Programme Director,
Honourable Premier,
Members of the Executive Council,
HoD, Provincial Commissioner and Senior Management,
Honoured guests – Recipient of Awards,
Ladies and gentlemen.
It is indeed an honour and privilege to host this hallmark event where the department pauses to give due recognition to the stalwarts who have served the Provincial Government with loyalty and dedication.
Programme Director quite often we lack the very basic attributes that make us human, just to say ‘thank you’ when a person has done something for you. I am particularly happy about these Long Service Awards that have been initiated by the Head of the Department. This venture is long overdue and will go a long way to enhance the esteem of our employees.
Indeed the self-worth of our employees is recognized and greatly appreciated. The department has a ‘heartbeat’ precisely because you gave everything, body and soul to make the department a functional department.
I also want to applaud the HoD for initiating Staff Indabas. Together with his Executive he has visited all the Districts and interacted with almost all the employees. In this endeavor, he was able to outline the challenges that the department faced and gave a strategic direction which invariably gives hope to the many.
Constant interactions with employees boost their moral because problems that they experience are resolved promptly. Maintaining healthy relations with Labour Unions is of paramount importance. Thanks to HoD for resuscitating Departmental Consultative Committee.
I sincerely hope that both the employer and employees derive maximum benefits from this structure in an endeavor to normalize labour relations at the workplace. This government is a caring government. Hence we established Health and Wellness Units particularly to look after the emotional Wellness of employees.
I want to urge the HoD in front of everyone, that the Health and Wellness Unit must be very vibrant because it is the ‘heart’ of Government. People with serious emotional problems must find solace from Health and Wellness.
It is cause for great celebration that 1064 employees are going to receive certificates of recognition from the department. Although this gesture is quite modest when compared to the amount of loyalty and energy that you invested to the department, but to us it is a means of saying ‘Thank You very much for your loyalty and dedication.
Programme Director you will realise that the majority of recipients of these awards are from the lower income groups; however, they opted to remain steadfast and serve the department with dedication. Without them the department could have long lost face.
It is common experience particularly among our young generation today to look for work and join organisations, all for wrong reasons, such as instant promotions, big salaries and exquisite fringe benefits – all expected within a short period of time without a corresponding effort to consolidate one’s experience, grow a body of knowledge, contribute to growth and profitability and become a valuable asset to the life of the organisation.
South Africa as a country which has emerged from the ruins of apartheid, which was nearly destroyed by apartheid, owes to itself to double its inputs in order to rebuild the political, social, economic and moral fabric of the society. We need to start by promoting a strong work ethic as a foundation for a productive nation, if we want to be competitive and prevail.
And for that we cannot thank you enough because loyalty and reliability have become precious attributes we cannot do without in the strive to obtain our department’s vision and mission and get the important tasks our department has to do, done.
Life time of devoted services.
It is about the loyalty, commitment and pride that you, our recipients have demonstrated in your service to our department, and we have come here to acknowledge you and applaud you.
We are here today to celebrate the life of pioneers, pathfinders, people who have been there before us, to show the path and lead the way. It is your knowledge that plays an active part in this country’s past and future history so that your children and their children will be grateful that you have curbed crime in time, for the roads that you have built and maintained and lives that were saved by each and every law enforcement officer who was on his/her post even at un-godly hours and sub-zero temperatures.
We are grateful to you that over the years, you resisted apartheid, fought relentlessly against injustice meanwhile holding together the fabric of public service delivery. We salute you as heroes and heroines.
For those already on pension or considering taking any soon, remember your communities require your experience. Volunteer to assist and promote community development through active participation. The skills you acquired and the experience you gained should stand in good stead as you interact with your community members.
Colleagues, we are proud of you and deeply appreciative of the service that you have rendered to this department in the years you have been with us.
On behalf of the Premier political office bearers and management we would like to acknowledge you and express our thanks and appreciation for your contribution to the Department of Police, Roads and Transport. Well done!
On behalf of the department, we like to salute men and women of steel, people who have spent virtually their lifetime in the service of the public, strengthening the machinery of government and building and maintaining the infrastructure that enables the Free State Province as an economic and strategic province of South Africa.
Thank you for supporting Operation Hlasela and made a difference to the lives of ordinary people.
Ndiyabulela!
Ke ea Leboha!
Thank you!
Baie Dankie!
