Acting DG bids public service farewell after 45 years

LIMPOPO – Limpopo’s acting director-general (DG), Dr Phuti Pheme has retired after 45 years of working in public service.

Pheme worked with all four premiers, Ngoako Ramatlhodi, Sello Moloto, Cassel Mathale and the current premier, Stanley Mathabatha.

He began his long career as an administrative clerk at the Bochun magistrate’s court on 3 August 1970. During this time, he worked for several departments including agriculture, education, the Public Service Commission, home affairs and justice.

Before 1994, he worked for the Lebowa homeland in the office of the chief minister as secretary and later head of department.

In the climb up the administrative ladder, Pheme worked as an administrative clerk, a human resources officer, a training officer, deputy secretary, secretary for the chief minister, chief director for corporate services, head of department and deputy director-general.

He was also part of the team that amalgamated the former homelands, Lebowa, Gazankulu and Venda, as well as the Transvaal Provincial Administration to create the Limpopo provincial government.

He obtained all of his degrees through correspondence with the University of South Africa starting with his bachelor’s degree in 1972 all the way to a PhD in 1989.

Asked about how public service has changed through the years, he says the principles of governance are the same, but the present government has improved systems and legislation, as well as provided wider exposure for workers, which all contributes to a better working environment.

Provincial government spokesperson, Phuti Seloba, says the Limpopo government is glad Pheme is leaving the government with a sound foundation. He says the province is on an upward spiral, with the number of houses built having increased by 100%, compared to the same time last year.

Financial management of the province has improved and invoices from services providers are increasingly being paid within 30 days.

“This year the province was able to send 110 students to Cuba without assistance from other provinces. Additionally, this year 100 ambulances were acquired, which is double the number from the previous year.

“We hope that Dr Pheme will be available to share his wealth of knowledge in the public service by answering our call for advice and guidance in the future.

“He leaves the administration with his head held high, with the office of the premier having achieved a clean audit during his time as acting DG,” he said.

Pheme says he has enjoyed his lifetime in government otherwise he would have left a long time ago.

He says the key to a fruitful career in public service is to “remain diligent, be honest, respect the public purse and never withhold information from colleagues”.

“My work has taught me to understand and appreciate the work of government. It has been difficult to clear my desk, but I am not extremely tired. Don’t ask me what I am going to do because I am not sure, but what I know is that whatever I’m supposed to do I will do,” Pheme concluded.