As many as 34 of Distribution Transformers employees received long-service awards at the end of last year, with lengths of service ranging from 25 to 10 years.
The two longest-serving employees, with 25 years’ service, were Sazi Khupe, Wireman, and Dibeo Malakoane, Guillotine Operator.
Sazi Khupe is presented with her 25 years’ service award by Alan Buchholtz, Distribution Transformers’ Divisional CEO.
However, in accordance with the COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings, Distribution Transformers didn’t have its usual large get-together for its long-service awards presentation event for 2020, but limited the number of attendees to a small group which it divided into two – one comprising employees and the other retirees – with all adhering to mask-wearing and social distancing as required.
Transport – comprising Signalling, Transport Equipment & Projects (TEP) and Arnot Vibration Solutions (AVS) – also normally have a get-together of most of its employees for its annual long-service award presentations.
For its 2020 awards, however, it held no actual event either, but arranged for the awards to be delivered to recipients individually.
Philip Myer and Cheryl Barrie of Signalling, who were presented with awards for 40 years’ and 35 years’ service respectively.
Among the total 15 recipients involved, Frans Weygertze, TEP’s Business Development Manager, and Philip Meyer, Signalling’s Business Development Manager, were the longest-serving employees, both with 40 years’ service, followed by Cheryl Barrie, Signalling’s Financial Accountant and Barry Joffe, Signalling’s Financial Manager, with 35 and 30 years’ service respectively.
The other Distribution Transformers long-service award recipients were:
15 years: Y. Grobler, T. Kakudi, J. Nkabinde, M. Mpithi, J. Seloga, M. Mathebula, B. Ndebele, J. Lekgoathi, S. Ntando, V. Ngamlana, E. Mogotsi, J. Madigoe, L. Manaka, A. Thamana, R. Thai, M.Mlambo and J. Mashaba.
10 years: V. Sotyiwa, M. Mavuso, D. Seleise, S. Machete, T. Sethuntsa, T. Maluleke, R. Vongwa, N. Mbatha, A. Maseko, C. Forbay, T. Nedzamba, M. Maponopono, J. Ciya, S. Maphanga and J. Moshia.
Distribution Transformers’ 2020 retirees were: P. Grove (38 years), P. Booysen (34 years), B. Mashilwane and W. Mokoena (both 18 years), N. Mfene and K. Nare (both 12 years) and M. Tjikana (9 years)
The rest of Transport’s long-service award recipients, besides those already mentioned, were:
20 years: Leonard de Villiers, Conrad Lunderstedt, Leon Pienaar, Botha Nthunya and Pat Lutchmiah.
15 years: Johan Joubert.
10 years: Paul Steggink, Emmanuel Moya and Anthony Wright.
5 years: Mmarena Modise and Ayanda Hlatshwayo.