KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance, Ms Ina Cronjé motivated hundreds of graduates from University of KwaZulu Natal and welcomed them to the workplace with words of caution.
Cronjé was invited by this university to deliver a keynote address at the graduation ceremony for students in the Faculties of Law and Management studies held in Pietermaritzburg recently, Friday, 16 April 2010 evening. This also marked a beginning of a chain of other University of KwaZulu-Natal graduation ceremonies by different faculties that will be taking place this week.
"Similarly we need to address productivity in the workplace. South Africa has a very low labour utilisation due to a lack of skills, experience and other factors, especially among our young people. This explains to a large extent the gap of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita between us and the most advanced economies.
Time management is of paramount importance. By being more productive and finding better ways of doing things we are contributing to the economy and helping to improve the lives of all South Africans. The manner, in which employees manage time and other resources in the workplace, has a direct bearing on overall output. As individuals, workers contribute to a critical mass of lost man hours daily, weekly, monthly and annually," said Cronjé.
Speaking about integrity and transparency, Cronjé said: "For me the two go hand in hand. The world is demanding greater transparency, both in government and the private sector. In the competitive global world governments must, now more than ever before, ensure that their own houses are in order to drive efficient and effective governance and to reduce wasteful spending while protecting core public services.
"Government has taken a firm stance against fraud and corruption. There will be many opportunities and temptations to 'earn' something extra and to cut a corner. Don't do it! Your integrity is priceless. You have worked hard to get where you are, do not jeopardise your future by ever compromising when it comes to doing the right thing. It is simply not worth it," she said
Graduates were encouraged to use the opportunities that government and the private sector offer to them. They were informed about Accelerated Development programme from the Provincial Treasury, aimed at unemployed graduates who obtained qualifications in the required scarce skills categories but who lack relevant experience. The programme allows individuals to be appointed in training positions to bridge the experience gap as one of the governments' queue for "scarce skills". Government has several initiatives to assist small enterprises.
"Our country needs entrepreneurs. But it is important to realise that opportunity will not find you, you must find opportunity. If you sit back and lament instead of being pro-active you are doomed to a career of waiting for something 'good' to happen to you. Be a 'go getter', go out and look for opportunities, or even better, create opportunities for yourself and others. Be an entrepreneur," cautioned Cronjé.
For more information, contact:
Ntokozo Maphisa
Cell: 082 7730 937
Issued by: Provincial Treasury, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
18 April 2010
