Page 6 - KZN Business Sense 4.4

traNsFormiNG iNFormal settlemeNts

a scholarship from the Allan Gray economy, which intends to work Mthembu has a dream to speak
Orbis Foundation. While there informally, to contribute to the more about what her company
Mthembu fell pregnant with her formal economy.” can offer in the development
son, so to be closer to her family, space so that her company’s name
As a specialist in urban strategy
she completed her degree at the for developing countries, is “on the lips of people”.
University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Mthembu is passionate about In addition, her experiences of
Mthembu was then awarded finding pioneering solutions for poverty and being a single mother
a bursary by the Centre for African cities that are inclusive have shaped her. Mthembu
Scientific and Industrial Research and economically advantageous is a strong advocate for equal
to pursue her Postgraduate for the urban poor. She says, “We opportunities for women in
Diploma in Urban Planning at need to find African solutions male-dominated fields such
the University of Witwatersrand and innovations to resolve as the built environment; and
in 2015. African urban development for transformation of all issues
Following which, in 2016, challenges. I am committed to the around racial equity and the
Mthembu was appointed as a transformation of the spaces in empowerment of women. As
lecturer at the Durban University which Africans live. I want to do such she seeks to expand her
personal growth and invest in
of Technology in the Architecture more than just design buildings. her community through the
Department. I would like to transform the
spaces that people live in to make procurement of her own skills
In 2017, she completed her them serve people. I want to and others in her team.
Master of Science in Urban change people’s lives.” In her free time, Mthembu
Planning for Developing
Countries and Transitional Consequently, Mthembu has is church leader with a special
interest in youth ministry. She is
Regions at Oxford Brookes built her academic career and also the founder and currently the
University on a prestigious work experience to establish her chairperson of Power Generation,
Chevening Scholarship. company as a consultancy firm
Thandolwenkosi Mthembu “Attending Oxford was an offering services in architectural a youth organisation aimed at
amazing experience which I design, city planning and empowering the disadvantaged
through education and skills
handolwenkosi Mthembu leader in research and practice loved,” commented Mthembu. development strategy. upliftment.
lives by the motto, “If you in various disciplines in the Her masters research was Her vision is for Azaniya
Tdo what you are passionate built environment. Mthembu centred around the analysis Urban Solutions to be a pioneer Mthembu concluded by saying,
about then you won’t feel that you was also featured in the Mail of urban dynamics and their in decolonised city planning “My family and my son Zibusiso
are working.” and Guardian as one of the Top effect on informal traders in and building in Africa as a are at the centre of everything
200 Young South Africans in that I do.” 
Mthembu who is from sub-Saharan African cities. She whole. “We are a small player,
Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, 2017 for her contribution to built explained, “There is nothing but I have big ideas.” Her goal
environment education and
is the founder of Azaniya Urban informal about informal is to create strong partnerships Contact: Thandolwenkosi Mthembu
Solutions (Pty) Ltd and is an activism. settlements in Africa. An with big corporates in order to BAS (UKZN), PGDip (Wits), MSc
architectural urban strategist. Mthembu studied architecture important question to ask is have a footprint in South Africa (Oxford Brookes) (RICS) (RTPI)
She has been identified as a young at the University of Cape Town on how can we help the informal and in Africa. E: thandolwenkosi.mthembu@gmail.com

aN aid For disciPliNarY heariNGs

earing Aid is a one stop CEO DRG Outsourcing. Heads who has had many years disciplinary hearing and be “An external chairperson will
shop that offers the of experience as an employment equipped to assess mitigating make sure that he/she does it
However, legislation can seem
Hservices of qualified, particularly complicated when relations practitioner. and aggravating circumstances. right,” says Heads.
independent chairpersons for it comes to sensitive matters Through Hearing Aid, DRG This ensures that both sides South Africa’s diverse
disciplinary hearings. These such as hearings, retrenchments, Outsourcing & Colin Heads & of the issue may be presented workforce often requires
professional services are available performance management Associates aims to assist employers equitably so that both the that the employee may
through DRG Outsourcing and initiatives, HR/IR training, etc. with selecting competent employee and the employer will require the assistance of a
Colin Heads & Associates. and efficient chairpersons for be given a fair outcome for a translator for the disciplinary
This is especially relevant to given matter.
South African labour legislation disciplinary hearings. hearing. Hearing Aid is
is one of the most advanced and disciplinary hearings. The goal A range of chairpersons with Employers often overlook also able to provide suitable
of a disciplinary hearing is to
fair human capital management ensure that all parties are given high levels of experience and the value of ensuring that an (independent) translators. The
structures in the world, ensuring the opportunity to state their appropriate qualifications independent chairperson i.e. use of translators is a legal
that the workforce is dealt with in case, that the correct procedure are available, many of whom one who is not emotionally requirement and it is equally
a responsible and caring manner. is followed to determine whether have been through hundreds invested in the company, important to appoint a truly
Consequently, employers need to an employee is guilty of any of disciplinary hearings. In is appointed to manage a independent and competent
understand what their obligations alleged misconduct and, if so, addition, the appointment of formal disciplinary hearing. person to this role.
to their employees comprise. In addition, an independent
that the appropriate course of a chairperson for a hearing is “DRG Outsourcing and Colin
“The true intention of human action is recommended. made based on the style and chairperson has the benefit of Heads & Associates are on
resources best-practices is One of the key role players personality of the chairperson not being prejudiced by having standby to help as and when
any workplace relationship with
to help companies improve in a disciplinary hearing is the and their fit with the culture an employee. This is especially required,” concluded White. 
relationships with staff chairperson, who is responsible of the organisation and the relevant when considering the
through encouraging employee for ensuring that the hearing is situation at hand. possible consequences of the For more information contact
engagement in the workplace held correctly, in compliance with An independent chairperson disciplinary hearing for both Iviwe Mtebele
and improving company all labour laws and procedures. ensures that any potential for an the employee and the employer. T: 031 7670625
outputs/productivity. If best- internally appointed chairperson E: iviwe@drg.co.z
practice is followed through the “Consequently, the selection who is biased, subject to political
proper training of line managers, of a chairperson is a critical interference, or lacking in
suitable inductions of staff, element in the success or failure competence is avoided.
clarity of roles, responsibilities, of the disciplinary process. The
policies and procedures, etc, quality of the person chairing a The chairperson must make
then very few conflict matters hearing may result in the risk of recommendations based solely
should arise,” says David White an unfair outcome,” says Colin on the evidence provided at

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