Municipal Environmental Health covers all aspects of human health, including quality of life determined by many factors. Surene Grootbom, Weskus Distrik’s Senior Manager: Municipal Environmental Health, explains what this extensive portfolio is about, and introduces herself.
Surene has almost 25 years’ experience in local government and is well-qualified with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Management, National Diploma in Environmental Health Management Applications for a Municipality and Public Department, and the LGSETA Certificate: Municipal Finance Competency.
She has a staff complement of 37, and has managed this key Weskus Distrik portfolio for just over a year.
Surene, you manage a wide portfolio.
Yes, it is multi-faceted. At its fullest extent, Municipal Environmental Health deals with all aspects of human health, including quality of life determined by physical, chemical, biological, social and psychosocial factors in the environment. The job involves assessing, controlling and preventing all factors which can affect the well-being of current and future generations.
What drives you every day?
A passion and willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure a professional and high level of environmental health services to the community.
What is it that you reinforce with your team?
The team is highly committed to their cause, but we remind ourselves that we are tasked with protecting public health, and that the environment matters more than one may think. Our efforts can save lives, and safeguard a healthy environment, so we must stay focused and positive. An inspection a day, an accurate report, or handling a complaint efficiently and fairly can all make a huge difference in the lives of the communities that we serve.
Surene Grootboom
Senior Manager: Environmental Health
Weskus Distrik.
