transport Department: Transport PROVINCE OF KWAZULU-NATAL ezethu e -NEWSLETTER

DOT Newsletter | Week 38| 26 September 2019

transport De partment: Transport

P RO VINCE OF KW AZULU -NATAL SPORTS DAY Date: 27 Septe “ Tr a n s f o r m Ve mber 2019 i n g Tr nue: Newca a n s p o r t S e c stle Arbor Park Sports G t o r, G r o w i n g r t h e E c o n o m y f o r J o b C r e a t i o n ” ound 10H00 #sportsday

Mandela Centenary Posters.indd 3 2/21/18 2:07 PM

“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.” –

headlinenews

MEC NTULI CALLS FOR MEASURES TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON KWAXIMBA ROAD

MEC Bheki Ntuli and Ethekwini Mayor Cllr inspecting the area of the accident at KwaXimba.

The MEC for Transport, Community Ethekwini, Councilor Mxolisi Kaunda and to be set upon to look at what measures Safety and Liaison, Bheki Ntuli is today a local councilor on Saturday morning can be implemented. An intersection attending the memorial service of seven visited the area and it was discovered that has a taxi rank, police station, shops people who died in a horrendous road that the road had no signage and guard- and municipal offices in one vicinity re- accident in KwaXimba, outside rails. quires all means of safety to be visible. on Friday 20 September 2019. We will be working closely with office Both the MEC and the Mayor committed of the Mayor and the local leadership to Ntuli has since called for the formation of to working together in ensuring that the address the safety challenges in KwaX- a task team comprising of officials from road in that area received urgent atten- imba”, said Ntuli. the Department of Transport and Ethek- tion. wini Municipality to look into measures This is the same road that claimed the “Upon inspection of the road where the that can be implemented to improve lives of seventeen people in 2017 in a crash occurred, it was evident that the road safety on the affected road. gruesome crash. –Sthembile Luthuli road needs urgent attention to erect sig- MEC Ntuli accompanied by the Mayor of nage and guardrails, thus a team needs

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN IS FLYING DOT FLAG HIGH

The Department of Transport staff mem- involved in at KwaMhlanga in the Mpu- bers at the engineering section are walk- malanga Province. ing tall these days as one of their own Sithole, who was born and bred in a rural has been called by the Eminent Asso- town Mtubatuba, completed his Bache- ciation of Researchers in Humanities & lor of Science degree in Civil Engineering Management (EARHM) for oral presen- at the University of the Witwatersrand in tation at an international conference. 2015. Sandile Sithole (26), a Candidate Engi- neer who is currently completing his He then joined the private sector, work- master’s degree in engineering manage- ing for a company called AECOM as a ment at the University of Johannesburg, candidate civil engineer. He was involved will be doing his presentation at the In- in several project leadership roles and ternational Conference on Education, construction projects, including that of Economics, Humanities and Social Sci- the reconstruction of the Moloto Road ences that will take place in November KwaMhlanga. 2019 in Johannesburg. After working for almost four years at The main aim of this conference is to AECOM, he left to join the public sector bring together academics, scientists, re- and now works as a candidate Geomet- ric Design Engineer at the KwaZulu-Natal searchers’ engineers and practitioners Geometric Design Engineer Sandile Department of Transport. from all around the world to exchange Sithole and share their work and discuss the Sithole spoke so highly of Nqobile Zon- practical challenges encountered and do. “As a candidate engineer in the De- said Sithole. the solutions adopted. partment, I would like to thank my Chief He also expressed his appreciation for Sithole’s presentation will be based on Engineer in Geometric Design, Nqobile his research, ‘Influence of tribal councils Zondo. Especially for his mentorship the great opportunity given to him by in construction projects’, with special skills and his efforts in building us as the management team in the Engineer- reference to road projects he has been young stars in the engineering section,” ing Directorate. -Nhlakanipho Chamane

RTI VETERAN ABOOBAKER RETIRES

ly or unintentionally but all I was aiming for was to do my work to the best and be proud of what I did. I will definitely miss the working relationship with all my col- leagues in both the RTI Stations. I would like to thank my wife and my daughter who stood by me during my difficult mo- ments whilst I was with RTI,” expressed Aboobaker. RTI Park Rynie excelled from year to year and had great successes with the then Road side Courts. In 2013 they entered for the National RTMC awards and man- aged to scoop four out of five awards for RTI Park Rynie and Aboobaker as the manager took the award of BEST TRAF- FIC OFFICER OF THE YEAR Nationally. In 2015 a provincial award function was held by the MEC for Transport, Commu- nity Safety and Liaison in Durban and again Aboobaker took the award for BEST TRAFFIC OFFICER OF THE YEAR in the province. He was requested to move to RTI Win- klespruit in November 2017 as Chief Pro- vincial Inspector/Station Commander Chief Provincial Inspector Aboobaker where he has been stationed until now, as he retires. The KZN Department of Transport’s ership Certificate, Traffic Personnel Man- RTI veteran retires after 34 years and 2 agement Certificate and an Advanced “I would also like to thank Mr du Plessis months of excellent service to the com- Management Development Programme Commander Training and Advice, for all munities he served. Aboobaker (62) who Certificate. his support, Mr SS Nxumalo then Region- is known as a man of principle and order al Commander Durban Region and now In 2003, with the introduction of the retires after having worked in several as Chief Director, and Mr (Siboniso) Mb- new licence cards, Aboobaker took over stations and contributing significantly to hele Regional Director, Durban Region Mkondeni RTI in . That their successes. for all their positive support they gave same year the station won a silver award me during my stay here. Aboobaker started his career as a Provin- at the Premier’s Service Excellence “A special thank you to Mr TA Mthembu cial Inspector at Stanger RTI in 1985. In Awards. The following year (2004) he Regional Commander, Durban region for January 1986 he received his Traffic Of- was promoted to Chief Provincial Inspec- his positive support and assistance dur- ficers Diploma. In 1988 he was promot- tor and served as Station Commander at ing my difficult times over the past two ed to Senior Provincial Inspector, and RTI Park Rynie. His station again won a in October 1991 was transferred to RTI years. In all fairness I also want to say silver award for Premier’s Service Excel- thanks to the admin staff of both RTI sta- Pietermaritzburg where he continued to lence Awards consecutively in 2005 and work as a Senior Provincial Inspector. He tions for their unmeasurable support. 2006. In 2007, RTI Park Rynie scooped was again promoted in November 1995 the illustrious gold award for RTI Durban “In closing I would like to say to all my to Principal Provincial Inspector at RTI colleagues please be safe and continue Region. Pietermaritzburg. with the excellent work of saving lives, “I would like to say that I have worked the trend and the legacy which I have He served as Acting Station Commander well and assisted the officers wherever left behind and to keep the flag of RTI of in the year 2001 at Park Rynie, New- I could within the ambits of protocols, both stations flying high as you all have castle, Midway and Pietermaritzburg policy and procedure of the Department always done during my time as Station RTI stations where he made a positive of Transport both at RTI Park Rynie and Commander,” said Aboobaker. – Mabuyi contribution. Credentials to his name RTI . Mkarry include, among others, the Junior Man- agement Course Certificate, Police Lead- “I apologise if I hurt anybody intentional-

FAREWELL TO LEARNERS REPRESENTING KZN IN THE NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY DEBATE

The Kwazulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Bheki Ntuli met to bid farewell to a group of learners at King International Airport in Durban, who are representing the province in the National Schools Road Safety Debate competition currently underway at Misty Hills Conference Centre in the Gauteng Province. The National Road Safety Debates took place on the 24th and the 25th of September followed by the Participatory Education Techniques (PET) on the 26th and the 27th of September 2019. Under the PET Competition, learners identify road problems in their communities and design a problem-solution models. This road safety debates project was rolled out in 2009 by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to provide a platform to educate high school learners (Grade 10 and Grade 11) on road safety issues. This project has three categories: Rural; Urban and Special needs. The first of round of the competition saw KwaZulu-Natal province going against the Gauteng province under the rural category, while on the urban category KwaZulu-Natal competed against the Limpopo province. The Schools representing the province are Tugela High, Pietermaritzburg Girls High, Kenmont Special school, Intuthuko Special School, Udumo High School and Amahlubi High School.- PHOTOS: Mbuyiselo Ndlovu

RAF goes on major service delivery drive in Estcourt

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) award ecute its duties with further dedication winning service excellence will be taken and fortitude, while pursuing excellence up a further notch during its major ser- across the business. We are driven by a vice delivery drive to be held through desire to succeed, as the country’s se- the Fund’s outreach campaign “RAF on curity safety net, we will endeavour to the Road” on the Road at Estcourt Town continue covering, compensating and Hall, Estcourt on Saturday, 28 Septem- rehabilitating those who are injured on ber, from 08h00 to 16h00. The RAF will our roads.” reaffirms its commitment to provide Community members are encouraged to car crash victims, their dependants and bring their ID documents to the event. families with high-quality service at the Other important information required event. for new claims includes case numbers, During the event, eligible community SAPS accident reports, hospital reports, members are invited to claim directly vehicle registration numbers and details RAF on the road, a radical service deliv- with the Fund, thus saving them the un- of other parties involved in the car crash. ery campaign has brought much needed necessary contingency fees and disprov- Further queries can be made through ing the notion that they can only claim RAF services in the last financial year to the RAF Call Centre on 0860 23 55 23 through a lawyer. They will also be edu- ten communities countrywide, assist- between 07h45 to 16h00 from Monday cated about the RAF, given settlement ing over 7000 people and settling more to Friday. Assistance is available in all of- offer, assisted with claims enquiries and than R205 million’s worth of claims. ficial languages. provided with necessary support to re- RAF Durban Regional General Manager, habilitate accident survivors. Ntsoaki Kunene said: “The RAF Will ex-

DoT staff celebrating their heritage in traditional attire

Members of staff celebrating their Heritage at Cost Centre Eshowe, Area Office Eshowe, Area Office Empangeni and Head Office.

SIYASEBENZA PROJECT OFFICE MANAGING PROJECTS SMARTER

The KZN Department of Transport’s Project Management Office has been introduced to bring structure, order and accountability to all projects in the Department.

A team of project management experts is available to support your end-to-end process activities for all types of projects.

Let us know how we can support and add value to your project planning, tracking and reporting. Visit us in a park home located behind the A-Block, Head Office, PMB

health corner

Celebrating World Environmental Health Day During the flood, environmental pollution and waste man- and its call to global food safety and agement affected food safety and sustainability, and WHO supported the government on field surveillances and post-dis- sustainability aster risk assessment. However for the World Environmental The World Environmental Health Day is celebrated on 26 Sep- Health Day, WHO will use this opportunity to advocate for a tember annually, and the theme for this year is Global Food ban on mercury use to prevent exposure. Safety and Sustainability. The goals are to support provision of “WHO will mark World Environment Day to raise awareness clean and safe food and water for the global population, and on the danger of direct exposure to mercury, and encouraged for communities to understand the importance of ensuring a the government to take the lead to protect health workers, sustainable food production chain. by phasing out mercury containing medical devices from The achievement of these goals will enable several public health practice. Mercury is recognized as a chemical of global health gains and reap other environmental benefits. In the concern” said Dr Juliet Fleischl, WHO Representative to Lao recent Attapeu floods, food safety and sustainability were People’s Democratic Republic. a major concern raised by several UN agencies. WHO also The Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted in 2013 raised concerns on the increase in food and water-borne to advocate on the reduction and mitigation of mercury diseases with rising number of diarrhoea and dysentery cases; exposure. Health staff may be exposed to mercury when and WHO recommended the implementation of the first-ever they come into contact with broken thermometers, badly oral cholera vaccine campaign in the country to immunize all maintained sphygmomanometers, dental amalgam contain- camp residents and host communities living in these flood- ing mercury, and burning and improper disposal of amalgam affected areas. scrap and these products also contributes to environmental pollution. The other area of work WHO covered is on antimicrobial resistance, in working with UN Food and Agriculture Organi- Mercury occurs naturally and exists in elemental, inorganic and organic forms. Mercury is released in the environment which mainly result from human activity, particularly from coal-fired power stations, residential heating systems, and waste incinerators and as a result of mining for mercury, gold and other metals. Once in the environment, elemental mer- cury is naturally transformed into methylmercury (organic form) that accumulates in fish and shellfish. Eating contaminated fish and shellfish is the main source of organic mercury exposure, especially in populations that rely on consumption of long-lived predatory fish. We should bear in mind that cooking does not eliminate mercury from fish. Children are vulnerable and may be exposed directly by eating contaminated fish. Pregnant women may lead to neu- rodevelopmental problems in the developing foetus if they consume contaminated fish. Elemental and inorganic mercury compounds are toxic to the central and peripheral nervous system. Kidney damage has also been reported in women using skin-lightening cosmetics containing mercury. The three days’ workshop will draft a guideline for imple- mentation of the health-related articles of the Minamata Convention. The Ministry of Health is taking a lead to reduce mercury exposure by phasing out mercury containing medi- cal devices, mercury –added cosmetics, use of waste in- cinerator for medical waste treatment, as part of the World zation (FAO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Environmental Health Day activities. to identify challenges to national food safety systems; while FAO and WHO also alert countries to food safety emergencies. Together we can answer the call to protect the environment WHO help countries to detect, prevent and respond to food- by raising awareness of global food safety and sustainability on World Environmental Health Day. borne diseases outbreak in line with the Codex Alimentarius and other global standards regulating food safety.

DID YOU KNOW

The general opinion about work is this: no one wants to do it. However, have you ever heard of a week-long day that encourages happiness at work? International Week of Happiness at Work is a day that’s all about bringing happiness back into the workplace. If work is part of our daily lives, then one of the best ways to live a happier life is through being happy at work. Whether you work in a big corporation or at a small company, you can find happiness. Check out what International Week of Happiness is all about here! History of International Week of Happiness at Work International Week of Happiness at Work was started by Maartje Wolff and Fennande van der Meulen, two Dutch women who started the company Happy Office in 2015. Happy Office offers a program that allows you to incorporate happiness into the workplace so that you can have happier employees all around. Happy Office incorporates studies made from professors at some of the top universities throughout Europe and combines them with certified professionals with certificates and degrees so they can help every organization they meet and help assess the problems so each worker can do their job without losing happiness in their lives. The day itself became an initiative towards bringing peo- ple from all over the world together to be happier at the workplace. Happy Office’s main website for the day allows you to sign a manifesto to pledge towards mak- ing the changes needed for people to have happier lives i n the workplace. By signing the manifesto, Happy Office hopes to help people be happier overall. Happy Office believes that by transforming the workplace, people can be happier in every aspect of their lives, including healthier relationships, exciting homelife, and great life experiences. How to Celebrate International Week of Happiness at Work Celebrate this day by signing the petition on Happy Office’s main website so you can make the pledge to be happier in the work- place. Once you do, share the webpage with your friends and hashtag #internationalweekofhappinessatwork in your social media posts and let your friends know that they can easily make a difference in their workplace by being happier.

vacancies

Post: COMPLIANCE OFFICER: INTERNAL CONTROL (02 Posts) Centre: INKOSI MHLABUNZIMA MAPHUMULO HOUSE, PIETERMARITZBURG Reference: (REF. NO. DOT 106/2019) Salary: R 316 791 PER ANNUM Requirements: A Bachelor of Commerce Degree with major subjects in Auditing / Internal Auditing or a National Diploma in Internal Auditing; plus One to two years’ experience in Auditing / Internal Control / Risk Management / Inves- tigations; plus A valid driver’s licence (minimum code B). Enquiries: Ms V Gounden Tel. No.: 033 355 0417 Closing Date: 04 October 2019

Post: ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK: AUXILIARY SERVICES (02 Posts) Centre: TRAFFIC CAMERA OFFICE, Reference: (REF. NO. DOT 97/2019) Salary: R 173 703 PER ANNUM Requirements: A Senior Certificate/National Certificate (Vocational) NOF Level 4; plus Possession of a valid driver’s licence (minimum Cade B). Enquiries: Mr S Ramsamy Tel No.: 031 737 4201 Closing Date: 04 October 2019

Post: DEPUTY DIRECTOR: DEMAND MANAGEMENT Centre: INKOSI MHLABUNZIMA MAPHUMULO HOUSE, PIETERMARITZBURG Reference: (REF. NO. P 15/2019) Salary: R733 257 PER ANNUM Requirements: An appropriate recognised Bachelor’s Degree/National Diploma in Finance/SCM/Law/Public Management or Public Administration (NQF Level 6); plus A minimum of 3 years’ junior management experience in supply chain management; plus Possession of a valid driver’s licence (minimum Code B). Enquiries: Mr NN Sangweni TEL. NO.: 033 355 8730 Closing Date: 04 October 2019

Post: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: INTERNAL CONTROL Centre: INKOSI MHLABUNZIMA MAPHUMULO HOUSE, PIETERMARITZBURG Reference: (REF. NO.105 /2019) Salary: R376 596 PER ANNUM Requirements: A Bachelor of Commerce Degree with major subjects in Auditing / Internal Auditing or a National Diploma in Internal Auditing (NQF Level 6); plus A minimum of 3 years experience in an auditing admin inspection envi- ronment; plus Possession of a valid driver’s licence (minimum Code B). Enquiries: Ms V Gounden Tel. No.: 033 355 0417 CLOSING DATE: 04 October 2019

birthdays

26 September Jili Thembisile, Nzuza Minenhle, Mbhele Khululiwe, Phiri David, Mafuleka Qedumuzi, Ngidi Sabelo, Ntanzi Mdumiseni, Sithole Mntebuka, Sithole Xolani, Cwiliwe Nombuso, Mthembu Lulama, Mhlongo Mvuseni, Ntuli Johannes, Makhanya Zinhle, Du Plessis Elizna and Mtshali Mildred.

27 September Nhlenyama Mkhonzi, Sithole Sibonelo, Uchee Bellinda, Khumalo S’busiso, Mullah Famida, Dlamini Mbali, Mkhize Zandile, Bhengu Anna-Maria, Ndlovu Zakithi, Ntombela Thobekile, Hlongwa Sipho, Mbanjwa Duduzile, Bhengu Simo, Mtolo Godfred, Harry Roxanne, Mlotshwa Mlungisi, Khumalo Sphumelele, Phungula Phumzile and Msimango Nokuthula.

28 September Ndlovu Sizwe, Dlamini Kwazi, Ngubane Lindiwe, Kunene Priscilla, Dlamini Sindisiwe, Yende Thembinkosi, Nene Silindile, Mnganga Londiwe, Maharaj Amarnath, Price Michele, Sithole-Buthelezi Nokulunga, Sithole Nokuthula and Sewsunker Rochelle.

29 September Sithebe Petronella, Singh Yudhveer, Nzama Nozipho, Ngcobo Precious, Buthelezi Bongani, Magwaza Bongani, Zungu Princess, Mdletshe Celiwe, Guliwe Cynthia, Mbele Sibonelo, Gouws Gertrude, Naidoo Theenadialan, Mhlongo Lungani, Skampula Tandeka, Bartman Edith and Funeka Ayanda.

30 September Nzimande Mbuso, Qwabe Makhosi, Ntetha Zinhle, Ndaba S’fiso, Khuzwayo Bhekumuzi, Dladla Bhekithemba, Shange Phumuzile, Mthimkhulu Lindelihle and Xaba Nomusa.

1 October Zondi Sicelo, Zulu Musawenkosi, Memela Mhlonitshwa, Kubheka Slindile, Khwela Zwelakhe, Mseleku Nokwazi and Amod Ebrahim.

2 October Zulu Samuel, Ngobese Thembinkosi, Dube Nomcebo, Mndaba Thimothy, Mlangeni Mandla, Hadebe Princes, Nzimande Thembelihle, Mpanza Musawenkosi, Gumede Ziphezinhle, Hadebe Gugulethu, Ngwadi Thamsanqa, Moodley Roganie, Myeni Phindile and Majola Sinethemba.

We urge General Managers and Senior Managers to share this newsletter with staff who do not have access to emails. Compiled & Designed by Communication Support We can be contacted via the following:

@ Email: [email protected] Tel: 033 355 8624 Add: Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House Department of Transport, Communication 172 Burger Street, The Villa, www.facebook.com/KZNTransport @KZNTransport Pietermaritzburg Disclaimer Some of the views contained in Ezethu News may not neccessarily reflect those of the KZN Department of Transport.