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The Department of Water and Sanitation is conducting a week-long fresher course for more than 40 staff members who are employed in critical integrated water resource management positions, as a means to enhance the provision of water and sanitation related service in different parts of the country.

The refresher course is conducted as part of Public Service Month which is commemorated throughout the month of September and aimed at reinforcing government’s commitment to putting the needs of the public first when carrying out public service duties.

The week-long orientation workshop is taking place  at the Roodeplaat Training Centre located just outside of Pretoria, to provide extensive presentations on the Ministry’s priority projects being rolled out by the Department and their progress reports thereof, as well measures undertaken to ensure sustainable water supply and dignified sanitation for all.

Several topics which will come under the spotlight include the National Water Resource Strategy 3 (NWRS-3), a legal instrument for the implementation and operation of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) aimed at improving the management of water resources in the country.

Adding to this, some of the topics to also be discussed during the orientation workshop are matters related to water use authorisations, compliance, monitoring and enforcement in the sector, pollution incidents, all water sectors involved, and water services regulation related to water quality impacts, amongst others.

“The orientation workshop is a necessary human resource management tool which is undertaken in any organisation to lay a foundation of what is expected from employees. In our case in the public service, especially for a department like ours, this is meant to instil government principles of Batho Pele (people first) in everything that we do, because at the end of the day, our primary role is to serve the public first,” said Wisane Mavasa, spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation.

The week-long programme will also include case studies and a test, wherein the employees will be tested on various technical skills required in the sector, as well as their understanding of the sector and what is expected of them.  The refresher course is accredited by the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) for 5 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits.

The Department has reiterated its commitment to work collaboratively with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) as it works on the Framework to Professionalise the Public Service aimed at creating a capable, ethical, and developmental public service.

Issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation