New acting directors take centre stage
Veronica Sokhela has taken over as the acting director of the Department of Community Services, while Sthembiso Mthembu is the acting director of Corporate Services. Mr Mthembu and Ms Sokhela will be acting in their respective positions for the next three months.
ABAQULUSI municipality welcomed two new acting directors into the fold last week.
Veronica Sokhela has taken over as the acting director of the Department of Community Services, while Sthembiso Mthembu is the acting director of Corporate Services. Mr Mthembu and Ms Sokhela will be acting in their respective positions for the next three months.
Former director of Community Services, Bongiwe Mnikathi’s, five-year contract came to an end on February 28, and the director’s position for Corporate Services has been in limbo for more than a year following the suspension of Nana Sibisi, who used to occupy the position.
Acting municipal manager, Dalisu Zulu, said the temporary appointment of Mr Mthembu and Ms Sokhela is expected to ensure the smooth running of each of their respective departments while the municipality is busy with the recruitment process, to have the positions filled.
“The MEC of Cogta wrote to us saying she was concerned about the state of the municipality, and asked that we come up with remedial actions as a matter of urgency. All the directors’ positions will be advertised, but the recruitment process is long. In the meantime, we have seconded Mr Mthembu and Ms Sokhela, who will be employed at AbaQulusi for the next three months. The municipality cannot function, it cannot hope to complete its daily duties, without directors,” said Mr Zulu.
Mr Mthembu hails from Durban and has previously occupied positions as the director of Community Services at Hlabisa municipality and as the municipal manager at Nkandla municipality.
He described the Department of Corporate Services as, “the heart of the municipality,” saying, “Without the heart, the body can’t function.”
“Corporate Services provides support for all the other municipal departments and to the councillors. While I am here, I want to make sure that we use a new, innovative approach to put services back on track by making sure that all the systems put in place are working,” said Mr Mthembu.
Ms Sokhela has occupied positions as the director of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Art and Culture, director of Community Services at Zululand District municipality, and Director of Community Services at Ulundi municipality.
She said that if Corporate Services is being described as the heart of the municipality, then Community Services can be described as the face.
“It is this department (Community Services) that is the liaison officer between the public and the municipality,” said Ms Sokhela.
“While I am here, I want to improve service delivery, address youth issues and tackle the HIV crisis. I am a firm believer that if you want to make a difference in the community, a director cannot sit in the office. To make a difference, you have to be in the field. I am a very hands-on person. If I am in the community and I notice signs that my department is not working, I will take them on. I hope they are not offended, it is just who I am.”
Ms Sokhela added that she believes strongly in an open door policy and does not expect residents to have to make an appointment to discuss community issues.
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