CEO’s Note

Welcome to the Productivity SA electronic newsletter as we wrapped Productivity month at the end of October and continue to ensure more productivity improvement in the last quarter of 2019. Productivity SA is established in terms of section 31(1) of the Employment Services Act as a juristic person whose mandate is to promote employment growth and productivity thereby promoting South Africa‘s socio economic development.

This electronic newsletter serves a vehicle to inform you about developments related to productivity improvements in the country that can benefit your workplace.

Almost two decades ago, the then Minister of the Department of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana declared October Productivity Month. Productivity Month is used as a platform to generate awareness on issues related to productivity. The rationale behind Productivity month was driven by a need to spur South Africa into higher levels of productivity. During October, we highlight the importance of productivity in the country and treating productivity as a catalyst in transforming our economy and the creation of jobs, which equates to a better life for more people. Throughout Productivity Month a series of workshops, seminars and road shows have taken place to urge South Africans to embrace the concept of productivity as it is a cornerstone of economic growth. The National Productivity Awards gala dinner is another way in which we bolster our efforts of creating awareness about productivity and honouring those who have been at the forefront of ensuring that the business, labour and public sector perform maximally.

As productivity SA, we recognise the need for positive action to be taken on a sustained basis aimed at securing a constant increase in the level of productivity in the use of resources, at the individual, enterprise, organisation and national levels, including the adoption of appropriate measures for promoting productivity growth. We remain committed to address the issues of employment creation and preservation of existing jobs into the future. To this end our Programmes have been re-designed to contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth and development, which are a prerequisite for full and productive employment and decent work for all.

October was a momentous month for Productivity SA as it was the first time a Minister of Employment and Labour (DEL) took time to visit Productivity SA premises and engage not only with the board but the Executive Management and staff. We are truly humbled and thank the Minister for embracing Productivity SA and for demonstrating commitment to working with us in building a better South Africa that we all want to see.

Let me take this opportunity to thank the out- going Productivity SA board, led by the Chairperson, Prof. Mthunzi Mdwaba whose term of service is coming to an end this month. We wish them everything of the best with their future endeavours.

As we bid farewell to Productivity Month, it is my hope that we continue to be productivity ambassadors beyond the Productivity Month. Enjoy the latest issue of Productivity SA newsletter.