13 December 2021
COVID-19 has made 2021 a uniquely tumultuous year. Many of us lost loved ones. Our economy has suffered too. Many entities closed down, whereas others that withstood the pressure are still recovering. And just when we started to think that we’ve weathered the storm of lockdowns, testing, social distancing and quarantines, the new Omicron mutation is testing our resolve, once again.
Our resolve has been tested and our leadership has been challenged. However, I’m a firm believer that one never lets a serious crisis go to waste. It’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before. That has been our mindset throughout this challenging year. It has made us stronger and more resilient, and we remain optimistic about our important work to uplift our country’s TVET sector and in ensuring that we continue to create stakeholder value.
My contribution to date has been one premised on a personal conviction that leadership is a privilege to serve and better the lives of others, and not an opportunity for personal ambition and greed. Ever since taking up this mantle, I have worked to encourage and facilitate advancement in those areas in which the NTA excels. Equally, I have tried my utmost in introducing changes to eliminate deficiencies within the organisation, in specific, and those within our country’s TVET sector, at large.
Our TVET sector is and has always been, close to my heart. However, in as much as our vision for the sector is well chronicled, the mere recognition of the importance of TVET in national training policy frameworks and acknowledging its role as an impactful vehicle for acquiring employable skills, are not enough. We must do more in linking our TVET reforms to clear and realistic national economic and human resource development goals that consider values, culture and rate of technology uptake, as well as the impact of globalisation on our domestic skills development agenda.
Working with renewed urgency towards this vision will be my focus in the new year, and I will continue to do this important work, in concert with you, our stakeholders. In saying so, I acknowledge your overwhelming support throughout this year. Your sustenance is what shapes the impact of our collective effort. It’s that collaborative and consistent approach to delivering results that give us the confidence that we remain on track in transforming our TVET sector and in enhancing its currency and relevance.
On behalf of our entire leadership team, I would like to thank you for your support through what has been an incredibly challenging year for so many of us. We look forward to partnering with you in 2022.
While Christmas will be different this year for many families, mine included, I am more grateful than ever that – after a long and very difficult year – the holiday season is upon us. The gift of love, the gift of peace, and the gift of happiness. May all these be yours, this Christmas.
Muvatera Ndjoze-Siririka
Acting Chief Executive Officer