New CEO at SASSETA, Makubetse Sekhonyane’s job is to provide strategic direction to SASSETA, implement the strategic plans, improve governance and compliance, manage risk, ensure tighter internal controls and provide leadership and guidance.
“I provide strategic leadership within the organisation, liaise with stakeholders, execute the organisational mandate as prescribed in the Skills Development Act and the NSDSIII, as well as other directives from the Department of Higher Education and the Presidency.”
Sekhonyane has a rich work history:
* In 1994 he was an intern for the Human Rights Documentation Project in KwaZulu-Natal.
* In 1995 he became a researcher at the Human Rights Committee (not Commission) of South Africa.
* In 2000, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies.
* In 2005 a director in strategic planning, management and monitoring at the Correctional Services (DCS).
* In 2012 he became a senior manager, skills implementation and monitoring at SASSETA.
“I had a number of positions in my mind when starting my career. My ultimate goal was to end up in academia, contributing to academic journals and writing books,” he said. “Right now my focus is occupying this position and pursuing a PhD.”
Sekhonyane is currently working towards a PhD on Results Based Monitoring and Evaluation with Wits University and holds a Master’s degree in Public and Development Management and a professional certification in Public and Development Management – also from Wits. He also has a Certificate in Leadership Development and a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
In the past, a scholarship in 1989 saw Sekhonyane doing an International Baccalaureate Diploma at Waterford-Kamhlaba in Swaziland. He also participated in the Human Rights Advocacy Programme at University of Columbia in New York in 1999. Furthermore, he has been involved in research projects on political conflict, taxi violence, vigilantism and correctional services, and has written a number of articles and chapters in books up to 2007.
“Things are going to be interesting in my new job moving forward. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift that is why it is called the present. Future plans depend on how well current plans are implemented and monitored. The key focus is on delivery of learning programmes, work integrated learning and bursaries. Critically, we need to conduct tracker research and impact studies. Other plans are placing square pegs in square holes: matching skills, experience with job requirements and positions, job sculpting and implementation of a retention strategy that includes promotions.”
Hi-Tech Security Solutions asked him how he plans to address the industry’s view that SASSETA is not engaging with the security companies. “Last year SASSETA held a summit for the first time. The objectives were to share the challenges of the industry. The private security industry is complex and not easy to define. SASSETA is in the process of implementing a stakeholder management strategy which seeks to address the perceived lack of engagement, among other things,” he said.
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