21 June 2000
The Director-General of Foreign Affairs, Mr SM Pityana on Wednesday, 21 June 2000 briefed the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs on the process of transformation in the Department. The Committee endorsed the transformation plan of the Department and the various parties expressed support for the Director-General's efforts in changing the race and gender profile of the Department to reflect the demography of South Africa.
The Acting Chairperson of the Committee, Mr M Ramgobin welcomed the opportunity to review the process of transformation. The Director-General provided a detailed outlined of the race and gender profile at different management levels in the Department. This profile highlighted major imbalances in both race and gender at management levels and at missions.
The Director-General underscored the need to staff the Department with skilled performers at all levels, who will be able to play a crucial role in repositioning our foreign policy abroad and meeting the complex challenges of globalisation. The Director-General stated that South Africa's representation on the African Continent is inadequate and a detailed audit of the role and size of all missions is being carried out.
The Director-General stated that contrary to media reports he did not indicate the end of the line for white diplomats. He confirmed that the Department will not shed talent, but the position of under-performers irrespective of race will be looked at.
The Director-General informed the meeting of seven transformation task teams that have been established and are working on strategic plans to support the process of transformation. The areas of these task teams inter alia include the African Renaissance; Communications and Marketing; Human Resources; SA Missions abroad.
The Committee complemented the Director-General on including departmental representatives from the unions staff associations in the briefing, namely NEHAWU; the South African Public Service Allied Workers Union; and the Public Service Association. The Committee acknowledged that this was the first time that union representatives had been included in foreign affairs briefings. Representatives from all three unions gave their commitment and support to the process of transformation under the Director-General.
The Director-General also used the opportunity to introduce the newly appointed Deputy-Director General: Corporate Services, Ms S Hlapolosa to the Committee.
For further information, please contact:
Mr R Mamoepa: Chief Director: Communications
Tel: 082 - 990 4853
Released by the Department of Foreign Affairs on 21 June 2000.