The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) welcomed ninety-six (96) Young Graduates as part of ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure planning delivery and operation and maintenance in the sphere of local government. The induction and orientation session was held at Birchwood hotel in Ekurhuleni Metro, Gauteng province on 8-9 March 2022 where the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Honourable Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma gave a keynote address.
In his opening remarks Mr Allan Zimbwa a Deputy Director-General responsible for Technical Support Services branch said to the group “We want you to take advantage of this opportunity, learn as much as you can and give it your best knowing that scores of young people who are qualified just as you are did not get this opportunity and are currently at home hoping and praying for their turn.”
Addressing the Young Graduates, the Chief Executive Office of MISA Mr Ntandazo Vimba said “As I welcome you and open this Induction and Orientation session, I want to remind everyone of the objective of this Programme: To increase the number of municipal officials in infrastructure departments who are registered as professionals. The idea is to improve municipal infrastructure planning, delivery, operation and maintenance. You will all agree with me that infrastructure management is a regulated space and requires professionally registered personnel.”
He further stated that “Currently, government spends billions annually in the name of municipal capacity building, but there is little to show for it. This is because of silos interventions and lack of a structured programme. We urge government to take advantage of MISA’s existence and rollout a programme that can become a game changer in municipal capacity development and professionalization of the sector.”
During her keynote address, Minister Dlamini Zuma encouraged the group by saying “It is you who shall be at the frontline of our service delivery and development initiatives. Therefore, you must inspire confidence and ensure that our government becomes more responsive and agile. It is you that must serve the needs of our people, because after all without them there would be no government and therefore this programme would not exist.”
She also added by saying “Our people also need a government that is both capable and capacitated to meet their desires and aspirations. They need a government that is fit for purpose. Through this programme MISA, on behalf of government, is ensuring that this becomes a reality. MISA is putting to action the vision of our National Development Plan which states that local government should be a first option for career path in the eyes and minds of professionals.”
Speaking to Nozipho Nkomo, a Young Graduate deployed at Ndwedwe Local Municipality in KwaZulu Natal since 2019 she said this programme means a lot to her as a woman living with a disability, she said because of her disability she was often overlooked as a child and not much was expected from her. Looking back now this hardship was necessary towards building her character as it taught her to fight hard to prove all sceptics wrong.
She said that the fact that she is a young female in a male dominated field, she has had to deal with a lot of undesirable comments and looks of doubt from stakeholders, however she never lets that get in her way as she knows that she must be a beacon of hope to other young females especially those living with disabilities.
Over the two days various presenters from government departments, professional bodies and from within MISA shared a podium presenting different topics like road to professional registration, policies, conduct and lessons learned amongst others.
The induction wrapped up with feedback from breakaway sessions that were led by managers.