2018 ANNUAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT STAKEHOLDERS CONFERENCE:
CAREERS IN A CHANGING WORLD
“The vision for career development services is to ensure that all citizens of all ages have access to quality career information and career development services throughout their lives so that they are able to make better and more informed career and life decisions…”
National Policy for an Integrated Career Development Services System for South Africa, 2017, p. 11 The publication of the National Policy for an Integrated Career Development System for South Africa is a significant milestone for the Career Development Services (CDS) project. The policy guides implementation of an integrated career development system across all spheres of government. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is responsible for national coordination and provision of career development services in the PostSchool Education and Training sector. All government departments are responsible for the provision of career development services in their respective sectors. Leadership structures in place to support the national coordination function include: i) The Interdepartmental Career Development Committee which is made up of the DHET and the departments of Labour, Basic Education, Public Service and Administration (DPSA), and Social Development; ii) The National Career Development Forum which brings together all stakeholders to discuss issues related to building an integrated career development system for the country and comprises three inter-related “chambers” working in synergy. One, the Career Development Government Forum, is constituted by representatives of government and covers all spheres of government, while the second, the National Consultative Forum, is constituted by representatives of stakeholders inside and outside government. The third, the Career Development Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) Forum, is constituted by representatives from SETAs. The National Consultative Forum meets in the form of the Annual Career Development Stakeholder Conference. The 2018 conference took place on 28 and 29 June 2018 at the Lakes Hotel in Benoni under the theme “Careers in a Changing World”. On the first day, Gwebinkundla Qonde the Director-General of the DHET, delivered the opening address on behalf of the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Naledi Pandor. The programme for the day included a keynote speaker, sub-theme keynote speaker and parallel sessions based on the conference sub-themes. The second day included the keynote speaker, a panel discussion and continuation of the parallel sessions as on the first day. In the afternoon, the National Career Advice Portal was presented, followed by a summary of the conference in closure. In delivering the speech, Qonde explained that the purpose of the policy is to ensure the implementation of career development services across all spheres of government, emphasised the importance of effective coordinating structures to provide leadership and announced the official launch of the policy. Reflecting on careers in a changing world, delegates highlighted the need for skills development. The World Economic Forum projects that one in three jobs in South Africa are currently at risk of total digital automation over the next decade. Government’s focus on developing low to midlevel skills and emphasising the Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges was presented as a means to address the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Buti Manamela, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, opened the second day of the conference. Deputy Minister Manamela emphasised the need for stakeholders to work together to ensure a seamless, integrated career development service for all citizens of all ages. Access to career development services and equipping of citizens with transferable skills and for careers required for a changing world were emphasised.
the KZN Men’s Forum, which is a movement that champions the rights of women and children and reminds men that they are the protectors and nurturers of families.
“We have just emerged from July, which was Men’s Month, where we were re-invigorating the spirit of men of integrity and calling upon all of them to step forward and help us plant the seed of restoring people’s consciences in our communities, especially among men. We continue to do this throughout the year and believe that it will help create a spirit of peace and love in our communities, at home, and wherever men are,” the MEC explained.
His message to all men with regard to ending violence against women is that they should stand up and add their voice to the call to end all forms of gender-based violence against women, the elderly and children.
He said all citizens should amplify the voice of men on the importance of gender transformation and human rights.
“We should all elevate the good work done by good men in society to promote good role models for future generations. We would like to wish all the women of this country well in Women’s Month,” the MEC added.
“We also urge all women who are in abusive relationships to find ways of getting out.They must confide in someone that they trust and report all forms of abuse to the police. Women need to say,‘God, even if you blessed me with this marriage, I will not stand being abused, because eventually, I will die’. We can’t have one more person dying because they persevered in a dangerous environment,” he stressed.
Raising awareness
Another prominent man whose job is to speak on issues of gender equality is the spokesperson for the Commission for Gender Equality, Javu Baloyi. He said at his workplace everyone is involved in championing women’s rights.
“As part of the collective in the Commission for Gender Equality, we champion women’s rights by raising awareness with various stakeholders.These are not limited to the public sector only but across the whole spectrum of society,” he explained.
“We also conduct legal clinics to capacitate people about women’s rights, particularly what’s entailed in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, and what we have been mandated to do as the commission, which is to ensure that women are not oppressed and there is no inequality in society based on gender,” Baloyi added.
He explained that the commission also conducts gender transformation hearings with both the public and private sector to ascertain
whether organisations and institutions are adhering to the policies of empowering women or advocating for women’s rights in their employment.
“Personally, I champion women’s rights by involving myself in church activities that seek to empower women. I am part of a project that collects and donates sanitary pads to women and girls. I also help organise fun runs to collect money for women and girls, and do public speaking at churches, stokvels (socials) and schools about women’s rights,” he said.
His message to men is that they must acknowledge their challenges when it comes to conflict resolution mechanisms and that they must learn to communicate better.
“Show emotions. Learn to walk away from situations that might lead to either verbal or physical confrontation. Men must support initiatives that seek to create an enabling environment for women and children to live and function in harmony both at home and work,” said Baloyi.
“Men must talk to each other about challenges they face and seek help where necessary.Talking is much healthier than bottling things inside,” Baloyi added.
He said it is imperative that men fight for women’s rights as it helps to create a just and fair society. Research by the Businesswomen's Association of South Africa has shown that where women’s rights are affirmed, there is a high degree of productivity.
Baloyi said this is because they are treated as equals without being discriminated against based on their gender.
“Women are the backbone of most families. They tend to be overburdened with the responsibility of being caregivers, mothers and workers and also expected to cook at home while too often a man will sit around and wait to be served by the same overworked woman,” he noted.
While not all men act this way, the majority still have a head-ofthe-household mentality and do not assist with household chores, Baloyi added.
He said men fighting this cause will help boys learn good behaviour while still young and that culture will remain with them for years.
“Some of the abuses show learned behaviour. However, if men champion women’s rights, boys will be taught how to behave and treat women properly from an early age,” he pointed out.
Baloyi’s message to women is that they must continue to champion their rights and those of others, and they must speak out against gender-based violence, irrespective of their geographical location.
“In the year that we celebrate the centenary of Mama Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu, it is incumbent on women to remember the sacrifices made in the past. Women must be supportive of each other and not talk ill of someone’s success but rather learn from them,” he said.
“Women must be mentors of young girls so that they prepare them to be tomorrow’s leaders.
“Women can also call upon the Gender Commission in all nine provinces to help capacitate them with knowledge on issues of empowerment and women’s rights,” he added.
Baloyi said women must be aware that they have the power to better their environment and circumstances by empowering themselves. Women must know that when they are united, they can take on even the most patriarchal system in the country.
“The women of 1956 must remain their role models,” he added.
“Women must be supportive of each other and not talk ill of someone’s success but rather
learn from them.”