LEADERSHIP GAPS CLOSE AS MINISTER TOLASHE SETS DSD ON PATH TO STABILITY

By Precious Mupenzi

• Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe has initiated efforts to stabilise the Department of Social Development (DSD) by filling long-vacant executive positions, including the Director-General and Deputy Director-General for Welfare Services.
• With a significant budget allocation of R263 billion for the 2023/24 financial year, Minister Tolashe emphasised the urgency of strengthening the department’s leadership to improve service delivery to South Africans.
• The department also faces ongoing challenges, including addressing staff morale, organisational restructuring, and the employment of social work graduates, as part of its broader mission to fulfil the National Development Plan.

Minister of Social Development, Ms. Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe has started her journey to stabilise the Department of Social Development (DSD) by prioritising the filling of critical executive positions that have long been vacant. Since May 2017, the department has not had a Director-General, a key position necessary for overall leadership and management. Additionally, the post of Deputy Director-General (DDG) for Welfare Services has been vacant since the passing of Ms. Conny Nxumalo in August 2020, and the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has remained unoccupied since November 2021.

Minister Tolashe, who took office in July, told parliament when she tabled the department’s  Budget Vote  emphasised the importance of appointing a Director-General. This process has begun  and is  currently before the presidency for concurrence. Additionally, the department  advertised both the Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Director-General for Welfare Services positions as part of her broader commitment to ensure the department’s leadership is fully staffed and operational.

“One of the most urgent administrative tasks that is receiving my attention since I took up office is ensuring the filling of all critical posts, including the Director-General post within the current financial year,” Minister Tolashe announced during her Budget Vote speech for the 2023/24 financial year. She added that filling these posts is crucial to stabilising the department and improving service delivery to millions of South Africans.

In her speech to the National Assembly, Minister Tolashe highlighted that a significant R263 billion has been allocated to the National Department of Social Development for the 2023/24 financial year. Of this amount, R253 billion is earmarked for direct cash transfer payments to an estimated 27 million grant beneficiaries through the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) by March 2024.

The department also experienced the recent resignation of Mr. Khumbula Ndaba, who held a key executive position. Mr. Ndaba has taken up a new role with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), leaving another vacancy at the top level of the department and further highlighting the need for leadership stabilisation.

Speaking on the sideline interview with DSD News during the Public Service Wome Management Week Meeting, Ms. Lumka Oliphant, who is currently acting as Deputy Director-General for Corporate Support Services, emphasised the Minister’s commitment to addressing the issue of vacant executive positions.

 “The Minister has promised the country that she will fill these positions to stabilise the department,” said Oliphant.

But Ms. Oliphant noted that not only is the issue of filling the executive posts  a priority but the department as a whole to ensure the department’s efficiency. She highlighted ongoing discussions around the department’s organisational structure, the morale of staff, and gender mainstreaming.

“These discussions are underway, and the structure must be extensively consulted with guidance from the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), organised labour, and staff as a whole” Ms. Oliphant explained.

Investing in the well-being of DSD staff is also a priority, according to Oliphant. She revealed that a submission focusing on the  well-being of staff  as part of change management will be routed to the DG. 

“We  must not have sports days once a year. It must be a lifestyle. We are also responsible as a department to reduce the  burden of disease and we must not just do it for others but for our  staff too. Last week, I heard beautiful stories and ideas that are already in place, like a group of ladies who have come together and consciously  started walking up the stairs from the ground floor.  We spoke about reproductive health for both men and women,” she added.

Change Management champions were also inducted last week. 

While focusing on internal issues, Oliphant also acknowledged the urgent matter of unemployed social work graduates. She pointed out that the strategy on the Employment of Social Service Practitioners was approved by Cabinet. This is part of the country’s commitment to advancing towards the National Development Plan of attaining 55 000 social service practitioners by 2030.

“The strategy advocates for the employment of social service professionals across government and the private sector,” she said. Next month, the department will hold a workshop to engage with other departments on the employment of social service professionals.