Insight Internal Newsletter November 2014(1)

SALGA
SALGA
South African Local Government Association
South African Local Government Association
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DecEMBER 2014
Christmas Message
Declarations from the
2014 SALGA Women’s
Commission Lekgotla
Employee Recognition
Awards: Recognising
excellence
SALGA supports 16 Days of
no violence against women,
children and people with
disabilities
Municipal Communicators
Summit to assist municipalities
improve their communication
to communities
Dropbox: A technology
innovation that can enhance
productivity in the office
UNITE for Mandela 2014
Campaign: Promoting social
cohesion and nation building
SALGA SCENE AND HEARD
Insight Internal Newsletter
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DECEMBER 2014
The CEO’s Corner
Editor’s note
Competition
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SALGA
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DecEMBER 2014
The CEO’s Corner
Recently, the SALGA National Women’s Commission held its
National Lekgotla in Mpumalanga. Very significant outcomes
were adopted during this important lekgotla.
As an organisation we have made great strides in the fight
for gender equality and will continue to ensure that gender
mainstreaming and women’s issues receive adequate and
effective attention at local government level in both policy and
practice.
This month South Africa marks the first anniversary of the death
of our beloved father of the nation Nelson Mandela. We pay a
fitting tribute to the first leader of a democratic South Africa.
Dear SALGA,
As the curtain falls on the 2014 calendar year, we concede
that this year has been one of excitement and extraordinary
milestones for SALGA.
This month was dedicated to 16 Days of Activism for no Violence
against Women and Children and People with Disabilities.
The levels of violence against women and children in our society
are concerning. Women, children and people with disabilities
are the most susceptible to violence.
The responsibility must start with us as men; we should not allow
those that we know to be subjected to such abuse. We should
ensure that the 16 Days of Activism for no Violence happens 365
days a year.
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As we remember Madiba this month, let us do so through
recommitting ourselves to advancing his vision of unity,
reconciliation, global peace.
We want to congratulate those who won during the recent 4th
Employee Recognition Awards ceremony. The ERA offers us an
opportunity to recognise and celebrate the individuals and
teams who go the extra mile to achieve outstanding and visible
results.
As the 2014 calendar year is approaching the end, I hope you
are looking forward to the festivities ahead. I would like to thank
you all for your contribution to SALGA’s success in the 2014
calendar year.
Let’s take time out to rest this festive season so that we can come
back fresh and energised in 2015. Enjoy the remaining days in
2014 and best wishes for 2015.
CEO, Xolile George
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DecEMBER 2014
Editor’s note
SALGA’s National Women Commission Lekgotla recently held in
Mpumalanga.
The National Commissioner called for both government and the
private sector to push the women agenda forward.
We also feature a story on SALGA National staff taking part in the
historic Nelson Mandela Fun walk. This month completes a year
since the iconic late former president Nelson Mandela passed
away.
The whole of South Africa observed a moment of silence in
honour and remembrance of the late Tata Madiba. Tata Madiba
will always remain our guiding light, lighting the path as we
continue the long journey to build a better South Africa.
Dear SALGANS
Welcome to the 2014 final edition of SALGA Insight. This month
marks the completion of an extra-ordinary year we embarked
on as an organisation.
Let me take this time to thank all of you for your hard work and
efforts you have put towards ensuring that this year became a
success.
The date 25 November to 10 December was earmarked as the
months of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women
and Children and People with Disability.
This international campaign focuses on generating an increased
awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and
children and people with disabilities.
It also aims to encourage individuals, organisations, and
businesses to take practical steps to help stop violence against
women and children.
We also report on the recent SALGA Employee Recognition
Awards ceremony. More in-depth reporting on this significant
and momentous event will be on the upcoming January 2015
edition.
As we go into the festive season, let us remember to celebrate
responsibly, do not drink and drive and let us remember to share
with the less privileged.
Lastly, we bring you your favourite “Know your SAGLA”
Competition. The lucky winner walks away with a Woolworths
Shopping Voucher worth R300.
We encourage you to continue to provide us with feedback by
dropping us an e-mail at [email protected]
Please be advised that the Editor of SALGA Insight reserves the
right to publish, shorten, edit or omit any input submitted.
SALGA Insight editorial team wishes you all a happy and peaceful
Christmas.
Bongani Masango
In this issue, we lead with a story on the resolutions from
The Editorial Team
Editor
Bongani Masango
Communication Manager
Karen Reyneke
Assistant Editor
Sivuyile Mbambato
Layout and Graphic Designer
Mthokozisi Zwane
INSIGHT Internal Newsletter
Contributors
Thotoane Shale:
Communicatio n Officer: SALGA Northern
Cape
Khalil Mullagie:
Provincial Executive Officer: SALGA Western
Cape
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SALGA
South African Local Government Association
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DecEMBER 2014
Christmas Message
2014 has been another busy, action packed, yet a successful
year. The successes of 2014 can be attributed to many factors,
but most importantly to the hard work, dedication and loyalty
shown by all of you, the staff of SALGA.
This year has been one of growth, achievement, innovation and
of moving forward in various areas necessary to support the
mission, vision and objectives of SALGA.
As we approach the end of a wonderful year, let us all remember
SALGA’s values: To be responsive, innovative, and dynamic and
pursue excellence in the year ahead of us. Let’s approach 2015
with a positive attitude because having a positive attitude is a
choice we can all make consciously. One can choose whether to
work hard or to be lazy.
You can choose to be negative or be cheerful. You can choose to
let set- backs and failures get you down or you can pick yourself
up, dust yourself off, learn from your experiences and try again!
If you think of the great people who have walked this planet, all
of them had a great purpose and vision that stretched them way
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beyond their own immediate concerns. What I find even more
inspiring is that all of them did not only do great things in good
times- they also did great things during bad times.
The real test comes when times are not so good and when one is
stretched and challenged to still maintain the commitment and
positive attitude.
When you as SALGANS are faced with the demands of the
workplace in 2015, I am sure that you will prove to be employees
who can conquer any challenge through dedication and
teamwork, and come out as victors. HR will be there to support
and make your hands strong for any challenge ahead.
We wish you a well-deserved break, a very happy Festive Season
and a safe return from your holidays.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Karen Hudson
Director: Human Resources
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South African Local Government Association
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DecEMBER 2014
Declarations from the 2014 SALGA Women’s Commission
Lekgotla
T
he SALGA Women’s Commission (SWC) held a four-day
National Executive Lekgotla from the 10-13th November in
White River, Mpumalanga.
This year’s Lekgotla theme was “Celebrating 60 Years of the
Women’s Charter and 20 Years of Democracy: Moving Women’s
Agenda in Local Government Forward”.
Key to the SWC Lekgotla discussions was the audit of women
representation and participation in local government ahead of
the 2016 elections.
SALGA’s National Commissioner Sindiswa Gomba said the
imperative to the functioning and operations of the SWC is to
influence the agenda and redefine roles and responsibilities of
women in the local government sphere and determine how they
can further influence municipal policies, particularly policies
which lack a strong gender perspective and voice.
Resolution 2:
Commissioners will support Women Empowerment, Gender
Equality and Equity Programmes in local government with a focus
on women representation, participation and empowerment.
Resolution 3:
Deliberate on current policy issues pertinent to gender equality
debates, including the Women Empowerment and Gender
Equality Bill.
Resolution 4:
Commissioners Commit to Overcoming Challenges faced by
Women Councillors in Municipalities.
Commissioner Gomba said there should be support of women
structures and women in community structures, as well as
capacity building programmes aimed at addressing skills
shortages to enhance the participation of women in decision
making.
In brief, the outcomes from the Lekgotla are hereby resolved as
follows;
Resolution 1:
Commissioners will implement the strategic and specific
objectives of the SALGA Women’s Commission.
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SALGA
South African Local Government Association
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DecEMBER 2014
Employee Recognition Awards: Recognising excellence
O
n 11 December SALGA held its glitzy 4th Employee
Recognition Awards (ERA) ceremony at the Library
Hall, Sammy Marks Square in the Pretoria CBD.
Dressed in their nines SALGA employees from across the
nine provinces of South Africa graced the event which
was second to none.
The ERA are a major and significant event in the SALGA
calendar.
They are aimed at recognising and celebrating
individuals and teams who go the extra mile to achieve
outstanding and visible results that contribute to the
success of SALGA.
SALGA Deputy Chairperson Councillor Mpho Nawa said
SALGA will continue to create an environment where
individuals feel appreciated for their contributions and
accomplishments.
Lookout for a comprehensive ERA feature in the
upcoming January 2015 edition.
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SALGA
South African Local Government Association
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DecEMBER 2014
SALGA supports 16 Days of no violence against
women, children and people with disabilities
S
ALGA joined the world in showing a commitment in protecting women, children and people
with disabilities from abuse in society.
National Office staff attended a SALGA Information Knowledge Exchange (SIKE), with the theme
“Observing 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women, Children and People with
Disabilities”
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign started from the 25
November to 10 December).
Since its launch in South Africa in 1999, public awareness of the detriments of violence on women,
children and society as a whole has progressively increased.
Year by year SALGA holds the campaign to raise awareness on gender-based violence and seek
ways of preventing the scourge.
During the event a stage play depicting the continuous violence and abuse meted on women was
performed.
After the play SALGA’s CEO Mr Xolile George led the proceedings during the lighting of candles to
show compassion to those who died of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Employee Wellness Coordinator Noziphiwo Matshoba said the lighting of candles was SALGA’s way
of showing commitment and compassion to those who died from the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
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SALGA
South African Local Government Association
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DecEMBER 2014
Municipal Communicators Summit to assist municipalities
improve their communication to communities
S
ALGA Northern Cape held a Municipal Communicators
Summit on 08-11 December at Oryx Trail Game Lodge.
Municipal Communicators, Chairpersons of bodies and of
media representatives as well as stakeholders from the private
sector attended the summit.
During the summit municipal communicators from Northern
Cape municipalities and stakeholders exchanged their
knowledge and ideas on how improve communication to
their communities.
SALGA Northern Cape Communication Officer Thotoane Shale
said the summit was convened following a research on how
to improve communication channels used by municipalities.
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SALGA
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DecEMBER 2014
Dropbox: A technology innovation that can enhance
productivity in the office
I
n 2011 SALGA Western Cape staff thought of an idea that will
later see their office free of stacks of paper, reduced printing
costs, as well as have an office that contribute to conserving our
beautiful and vulnerable planet earth.
“Our printing statistics over the last three years speak for its self.
Printing in the office has been reduced from an average of 150
000 copies to 60 000 copies per quarter, this despite an increase
in staff members during the same period,” he said.
Before, the printing of agendas for Staff and Provincial
Management Team (PMT) meetings via email created challenges
but the ICT Officer soon introduced the office to Dropbox.
“This initiative has in a small way made us proud as we
contribute to reducing our carbon footprint on this beautiful
and vulnerable earth and we venture to do more,” he said.
Khalil Mullagie, SALGA Western Cape PEO, says initially the
Dropbox concept was somewhat more challenging to sell, but
ongoing endeavours soon bored fruits.
This useful and simple way of a paperless meeting created
awareness amongst Western Cape municipalities as they are
now exploring the option and some have already starting to
implement the initiative in their ‘homes’
He said after using Dropbox the Cape Town office saved an
average of 18 948 copies from April 2012 to June 2013. Packaged
differently, this equates to 38 reams of paper, which is almost 8
boxes of paper.
It is assumed that an average size tree produces ± 13 000
uncoated virgin (non-recycled) printing and office paper;
therefore the Cape Town office has saved approximately 1.5
trees in about the year.
One ream of paper weighs 2.3 kilograms; we have therefore
saved 87 kilograms of waste. This is not only saving on fuel
usage and cost, it reduced air pollutants and it increases the lifespan of our waste dumps or landfill sites. We also saved 2741
litres of water.
Slowing the pace of deforestations by reducing use of paper for
agendas, reports and other documents is one thing but saving
costs for the organisation such as printing costs.
Mullagie says the Dropbox initiative saw a substantial reduction
in cost especially colour copies, cost of paper and the boxes that
it is delivered in.
It also reduce costs for photocopy machines, cost of crystal
covers (fairly costly), cost of staples, cost of couriering agendas
and cost of leasing printers machines.
The graph shows the
SALGA Western Cape’s
reduction in the total
amount of copying as
well as the black & white
and colour copying from
2011/2012 to quarter 1 of
2014/2015 financial years.
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SALGA
South African Local Government Association
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DecEMBER 2014
UNITE for Mandela 2014 Campaign: Promoting social cohesion
and nation building
F
ifteen SALGA staff were among more than 25 000 participants
who took part in the Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day
held at the Union Buildings on 22 November.
During the event participants cycled for 67 kilometres, others
ran for 27 kilometers, while others walked 5 kilometres in
honour of the late Tata Madiba.
The sport event which was held under the banner “UNITE for
Mandela” is an initiative of Sport and Recreation South Africa
and the Department of Arts and Culture, aimed at promoting
social cohesion and nation building utilising the power of sport
and arts as a tool for nation building and social mobilisation.
The sporting event was followed by a musical entertainment
which featured a host of local musical artists.
Tata walked this earth for 94 years and for 67 years he fought for
freedom and won, spending 5 years as our first black President.
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Minister of Sports and Recreation Mr Fikile Mbalula on behalf
of the Government thanked all South Africans for massively
supporting this year’s UNITE 2.0, campaign.
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SALGA
South African Local Government Association
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DecEMBER 2014
SALGA SCENE AND HEARD
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SALGA
South African Local Government Association
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SALGA SCENE AND HEARD
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DecEMBER 2014
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Competition
SALGA
South African Local Government Association
“Know your SALGA”
HOME
DecEMBER 2014
QuestionS
1.
Who was the first Chairperson of SALGA?
2.
How long did he/she serve in that position?
By providing the correct answer(s) you stand a chance to win a R300 Woolworths Shopping Voucher.
Send your answer(s) to [email protected]
Closing date for entry is 15 January 2015
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