The Director-General of Labour, Mr Nkosinathi Nhleko wishes to announce that Mrs Siyanda Pearl Nxawe (nee Zondeki), who was Department Labour’s (DoL) Deputy Director-General: Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES), has passed away at age 50.
A mother of two daughters, Somila and Zizipho - Nxawe passed away yesterday (January 8) after a long battle with cancer.
Nxawe was born and bred in the Eastern Cape. She joined the Department of Labour (then Department of Manpower) in 1982 as an administration clerk after matriculating the preceding year.
Whilst in the employ of the department, she continued to improve her studies on a part-time basis and in the process rising through the ranks.
In 1987 she completed a Diploma in Public Administration at the University of Fort Hare and this was followed in 1995 by a Bachelor Degree in Law. She also attended various short courses within the sphere of her employment in the department which included Registry and Communication; Financial Management; Administration; Diversity Management; Performance Budgeting and Financial Management; Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Skills and Economic Literacy Course.
In 2001 she attended a Senior Executive Programme in Leadership and obtained a certificate in Leadership and Management Development from Wits and Harvard Business Schools, respectively.
During her stay in the department, she worked herself up the ladder and was appointed as a regional manager of a Labour Centre in Port Elizabeth in 1997, and in 2 000 she was promoted to provincial director in the Western Cape. In 2005 she became the chief of staff in the office of former Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana.
At the time of her death she was leading the IES Branch in ensuring the professionalisation of the inspectorate.
The Department of Labour sends its heartfelt condolences to the Nxawe and Zondeki families, her colleagues and friends. May her soul rest in peace.
Nxawe’s funeral arrangement will be announced in due course.
Enquiries:
Page Boikanyo
Cell: 082 809 3195
