I’ll never forget speaking from the UN General Assembly podium- Vulindlela Kunene

28 November 2023

 From Mankayane, Vulindlela Kunene has gone on to represent Eswatini at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In our latest civil servants’ blog, Kunene, now an Under Secretary (Political Affairs) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, talks about his role advancing Eswatini’s foreign policy position.

Government Communications (GC): “When did you join the Civil Service?”

Vulindlela Kunene (VK): “I formally joined the Civil Service in 2009 having previously served as a Private Secretary to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hon. Senator Mabili D. Dlamini. I joined as an Assistant Socio-Political Analyst in the Political Department.”

GC: “What is your current job now and what does it entail?”

VK: “I am the Under Secretary (Political Affairs) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Essentially, I take the lead on the technical aspects of what the Ministry does. This includes being responsible for the Political and International Cooperation Departments in the Ministry. It is these units that filter issues and opportunities that the world has to offer for further use by the relevant line Ministry within His Majesty’s Government. This includes analysis of topical issues and the formulation of positions by Government in line with our foreign policy.

We are also responsible for the formulation of country positions in tandem with the line Ministry for presentation at various international arenas, including the multilateral sphere as well as in conducting our bilateral relations. In doing so, we look to safeguard Eswatini’s interests and advance our foreign policy objectives.

We are also responsible for initiating the establishment of diplomatic relations with other States. Having done so, we are then tasked with creating the legal basis for interactions with those States including the conclusion of various types of agreements between Eswatini and that particular State. This can include agreements from diverse spheres which may lead to investments in the country, agreements governing scholarship awards between Eswatini and the host country and multilateral agreements, to name a few. I provide oversight and guidance for the above.”

GC: “Before this role, what other positions did you occupy in the Service?”

VK: “a. Charges D’Affaires a.i. – High Commission of the Kingdom of Eswatini to the Republic of South Africa (July 2021 – July 2022)

  1. First Secretary – Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Eswatini to the United Nations: New York (March 2013 – June 2021)
  2. Assistant Socio-Political Analyst – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (February 2009 – March 2013).”

GC: “How is being an Under Secretary different from other positions you have held in the Civil Service?”

VK: “The main difference in being a U.S. is the increased responsibility to teach and groom other civil servants in a way that capacitates them for a career of service to Eswatini. As a lower rank technician, I was mostly responsible for the quality of my own output, be it written or spoken word or the way in which I interacted with other persons in a manner befitting a representative of Eswatini. This new position challenges me to get other people to appreciate some of what I have learnt and hopefully do better than I have done so far. Having said that, I am grateful in that I have a very capable crop of analysts and officers in my team. They make that task easier.”

GC: “So far, what would you say the biggest highlight/achievement of your Civil Service journey has been?”

VK: “Without a shadow of doubt, the highlight of my career has been to be able to repay the faith that successive bosses have shown in me. I had not dreamt that I would work in an area that is so impactful when I embarked on my tertiary studies. Having stumbled on this career, I am glad that I did. I have learnt so much. It is therefore humbling that I now get the opportunity to share what I have learnt with others who are at an earlier stage in their careers. I also get to interface with the public a lot more in my current position. The ability to help them in their area of need, be it facilitating scholarship applications or sourcing information about our different services offered, it is all fulfilling.

However, if I had to choose one particular moment that made me step back and wonder how far this boy from Mhlatane, Mankayane, had come, it would have been standing at the speaking podium at the United Nations General Assembly and reading a statement on behalf of my country at a commemoration of former President Nelson Mandela. That moment will always stay with me. Standing at such an iconic place made me realise just how fortunate I had been in my career.”

GC: “What is the biggest project that you have been involved in working for Government?”

VK: “Dealing with SADC and the country’s inclusion on the agenda of the SADC Troika. I witnessed first-hand how, from a position that was always reactionary, our country grew in stature and took up positions assertively, spoke up for ourselves and demanded respect from our peers. We had to deal with both domestic and external perceptions about Eswatini, much of which was being driven with what appeared to be a predetermined outcome in mind. It took everything that we had to engineer the shift in narrative, including some hard talk with some real truths being used in a “non- diplomatic” manner. In a high pressured environment, I was amazed at how our “voice” as a country grew.”

GC: “You have also served the country on Foreign Service. How is that experience like?”

VK: “This has been an amazing experience. One that has been filled with valuable lessons. The biggest one of which was, ironically enough, a growing appreciation and love for my own home in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Staying abroad for an extended period resulted in a multitude of emotions. Excitement, fear, loneliness, anxiety, wonder. They all form a part of your life.

I learnt that it is easy to visit new places and quite another to actually stay there. When visiting, you basically get to experience the best of what that place has to offer in a relatively short time. When you stay there you deal with all the realities that come with being in that space; be it societal tensions, epidemics etc.”

GC: “Which foreign country did you enjoy serving in the most?”

VK: “Well, I have worked in two other countries basically; the United States of America and the Republic of South Africa. Each of them had their own charms. The United States was interesting because I learnt different cultures, met new people, saw new places. South Africa was amazing because I was given a taste of what it was like to head up a Mission. It was a massive responsibility and one that has shaped me forever going forward. I particularly enjoyed being in South Africa as it allowed me to transition home in a seamless manner.”

GC: “What do you love the most about working in Government?”

VK: “In as much as I work in a Ministry that does not really provide a mainstream service, much of what I do on a daily basis brings me into direct contact with emaSwati from all walks of life. I love the ability that this offers as I am positioned to make a difference on a large scale and also impact the lives of individuals.”

GC: “What do you love the most about your job and profession?”

VK: “I have always loved words and how they can be used. My job affords me that opportunity. I am able to draft positions and statements that can affect change. To hear your words being used by someone and to witness the impact that these words have is an amazing feeling.”

GC: “What would you say are some of the challenges that come with your job?”

VK: “The main challenge that comes with my job is the fact that one is often called upon to take positions that will be challenged and critiqued. So, when you are taking those positions you must speak with certainty and be well informed. In this day and age where it seems everyone has access to social media, it would be very easy to take things personally. But, what one then has to do is take a step back and assess that particular differing opinion or criticism dispassionately and learn from it.”

GC: “What lessons have you learnt working for Government?”

VK: “One must always be willing to listen with understanding and be willing to help. Often a person will come to you and narrate a story. Out of that story, it then becomes incumbent upon you to distil the issues and offer a solution. Where you cannot offer a solution, find out who can and point that person in the right direction. Always be willing to help!”

GC: “What advice would you have for someone who wants to work for Government?”

VK: “Be prepared to serve. Working for Government is in many ways an act of service. Always treat people with respect and humility.”

GC: “What are your aspirations for the future in Government?”

VK: “On a personal note, I would love to grow further in my current field. However, there is limited scope for that growth as I believe that there are one or two rungs left for me to climb within my Ministry, so I have to be open to the possibility that growth may come with some change. I must be ready to adapt, to learn and to contribute positively wherever I am placed.

I do also share some hopes and aspirations for Government in general though. I do hope that all the hard-working and dedicated Civil Servants out there could be given their due recognition. I am excited with the intentionality that this Cabinet is approaching issues related to transparency. There is a lot that Government does and we need to showcase that effectively. Where criticism is warranted, by all means people should do so. But there are also a lot of people who are committed to service excellence, this too should receive the requisite response.”

--Ends—

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I enjoy shaping the economic direction of the country- Maphosa

21 November 2023

As well as leading the education’s sector response to El Nino and forming part of drafting teams for two National Development Plans, Stan Maphosa has grown in leaps and bounds since joining the civil service in 2014. In our latest civil servants’ blog, he talks to us about his role as a Planning Officer in the Ministry of Education and Training.

Government Communications (GC): “What is your current job now and what does it entail?”

Stan Maphosa (SM): “I am a Planning Officer/ Economist, responsible for providing policy programme, strategic planning and project development advice to the education and training sector. I am the technical lead for the preparation of budget estimates and advise on budget implications on development projects. Moreover, I coordinate inter-sectoral activities by public enterprises, NGOs and regional organizations. I also coordinate all planning, budgeting and execution of the sector’s capital programmes e.g. construction of schools and in tertiary institutions. I also coordinate and supervise implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the sector’s projects and/or programmes including donor funding for sectoral support. I assist the Ministry in preparing proposals for Technical Assistance (TA) and external funding of sector projects and/or programmes, and organize studies on sectoral issues, review consultants’ work and assist in evaluating consultants’ proposal for studies, facilitate conferences, seminars, workshops and meetings, which are of planning and budgeting nature. I am also the national focal person for education emergencies, a programme aimed at ensuring the education sector is resilient to disasters and that education continues even during emergencies.”

GC: “So far, what would you say the biggest highlight/achievement of your Civil Service journey has been?”

SM: “Successfully leading the education sector in the response against the El Nino induced drought in 2015/16, ensuring schools, especially in Mbabane, had access to water and sanitation during the drought. I have also formed part of the technical drafting team for two National Development Plans; 2019/22 and the National Development Plan 2022/27 and also coordinated the development of the education sector Development Plan (Multi Year Action Plan 2022/25).”

GC: “What is the biggest project that you have been involved in working for Government?”

SM: “There are four:

  1. 1. Coordinating the development and formulation of the Education Ministry’s budget in the last four years;
  2. 2. Supervising a consultant to develop the current Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP 2022/34) and the Multi Year Action Plan (MYAP 2022/25);
  3. 3. Coordinating and leading the Free Primary Education Grant Review and finally obtaining approval from Cabinet is the highlight of one of the projects I have been involved in;
  4. 4. Leading the Education cluster’s response to the 2015/16 drought.”

GC: “What do you love the most about working in Government?”

SM: “The Government is a unique machinery that connects the people with the State under the social contract. Therefore, the satisfaction I get from honouring my end of the social contract is unmatched and working with different personalities and people from heterogeneous socio-economic backgrounds allows continuous learning and unlearning which is quite interesting.”

GC: “What do you love the most about your job and profession?”

SM: “Being an economist in government allows one to contribute to policy decisions and shape the economic direction of the country. The work involves making significant impacts on the lives of all citizens and the overall well-being of the economy. Government economists have access to extensive data sets, research, and resources that inform their analysis and decision-making which equips them (economists) with a rich and comprehensive understanding of economic trends, challenges, and opportunities.

Working in the planning office of the government provides opportunities to collaborate with policymakers, fellow economists, and experts from various fields. This collaborative environment fosters learning, knowledge sharing, and the development of comprehensive and well-informed policy solutions. Furthermore, working in this space has given me the opportunity to provide evidence-based recommendations and analysis that have influenced a number of policy decisions and has improved my experience in research thus helping me shape economic policies that align with broader socioeconomic goals and promote sustainable growth. My job also entails engaging in a wide range of tasks, including policy analysis, program evaluation, and providing expert advice and this variety of responsibilities keeps the work engaging and intellectually stimulating. Lastly, my work involves serving the public and contributing to the greater good by addressing socio-economic disparities, promoting social welfare, and fostering economic stability and growth which is quite fulfilling on its own.”

GC: “What would you say are some of the challenges that come with your job?”

SM: “Government’s decision-making usually involves multiple layers of bureaucracy, regulations, and stakeholder involvement, which can slow down the decision-making process and make it more complex. Coupled with the challenges of balancing short-term demands and immediate needs with long-term objectives and goals, civil servants often face negative attitudes and public scepticism, which can impact on our morale and job satisfaction. Sometimes we operate within constrained budgets, which can limit the resources available for projects, programs, and initiatives. However, working around these challenges is actually what makes the work more interesting.”

GC: “What lessons have you learnt working for Government?”

SM: “Dedication, team work (stakeholder management) and following laid down procedures are essential for one to thrive in the civil service.”

GC: “What advice would you have for someone who wants to work for Government?”

SM: “To work for the Government requires that one possesses the highest level of interpersonal skills and commitment to go beyond the call of duty to serve in your space and respect for opinions from diverse people.”

GC: “What are your aspirations for the future in Government?”

SM: “Of course, growing through the ranks within Government until I occupy a strategic decision-making position. However, working in the international civil service is also part of my “Project Me” goals.

--Ends—

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Civil Service work can be highly rewarding- Temabhengu

15 November 2023

Temabhengu Hlophe is an Assistant Economist/Planning Officer in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy. Since joining the civil service in December 2020, she has worked on projects with international organisations such as the World Bank. In the latest instalment of our civil servants’ blog, she talks about her role as an economist in Government.

Government Communications (GC): “What is your current job now and what does it entail?”

Temabhengu Hlophe (TH): “I am currently an Assistant Economist/Planning Officer under the Planning Unit at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy. My responsibilities include: budgeting (capital and recurrent); coordinating the activities of the Ministry (departments and Parastatals) i.e. preparing budget performance reports; advising on appropriate sectoral policies and ensure that they are consistent with the various strategies implemented by government (SSDIG, NDS, PRSAP, NDP); appraising all project proposals to be included in the Capital Estimates and rolling three-year development plans by undertaking cost benefit or cost effectiveness analysis of project proposals, among others.

The Planning Cadre under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development (MEPD) was established to lead in overall development planning for the country, and monitoring of the economic performance. It does that through the production of national development documents such as the national development strategy/vision, poverty reduction strategy and development plans. It assists Government in formulating, co-ordinating and implementing economic policies, strategies/plans and intervention measures that will effectively and efficiently accomplish the country’s major economic and development objectives. The cadre was also tasked with the responsibility of monitoring and evaluating the impact of development programs and projects in meeting the objectives of the country as set out in the National Development Strategy and National Development Plan.”

GC: “What is the biggest project that you have been involved in working for Government?”

TH: “It is hard to pick one but I have worked with the Energy department on the World Bank Multi-Tier Energy Access Survey which aims at capturing the multidimensional nature of energy access focusing on a range of technologies and sources that can provide energy. This survey will inform future policy aspirations especially towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 – Ensure access to affordable and clean energy.”

GC: “What do you love the most about working in Government?”

TH: “Working for government can be highly rewarding as it often involves serving the public and contributing to the well-being of society. There are also many opportunities you are exposed to. As a government employee, one gets to work with international organisations and meet different people. With government you even have the opportunity to work with international organisations on contract without having to resign. I also appreciate that Government encourages human capital development by allowing its employees to further their studies on a full time basis while retaining their jobs. Government also has partnerships with training institutions for capacitating her employees with short training courses. I have taken quite a few this year to upskill myself.”

GC: “What do you love the most about your job and profession?”

TH: “Being an economist comes in shades of grey. It offers a lot of opportunities in governments, consultancy and in academia. It promotes and demonstrates strong analytical skills and research ability alongside, by its nature, a strong awareness of current events and their wider impact. Economics are a way of looking at problems, balancing unlimited wants with limited resources and that is something that I apply to my personal life too.”

GC: “What would you say are some of the challenges that come with your job?”

TH: “Government is a social service provider. It is not an income generating entity so as economists we have to bear in mind that a majority of the capital projects government implements will have more social benefits than financial benefits. Working with limited budgets is a major challenge too.”

GC: “What lessons have you learnt working for Government?”

TH: “Have a growth mind-set. Knowledge is the most powerful weapon. Irrespective of one's post or experience, it is important to upskill yourself.”

GC: “What advice would you have for someone who wants to work for Government?”

TH: “Determine your interests and skills to find a role that aligns with your passions and strengths. Government offers a wide range of job opportunities from policy analysis, law enforcement, healthcare, education, finance, tourism and more. Internships are a great way to gain experience and learn about Government processes. Be persistent in your pursuit of your government career and stay committed to your goals.”

GC: “What are your aspirations for the future in Government?”

TH: “I am still new in the Civil Service but I aspire to work under Planning Units in other Ministries to assist/direct me towards the field of Economics I will specialise in when I eventually pursue another MSc degree or PhD.”

--Ends—

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GOVERNMENT PRESS STATEMENT

COAT OF ARMS

NO: …/20

MEASURES TO CONTAIN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE

Introduction

Following the decision by authorities to invoke a national partial lockdown in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Ministry of Public Service has deemed it prudent to issue another circular to operationalize the pronouncement made by authorities within the civil service.

In that regard, Government has decided that the following prevention measures be taken to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus within the civil service:

  1. 1. The numbers of civil servants attending work each week are to be reduced by half, with some working from home, while others will be working in their duty stations. This will be done on a rotational basis each week. Principal Secretaries and Heads of Department are to decide on how this will be implemented.
  2. 2. All essential services within the civil service, which include, among others: fire and emergency services, health services, meteorology services and security services will not be affected by the attendance to work on rotational basis as they are expected to be fully at work to provide assistance during this period of the pandemic.
  3. 3. The Ministry of Public Service will issue a circular with full details on this issue.
  4. 4. These new measures will be with effect from Monday the 30th March, 2020.

I THANK YOU!!!

 

HON. C.M. NTSHANGASE

MINISTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE

25th March 2020

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