Since its establishment in 2000, the Imbabazane Municipality has never had any employee who retired due to reaching retirement age. The mood was jovial at the Imbabazane Municipal Boardroom when the staff members honoured by the presence of the Mayor and the Speaker bid farewell to the three retirees. They were Mrs BJ Hadebe, Mr SC Hlongwane and Mr S Shabalala. The eldest employee of the Imbabazane, Mrs BJ Hadebe, officially started her retirement on December 31, 2014.
Mrs Hadebe, who has served the Imbabazane for 13 years, was among the first employees to be employed by the council.
According to the Mayor, who was echoed by both SAMWU and IMATU representatives, Mrs Hadebe has been very loyal during the past 13 years. Mrs Hadebe arrived at work at 6am every day to ensure the cleanliness of the office before her colleagues arrived at 7.30am. Although the municipality did not require this, she did it voluntarily to ensure minimal disturbance of staff members once they started working.
It was unanimously agreed that she shall be missed by the employer and the employees as well. Imbabazane Municipality has also lost the 27 years of experience in road construction through the retirement of Mr SC Hlongwane. He was absorbed by Imbabazane from Uthukela Municipality and has fitted hand in the glove at the local municipality. He was committed to his job for 27 years. His supervisor, Mr ZDH Mdakane, known as ‘Jury’, acknowledged that he relied on Mr Hlongwane to run the section. It was also acknowledged that whenever experience was needed, he was the referral point. His fun character and service to the Imbabazane since 2004 was celebrated.
He was congratulated by the Speaker who said he was retiring to have plenty of time to bear even more children as he looked young. The programme was directed by Linda Shabalala, the Human Resources Officer who acknowledged the excellent party preparations organised by Nozipho and Lindelwa. Thank you to council for allowing the time to bid farewell to these employees and management who made funding for the party available. To the three employees, your service shall be missed and may you rest comfortably at your homes.
