The document discusses various human resources related topics at Ethekwini Municipality including a wellness day competition and event, a women's day celebration, updates on the electronic performance management system and core leave module, and news from the HR sports scene about the HR United soccer team. It also highlights initiatives for Mandela Day and a corporate and HR indaba workshop that was held.

1. This year we celebrate a remark-
able highlight in our beautiful land
as we rejoice in achieving 20 years
of freedom. In these 20 years, as a
City, eThekwini has accomplished
milestones that developed coun-
tries envy.
From the FIFA World Cup to COP17,
we have been fortunate enough to
watch Durban flourish into the cul-
turally rich, first class tourist desti-
nation that it is. And yet, there is
still so much to look forward to in
the future.
As Human Resources, we are seen
as the driving force behind transfor-
mation in the workplace but every-
one has a part to play in the trans-
formation of mind-sets in being
more tolerant and embracing all
that makes us different.
In the process as a learning City, I
would like to challenge all Manag-
ers of the critical need to seriously
develop and nurture young and
upcoming talent in the various
disciplines as an investment into
our future skilled human capital
needs and leaders of tomorrow.
Human Resource is an ever-
growing field, take the time to
become more self-aware and
never stop learning. To be suc-
cessful, is to know your business,
and know it well.
“In today’s world there is no
such thing as ‘winning and los-
ing’ but rather “winning and
learning’ only.” - Unknown
Happy 20 Years of Freedom!
May 2014 be a blessed and
successful year for eThekwini
Municipality!
Message from the Deputy Head: HR
Mr. Gideon Vundla
How to complete your EEA1 Forms
By Noluthando Mchunu
Gideon Vundla
A quarterly editorial from the HR UnitSEPTEMBER
Inthisissue>>>
 CHR Welcomes Reginald
Mkhize
 Corporate & HR Indaba
 Brown Bag Session
 Social Media for Business
 Mandela Day
 Women’s Day
 Wellness Day
 Sports Scene
 HR Systems News
 Editorial Comments
 Brain Fitness
 HR Unit’s Wellness Day -15th
October 2014 -City Hall Audi-
torium
The Employment Equity Act requires all employers to conduct an analysis of their workforce
profile. To conduct the analysis, all employees , including fixed-term contract employees, need to assist by
completing the EEA1 FORM.
The information contained in the form will be confidential and only used to comply with the EE Act.
Complete all the information on the form including indicating whether you have a disability or not.
For continuous update of the PWD (people with disability), every employee should report the impairment to
their respective HR offices and Occupational Health offices.
If you have not received this form within your department, please make it your responsibility to request this
form from your managers ,or alternatively you may request this form from the Talent Management depart-
ment.
You have a month to complete the form. The form is very short and won’t take up much of your time at all!
All forms will be collected on the 31st of October 2014.
If you have any questions please contact Noluthando Mchunu (X17892).
Thank you for your compliance!

2. Each Head of the Unit was given an
opportunity to share with us their
achievements and challenges for
2013/2014.
The audiences were also asked to sub-
mit their concerns to the facilitators
which were later pasted on the walls of
the Civic Centre, where Management
could view their concerns. Their con-
cerns were also recorded and will be
submitted for further interpretation,
implementing strategies to overcome
these concerns raised.
The event was filled with goodie bags
and plenty of prizes offered by our ser-
vice providers. After lunch the audi-
ence were enlightened by the Vice
President of Unilever, Mrs. Antoinette
Irvine. Antoinette presented on the suc-
cess of Unilever and raised the impor-
tance of employee engagement, change
management initiatives and need for
business principles to be adopted by
organisations.
The Indaba was officially closed by our
DCM re-iterating the “need for working
together”. The concept of “Once Cluster,
One Voice, One Vision” was adopted, it
was also recommended that we become
“ A Caring Cluster”.
On 20th June 2014, the
Yellow Wood Park Civic
Centre came alive with
employees from the Cor-
porate HR Cluster, which
included the HR Unit, Skills Develop-
ment Unit, Occupational Health & Safety
Unit, and OD & Change Management
Unit. About 270 employees attended
with at least 14 exhibitors, displaying the
2014 Soccer World Cup theme.
The main aim of the HR Indaba was to
create synergy amongst the 4 units men-
tioned above. The Indaba was graciously
and enthusiastically opened by our Dep-
uty City Manager: Dumisile Nene, and
was facilitated by members of MILE.
Sihle (Reginald)
Mkhize has recently
been appointed as
the Deputy Head of
Human Resources for HR Services.
He is responsible for a number of clus-
ters including, Governance, Office of
the City Manager, Economic Develop-
ment and Corporate HR.
Reggie (as he is fondly known by his
colleagues) has been with the Munici-
pality since 1993. He started out in HR
Administration and then moved to HR
Services, and the rest as they say is
history.
Having joined the Municipality be-
cause he wanted to provide services
to the public, he felt that he wanted
to contribute to the people of KZN as
well as locals within the Municipality,
mainly from a HR point of view, which
includes Recruitment, Labour Rela-
tions and Wellness related matters.
Currently, Reggie is working on nu-
merous projects. Of specific interest is
a project that addresses the centrali-
sation of junior positions within
eThekwini Municipality. The success of
this project will result in cutting of
cost, and a consistent approach in that
all departments within the HR Unit
will be able to utilise the same appli-
cations from a corporate services ad-
vert. He added that at this stage the
project seems to be successful.
Getting to know Reggie was very inter-
esting, he believes that he is a very
calm person, and he is excited about
his new post, especially having a
change of scenery (new offices) and
working with new people.
Reggie has been a council employee
for many years now. He therefore
comes with a wealth of knowledge
and experience and will definitely
have a lot to contribute to HR.
There is no doubt that Reggie will
encounter some stressors at work in
his new post. However, luckily he has
ways to de-stress and relax—he
spends his time at the gym and sweats
it all out on the tread mill or goes
swimming.
All the best Reggie. We look forward
to working with you!
Corporate & HR Indaba
By Juggie Moodley
Corporate & HR Welcomes Sihle (Reginald) Mkhize
By Sthulile Mdletshe
Caption describing picture
or graphic.
Winner of the IPM competition (an invite to their women’s
day celebration) presented by DCM Dumisile Nene .
Nathi Mchunu from
HR Systems a run-
ner up in our Sing-
ing Contest
Reginald Mkhize
“Once Cluster, One
Voice, One Vision”

3. On the 6th of June 2014, the Hu-
man Resources Unit hosted a Hu-
man Resources Management &
Development (HRM&D) Strategy
Workshop at the Moses Mabhida
Stadium.
The purpose of the Human Re-
sources Management and Develop-
ment (HRM&D) Strategy workshop
was to provide a common frame-
work for the provision of effective
and efficient HR Services, in order
to fulfill the organisation's mission
and thereby meet its strategic aims
and objectives. The HRM&D strat-
egy provides an overview of the
actions required to improve the
human resources management and
development of eThekwini Munici-
pality.
The workshop was facilitated by
Mr. Marius Meyer (CEO) of South
African Board of Practices (SABPP).
Social media is increasingly being used
extensively in many organisations (both
private and public) as a tool for collabora-
tion and communication.
EThekwini Municipality currently has a
Facebook page as well as Twitter as a
means to communicate with the public.
As part of our Attraction & Retention Strat-
egy, HR is looking into introducing tried
and tested and exciting ways to make use
of social media effectively within HR.
Social media platforms such as Facebook
and LinkedIn can be used to advertise jobs
to attract the best talent to our organisa-
tion, and tools such as Yammer can be
used as a creative, collaborative communi-
cation platform to share ideas and knowl-
edge. We have attempted to pilot Yammer
within the HR Unit but we have encoun-
tered a number of IT issues. However, we
are working with IS to resolve this.
If you have any ideas, concerns, or sugges-
tions please share this with us.
Watch this space!
Brown Bag Session — HRM & D Strategy
Workshop
By Juggie Moodley
More Corporate & HR Indaba Pictures...
1st—
Singer of the day !
The synergy has being created...
Guest Speaker Antoinette Irvine dis-
cusses Employee Engagement.
Yes, this is a good
initiative. We
should all work
together!
Mumsy wants to join IDOLS
“Four phases of all good quality man-
agement practice is to prepare, imple-
ment, review and improve” (The
SABPP HR Systems Standards Model).

4. other local entertainers. Great fun was
had by all!
EThekwini Municipality would also like
to thank all the sponsors of prizes
from Easy-Holidays, FNB, Herbal Life,
Legal Wise, Nedbank, Frankie Ba-
nana’s, Hosmed, LA Health, Key
Health, Ushaka Marine World. Thank
you for being a part of our wonderful
event.
We would like to congratulate all of
the winners of the various competi-
tions and lucky draws. Here are some
of the winners:
Women’s day, hosted by EThekwini Mu-
nicipality, for all female staff, was held at
Moses Mabhida Stadium on 1 August
2014. The colourful occasion was at-
tended by thousands of women. Clusters
were represented in different colours
showing off our rainbow nation.
“Inspiring Change” was the theme of the
event. Women joined in the fun filled day
participating in games like, tug of war,
soccer, sudoku, hoola-hooping and more,
with the Cluster trophy being won by
Corporate & Human Resources Cluster.
Exhibitors and sponsors added to the
event with prizes and free gifts.
Ladies were served lunch whilst being
entertained by Big Nuz, Naima Kay and
Each year the support services team from
Policy and Development choose a project to
contribute their 67 minutes of Mandela
day . This year they decided to distribute a
fruit pack to the homeless people who
gather in and around the park outside the
City Hall. The team were extremely
touched by the gratitude shown and even
more humbled by their request for a hot
cup of tea. Stemming from this the team
has undertaken to feed these homeless
people.
A sandwich, hot cup of tea or soup is served
on a daily basis. To the homeless it could
be the only meal they receive to keep them
going for the entire day on the street they
call their home and their shopping cart and
backpacks that are their only possessions.
This initiative is driven by the team who
voluntarily prepare sandwiches and tea
daily. This special project is funded by staff
who dig deep into their own pocket to con-
tribute in a spirit of charity and goodwill.
Since the inception, numbers are increasing
daily and most days they are unable to
provide this basic need to everyone.
67 minute goes beyond the incredible con-
tribution to honour President Nelson Man-
dela. It’s a journey that we need to walk
collectively. It’s about the humanity of
walking into a store and purchasing a loaf
of bread, carton of milk and giving it to the
needy. Most often we ignore the homeless
guy on the street or get irritable with the
beggar, assuming that most of them are
drug addicts or alcoholics when in fact
many of them just need a generous spirit
and a compassionate heart to give them a
feeling of worth and dignity which is what
the team is currently doing.
Having experienced it myself by working
with the team I was amazed at how appre-
ciative and grateful the homeless were for
what is being provided—a few basic neces-
sities that majority of us have access to.
Well done to the Policy and Develop-
ment team, you have shown the home-
less compassion and you have made a
positive impact on the lives of these
people.
Any enquiries regarding this initiative
can be directed to Pat Jennings.
1) Khanyisile Mabena - winner of the
Ushaka Marine World competition.
2) ’Key Health’ lucky prize winners of a
microwave oven - Zinhle Lushaba,
Sindiswa Ngcobo, Sthembile Mnguni,
Mpathoni Xulu, and Phiwokuhle
Mthembu.
Women’s Day Event— Moses Mabhida Stadium
By Mthobisi Mtshali
Mandela Day
By Sthulile Mdletshe
WINNERS!
The homeless are given a meal or two
on Mandela Day.
Women’s Day! 01 August 2014
@ Moses Mabhida Stadium
“Inspiring Change”

5. As part of our Wellness Day campaign,
we would like you to enter our Wellness
Day Competition.
Cut out and complete the answer snip-
pit below and drop of your answers at
the Wellness Day. Look out for the box
at the registration table with the sign
‘HR Matters Wellness Day Competition’.
QUESTIONS :
1. What does BMI stand for?
2. What is another term for ‘Glucose’?
3. What does high cholesterol leads to?
4. Name one factor that can cause
blood pressure to rise.
5. What does HIV stand for?
PRIZE: SURPRISE!
WELLNESS DAY—15TH OCTOBER 2014—CITY HALL
Wellness Day Competition
DRAW DATE : 15/10/2014
Sports Scene - HR United
By Juggie Moodley
The HR United soccer team consists of our very
own HR colleagues. The team has been regularly
training and staying fit for all upcoming matches.
Simphiwe Dotshe from the management of HR
United would like to thank all players and support-
ers for their ongoing commitment, encouragement
and participation. Simphiwe has also appeal to the
HR Community for those who have talent in play-
ing or coaching to join the team.
He further indicates that, “HR United is not a team
for certain individuals, but it is for all HR staff
members and any other Council staff member who
is interested to join and play with us as an HR com-
munity “.
Special thanks goes out to our servicing Units
(Electricity, Water and Engineering) for joining the
HR team (HR UNITED) and too Dennis (Team Man-
ager), Mfundo (Coach) and Robert (Assistant
Coach) – thank you for organising, coordinating
and arranging for the tournaments.
Good luck to the HR United team for their future
matches!
Games played Scores
1. HR United vs. Fire Department 1 - 0
2. HR United vs. KwaMashu Stars 1 - 2
3. HR United vs. Metro Police 0 – 1
4. HR United vs. IDT Department 3 – 5
5. HR United vs. Correctional Service 1 – 0
6. HR United vs. Road Accident Fund (RAF) 3 - 2
Name:
Employee Number:
ANSWERS:
1.
2.
3
4.
5.

6. That’s right, if it were any simpler, you
could probably do this with your eyes
closed. The new term for the capture of
Electronic Performance Agreements has
begun and we are pleased to see the
enthusiasm from our employees.
With technology evolving daily, we’re
forced to keep our head above water.
The Electronic Performance Manage-
ment System is simple and easy to use.
Your comments, thoughts and sugges-
tions have been taken into considera-
tion. The recent upgrade ensures that
you as a user will experience the full
benefits of this simple system, you
should be able to see these changes the
next time you log on.
Did you know that the Core Leave module is LIVE on Resource Link? What this
essentially means is that all leave is now captured on Resource link by the re-
spective Payroll Administrators.
 Access to comprehensive reports is available (via the iThekunet - HR
Report Suite) .
 Coming soon is the facility to view your leave balances via Employee Self
Service.
HR SYSTEMS NEWS
EPMS - Right Click Copy, Right Click Paste
Core Leave On Resource Link
By Yovini Pillay
CHANGES ON EPMS
The passwords for all Non Martin West users
would have expired. Users will need to reset this
due to the implementation of the IS password pol-
icy
All delegations will have expired. The Manager
will have to remove the expired delegation and
re-add the delegation with a start and end date.
(This is a new functionality)
Managers will be able to transfer agreements from
the 2013/2014 period to the 2014/2015 period
provided that the plans have been through the
entire process including moderation. A Search
functionality has been added to enable Managers
to transfer the agreements of employees that do
not appear on their list.
Managers will be able to assign agreements (i.e.
create for one employee and copy to many) to
employees that are not on their list by using the
new search functionality
Going forward, the moderated plans can be sent to
employees by the Manager
Join in on the Go Green initiative with HR Systems
By Yovini Pillay
Why waste piles of paper when you can
join in on the Go Green initiative?
With the Employee Self Service Module we
have the following functionality available
at your fingertips :
 View your payslip online
 View or amend some of your per-
sonal details
 View your IRP5 certificates online
 If you are an employee that has
subordinates, the Electronic Per-
formance Management System is
available to you to complete your
performance assessments on-line.
 You can also view your team or-
ganogram structure and their details
online.
 Executives can apply for leave on-
line
 Exit Interview questionnaires avail-
able on-line
HR SUPPORT DESK
The HR Support Desk will be able to assist you to reset
your password on Employee Self Service. All queries
regarding the Electronic Performance Management
System, Resource Link, E-Careers should be forwarded
to the help desk on—
HR Help Desk: 031 3226050 or via email @
hrsystems@durban.gov.za

7. Editorial Comments :
HR Matters is a newsletter that aims to ensure that ‘what’s happen-
ing’ in HR is communicated to you—the HR community. We hope that
you find this issue both informative and interesting. We will be dis-
tributing the newsletter every quarter. So keep a look out for our next
issue!
Your Newsletter Team :
Kreshona Pillay X13231
Sthulile Mdletshe X13231
Juggie Moodley X13444
Yovini Pillay X13168
Rowena Thusini X17473
If you have anything to add to our newslet-
ter or would like to make a contribution,
please feel free to send your ideas to our
Newsletter team.
Sthulile.Mdletshe@durbn.gov.za
Keep that Mind Sharp!
Research has shown that a dexterous brain makes for happier, healthier, people in general. Doing some type of mental
exercise, in the form of brain teasers or word and number games can:
 Boost overall brain activity
 Increase your memory power
 Reduce the risk, and slow the decline, of dementia
 Improve memory and brain processing speed
 Reduce boredom
 Improve concentration
Try these brainteasers that show how our preconceived notions, combined with the brain’s tendency to see what it wants or expects to see, greatly
affects how we solve problems and make decisions. Take the test as a personal challenge. Have fun!
1. A man stands on one side of a river, his dog on the other. The man calls his dog, who immediately crosses the river
without getting wet and without using a bridge or a boat. How did the dog do it?
2. A sundial has the fewest moving parts of any timepiece. Which has the most?
3. What is unusual about the following words: revive, banana, grammar, voodoo, assess, potato, dresser, uneven?
4. What makes this number unique — 8,549,176,320?
5. Put a coin into an empty bottle and insert a cork into the neck. How can you remove the coin without removing the
cork or breaking the bottle?
6. Two boxers are in a match scheduled for 12 rounds. (Pure boxing only – no kicking, UFC takedowns, or anything else).
One of the boxers gets knocked out after only six rounds, yet no man throws a punch. How is this possible?
7. In 1990, a person is 15 years old. In 1995, that same person is 10 years old. How can this be?
8. A man takes his car to a hotel. Upon reaching the hotel, he is immediately declared bankrupt. Why?
9. What do these words have in common: polish, job, herb?
10. You’re standing in a hallway with three light switches on the wall, each of which turns on a different lamp inside a
closed room. You can’t see inside the room, and you can’t open the door except to enter the room. You can enter the
room only once, and when you do, all the lamps must be turned off. How can you tell which switch turns on which lamp?