SETTING SIGHT ON GOALS

Welcome back to the DAC. Let me take this opportunity
to wish you and your families the very best for 2012. I trust that you had a restful, peaceful and safe break and that you spent quality time with your families, friends and other loved ones. If the onset of 2012 is anything to go by, then it promises to be busy and exciting. For thoseof us who started early, the holiday break seems like a distant memory.

In the same breath, let me pass our collective condolences to our colleagues who lost their loved ones during the break. I trust that you have all been comforted through this difficult time and we have you in our thoughts and our prayers.

It's also that time of the year when we make plans and resolutions of the achievements we want to reach this year. Some people focus on personal things like relationships and spiritual decisions, others on achieving academic attainment or some financial accomplishment, others focus on the physical - like going to gym, losing weight, etc....read more here

A DEAD END JOB?

After reading your article in the last KhariAmbe (The new DAC: From Good to Great - December / January 2011 - vol 9/10) I could identify with the sentiments you raised, but would like to give my own perspective on the issue.

I have been in government since 1986, and from its inception on 1 October 2002. Significantly, it should be noted that this department is 10 years old this year, a milestone which should be celebrated!

I was in the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology since 1994, and thus I am not only a veteran government bureaucrat, but hold the institutional memory of this department. I can proudly say that I know this department inside out and have been at the cutting edge of involvement and participation. After more than 15 years of loyal service, I am still the Head of Events Management on Deputy Director level. In fact, on 1 May this year it will be a full 15 years....
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FAREWELL TO JOAN AFTER 18 YEARS

Ms Joan De Villiers joined the Department of Arts and Culture only three months after establishment of the democratic government in 1994. She went on to stay for 18 years until her retirement this year. In fact, she is one of its longest loyal servants.

Ms De Villiers joined the DAC following her husband's appointment at the University of Pretoria.

They had to relocate from the Cape to Pretoria, where Joan joined the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology - as it was known at the time - as senior cultural officer in June 1994. She soon became involved in the management of events and formally joined the Events Unit when it was established in 1997.

"It was during this time that I suggested rotation of the Freedom Days so that each Province could get a chance to promote their culture. This was approved by Cabinet and the 1997 Freedom Day was held in Upington, Northern Cape" she says proudly. "One of the memorable aspects of this event was when President Nelson Mandela was brought into the stadium by the legendary donkey cart while Premier Dipico entered on camel back".read more here