W&R Insider

IN THIS ISSUE Birthday Bash.........2 . . . . . . . . National Stakeholder Road Show.........3 QQA Profile.........5 KZN SOE project scoops an award.........6 HR Desk.........6 Announcements.........7 Birthday Wishes.........8 From the Marketing & Communications Team Gallery:Birthday Bash.........9 By Martha Shingange Energy levels are slumping, fatigue is setting in and priorities The night of the stars gala event that has been planned for the seem to come in fast and furious…it is called year-end. This first day of the strategic session should be motivation enough. is a common phenomenon amongst organisations particularly We look forward to letting our hair down and get to reconnect those that shut down operations during December. After the with and introduced to each other. year that we have had, it is no surprise that many of us are drained. It has been an eventful and exciting year. We love receiving your input which keeps us on our toes. Please continue to send your inputs or let us know if you would Here is a survival guide to help you stick it out for the next three like to contribute to the newsletter as a guest columnist. weeks: • Get plenty of rest; • Stay hydrated and eat healthy; • Plan your day with a to-do-list; • Avoid burn out; • Take a break…walk to a colleague instead of phoning them and step outside for some fresh air; • Take a vitamin supplement to boost energy levels • Exercise (taking a walk around the block is also exercising) As we wrap the year, we are excited to announce the name of our internal newsletter. From the many entries we received, the judges unanimously agreed that The Insider was the winning name. Congratulations to Frederick from GPS (TVET Coordinator at South West TVET College,Dobsonville Campus). This name reflects what we aim to achieve with this newsletter which is to give you the inside story. Enjoy your prize, Fredrick. Frederick. Colleagues, hang in there! It is the final stretch. Issue 04 | November | 2015 1

Birthday Bash W&RSETA organise a splendid Birthday Bash Four groups namely, Gangsters Paradise, Team Anchor, Rainbow and Beezy Bee entered the competition which was judged by external individuals. The Gangsters Paradise which comprises of the Regions Executive Office, Strategic Planning Unit, Marketing & Comms took the prize for the second The Gangsters scooped the prize at Head Office successive year! In the KZN region, Durbanytes came up top while in the By Martha Shingange Eastern Cape,Tropical Beach Bonanza was the winner. The The annual birthday bash is undoubtedly a great way to let winning groups across the regions walked away with R500 our hair down from the hectic activities of the year. This Social in cash. Club initiative was heldon Friday, 13 November. It is a time of It was truly a fun-filled day and we would like to congratulate celebrating the gift of life and to connect with colleagues on a the Social Club committee for once again exceeding our more relaxed atmosphere, away from the busy and demanding expectations. schedule of the SETA’s work. We look forward to the Social Club bowling us over again on As per tradition, head office staff organise themselves in group the evening of 9 December. to come up with a creative theme for the bash. The challenge includes attire and food. This is truly a test of creativity and team spirit. During the event staff members unleashed their creative juices and demonstrated team spirit while working together to bring the memorable birthday bash. The Eastern Cape team took to the beach to celebrate GPS went with the “cowboy” theme Issue 04 | November | 2015 2

National Stakeholder Roadshow Three provinces to go to conclude thestakeholder roadshows When delivering his welcome address, Cllr Molusi said it was important that companies play their role in the sector in order to contribute to skills development within the Sol Plaatje municipality. He also said that full participation of all stakeholders will enable SETAs to execute their roles in a much more efficient manner. He concluded by encouraging learners to take advantage of the SETAs offering for the betterment of their future. Senior Regional Manager Coastal, Lana van der Westhuizen addressing stakeholders during the roadshow in Free State By Chris Chauke The W&RSETA national stakeholder roadshows started in Gauteng on 13 October and so far 14 sessions out of 19 have been rolled in six provinces across the country namely Kwa-Zulu Natal, Cape Town, Free State, North West and the Northern Cape. These strides have been made in an effort to reach out to the W&R stakeholders in order to share the SETA’s achievements as well as to listen and address their challenges. So far the roadshows have been a great success judging from stakeholder’s feedback during the sessions. The last session which was held in the Northern Cape included certification ceremony of over 100 learners from the 2014 Northern Cape Learnership programme and they were held at Tol Speelman, Upington on 17 November and Protea Hotel in Kimberley on 19 November 2015. W&RSETA Board Member Mr Mike Tau addressing stakeholders in Klerksdorp, NorthWest The Northern Cape roadshow and certification ceremony was graced by the presence of three W&RSETA Board Members, Ms Sizakele Moloko, Mr Ivan Molefe and Mr Sibusiso Busane, Speaking during the certification ceremony, Dr Dakora edged Head of Department Retail Business Management programme the learners to take charge of their future by working hard in at Sol Plaatje University, Dr Edward Dakora and Executive their career. Mayor of Sol Plaatje Municipality, Cllr DK Molusi. Issue 04 | November | 2015 3

A group of learners from Uptington after the certification ceremony “The certificates you are receiving today is just the beginning of the journey in your career and I would like to encourage you to work harder in order for you to go further in your career.” “The retail industry is very competitive so you need to be as equal competitive as possible in order to survive. Remember, your qualification is your future, no one will ever take it from you,so keep pushing and make sure that you achieve even higher qualifications,” said Dr Dakora. Executive Mayor of Sol Plaatje Municipality, Cllr KD Molusi during his welcome address in Kimberley The roadshows are set to be concluded on 9 December and the remaining provinces include Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Board Member Sibusiso Busane and EM-HR, Eastern Cape Regional Manager, Mzamo Libo Handing over certificate at the Upington Matyobeni Addressing stakeholders at the Certification Ceremony East London Session Northern Cape Reional Manager, Stakeholders during the Port Elizabeth Abigail Belang Addressing Stakeholders Session at the Stakeholder Roadshow and Certification in Upington Issue 04 | November | 2015 4

QQA Department-Profile By Chris Chauke One of the W&RSETA’s responsibilities is to ensure that It is for this reason that the W&RSETA established the the training that is provided in the Sector is aligned to the Qualifications and Quality Assurance department. This requirements of the Quality Council on Trade and Occupations department is entrusted with amongst others, ensuring that (QCTO) on the delivery of education and training. there are relevant qualifications and robust systems in place that facilitate provider accreditation and learner certification. In order to fulfil this role, the unit works very closely with the following Quality Council on Trade and Occupations (QCTO) delegated Development Quality Partner (DQP), Quality Assurance Partner (QAP) and Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) status for the new occupational qualifications. The unit is headed by the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Manager, Inger Marrian. She is assisted by a dedicated team of staff who make sure that the unit operates in full swing. The unit comprises of the Qualifications Coordinator, Aphia Serumula, the Certificate Officer, Tirhani Chauke and the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Officer, Patience Maota who are all based at Head Office. QQA staff members form Head Office, from left Aphia Serumula, Patience Maota, Inger Marrian and Tirhani Chauke This team is supported by the Regional Quality Assurers (QA) and Learning Programme Evaluators who are based in the regional offices. These support staff members comprises of QA for GPS and NW, Nazia Mansur, QA for KZN, Sterna Ferreira, QA for Free State, MP and NC, Panesh Lala, QA for WC, Benjamin Motlhabane, QA for EC, Thandile Mahamba who also assists with learning programme evaluation for the Coastal regions and Charles Motlhaping who is the learning programme evaluator for the Inland regions. Benjamin QA- WC Nazia, QA- GPS & NW The staff at head office isresponsible for the following functions; Provider and learner certification, management of the W&RSETA QualificationsManagement Body (QMB) and the HET and FET QMB subcomittees providing regular reports to the QCTO and upload learner data to the national learner records database (NLRD) hosted by the South African Qualifications Authority. Paresh, QA-FS & NC Sipho QA- LP & GPN Sterna QA- KZN Thandile, QA- EC Issue 04 | November | 2015 5

KZN SOE project receives an award at the WIL conference The groundbreaking Schools of Excellence (SOE) project received an award from the South African Society for Cooperative Education (SASCE) at the 2015 Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Africa conference. The conferencewhich was organised by the SASCE was held on 23-25 November 2015 at the University of Johannesburg. The W&RSETA received an award “forleading the development of innovative co-operative education school of excellence model in the Retail Sector”. Peter Receiving Awards for The award winning project was launched in Kwa-Zulu 2015 Leadership & Innovation Natal by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr BENzimandein August 2014. The project is collaboration between industry and institutions of learning to ensure that these institutions produce suitably qualified and experienced W&RSETA’s 2015 Leardership & students to meet the demands of the Sector. Innovation Award Staff Strategic Session From the HR Desk The staff strategic session which has been planned for 10 and 11 December will provide an opportunity for us to reflect on Employee Satisfaction Survey (ESS) our achievements and the areas that we still need to achieve to meet our targets for the 2015/16 financial year. Following the announcement that the HR would conduct the Employment Satisfaction Survey, MirumbaConsulting has It is at this session that other staff related issues are discussed. been appointed for this process. The survey seeks to gauge The HR department is coordinating all arrangements for the satisfaction levels amongst staff and provides an opportunity session and the following logistics should be noted: for the SETA to address gaps on various issues that impact on staff. • Coastal regions: WC, KZN, EC, NC and FS will arrive on 9 December 2015 and will be accommodated for two The first phase of the project which involved the submission of nights. surveys has been completed and the provider has facilitated focus groups with the departments. One-on-one sessions will • A bus shuttle will be arranged for the GPN, GPS and Head be conducted with identified individuals. Office staff. Accommodation for the local staff will be arranged for the evening of 10 December Rental cars will The HR Department conveys its gratitude to everyone for be arranged for the LMP, MP and NW staff, respectively, to cooperating and supporting this process. All queries related travel on 10 December 2015. Staff from these regions will to this project should be submitted to the Learning and be accommodated for the night of 10 December. Development Manager, Moshawa. Consultations on other logistics and the programme are currently ongoing and will be communicated in due course. You are encouraged to submit your inputs on items to be considered for the two-day session to make it an interactive and memorable event. The HR Department has promised to exceed our expectations and deliver an exciting experience. We hope that you have started planning your outfits to dazzle at the Night of the Stars. This year’s theme is Vintage. So, you are welcome to raid your parents’ wardrobe. Let’s go back to the 40s, 50s and 60s! It promises to be a night to remember! Issue 04 | November | 2015 6

Announcements The HR department is proud to welcome the following members Resignations to the W&RSETA family who have joined us on a permanent base: Please be informed that Ms Daphne Matloa, the CFO at the • Maggie Mofokeng, Chief Financial Officer. Wholesale and Retail SETA has resigned. Her last day was on • Lusia Mthimkhulu, Supply Chain Administrator. the 30th October 2015. She has served the SETA diligently in • Lesego Moatshe, Regional Administrator Gauteng all the years she has been with us. We wish her all of the best. North Region. • Piet Malapela, Rural Development Administrator • Kenneth Rankoe, TVET Coordinate Upington: Northern Cape Region. • Nicholas Maseko, Internal Auditor • Pertunia Napo, Regional Administrator for Gauteng South. • Nelly Tau, Office Assistant at Head Office • Ida Matlala, Office Assistant/Receptionist at Tugela Building, Head Office The following were appointed on temporary basis: Contracts Data Capturers: • Lloyd Mmopane • Tlabo Mannya • Linkie Sikhafungana • Nomso Nongogo • Quincy Tshivhase • Simphiwe Tshabangu • Michael Matseke Contracts Data Capturers (Supervisors): • Mametse Sebesho • Teboho Tsotetsi • Vusi Dikobo Rodger Masedi was appointed as an HR Graduate Intern Thank you for making the Wholesale and Retail SETA an employer of choice. Issue 04 | November | 2015 7

Birthday Wishes!!! Best wishes to the following employees who are celebrating their birthdays during November month. Your birthday is the first day of another 365-day journey. Be the shining thread in the beautiful tapestry of the world to make this year your best ever! 01 November- Louis (Head Office) 03 November - Moshawa (Head Office) 05 November - Luyanda (WC) 06 November - Onica (Head Office) 07 November - Vinnette (Head Office) 08 November - Anthea (WC) 09 November - Richard (Head Office) 10 November - Donald (Head Office) 20 November - Abigail (Head Office) 21 November - Andile (Head Office) 23 November - Lesego (Head Office) 24 November - Victoria (Head Office) 24 November - Thobile (GPS) 24 November - Refuwe(FS) 26 November - Onica (GPS) 27 November - Ankie (Head Office) Issue 04 | November | 2015 8