By Sipho Maduna
KNOWLEDGE is power. That was the message at a graduation ceremony at the Midrand Conference Centre on Friday, 16 September.
The graduates: (from left) councillors Emmanuel Maphatsoe, Theo Dhlamini, Fanie Maseko, Nomaphelo Maqanda and William Chuene celebrate with Shirlyn Serobatse from the office of the Speaker and Sinnah Ramakhula
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
Five councillors from the City of Johannesburg were among the graduates, who were awarded diplomas in advanced project and programme management by the Cranefield Institute of Management. The ceremony was held in a chapel at the conference centre, where the institute is situated.
The diploma is a one-year course. The councillors, who attended lectures for one full day a month but were also given assignments, were assessed based on their completion of group and individual work.
Fanie Maseko received the trophy for the Best Progressed Student.
"I have achieved this through trying times," Maseko said, adding that the diploma would open horizons and would help him with council projects.
Emmanuel Maphatsoe said that the course was not easy and had demanded hard work. However, "it is going to assist me in my work, especially when I am dealing with projects", the councillor said.
His colleague, Theo Dhlamini, said, "This is a start of more to come."
He is now studying the advanced course in project and programme management.
William Chuene, Ward 92 councillor, would also like to carry on studying. "I feel motivated and encouraged," he said, adding that the training would help him understand projects better.
"Age is not an object," said Nomaphelo Maqanda, who last graduated in 1984 when she completed her nursing diploma. She said it would not have been possible for her to continue studying if it had not been for the leadership of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo and City Manager Pascal Moloi.
"It is part of the policy of the council to advance the skills of the councillors," said council Speaker Nandi Mayathula-Khoza. In March, 50 councillors were due to graduate in the same course.
The speaker is responsible for developing, leading and directing a strategy and programmes to support councillors and build their capacity.
"Councillor Training and Capacity Building is a programme designed to develop the skills of the councillors at local government level to empower and capacitate," said Shirlyn Ipeleng Serobatse, the head of the programme.
Its aim is to develop and implement policy decisions effectively, demonstrate strong political leadership, and provide democratic and accountable local government to Johannesburg's people.
It is divided into the Study Assistance Programme, which gives councillors the opportunity to register with an accredited institution and study towards a particular qualification; and short term training programmes, which are outcomes-based and accredited accordingly by the respective sectoral education and training authorities, or setas.
All Joburg councillors may apply to study under the programme. Tuition is paid for by the Councillor Subsidise Education fund and the studies have to be relevant to the work of the City.
Mayathula-Khoza said the course was relevant to the councillors' work, as they monitored and evaluated projects in their communities.
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