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Parliament’s accelerated recruitment drive to address high vacancy rates at its senior management level has delivered, as the last Divisional Manager responsible for Parliamentary Communication Services (PCS) has assumed duties on 15 February 2017.

Secretary to Parliament, Mr Gengezi Mgidlana, said the assumption of duties by Mr Moloto Mothapo finishes a critical chapter in Parliament’s drive to ensure leadership stability and in building the requisite capacity to support Members of Parliament in executing their constitutional obligations. Mr Mgidlana said: “we have turned the tide and addressed concerns raised by both the Auditor General of South Africa and the Audit Committee of Parliament about the risks posed to internal controls and governance by a 43% vacancy rate in the senior management level in the 2014/15 financial year.”

Parliament has also reduced its overall vacancy rate from 18% in 2014/15 financial year, to 4.3% in 2017, with women constituting 54.1% (717) of its 1326 staff complement. Mr Mgidlana said although Parliament continues to celebrate consecutive unqualified audit findings, a lot more still needs to be done to tighten the performance management system of Parliament which, he trusts, would be boosted by the stability at the senior management level of the administration. He said another area that will receive the attention of Parliament going forward is ensuring improved representation of people with disabilities, from the current 0.7% (nine people with disabilities).

Mr Mgidlana said, in less than three months four Divisional Managers assumed duties in Parliament, together bringing decades of experience and expertise to help take the delivery of services by Parliament to a new path in many respects.

1. Mr Mothapo brings vast experience in communications, with extensive exposure to Parliament’s workings, as he recently served for 12 years as Head of Communication and Caucus Spokesperson for the African National Congress. Before serving the ANC Caucus, Mr Mothapo served as Acting Spokesperson and Communication Officer for the Congress of South African Trade Unions;

2. Mr Dumisani Sithole assumed duties as a Divisional Manager for International Relations and Protocol on 9 January 2017. He brings to Parliament extensive relevant experience and expertise as he served as a Member of Parliament for 10 years, mostly as Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee that hosted many international delegations to Parliament. He recently headed the Alexandra Renewal Projects, a joint venture of the three spheres of government.

3. Mr Ravi Moodley assumed duties as a Divisional Manager for Strategy and Governance on 1 December 2016. He brings vast experience in strategic and scenario planning, business and market intelligence, and strategy execution and management. He served as a senior executive manager in a range of leading South Africa’s banking institutions.

4. Mr Vusumuzi Mavuso assumed duties as a Divisional Manager for Member Support Services on 1 December 2016. Besides his vast experience as a Member of the Provincial Legislature in Gauteng, he serves in many capacities which include the Public Service Commission, Acting Municipal Manager of Buffalo City, Head of Department of Local Government and as Chairperson of the SABC Foundation and Board Member.

Issued by Parliament of South Africa