NEHAWU IS FULLY BEHIND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF NECSA, MR PHUMZILE TSHELANE AND THE ONGOING TRANSFORMATION PROJECT AT THE INSTITUTION
MONDAY, 09 MARCH, 2015
NEHAWU has observed with disappointment and fury the recent developments at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) over the past few weeks. We are not surprised by the negative media onslaught which is aimed at the CEO, Mr Phumzile Tshelane and NECSA as an institution, because some anti transformation agents are resisting the change that has been taking place (see M&G report).
The CEO has transformed the institution and has shaken off the cobwebs that were keeping it as an ancient relic and introduced it to the 21st century new and democratic. We believe that this negative media reporting which is saddled with factual inaccuracies is being driven by some few individuals, who are driving a narrow agenda.
Mr Phumzile Tshelane has performed very well during his tenure and has taken the organisation to greater heights. We fully support him and we endorse his transformation programme at Necsa. For many years, Necsa has lagged behind other SOEs and public institutions on transformation. We urge Mr Tshelane to hasten this transformation programme to ensure that it covers all levels at Necsa. Under his leadership workers have made the following gains:
Introduction of a medical aid subsidy that hitherto did not exist.
He saved the organization from financial ruin where it had a R100 million deficit preparing to lay off a large component of its labour force in 2012.
He is implementing Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value. Historically black workers at Necsa have been paid much lower salaries compared to their white counterparts for the same work.
On the basis of the above, NEHAWU fully supports the renewal of Mr. Tshelane's contract when it expires later this year in line with the Nuclear Energy Act. Mr Tshelane's approach and commitment towards transformation is reflected by his actions taken at executive level and the appointment of previously disadvantaged individuals at the senior management level. These positions have been a domain of white people for a long time.
It is our view that the allegations that he has not followed due process in appointing the Group Executives, has more to do with the fact that these executives are African as opposed to due process as alleged. Anti transformation agents, who are hell-bent on maintaining the status quo are angered by these necessary appointments.
He has introduced a forum of young professionals, as a platform for the young professionals to break free from the oppressive system that has always sidelined the youth, in particular from the previously disadvantaged backgrounds from participating in the Necsa mainstream business. He has played a leading role in positioning Necsa to play a meaningful role in the new Nuclear Build Programme.
Mr. Phumzile Tshelane was appointed as the Necsa CEO at a time when the organization was faced with massive challenges which threatened its future. He managed to turn it around and its finances through his good leadership and business acumen; from a projected deficit of over R100 million into a surplus of approximate R30 million. In the process he saved the jobs of over 250 employees, cancelling the section 189 retrenchment processes and paying a backdated 6 % salary increase to employees
Attending the ANC gala dinner
It's ironic that attending a gala dinner organized by the Progressive Business Forum ,which is a platform ,where businesses meet the policy makers ,responsible for developing the policy direction, is seen as an irregular expenditure as opposed to an investment. It is also unfortunate that Necsa is treated differently to other companies that attended the gala dinner, whether private or state-owned.
NEHAWU believes that the Necsa should not be partisan, but it can also not exist outside the realm of politics if it is to keep up with the latest national and global trends .The fact that Necsa conducts its business at an international level means that understanding geopolitics is essential for future planning and an accurate analysis of the political future direction can not only be deduced from interacting with policy makers.
The use of a company vehicle
Progressive and professional businesses throughout the world have adopted the principle of driving their executives as a Risk management mechanism, to ensure their safety and allow them to focus on strategic and important matters. The allegation made about the private use of the company vehicle lacks substance and is a sign of desperation by people who are on a fishing expedition.
We welcome the Minister's intervention on these matters, by appointing a task team to investigate allegations against NECSA board and management. We are concerned though because we don't know the terms of reference and composition of the task team at this stage. We had hoped that the Minister would have engaged the stakeholders first to determine, whether there was a need to setup a task team in the first place. However, we promise to cooperate fully with the task team and a majority union and a primary stakeholder, we shall be making our submissions to the task team. In the meantime, we are calling on the minister to suspend the NECSA board with immediate effect, because they have failed to do the following:
To execute the shareholder's instruction, of officially reinstating the CEO. Lack of objectivity and technical knowhow on strategic matters.
Failure to act in the best interest of Necsa as demonstrated by their failure to communicate their resolution to suspend the CEO which had a negative impact on the institution.
The board has shown that that they have neither interest nor intention to focus on the strategic mandate of the organization.
We believe the new nuclear build is at the centre of the fight for control of Necsa. We suspect that certain individuals within the board may be having interest in directing the program and influencing the procurement process to favour both their geopolitical interests and self-interests.
Statement issued by Sizwe Pamla, NEHAWU Media Liaison Officer, March 9 2015
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