local chief and his 22 headmen to join forces with her before approaching the Northern Province Premier, Ngoako Ramatlhodi to tell him that people in Kgautswane were in dire need of services. Premier Ramatlhodi went to see the area and decided to support the idea of building an MPCC.

Addressing the gathering, Premier Ramathlodi said that the MPCC was the second to be built in the country. "It will provide access to services provided by local, provincial and national governments, non-governmental organizations, community builder organizations and the private sector for the 19 villages of Kgautswane", he said.

He said that more such centres will be built around the country to deliver essential services to the people, adding that "Masinga has made the name of this village famous. The people of Kgautswane stood up and did something for themselves. A visit here leaves one moved by the people's will to live and their resilience. This is thanks to the visionaries like Clara."

After the Premier's official opening locals and other delegates flocked to the hall to get information booklets and also had the opportunity to pose questions about Land Reform.

Since Land Affairs in the Northern Province has seven district offices around the province including the Southern Region where Kgautswane is located, the department will only make available its information booklets and pamphlets to the resource centre and go to the MPCC for urgent matters.

To get to the nearest Land Affairs office, the Kgautswane community has to travel to Lebowakgomo, where the department has a district office, which operates two days a week.

By Matsie Litheko & T K Sonjica

Newcomers in any organisation have the right to be orientated and inducted into processes and procedures of their new work environment. The Organisational Development Directorate recently presented an Orientation Programme for 21 employees in the DLA. The programme`s target group was supposed to be all new employees who have been with the department for the past three months or for a shorter period. It was interesting to note that some of the participants were more than three years with the organisation and have found the course stimulating and eye opening.

The purpose of the programme is to assist the staff in orientating themselves in the Public Service, the content and procedures that impact directly to them in the DLA. The programme content covers the following subject areas:

• The image of the Public service;

- What it means to be a Public Servant,

- Applicable Public Service Regulations and the Staff Code;

• What is the Department of Land Affairs;

- The mission, Structure and core business of the DLA,

- Key people in the DLA,

• Labour Relations and Service benefits;

- The Labour Relation Act,

- Grievance procedures,

- Disciplinary Action,

- Performance Evaluation,and

- Service Benefits.

The OD Directorate presented the programme jointly with the Human Resource Management Directorate, the Information Service Directorate, the Procurement and Transport Sub-directorates.Labour relations and service benefit issues were presented by a team from HRM, Mike Kganticoe, Isaac Maeko, Mandla Lerungoane and Russel Maluleka.The new comer also paid a visit to the Library where a presentation was conducted by Zuzzette Fourie. In order to understand how transport systems and subsidies function a presentation was dome by Kalafi Sedumedi. The programme also orientated the participants into AIDS Awareness programme which was facilitated by Colly Carey of OD the Directorate.

Orientating newcomers in the workplace is very important as it opens a way for them to develop into the organisational culture and adopt to the way things are done in the organisation. One of the questions asked when participants introduce themselves, is what are your experiences in being inducted into the DLA. It came out clearly that new employees are left alone to fend for themselves and find their way through the department. This was painful for some, a challenge for others and a frustration to some.

Gaining entree into the department can be hectic and frustrating. Supervisors can assist the OD Directorate by informing them of the newcomers they have recently appointed in their components. Currently the OD Directorate is experiencing frustration of Directorates not sending nominations of new employees to them. The programme is designed to assist the new employees to find their way through the department in the two day course, thus making them feel welcome. The OD trusts that from henceforth Directorates will send they newcomers to attend an orientation course next year. People are asked not to waite for a specif date but must send the nominations now and OD will do the follow-up.

One of those attending, Nompumelelo Dludla from Legal Services, in summary described the course as having been educative in a fun-filled and a relaxed mood. She said before attending the course she could not stop asking herself questions like the following:

• What exactly does the DLA do?

• What benefits, if any, am I as a contract employee entitled to?

• What are the grievance and disciplinary procedures as well as the performance appraisal system applicable in this organisation?

"All in all the course met all my expectations and went beyond that, as I never expected it to be so much fun and got to know almost everybody who attended it", she said.

Rachel Zanele Sebelebele who has been with the DLA Registry Office now for more than 18 months said before attending the course she did not have a clue as to what restitution entails. She said all along her knowledge on restitution went as far as assisting with opening their files.

"The course was educational in that it enlightened me about public service benefits, grievance procedures and the organisational structure of the department", Zanele said.

Nomsa Rabotapi from IT said the course was worth attending because now she knows about Land Reform, Restitution, Government Finance, and Public Service Benefits. She said she admires the fact that the DLA's HIV/AIDS programme is part of the Orientation Course.

"The Orientation Course is appropriate but its timing is not if consideration is taken of the people who are already more than a year in the Department. I suggest that it should be done at least in the first month a person joins the department so as to enable new employees to know about their department. This will empower them answering pertinent questions from the public", Nomsa said.

By T K Sonjica

The Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) launched its multi-lingual web site at Centurion recently in a low-key ceremony that attracted a very limited number of media people.

In her address to those present, the Chairperson of PANSALB Ms Zubeida Desai, said in launching the site they realize that it is a small step in the direction of using technology to the advantage of African language speakers. She said it is not impossible to have users of African languages being able to access documents from the Internet in their own languages.

"For African languages to be acknowledged as vital resources in the economic, educational and social development of our people, we have to realise that vision", she said.

She went on and said it is well-known that languages develop through use, "....but despite acceptance of this belief, the reality in South Africa has been that African languages in this country are not regularly used in many high domains such as the legislature, the judiciary and tertiary education, etc. For despite the fact that many people outside South Africa have hailed our new language policy of eleven official languages as progressive and far reaching, many South Africans are concerned about the lack of promotion and development of African languages."

She added that these people often cite negative attitudes on the part of the speakers of African languages as the major stumbling block in promoting African languages. Acknowledging Mazrui and Mazrui in The Tower of Babel, Ms Desai mentioned three historical reasons for the lack of promotion and development of indigenous languages in Africa, which are:

• The pre-eminence of the oral tradition in many languages in Sub-Saharan Africa;
• The absence of linguistic nationalism in Africa South of the Sahara; and
• The question of linguistic diversity and linguistic scale.

Mr Joseph George from SangoNet while demonstrating the use of the web site listed the following goals of the project:

• To communicate the Board's policy and ideas to the public nationally and internationally in all official languages;

   

  • To actively promote multi-lingualism in South Africa in the information super-highway;
  • To engage the nation in the national language question;
  • To dispel the myth that African languages are problems in the socio-economic milieu and cultural development of a nation; and
  • To raise an awareness for language as both a right and resource in the scope of human rights.

Mr George also listed the following as the objectives of the site:

                              _. To extend the use of African languages in the world of information technology;

_ .To locate African languages within the ambits of the global information society as resources that will foster diversity, multi-culturalism, mutual enrichment and language equity;

_. To harness in a practical manner indigenous African languages for national advancement, national development and economic prosperity;

_. To unlock the potential of African languages with a view to liberating them from any form of linguistic discrimination, domination and division; and

_. To attach a contextual relevance and meaning for African languages in the African Renaissance as we march confidently into the next millenium.

The occasion was graced by the presence of the Tembisa Cultural Group which provided entertainment with its Zulu dancing and war songs. While their singing cannot be described in positive terms, their moves on the stage are stupendous and the drumbeat propels them to behave like those under a voodoo spell.

In their own way, through their dances, they interact with their audience. Sometimes they also include some township jive styles in what they are doing.

 No 1: Donald Moore, 1996. Clear waters and muddled histories: competing claims to the Kaerezi River in Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands. (R20)

defining A community@: challenges for the land reform programme in rural South Africa. (R20)

No 11: Susie Jacobs, 1999. Gender, class and democracy in Zimbabwe's land resettlement programme. (R20)

No 12: Rick Rohde, Timm Hoffman & Ben Cousins, 1999. Experimenting with the commons. (R20)

No 3. Lungisile Ntsebeza, 1999. Land tenure reform, traditional authorities and rural local government in post-apartheid South Africa. (R30)

No 3: Tenure reform: a reflection in field practice and a consultation on the new tenure legislation: report on a two day workshop for the Dept. of Land Affairs held in March 1998. (R10)

Policy Papers

No 5: Lungisile Ntsebeza, 1997. Port St. Johns: a Situational Analysis. (R10)