From struggling to find her way to mapping her path

Initially placed in the Disaster Management team, I soon acquired the skills to handle emergency calls.

Moving into the Strategic Services function headed by our mentor Mr. Fred-Earl Williamd, I was exposed to Integrated Development Planning and Regional Economic Development, two areas that are drivers of a municipality’s performance.

The practical experience gained in Disaster Management and the exposure enjoyed in the strategic arm of Weskus Distrik greatly enriched our learning.

Effective communication is vital in any organisation and I played a role in communicating to our five local municipalities. Everyday functions – but new to me – were learned such as administration and compiling agendas, and I am learning to process invoices.

I also assist with the annual planning calendar and the setup of performance reports. We made a significant contribution by calculating the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) sum, and we were able to apply our new skills to work independently on monthly reports. We have gained proficiency in the Microsoft Suite; but can improve our Microsoft Excel skills.

Where did I struggle initially?

One challenge that I faced was the spontaneity of email communication. And working with unfamiliar faces was not easy for me. With time, this anxiety diminished.

A valuable skill that I have developed is prioritizing tasks. I have also gained other experiences that are relevant to my career choice, providing a glimpse of where I could be in a year. With the support of the quality teams and individuals within the West Coast Disaster Management and my personal motivation, I am proud to have had the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone and gain real-world working experience.

Furthermore, working within the Strategic Services department has reaffirmed my decision that Public Administration/Management is the career path I wish to pursue.

I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Williams, Miss Appollis, and the entire team at the West Coast Disaster Management for their support and guidance during this period. Thank you for providing me with this invaluable opportunity.

Franieke Andrew