CAREER GOALS

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION?

I have a passion for serving people, and for established rules and regulations.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AS AN HR PRACTITIONER

It’s almost always hectic, meeting with different managers for different departmental issues. I have planned and unplanned meetings, consulting with employees about various problems. I also do policy research and formulate our policies and departmental procedures.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO?

I started my formal education at UNISA, completing a one-year HR certification. I then completed a BA Degree and the Postgraduate Executive Leadership Development Programme in 2010 with the University of Pretoria, a er which I did a Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law. I have also done a lot of formal in-house training with my previous employers.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I enjoy providing solutions to different two weeks we have a meeting with the mayor and his executive. I also meet with officials and the public on various matters and attend public events. I chair the full council meetings monthly and oversee the Junior City Council. I deal with appeals against council decisions and councillor discipline. The meetings can continue until about 9-10pm.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I enjoy helping people resolve issues they have with council and trying to improve service delivery for residents in their subcouncils. I also enjoy improving people’s lives by assisting to develop policies for this purpose. Travelling extensively to represent Cape Town at various events has also been exciting.

ANY DISLIKES?

The anguish of residents a er a fire in a township or the inability to fix things when they are jobless and hungry, like we experienced during lockdown. I don’t like people who think their ego is more important than anything else.

challenges, managing to resolve the dispute that is affecting departmental operation. I like putting a smile on the face of my clients, whether individual or collective/group.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO?

I dislike working within a confined time, where you are required to be at the office from a particular time and then leave at a set time. Every day is not the same – some days you feel really exhausted physically and emotionally and need to rest.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME?

Over-expectation from our staff members and our potential candidates, where they believe their needs can just be met within a short time or can be absorbed.

ARE THERE CERTAIN PERSONALITY TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE TO BE AN HR PRACTITIONER?

You need to be disciplined, respect people (junior and senior), and have good listening skills.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT?

Winning every election since 1996 and being elected deputy mayor of South Peninsula Municipality. But the speaker position is the biggest highlight to date.

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING?

You need a formal education. You need to be able to read complex documents and apply your mind to options for a recommendation. You need an understanding of the relevant legislation, however, life experience in the workplace with some level of responsibility or business experience can also be helpful.

BEST PERSONALITY FOR THE JOB?

The job of a public servant requires servant leadership, which means a genuine care for the community and their needs, a selflessness that puts others first. You need to be able to communicate well and have a thick skin, as when things don’t go well, you get the blame. And you need to be ethical, accountable, reliable, and committed to the cause.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE?

Occupying critical positions with different employers and being trusted with such vital and sensitive information of the organisation. Also, managing to provide sustainable solutions and creating a conducive working environment.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

My goal is to run my own organisation, which would help in fighting poverty and the high rate of unemployment by assisting young people who are still trying to get work experience to further their career goals.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT?

Remain humble irrespective of whether you are winning or losing. Do not easily trust too much. Keep on reading because this field is dynamic; new developments and law amendments keep on coming.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Challenging, exciting and fulfilling.

Rudi Hess

SPRAY PAINTER & PANEL BEATER XPRRESS BODYWORKS