The Eastern Cape Department of Transport introduced its New Head of Department on Friday, 4 November 2011.
After almost two years without someone who was permanently deployed at the helm, the department has finally appointed its new Head, Ms Tshepo Kgare, who was unveiled to head office staff members at Stellenbosch Park, King Williams Town.
Ms Kgare is a transport specialist who was born in Soweto, Gauteng, and has travelled the world with a particular focus on Transport Engineering and Planning.
She joins the department from the Austrian Development Agency where she worked on a multi-donor programme called Sub-Sahara Africa Transport Policy Programme hosted by the World Bank, which is interested in assisting African countries in the development of transport infrastructure and services, with a key focus on policy.
Introducing Ms Kgare was Mr Linda Salie, who was the Acting Head of the Department for the past two years.
During Mr Salie’s acting period, the department achieved much success which included two Unqualified Audit reports and most recently it received a Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA) Public Sector Reporting Award, after winning the category for government departments in the Eastern Cape Province by securing 92.57% score out of 100 to become the best department and fourth nationally.
Speaking about the new head, Mr Sallie said the most exciting aspect about her is that she is a young woman with extra ordinary capabilities, especially in the transport sector.
“Today, we are demonstrating our strong confidence in young women because in them we do not only see enthusiasm but capacity; not only energy but responsibility; not only youth, but purity, heroism, character, willpower and love for their country”, said Mr Sallie.
Her appointment clearly illustrates the provincial leadership’s commitment to the African Union’s declaration of the period between 2010 to 2020 as the Decade of African Women in an effort to preserve and build on the African women’s strength.
It also vindicates the belief of the department that women are competent, capable and great tasks can be placed on their shoulders.
