Elchayda’s initial learnership took place at the Disaster Management Centre, specifically in the Control Room. Daily duties involved receiving calls for both major and minor incidents and dispatching the necessary services, and working closely with Law Enforcement officers, SAPS officials, Fire Service Responders, and EMS (First Aid Responders).
Key Learnings from the Control Room:
Elchayda learned to handle public calls with professionalism and courtesy. For instance, in high-stress situations like a house fire with a trapped child, she consistently remained calm, reassured callers, and managed the situation until responders arrived. This role significantly strengthened her ability to remain composed and control her emotions under pressure.
Transition to Strategic Services
When moving to Strategic Services, Elchayda admits to not knowing much about its role, even finding the term “IDP” daunting. However, she quickly learned the processes behind the 5-Year IDP Plan, SDBIP, and Performance Management.
Acquired skills included compiling official documents and preparing monthly reports, and she attended Public Participation and various other meetings, adding accurate note-taking and professional email composition to her growing basket of skills. Other valuable lessons came from assisting with Performance Management Contracts, ensuring timely signatures from Directors, the Municipal Manager, and the Mayoral Committee, and verifying that documents supported set targets and complied with regulations.
Computer Skills Development:
With support from colleagues and guidance from books, Elchayda built a strong foundation in this field and achieved a personal goal of improving her computer skills.
Understanding Laws and Regulations:
Another significant learning curve was gaining a better understanding of the laws and regulations guiding District Municipalities. Initially unfamiliar with local government, Elchayda soon learned its role in coordinating the development of regions, supporting local municipalities, and providing community services.
Growing Confidence:
Elchayda confidence in “small talk” increased through interactions with various departments, and arranging meetings soon became easier. In-person meetings with people only known previously via e-mail was exciting.
Highlights of the Learnership:
Elchayda is particularly proud to have participated in the 2025/26 IDP Review and Amendment process, gaining in-depth knowledge of the IDP document’s purpose, processes, and implementation. Compiling information for the Monthly Departmental SDBIP was a highlight but nerve-wracking, reinforcing a belief in how every process contributes to a local government’s performance. Elchayda also played a role in arranging an Export Seminar, REDS Workshop, and Annual Performance Report, all executed smoothly and effectively at committee level.
Improvement Goals.
Elchayda aims for a deeper understanding of IGNITE (Integrated Governance and Information Tracking Environment) and its functionalities, and wants to further explore PMS (Performance Management System) and IGR (Intergovernmental Relations). In a multi-task environment task prioritization is a development area, coupled with public speaking skills, she’d like to improve her English.
Elchayda is also keen to enhance Microsoft Excel proficiency, focusing on formulas, data analysis, tables, and charts for efficient reporting and data management.
Future Plans:
Elchayda sincerely appreciates the opportunity provided by this internship and learnership. This experience has been instrumental in the development of valuable skills, practical knowledge, and meaningful contributions to local government.
Elchayda Farao
