Employee engagement improves transformation
Employee engagement improves transformation
Presenting on the seminars topic: Mr Saki Makume, Employee Relations Manager at Rand Water
Nontobeko Zondi
“Issues of transformation affect everyone and is everybody’s responsibility within our public universities,” said Director of Social Justice and Transformation, Mr George Mvalo, welcoming the audience during a seminar held by the department of Social Justice and Transformation under the topic: How transformation initiatives hurt its beneficiaries. The seminar was held on 8 June in the Desmond Tutu Great Hall Foyer.
The purpose of the event was to create and cultivate a platform for engagement on the need to accept the differences and disagreements that organisations encounter. The guest speaker, Mr Saki Makume, Group Employee Relations Manager at Rand Water, was introduced by the Acting DVC: Governance and Organisational Transformation, Dr Robert Martins.
Mr Makume presented on different aspects that affect transformation within organisations and how they need to be improved. According to Makume, “beneficiaries of transformation initiatives need to have high levels of satisfaction in their roles and contribute to the organisation’s success”. He gave pointers on transformation initiatives, such as elimination of discriminatory practices, access to workplace and access to opportunities that can assist organisations.
He also stated that for transformation to be effective, employee engagement is a multilayered solution which consists of:
- Individuals: clarity and action;
- Managers: coaching and relationships;
- Executives: trust and communication. He said executives must develop Community, Authenticity, Significance and Excitement (CASE) for employee engagement.
The audience engaged with Mr Makume as they needed clarity and advice on some of the practices faced by organisations. Mr Makume’s insight into the matter assisted the audience to better understand transformation in organisations.