Staff reflect on 20 years at GCIS
GCIS employees reminisce about their journey at the department
As Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) celebrates its 20th anniversary, employees of the department have taken time to reminisce about their journey at GCIS. Some have walked every step of the road with GCIS from its launch on 18 May 1998.
PSM spoke to Este Koorts, Georgina Mokoena and Thomas Chau Chau who told us how GCIS has shaped their lives and careers.
Koorts said being part of GCIS meant that she witnessed and participated in history.
“I have been involved in inaugurations, state funerals, the creation of the national flag and the coat of arms. I have watched government change before my eyes. It has been an interesting place to be with its culture of young people,” she said.
Koorts is a traffic manager in the Chief Directorate Communications Service Agency (CSA).
She describes herself as the
"bird's eye" of the unit, having to manage all requests for assistance and products which are channeled to her office.
Koorts and her team also render administrative support to the Production Unit. CSA consists of the radio unit, photography and design studio. This unit often receives requests from other government services to render its service.
Koorts ensures that all requests that are submitted to her are implemented by the departments in her directorate.
She began her journey with GCIS in 1986 when it was known as the Bureau for Information under the apartheid government.
“I was doing media monitoring at the time. It was in the days of censorship in the media. We had to check the newspaper and indicate which articles needed to be responded to,” Koorts explained.
The Bureau for Information evolved into the South African Communication Services and later to GCIS, which was in 1998.
“When I joined this organisation it was full of middle-aged men in grey shoes. Now there are young and vibrant black ladies with strong personalities. This is what GCIS looks like today. It is such a vibey place,” she added.
Koorts reflected that over the years she has formed meaning friendships and views her colleagues as family. She added that there is an advantage working for
the GCIS because the department is respected by government.
“I think we lost some of that integrity and respect but we are getting out of that space and heading to better times. Our vision and mission is very important to me – I really want this organisation to be the best,” said Koorts.
Looking to the future, Koorts said she wants GCIS to become the best-performing department in government.
“I would like to see the experts that work here be given the freedom to use their skills. We have very talented people in this organisation. I have a lot of respect for some of my colleagues,” she added.
Koorts is optimistic about the future, adding that GCIS can only get better over the next 20 years.
Protecting staff and assets
One of the most familiar faces at the GCIS building in Hatfield is that of Thomas Chau-Chau, who is a security officer.
His job is to supervise and monitor the external security service, monitor access at the reception area and escort visitors.
“It feels great to do my job, especially receiving Ministers and handling VIP guests who enter our building,” he said.
Chau-Chau is also tasked with receiving documents that are delivered to the building and checking if there are any problems in the building.
He joined the department in
1997, prior to which he was a construction worker building roads in Pretoria.
“When I got the news that I got the job I was so excited that I did not sleep. I could not believe that I was going to work for this department,” recalled Chau-Chau.
He added that one of the most important lessons he has learnt over the years is what it means to be a public servant and serve the public.
In 2001 Chau-Chau was asked to be part of the team doing stocktaking at GCIS's provincial offices.
“This made me so proud because I felt like my efforts to protect the organisation’s assets were being recognised and appreciated,” he explained.
Chau-Chau said one of the challenging times he faced at the department was when GCIS moved from its offices from the Midtown building in Pretoria Central to a new building in Hatfield, Pretoria.
“This was both exciting and
challenging as I was part of the team that was implementing the security system for a building that had never been used before,” he explained.
Chau-Chau said he loved his job and was excited for whatever the future held for GCIS.
A love of communicating
Georgina Mokoena joined GCIS in 1998 and is delighted to be celebrating 20 years with the department.
Mokoena is the secretary for the Chief Director: Platform and Products. Her job entails checking the Chief Director's diary for meetings, preparing his packs and other administrative duties.
When Mokoena was initially appointed, she was a security officer at the reception area and while she enjoyed her work she wanted to broaden her knowledge and skills.
She registered for short courses in secretarial studies and was appointed as a secretary in 2002.
“I wanted a new challenge. I was in the security department for a long time and when I made the transition, I was happy and people were happy for me,” she said.
As part of her new role, she was part of the team that started the government newspaper Vuk'uzenzele. She said being part of the organising team for the launch of the paper was a most memorable time for her.
“When we launched Vuk’uzenzele, I was involved in organising the event. I came up with the idea of inviting the embassies and to this day the success of that event still blows my mind,” added Mokoena.
Understanding the use of words and its impact are among some of the lessons she has learnt during her time at GCIS.
“I learnt a lot about writing in plain language and how to communicate with all government departments. Working for GCIS has made it easy for me to talk about any government programme and share this information with people on the street,” she said.
Mokoena's advice to public servants is to serve and honour their country and to remain humble and open-minded.