Disruption, division and mistrust can create political turmoil and bring a nation to its knees. The success of any nation hinges on its leadership and ability to lead, especially when these threats are never-ending. But not all is lost when there are beacons of hope – government leaders with the will to achieve their mandate to serve the public.
On 28-29 May, Pinpoint Stewards will be hosting the 3rd Annual Women and Leadership in Government and State-Owned Enterprises conference, Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg. The title “Women & Leadership” includes men, with a focus on developing women leaders.
Sudhira Sewsunker, Pinpoint Stewards, says: “South Africa is home to accomplished leaders both past and present and they have proven that detractors can be turned into strengths towards creating unity and change. Profiling these leaders through media partnerships, has the intent to show that South Africa has capable leaders.”
The speakers taking to this year’s podium have positively served in their respective roles and continue to make a meaningful contribution towards the country. Spanning from grass-roots level to national level, each speaker will provide a first hand account of their ability to stay on course against various odds and progressing the sector as a public servant.
The keynote address will be delivered by Honourable Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment(DFFE). In March 2023, she was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and in July 2024 she was appointed as Deputy Minister of the DFFE.
Some of the key topics that will be addressed, include:
Creating an inclusive and diverse workforce through leadership that unifies rather than divide, presented by, Adv Millicent Malebye, Chief Director: Labour Relations Improvement, Office of the Public Service Commission.
She is the first legally qualified black female to work in the Office for Serious Economic Offences, which was later known as the Directorate for Special Operations (“the Scorpions”), and the first black female to work as an investigator in the Office of the Public Protector South Africa. Also she is the first Director: Special Investigations (unit currently known as Public Administration Investigations) in the Office of the Public Service Commission.
In 2007 she was responsible for, and led the technical team, for the review of the Correctional Services Act, 1998; and the Bill was successfully presented and approved as the Correctional Services Amendment Act 25 of 2008. Millicent drafted the Public Service Commission Rules on Referral and Investigation of Grievances of Employees in the Public Service, which were gazetted in 2016 and reviewed in 2023; and was again involved in the review thereof.
Ugeshni Naidoo, Senior Manager: Community Safety ,SALGA will in turn be speaking on ways in which women in the public sector can contribute towards the elimination of GBV and poverty in their respective communities. Ugeshni holds a Master of Public Management Degree with a specialisation in strategic management.
Her previous roles include her functioning as a Director in the office of the MMC for Community Safety in the City of Johannesburg where she ensured an oversight function in terms of compliance and governance to the Department. She was also the Deputy Chief of Police in Ekurhuleni Metro Police (EMPD)with the role of Chief of Staff from 2013 to 2017.
Addressing how to build trust as a leader by giving clear direction towards a goal will be Chantal Gomes, MMC – Public Safety & Roads, Midvaal Local Municipality. Chantal has had the privilege of serving as the MMC – Corporate Services, as well as the MMC -Public Safety & Roads in Midvaal Local Municipality, one of the top performing municipalities in the country.
Beke Moloi, General Manager: Learning & Development at Eskom, will provide a bird’s eye view on how Eskom develops and empowers its female leaders through the Eskom Women Advancement Programme (EWAP), as chair of the committee.
Under her leadership, the first business case for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in South Africa was produced in 2021. She is a board member of Trans Africa Projects Pty (Ltd) (TAPP) and a non-executive director of the Eskom Enterprises Board.
Beke is also recognized for leading the turn-around of the Eskom Academy of Learning (EAL), for which she recently led in the re-establishment of a specialized technical training unit. This led to EAL spearheading the Just Energy Transition (JET) through the refurbishment of the Komati Re-purposing Training Facility, which will focus on renewable training for Eskom and surrounding communities.
It will ensure that Eskom has the skills required for the future and for renewables.
Additional speakers taking to the podium include:
- Hon MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, MEC for Roads and Transport, Gauteng;
- Nozipho Booi, Chief Director – Economic Dev & Tourism Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environment Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT);
- Lt Gen Khosi Senthumule, Divisional Commissioner Detective and Forensic Services (DDG), SAPS;
- Buhle Makhanya Industrial Psychologist Senior Manager: Research & Diagnostics, Ethekwini Municipality;
- Pfumelani Mbulayeni, Managing Director, PM Aviation.
Each year the conference organisers select a beneficiary, and this year the Salvation Army will receive a percentage of profits to help advance their efforts against human trafficking.
To ensure public servants are in attendance in full force, the conference is priced within National Treasury guidelines. In order to register or enquire, contact Pinpoint Stewards via email on info@pinpointstewards.co.za. Early registrations close 1 May.
The conference is not affiliated to any political party but an objective platform geared towards leadership.
For more, visit www.pinpointstewards.co.za.
