NORTH WEST SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT HONOURS LONG-SERVING EMPLOYEES TAKING EARLY RETIREMENT

By Staff Writer

• Twenty long-serving employees exited the Department on 31 March 2026 through the early retirement programme.
• MEC Basetsana Sussana Dantjie praised them as custodians of institutional memory and champions of service delivery.
• The programme supports workforce renewal while recognising years of dedicated public service.

North West MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie, has paid heartfelt tribute to employees who have dedicated many years of service to the department, describing them as custodians of institutional memory and champions of service delivery.

The MEC commended the commitment, resilience and professionalism of 20 staff members, aged between 55 and 63, who exited the department on 31 March 2026 through the Incentivised Early Retirement Programme and Voluntary Exit Programme.

The programme provides government employees with a voluntary exit pathway, offering financial incentives and early retirement without pension penalties, while creating opportunities for cost savings and workforce renewal within the public service.

“Your unwavering dedication has not only strengthened our department but has also ensured that we continue to deliver quality services to our communities. You have contributed immensely in our resolve to change the lives of our people for the better. Your consistency and reliability are a source of stability and pride,” said MEC Dantjie.

She further highlighted that long-serving employees carry a wealth of experience and have played a critical role in mentoring and transferring skills to younger colleagues who continue to serve within the department.

The department indicated that additional cohorts of employees are expected to exit through the same programme once the Department of Public Service and Administration issues a directive to qualifying employees in the new financial year.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to balance institutional continuity with renewal, ensuring that the public service remains responsive, efficient and equipped to meet evolving service delivery demands.