Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) appoints Modidima Mannya as new Head of Department

The Eastern Cape Department of Education yesterday announced the appointment of its Superintendent General, the 43 year old, Advocate Modidima Mannya to oversee the department’s stability and its transformation agenda towards 2011.

The Superintendent General (SG) was chosen based on his record of success in leading department’s improvement and reform efforts. Mannya will work collaboratively with the department’s top leadership to provide focused support to help meet department’s immediate goals that include the delivery of Learner Teacher Support Material (LTSM), infrastructure roll-out in very bad schools and to ensure the transfer of funds to schools before the end of November this year.

Additionally, according to the Member of the Executive Council (MEC), the honourable Mahlubandile Qwase, Mannya will also assist in the upcoming Learner Attainment Improvement Strategy (LAIS) summit scheduled for the 9 to 10 December this year. “One of our goals as this department is to assess the achievement of the LAIS programme and evaluate the work put in place by the LAIS masterplan and programme of action,” said Qwase.

The MEC outlined this week’s programme which includes the briefing of stakeholders about the appointment of the SG which will culminate in the official introduction of Mannya to the departmental staff on the 8th of November 2010. “From this session my office will organise a proper handover by the outgoing Acting SG, Ronnie Swartz who has laid a solid foundation for him. Subsequent to the handover will be the introduction of the SG to the internal staff member and our social partners”, added the MEC.

The camera shy Mannya thanked the MEC for welcoming him in the province and urged the class of 2010 matrics to focus their attention on the examinations as it is significant for their success. “I wish our matrics all the best in their examinations and reassure them of the department’s support and commitment during this critical time in their careers,” said Mannya.

Although Mannya was unable to outline his plans for the department going forward, his reputation is that he is no conformist but results oriented.

This new SG will take over from the outgoing Acting SG, Ronnie Swartz who has brought stability in the embattled department within a short period of time in the office. Swartz a former SG in the Western Cape province has stirred the department through the strike period to date and has managed all the contradictions with the aim of harnessing labour peace and stability.

MEC Qwase confirmed that although Mannya will assume his duties next week Monday, 8 November, the department is eager to work with him. “We’ve pulled together an outstanding team of managers to lead our focused and targeted efforts, and I am confident their expertise will foster improved departmental performance.”