M A N A G E M E N T N E W S Minister lauds ‘Jenny’s leadership By Molatelo Mokumo Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula lauded the CDC Operations and Management Support, Ms Jenny Schreiner for her sterling job while she took charge <strong>of</strong> the department’s administration as the Acting National Commissioner. Ms Schreiner steered the correctional service ship on an acting capacity for a commendable months (from July <strong>20</strong>09 to May <strong>20</strong> 0). Her efforts did not go unnoticed. Fittingly, the minister sang her (Ms Schreiner) praises whilst introducing the new incumbent, Mr Tom Moyane on 7 May in Pretoria. As per norm, senior and junior members <strong>of</strong> staff were present when Ms Schreiner and Mr Moyane swop seats. Officials speak to Commissioner Moyane By Molatelo Mokumo In a groundbreaking move to encourage dialogue between management and <strong>of</strong>ficials, the new National Commisioner, Mr Tom Moyane afforded the <strong>of</strong>ficials a platform to voice their concerns and be heard during a teleconference meeting held on 2 June. The teleconference was held for the commissioner to communicate his vision to the members and for the members to raise their praises and concerns. Officials tuned in across the country’s correctional facilities using 98 listening stations to listen to the commissioner speaking. Representatives from each <strong>of</strong> the six regions aired their concerted views to the commissioner, most <strong>of</strong> which restricted their views Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula after exchanging flower with the outgoing Acting National Commissioner Jenny Schreiner at the welcoming ceremony <strong>of</strong> the new commissioner in Pretoria Some <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>ficials who attended the National Commissioner’s teleconference at Head Office. to warmly welcoming him and wishing him a healthy stay at the department. Representing Gauteng, Mr Emmanuel Khoza, the Regional Head; Corporate <strong>Services</strong> said, “We welcome you commissioner and we pledge our support. There are challenges in Gauteng like elsewhere in the regions, but we can assure you that we will work through them to give our best.” Mr William Mzileni, the Regional Coordi- 6 SA Corrections Today To the outgoing Acting National Commissioner, the minister said, “Thank you very much Jenny for holding the fort at a time when we did not have a national commissioner. Thank you for your leadership, guidance, patience and commitment. It was not an easy task assigned to you but you pulled it through. I know there were moments when you wanted to quit but I persuaded you not to. You hung in there up to this day.” The minister extended her gratitude to the top management for giving Ms Schreiner their full support. “Jenny was enabled to lead this organisation because <strong>of</strong> your full support. She did it because you allowed it to happen. My sincere gratitude to all <strong>of</strong> you,” said the minister. She also singled out Ms Nandi Mareka who had been the Acting Chief Financial Officer (Acting CDC Finance) when the minister was deployed to correctional services. The department now has a full time Finance CDC in Mr Siphiwe Sokhela, who resumed his duties on 7 May together with Commissioner Moyane nator; HR Management and Support in Kwa- Zulu Natal said, “The implementation <strong>of</strong> 7 – day establishment has disadvantaged us because we are short staffed and the migration <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials from centre based to non-centre based and vice versa, had also affected us. We also want to be informed on the second phase roll out <strong>of</strong> OSD.” It was always going to be a mission to represent Free State and Northern Cape post the escapes <strong>of</strong> 4 remand detainees in the region’s Harrismith’s <strong>Correctional</strong> Centre. Mr Gustav Wilson, the regional Head; Development and Care, stepped up and said, “The Harrismith incident was not our desired welcome for you national commissioner. We remain committed to implement the shift system <strong>of</strong> the 7 – day establishment despite being challenged with shortage <strong>of</strong> personnel. We know there are budgetary constraints but we wish to have the Corrections Excellence Awards retained in recognition <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials’ service excellence.” Mr Joe Makgoba, the Regional Head; Development and Care in Limpopo, Mpumalang and North West simply welcomed Commissioner Moyane and invited him to visit his region. He said that LMN supports the commissioner’s pillars needed to deliver service with integrity and excellence. Eastern Cape Region’s Alfred Magaila said, “We are committed and pledge our support and we will follow the direction the national commissioner is leading us to. We also want to contribute towards changing public perception as we rebuild the image <strong>of</strong> our department.” M A N A G E M E N T N E W S Take a stand against HIV/Aids; Ms Mkhize By Ofentse Morwane “It is important that we all take personal and collective responsibility to alleviate the impact <strong>of</strong> HIV and Aids in our communities.” That was the message from the Deputy Minister Ms Hlengiwe Mkhize during her address at the Western Cape regional candle light memorial event held at Goodwood Management Area on <strong>20</strong> May. need to promote the rights <strong>of</strong> those infected and affect- “We ed, to care, treat and support them. It is important to promote humanity and to create an enabling environment where there is no stigmatization and discrimination,” continued the deputy minister. The deputy minister also unveiled the commitment stone which affirmed the Western Cape Region as it resolves to fight the scourge <strong>of</strong> the HIV and Aids Western Cape Region’s Freddie Engelbrecht (Deputy Regional Commissioner) said, “We support the principles <strong>of</strong> the White Paper. We are committed to fighting corruption. We embrace your vision and we will provide you with simple answers were we can. We hope you will finalise the implementation <strong>of</strong> OSD for social workers. We lament the migration <strong>of</strong> non-centre based <strong>of</strong>ficials to centre based purely because they want to retain their housing units..” In response, Commissioner Moyane said, “The challenges you have raised affects all <strong>of</strong> us. I intend to visit all the facilities in my tenure <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice to see the conditions under which you work in. We primarily need to deal with security appropriately. I am still receiving briefing on all matters <strong>of</strong> OSD and I’m planning to meet with organised labour to address this matter and the 2X 2 shift system.” He also promised to look at the public service appointment to address under staffing, awarding excellence and identifying quick wins. He also expressed confidence in junior <strong>of</strong>ficials as he said, “At times those at lower ranks are more empowered with information that could propel this department to greater heights but are ignored.” He said that he was not going to revise the allocated budget but he would address the skilling and training <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials. He urged the regions to learn and share best practices among themselves while he would be benchmarking from other countries to see how best they run corrections. pandemic. She further encouraged all the attendants to participate in voluntary counselling and testing arranged by the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Health on the day. She highlighted the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Correctional</strong> <strong>Services</strong>’ concerted efforts to address HIV and Aids through: • Utilizing the outcome <strong>of</strong> the <strong>20</strong>06 prevalence survey to inform the strategic direction; • Partnering with external stakeholders to enhance capacity for the provisioning <strong>of</strong> services; • The accreditation <strong>of</strong> correctional centres as ARV sites for the provisioning <strong>of</strong> Anti-retroviral treatment and • The identification <strong>of</strong> HIV and AIDS as a significant prioritized risk within the department and reporting to the risk committee quarterly. Ms Mkhize also emphasised the need to break the silence, banish stigma and discrimination, and to ensure total inclusiveness in the struggle against AIDS. MAY/JUNE <strong>20</strong> 0 “Today we are joining the world to commemorate the International Aids Candlelight Memorial, a program <strong>of</strong> the Global Health Council, which is one <strong>of</strong> the oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV and AIDS awareness over the world.This week as we mark 27 years since the launch <strong>of</strong> the campaign (World Aids Day), we remember the lives <strong>of</strong> those who succumbed to the scourge <strong>of</strong> HIV and Aids. Whilst it has become a norm to remember those who lost their lives, it is also important not to forget those left behind after losing their parents, brothers and sisters. Most <strong>of</strong> us have personal experiences, and even know too many who have lost loved ones to the HIV and Aids pandemic,” said Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize, Western Cape Regional Commissioner James Smalberger and Regional Head Corporate <strong>Services</strong> Themba Magagula during the candle light memorial event at Goodwood Management Area. Deputy Minister Mkhize. The event, which coincided with Goodwood Management Area’s <strong>of</strong>ficial opening <strong>of</strong> the Mbombela Sport Grounds, Ms Mkhize also emphasised the need to break the silence, banish stigma and discrimination, and to ensure total inclusiveness in the struggle against AIDS. was held under the theme “many lights for human rights through sports.” It was attended by <strong>of</strong>ficials from various sectors including the <strong>Department</strong>s <strong>of</strong> Health and Social Development. It is held annually to raise awareness on the negative impact <strong>of</strong> the HIV and Aids epidemic to the department and the community. 7