The management was led by the Heads of Departments for Transport (Mr. Sibusiso Gumbi) and Community Safety and Liaison (Mr. Themba Mavundla).

Premier Mchunu took MEC Kaunda through key strategic issues that needed urgent prioritisation such as escalating the implementation of plans for service delivery and economic transformation to increase participation in the mainstream economy of previously disadvantaged people.

Kaunda said he was happy to be joining the winning team as the Departments of Transport and Community Safety and Liaison were seen as good performing departments.

Kaunda also said he was not joining to change the current policies and strategic plans, but wanted to accelerate the implementation of key projects.

“This is my third day in office, but I know already that we will be judged by our first 100 days in office. So this is not the time to dismantle plans, but to sharpen our systems and processes to accelerate our implementation plans. For example, we can’t keep on talking transformation; it is now time for us to implement economic transformation and do so decisively,” said Kaunda.

Kaunda has already hit the ground running. Apart from meeting with his management, he has already begun meeting with stakeholders and attending to pressing issues such as public protests and visiting communities affected by crime. In the next few days, Kaunda will be meeting both HODs and proceed to meet branch heads in order to start work on priority areas.

“I want to engage one on one with branch heads so that we can move from the same page. I have an open door policy and encourage management and staff to always be able to communicate with me so we can resolve issues fast. I also pledge for us to be united, because we can only succeed when we work together,” said Kaunda.

Mchunu said both Departments were privileged that they were getting someone who had been exposed to both portfolios having served a full term as Chairperson of the Transport Portfolio Committee and served as member on the Community Safety and Liaison Committee.

“MEC Kaunda is young and energetic and I think his energy and his sharp mind will be useful to these departments,” said Premier Mchunu.