Editor’s Note“Every morning you are handed 24 golden hours. They are one of the few things in this world that you

get free of charge. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn’t buy an extra hour. What will you

do with this priceless treasure? (Author unknown)

Make every second count!

May you experience the spirit of love, peace and abundant blessings over this festive period!

A tribute to Mr Fanie Coetzee

(Former Chairperson)

Mr Fanie Coetzee had been part of EWC since

1983 when he became a member of the College

Council of the then Germiston College.

Mr Fanie Coetzee was elected as the Chairperson

of the College Council of EWC on 3 December

2002 and served in this capacity up to 7 August

2008.

Critical skills such as project management,

process improvement and strategic analysis

were applied by Mr Coetzee when assisting EWC

in compiling strategic planning for the College

and for the recapitalisation project.

Fanie Coetzee obtained experienced in diverse

backgrounds in several sectors such as business

industry, governance boards of Educational

institutions and community organisations, local

government and NGO‘s.

Mr Coetzee will be remembered by EWC for

his availability, energy, dedication, hard work

and time spent to assist the College in its vision

to become the biggest and best College in South

Africa.

Thanks for always being there for us and a good course!

Profile of Mr Thembani Bukula

Mr Thembani Bukula

was appointed as Vice

Chairperson of the EWC

College Council on

10 September 2007 and

then as Chairperson of

the College Council on

7 August 2008.

He is currently the

Regulatory Member

who is primarily responsible for electricity at

the National Energy Regulator of South Africa

(NERSA).

Mr Bukula obtained his BSC Engineering degree

at the University of Natal and a post graduate

diploma in Engineering Business Management at

Warwick University.

He started as a high voltage Engineer at

ESKOM in 1993 where he was responsible for

be ready for 2009; the implementation of NC(V)

level 4 programmes as well as the NC(V) numbers

that need to be obtained per Campus.

Mr Bukula mentioned that all challenges

associated with the FET Sector after the

implementation of the FETC Act still remain a

major challenge. (This refers to the following:

The Department starting to pay capped leave

to educators and then stopped. The undertaking

was that this will be completed by the end

of December). The OSD (Occupation Specific

Dispensation) and the full implication of the

College being the employer when the services

currently rendered by GDE, are transferred to EWC.

Acknowledgement of Council members:

Mr Fanie Coetzee, the previous Chairperson

(in his absence) was acknowledged for his

dedication, achievements, the time and energy

that he spent at EWC and his contributions in the

successes of the College.

All College Council members were thanked for

their willingness to serve as Council members and

for their contribution and duties that they fulfill in

their capacity as Council members.

Best wishes:

Mr Bukula ended his speech by wishing all

Council members, management and all other

staff members a peaceful festive season,

enjoyable holidays and a prosperous 2009.

the commissioning of the extra high voltage

stations in the KZN region. In 1994-1996 he was

seconded to KEMA in the Netherlands as a high

voltage and short circuit Engineer. He became

a control systems design Engineer at Yelland

Engineering in Durban in 1998.

Mr Bukula was promoted to the National

Performance and Audits Manager at ESKOM in

1999.

He became the Managing Director of the

National Electrical Test Facility (NEFTA) in 2001

and the Managing Director of the Testing and

Certification Division of SABS in 2002 and the

Managing Director of National Data Systems

responsible for supporting the three major banks

with their Auto teller machine infrastructure.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON, MR BUKULA, TO THE MEMBERS OF THE

COLLEGE COUNCIL MANAGEMENT, STAFF MEMBERS AND STUDENTS OF EWC.

As the newly elected Chairperson of the College

Council of EWC, Mr Bukula at the year-end

function at the Birchwood Hotel, on Friday 24

October 2008, addressed the College Council

members, management and staff members and

the SRC representatives.

He highlighted the following:

The achievements of EWC:

He congratulated the College on obtaining the

SABS ISO 9001 accreditation. He commended

the appointment of the permanent College

Council since the merger in 2003 and the

progress made on the recapitalisation

expenditure.

The Finance department, management and staff

were congratulated on receiving an unqualified

audit report and sound financial practices.

According to Mr Bukula, the appointment of the

Principal, Ms Hellen Manakedi Ntlatleng, is also

perceived as a highlight of 2008.

Mr Mabusela was thanked for his hard work and

dedication as well as his willingness to act as

Principal of EWC for a long period of time.

The advertising of the vacant posts of the

CS-Educators and PS staff and filling of these

vacancies as from 1 January 2009 is seen as a

big achievement.

The challenges faced by EWC and the FET sector:

EWC is facing the following challenges and

major hurdles to overcome: the timeous

completion of the workshops at Boksburg,

Tembisa, Kathorus and Kempton Campuses to

Contributors:End of the year message – Ms Ntlatleng

A tribute to Mr Fanie Coetzee; a profile of Mr Bukula;

Marketing breakfasts; Road Show and Gazebo

Promotions; Year-end Function; ISO Function and

EWC bids Mr Kotsi & Dr Shezi farewell – Marketing

Student Support Services – Ms Constance Ramasia

Quality Management – Mr Robert Ehlers

Recap report - Mr Frank Duarté

From the Principal’s Desk(End of the year message)

Good friends, allow me

to say thank you today.

I do not have silver

and gold with me but I

thought and believed

that if we share wine

together that shall make

a difference.

My experience and inter-

action with you for the

past five months was

fulfilling. My heart was touched by a number of

you in different ways. I met young and old staff members and in different fields and I value each conversation we had and shared.

1

News letterNovember 2008 Newsletter Issue 12

Ekurhuleni West College (EWC) has become the

2nd FET College in Gauteng to get certification

from the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).

This indicates that the College complies with

the requirements of ISO 9001:2000 which is a

standard for quality management systems.

Frank Makamo, General Manager, Services at the

SABS; officially handed over the ISO 9001:2000

Certificate on 17 September.

“As the SABS, we are very happy to see

organisations take full advantage of our services

in ensuring that there is consistency in the quality

of products and services in this country. We

have certified and approved many organisations

previously, but this particular one is special

because it will ensure that students, who are

future leaders of this country, are exposed to

consistent quality education,” said Mr Makamo.

Our Principal, Ms Hellen Manakedi Ntlatleng,

believes that affiliation with the SABS is evidence

of the serious manner in which EWC takes the

success of its students.

Ms Ntlatleng said: “We have been working

hard to continuously find ways to improve and

It has been the main Strategic Objective of the

Quality division from 2005 to obtain certification

for our Quality Management System. The

measurement tool was to be the ISO 9001: 2000

standard, National Legislation and of course

our own EWC internal Policies, Procedures and

Guidelines.

This objective was achieved and EWC was

granted SABS accreditation to the ISO

Management standard in July 2008.

Our goal now becomes the maintenance of this

standard of quality. It is important to note that

EWC will be visited and audited by SABS every six

months.

The other objective in terms of Quality for EWC

is now the British Standard 18001. Although

developed in Britain it is the internationally

accepted standard in terms of Health and Safety.

In complying with this standard it will help us

achieve conformance to the Occupation Health

and Safety Act.

The 18001 standard contains several

similarities to the 9001 Management Standard

e.g. Management commitment, a dedicated

Management representative at Corporate and

Campus level, a Quality or procedure manual,

Non-conformances and management review. We

will thus expand our current manual so that on

opening it, it will give us the choice of looking at

the QMS or OHS.

Complying to ISO 9001 and BS 18001 initially will

not make life easier, but eventually improve our

way of working in terms of safety and Quality.

From my side I need to

thank everybody for the

commitment and input

to where we are now in

terms of quality.

Robert EhlersQuality Assurance Manager

Quality Management SystemThe FET sector has been and is still a sector in trouble, one must agree.

· We have issues of half paid capped leave· Unpaid or no “OSD” · Delayed payments of IQMS· Instruction 20: 2008 (Marking of NC(V) level 2 internally)

Besides the fact that these are external factors they have a serious impact on us as a sector and a college. We are all “affected” if not “infected”. DoE has actually said to us the other time that performance appraisal will be based on 90% NC(V) results.

I therefore appreciate and value you for your continuous diligent work displayed at all the times. We better continue exchanging words but not make the ground to suffer which is of course innocent.

Let me assure you that capped leave will be paid – DoE has emphasised and urge Province to interact with lecturers on verifying the number of days due.

The matter of IQMS payment is with HR department for processing as I promised by GDE.

Let us also agree that NC(V) level 2 and 3 will be marked internally and continuously so like Grade 10 and 11 and only level 4 will be external like Grade 12 and as colleges, we should protect quality because we will be evaluated on that, which will show at level 4 if not taken care of.

DoE has indicated to us that it is preparing a salary package specifically for FET lecturers to be compared internationally – as one termed it “World Class”. This has to be debated at the Bargaining Chambers of course.

All these have been communicated to the relevant structures as put by the College more than once.

NB: Please note that NC(V) is here to stay and we will receive funding on the numbers recruited, able to keep and results produced at the end of the year – and those that are able to complete the course. Throughput and retention rate is vital.

DoE has made is clear that it will no longer fund N4 – N6 from 2009.

My sincere gratitude also goes to our support staff. I strongly believe that if the support divisions are not strong the academic will fall flat on the ground. Thank you for your good job and the college environment you always keep clean and free from any contamination. I think next time I will give a special recognition to a well deserving campus – that might be an eye opener of the good practices we always allude too, because the society we live in is blind.

Let me also thank the Council for the times and support you always dedicate to – that doesn’t go unnoticed. It is a real voluntary work. Thanks even for the hard times you at times give me – it makes me to be on my toes.

To the EWC staff I wish to say the following to you:

Only you can make a difference because you are unique – that what makes you priceless. You can never, ever be replaced. Nobody is exactly like you. Never give up your uniqueness in order to be what you admire is some people. You are too priceless as an original to be reduced to cheap copies.

Don’t let anyone manipulate you in forsaking your own uniqueness. Those people weren’t built for your life’s destiny, and they can’t play your roles.

Thanks for giving me an opportunity to “Thank You” Please give my many thanks to your family.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

THANK YOU!!!

Ms Hellen Manakedi Ntlatleng - Principal

optimise our management systems and this

SABS certification is proof of that. In this country,

education and in particular skills development,

is of paramount importance, hence we hear

of programmes such as government’s ASGISA

programme. However, more than anything, the

responsibility lies with educational institutions

to make sure that our services are of a high

standard. I’m thankful to the SABS for ensuring

that we meet international standards and world

best practice principles.” Ms Ntlatleng furthermore

said:” We have chosen to be architects of the

FET sector and we will carve and shape the road

on the way to be the leading College in South

Africa.”

Messrs Robert Ehlers (Quality Assurance Manager

and David Mabusela (in his capacity as Acting

Principal and the driving force behind the process)

as well as the Process Owners and Campus

Managers and all that had been involved in the

process of obtaining ISO 9001:2000 accreditation

had been thanked by Ms Ntlatleng for their

contributions.

ISO Function

2

From left to right: Ms Annelie du Plessis (Campus Manager: Tembisa Campus), Ms Nomazwe Nzima (Campus Manager; Kempton Campus),

Mr Jacob Kotsi (Kathorus Campus), Mr Gert Smit (Campus Manager: Germiston Campus), Mr David Mabusela (Deputy

Principal Academic Affairs), Dr Andrew Moffat (Campus Manager: Boksburg Campus), Ms Rosa Nöffke (Campus Manager:

Alberton Campus), Mr Robert Ehlers (EWC Quality Assurance Manager), Ms Hellen Ntlatleng (Principal EWC),

Mr Thembani Bukula (Chairperson of the College Council)

3

Marketing breakfastsLocal High School Principals were invited to

Marketing breakfasts at Campuses in the vicinity

of their schools. EWC Executive Management,

Campus Managers and Heads of Department

at Campuses also attended the breakfasts.

The purpose of these events was to introduce

school principals to the principal of EWC, Ms

Hellen Ntlatleng, and also to take facility tours of

especially the NC(V) facilities at the Campuses.

Five campuses hosted the breakfasts. (Kempton

was the only Campus that hosted Marketing

luncheons, where Kempton and Tembisa High

school principals were invited in 2007).

The Marketing breakfasts took place as follows:

5 August - Tembisa Campus, 8 people

from the schools attended.

15 August - Germiston Campus, 14

people from the schools

attended.

19 August - Boksburg Campus, 10 people

from the schools attended.

21 August - Kathorus Campus, 18 people

from the schools attended.

3 September - Alberton Campus, 7 people

from the schools attended.

The principal, Ms Ntlatleng, made an informative

speech about the Campuses and the NC(V)

programmes and Ms Dorfling elaborated on that

by adding information about the DoE bursaries

and additional benefits of the NC(V).

It was also stated very clearly that the National

Certificate (Vocational) is a high standard

qualification that is not aimed at school drop-

outs or academic underachievers.

Marketing had been invited to visit schools and

do presentations at the schools and to attend

Grade 9 parents’ evenings as a result of these

breakfasts.

Open days were also well attended after

principals attended the breakfasts as principals

realised the importance of other study

options and especially the value of the NC(V)

programmes.

Marketing is planning similar initiatives with the

Youth organisations and Pastors of the various

communities for 2009.

Road Show and Gazebo Promotions

Marketing in cooperation with Comutanet

planned the Road show and awareness campaign

at the taxi ranks and two train stations, as from 6

October up to and including 19 October.

A promoter briefing session took place on

Thursday 25 September.

On Monday 13 October, the Marketing

department accompanied by the Principal,

Ms Hellen Ntlatleng, and Mr Jacob Kotsi, visited

the road show and gazebo promotions at the taxi

ranks of Germiston and Kempton Park.

Questions regarding NC(V) and EWC were asked

by the principal and information was also shared.

Enquiries at the Marketing office had increased

after the road show and members of the public

specifically referred to information that they

obtained at the road show.

Two parents personally made appointments in

order to enquire about information that they

received at the road show in Boksburg.

EWC bids Mr Jacob Kotsi and

Dr Thami Shezi farewell

During October, two of the senior managers of

EWC had resigned. EWC had to bid Mr Jacob

Kotsi and Dr Thami Shezi farewell.

Mr Jacob Kotsi had

been a staff member

of EWC since July

1987- July 1992 as a

lecturer in the Business

Studies at Kathorus

Campus (the then

Usizo College)

In August 1992 he

had been promoted to

Senior Lecturer: Business Studies.

In January 1997 he had been promoted to

the Head of Department: Business Studies at

Alberton Campus.

Since September 2002 - 2004 Mr Kotsi had been

Acting Campus Manager of Alberton Campus.

In July 2004 he was seconded as the Campus

Manager of Boksburg Campus and in January

2007 he had been appointed as Campus

Manager of Kathorus Campus.

Mr Kotsi was redeployed as Acting Deputy

Principal Academic Affairs, from June 2007 at

the Corporate Centre and since July 2008 had

the capacity as Academic Support Manager,

Corporate Centre.

In October Mr Jacob Kotsi, the Academic Support

Manager and supervisor of the Student Support

Services and Marketing divisions had resigned

and resumed his new position as Campus

Manager of Northlink FET College, Parow Campus

in the Cape Province, on Monday 20 October

2008.

Mr Kotsi quoted Richard Bach in his farewell

speech and said “Don’t be dismayed at

good- byes. A farewell is necessary before

you can meet again. And meeting again, after

moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who

are friends”

Ms Ntlatleng delivering her speech to the High

School Principals at the Marketing Breakfast

The Principal, Ms Ntlatleng, at the roadshow

Staff having a good time at the year-end function

Year-end functionOn Friday 24 October 2008, EWC made history

when the first ever EWC combined year end

function had been hosted at the Serengeti Lapa

of the Birchwood Hotel.

A committee consisting of Ms Marais (as project

leader), Mesdames Zimasa Nongco and Hannelie

le Roux, from Corporate Centre, Ms Nelly Herbst

(representing Alberton Campus), Mr Tieho Semela

(representing Kathorus Campus), Ms Zodwa

Dangazele (representing Germiston Campus),

Ms Precious Legoabe (representing Boksburg

Campus), Ms Annatjie Steyn (representing

Kempton Campus), Ms Joyce Nkwana

(representing Tembisa Campus) as well as

Ms Dorfling (representing Marketing), was

tasked to organise this function.

Invitations were sent out and 458 accepted the

invitations.

Ms Precious Legoabe from Boksburg Campus did

a sterling job to secure a suitable venue.

Despite the bad weather, College Council

members and staff members gathered together

and in a festive mood listened to a welcoming

address by Mr Mabusela and speeches of the

Chairperson, Mr Bukula, and the Principal, Ms

Ntlatleng and then afterwards enjoyed the buffet

that was served.

It was definitely a worthwhile experience that

will set the trend for future year end functions.

Ms Ntlatleng making her rounds at the tables

High School Principals visiting the EWC facilities

www.ewc.edu.za www.ewc.edu.za www.ewc.edu.za www.ewc.edu.za www.ewc.edu.zawww.ewc.edu.za www.ewc.edu.za www.ewc.edu.za www.ewc.edu.za www.ewc.edu.za

4

Upp

e M

arke

ting

A01

096

Dr Thami Shezi was

appointed as Rector

on 14 April 1997

at the then Lazarus

Nhlapo Technical

College located in

Tembisa. He served

in that capacity until

the merger process.

From January 2001 to May 2004 he served as a

Campus Manager at the Tembisa Campus.

From June 2004 to May 2006 he was

redeployed to the Corporate Centre as Learner

Affairs Manager.

From June 2006 to 31 October 2008 he served

the College as Academic Affairs Manager.

From 1 November 2008, Dr Shezi has been

promoted to the Senior Management Service

(SMS) in the Public Service as Director: Trainer

Professional Development at the Public

Administration Management and Leadership

Academy (PALAMA).

Dr Shezi mentioned during his farewell speech

that he will also be working with FET Colleges

amongst others and specifically thanked

the Heads of Schools for the team spirit and

working relationship that they had.

These two colleagues will be missed.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Student Support Services FrameworkThe DoE realised that FET Colleges nationally use

different names for divisions that deal

with student affairs, hence the introduction of

Student Support Services (SSS). All FET

Colleges were invited to the Student Support

Services Framework workshop that was

arranged by the DoE in May at Birchwood

Conference Centre. It was about the importance

of SSS at FET Colleges and the implementation

phases of SSS Framework. That resulted in

Learner Affairs and Support now being called

Student Support Services and that also has an

impact on policies, other documentation and titles

applicable to this division.

Career guidance and psychological servicesThe process of rendering career guidance and

counselling services to students at all campuses

within the college is on-going. According

to reports compiled by the Educational

Psychologists, students were referred to them

either by their lecturers, campus management

or self referrals. Counselling services rendered,

were from academic/social problems to stress

management, dealt with in groups. Students

who need support in this regards are free to

contact their Student Support Services offices for

assistance.

Recapitalisation Programme

The Recapitalisation Programme for 2008 was

extremely busy and challenging.

The following building projects were launched as

part of the plan:

· Motor and Electrical workshops at Tembisa

· Engineering and Electrical workshops at

Kempton

· Electrical workshop at Kathorus.

Hopefully these constructions will be completed

soon.

Regarding the upgrading of our facilities we

have finalized the conversion of an additional

4 classrooms into simulation offices, namely at

Alberton, Germiston, Kempton and Tembisa. The

conversion at Kathorus has gone out on tender

and construction will commence in mid January

2009. The planning of the Tourism simulated

office at Kempton as well as the IT laboratory at

Boksburg is now complete and the renovations will

take place in January 2009.

The painting of the existing workshops at

Tembisa has gone out on tender and painting

will commence in mid January 2009.

The final tender for the purchasing of equipment,

namely simulated office furniture has also gone

out on tender. The budget has also now been

fully committed.

Regarding the strategic area for LTSM, many

books have been purchased and delivered.

The final utilization of this strategic area is in

progress.

The budget allocation for the strategic areas,

Human Resource Development, Development of

Systems and procedures has been fully utilized.

I would like to thank all the people that are

involved with Recap for their assistance,

guidance and support. I especially would like

to thank the Executive management and the

strategic area managers for all their efforts and

support to ensure that we meet our goals.

Mr Frank Duarté

Financial AidNC(V) students have been invited to apply for

DoE bursaries during the year, however not all

students have responded positively towards

that. Nevertheless they are still encouraged

to apply as bursary applications forms for

2009 are available at SSS offices at campuses.

Furthermore college bursaries are still awarded

to qualifying NATED students.

Job placementThe submission process of applications and CVs

of qualifying students to companies for

consideration in learnership programmes or

employment is continuous. Student could assist

by forwarding their CVs to SSS offices to be

readily available for employment opportunities

that may arise.

SRC community servicesThe SRC has been involved with community

services during September and October months.

They visited Red Cross’ Ellandsvallei Home for

the Aged based in Primrose – Germiston on

Saturday 20 September.

They helped with the garden and shared their

refreshments with the oldies. The residents were

so impressed with the SRC that they indicated

that they were looking forward to their next visit.

They furthermore visited Vukukhanye preschool

which is located in Delport’s informal settlement

on 15 October. They interacted with the little

ones aged from around 18 months to 6 years

and left them some donations.

SAC The Sport, Arts and Culture (SAC) committee arranged Mr & Miss EWC beauty pageant which was held on 12 September at Germiston campus. The Marketing division secured many sponsors for the event which the winners received as prizes. Congratulations are in order for the winners of the event who were announced as follows:

Males:Campus Name & surname TitleKempton Thabo Maloko Mr EWCAlberton Wayne Van Dyk 1st runner-upGermiston Believe Sedibe 2nd runner-up

Females:Campus Name & surname TitleBoksburg Zandile Khumalo Miss EWCGermiston Katleho Selokisa 1st runner-upAlberton Lerato Khanye 2nd runner-up

Furthermore, the SAC staff and students have

been participating in GUCOSCA league games

during the year. They qualified for the GUCOSCA

play-offs held in October and obtained position

one in netball and two in volleyball. They

received a trophy and gold medals for netball

and silver medals for volleyball. Thumbs up SAC

staff and students!

SSS would like to take this opportunity to wish

all the students good luck with their exams, a

blessed Christmas with their families and cannot

wait to welcome them back in 2009 academic

year.

Helping out in the garden

Mr & Ms EWC

EWC SRC brought smiles to the preschool kids

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all our readers.

Dr Shezi with Heads of Schools