DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT HONOURS RETIRING EMPLOYEES FOR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE

By Tholakele Makena

• The farewell engagement placed the spotlight on decades of dedicated public service, recognising the collective contribution of retiring employees in advancing social development and improving the lives of vulnerable communities across the country.
• Through a powerful motivational address, the event reframed retirement as a meaningful new chapter, encouraging continued growth, lifelong learning, and active contribution beyond formal employment.
• Personal reflections from retirees offered a compelling account of institutional transformation over time, highlighting resilience, adaptability, and the evolving role of the Department in responding to changing social challenges.

On 30 March 2026, the Department of Social Development held a formal farewell ceremony at the Southern Sun in Pretoria to recognise employees retiring from public service. The gathering included colleagues, management, and guests, who collectively acknowledged the retirees’ dedication and significant impact on both the Department and the communities it serves.

The programme was carefully curated to include formal addresses, heartfelt tributes, and light entertainment, creating an atmosphere of appreciation and reflection. Messages from leadership and colleagues, alongside personal reflections from the retirees, underscored the lasting impact of their work in advancing social development and strengthening service delivery across the country. The engagement also encouraged a forward-looking outlook, positioning retirement as a new phase of opportunity and purpose.

Delivering a motivational address on life after retirement, Ms Sadi Motsoenyane shared insights from her own journey since retiring from the Department in 2017. Now 73 and eight years into retirement, she described this stage of life as one of reflection, renewal, and continued growth. She emphasised that retirement can be deeply fulfilling when individuals actively pursue purpose and remain open to new possibilities.
Drawing on her background in community development, which she described as a lifelong calling, Ms Sadi Motsoenyane acknowledged that while some retirees transition smoothly, others may experience uncertainty. She encouraged retirees to remain engaged, continue learning, and contribute meaningfully to society. Reflecting on her own journey as a Community Development specialist, she highlighted her academic achievements, including
that She submitted her Thesis and waiting to obtain her PHD and publishing scholarly articles, as part of the legacy she continues to build. She urged attendees to embrace change, remain optimistic, and consciously shape the legacy they wish to leave behind.
Reflecting on his distinguished career, Mr Rudie van Loggerenberg, Director: Sector Education and Training, shared insights from his 38 years of service in government. Having matriculated in 1984 and later obtained a qualification in Public Administration, he recounted the early years of his career, when access to information was limited, and newspapers were a primary source of knowledge. His reflections illustrated the significant transformation that has taken place within the public sector over the decades.
Mr van Loggerenberg also spoke about his transition to the former Department of Welfare, which later evolved into the Department of Social Development. He acknowledged the challenges he faced throughout his career while highlighting the Department’s resilience and adaptability, particularly in navigating the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As he concluded his reflections, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities that shaped his career and reinforced the values that guided his service. Entering retirement, he leaves behind a legacy of dedication, professionalism, and commitment to public service.
The farewell engagement served as a meaningful platform to honour the retirees, celebrate their contributions, and extend well-wishes as they embark on a new chapter of their lives.