The Provincial Office had a “Meet & Greet” with newly appointed HoD, Mrs. Drinie Samson, on Friday, 10 March 2017, at the Kimberley City Hall

MEC Gift van Staden in his speech welcomed Mrs. Samson and thanked Acting Head of the Department, Mr. Ichabod Manyane, for the sterling work that he has done, since taking over from former HoD, Mrs. Elizabeth Botes, in August 2015.

MEC van Staden highlighted issues of priority, looking at both challenges  and successes within the Department, before he introduced Mrs. Samson, who was previously the Acting Head of Department at the Department of Economic Development & Tourism.

In her speech Mrs. Samson said that years ago she chose as a Social Worker, to be a Public Servant, as she felt she wanted to serve the poor and vulnerable. She said that she is back after 12 years in a totally new role and that she would like to cultivate a new culture of professionalism within the Department.

She furthermore stated that the staff are the life blood of all organizations and that she would like to see all staff empowered to their full potential and the importance of mutual stakeholder relations.

Mrs. Samson was instrumental in the establishment of the Department after the 1994 elections. During her previous tenure at the Department she managed both Mimosa and Galeshewe Place of Safety (today known as Tlhokomelo), when it was still Children’s Homes. She was then appointed as the Provincial Manager for all the Residential Care Services, including the first Secure Care Centre, Molehe Mampe. Before she left the Department in 2005 she was the Manager of the Social Development unit, now known as the Community Development unit.

By Nelmarie van Wyk