(Subcommittee) CDA Vacancy: Shortlisting of candidates

Meeting report

Opening Remarks

Co-Chairperson Gungubele welcomed everyone present and submitted that the Committee was meeting to finalise the shortlisting of the candidates for the Central Drug Authority (CDA) Board vacancies. The task at hand was to ensure that the agreed list of candidates from the previous meeting was reduced to 26 candidates that would make it to the interview stage.

The candidates selected at the previous meeting were as follows:

Ms Rachel Mmadikeledi Motsepe
Ms Dareleen James
Mr Derrick Wayne Matthews
Prof Jabulani Calvin Makhubele
Ms Mofatiki Eva Manyedi
Rev Mlahleki Reuben Sokana
Mr Shaun Shelly
Ms Angela mistril Salter
Ms Meisie Sinnah Ramakhula
Mr Samasivan Pillay
Ms Nombulelo Gloria Msikinya
Mr Johannes Theodorus Claassen
Mr David William John Collins
Mr Mogamat Shafiek Davids
Mr Devon Clife De Koker
Ms Nomathemba Elaine Kela
Mr Vele Terrence Makananisa
Ms Nyameka Mayathula-Khoza
Ms Boitumelo Morobane
Ms Alexandrina Vermeulen
Ms Zanamuhla Primrose Khanyile
Mr Phumzile Kelly Manzini
Rev Dr Nwamilorho Joseph Tshawane
Mr Peter Ucko
Mr David Lekota
Ms Theresa Eulenda Mabusela
Ms Elna Japisa Mathonsi
Ms Ntaoleng Christina Molefe
Mr Thabo Zacharia Morabe
Mr Tshepang Lebohang Motloung
Mr Moses Mduduzi Gama
Dr Gurunathen Kistnasamy
Mr Paul Kruger
Mr Tau Arthur Mahlatsi
Mr Collen Rapula Mpyane
Ms Lathiwe Ndlovu
Ms Dimakatso Jane Thema
Ms Caroline Oyiya

The Committee asked the Parliamentary Legal Services to lay out the legal prescripts relating to this process. This would include the process needed to be followed by the Committee from the advertisement stage up to the interview and appointment phase.

Briefing by Parliamentary Legal Services on the legal aspect of the shortlisting process

Adv Nathi Mjenxane, Parliamentary Legal Advisor, briefed the Committee on the legal prescripts that will inform the process of shortlisting. He said that the process is legislated and was provided for in the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act, section 56(b) and 56(u). He quoted the relevant section as follows, “according to Section 56(3) of Act 70 of 2008, the process, among others, of appointing members of CDA is as follows:

-“Advertise call for nomination through Media and Government Gazette;

-CVs of nominated persons are submitted to Parliament for shortlisting and interviewing by parliamentary Committees for Social Development in the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces; and

-The process should be open and transparent.”

The Act further makes it clear that the criteria must be adhered to and that the process must be inclusive and representative of the demographics of South Africa. The geographical spread of the candidates was also at the centre of inclusiveness.

Co-Chairperson Gungebele said that it was important that Members expressed their views on the candidates within the confines of the law.

Co-Chairperson Gillion said that she would appreciate if the Content Advisor would also highlight the issue of people with disabilities. When she perused the Report, she did not pick this up and wondered whether they were included.

Briefing on the shortlisting process Report

Ms Yolisa Khanye, Content Advisor, Portfolio Committee on Social Development, took Members through the Report and said that the matter of people with disabilities was not included in the analysis. She spoke to the criteria for shortlisting, which was mainly the possession of a Grade 12 qualification and that the incumbent must possess six years of experience in the area of substance abuse.

She rehashed the background of the work that has been done by the Committee thus far and said on 11 September 2020, the Committee met and shortlisted 39 candidates. An additional seven candidates were nominated who were previously classified as not meeting the requirements. Overall, 25 candidates were nominated more than once.

The support team was tasked with compiling all relevant information about age, demographics, geographical spread, qualifications, etc. This information was compiled. [See document for details]

Qualifications ranged from Matric to doctorate level but the minimum requirement is Matric. A number of candidates have done professional courses and all 41 possessed the relevant experience.  

Co-Chairperson Gillion thanked the team for the presentation but she was concerned about the matter relating to people living with disabilities.

Ms D Ngwenya (EFF) wanted to know for future reference whether Members could find out if candidates with disabilities could be indicated as such or whether candidates could be asked when applying to indicate on their CVs if they had any disabilities.  

Co-Chairperson Gungubele said there is a general agreement in society that inclusivity must be as wide as possible to include all groups of people living in South Africa. However, he was uncertain whether people could be asked to reveal their disabilities in their CVs.

Adv Mjenxane said that asking people for their disability status may not be advised because the CV speaks to their competence. The Committee could include it in future advertisements for people to indicate if they had any disabilities at their own accord, but this cannot be enforced. The person has the right to disclose or not disclose their disability status. People would also appreciate knowing that they were appointed for the position based on their competence not their disability in order to meet a quota.

Shortlisting of candidates

Members agreed on the following candidates to proceed to the interview phase:

Mr Johannes Theodorus Claassen

Mr Mogamat Shafiek Davids

Ms Nomcebo Alice Dlamini

Ms Rachel Motsepe

Ms Dareleen James

Rev Mlahleki Sokana

Ms Michelene Smith

Ms Meisie Ramakhula

Mr Samasivan Pillay

Ms Nombulelo Gloria Msikinya

Ms Nomathemba Kela

Ms Nyameka Mayathula-Khoza

Ms Alexandrina Vermeulen

Ms Zanamuhla Khanyile

Rev Joseph Tshawane

Ms Elna Mathonsi

Ms Christina Molefe

Mr Thabo Morabe

Mr Tshepang Motloung

Dr Gurunathen Kistnasamy

Ms Lathiwe Ndlovu

Ms Jane Thema

Ms Caroline Oyiya

Ms Sophia Maboe

Mr Devon de Koker

Mr Peter Ucko

Members were all in agreement with the above 26 candidates for shortlisting to proceed to the interview phase. All candidates that made it to list were qualified.

Ms D Christians (DA; Northern Cape) asked what it would take for Members to interview an additional three candidates or to have more than the indicated amount. It would make the process lengthy but it would ensure fair opportunity. Some candidates, not on the current list, may impress Members during the interview phase.

Co-Chairperson Gungubele responded that someone could then argue that the Committee might as well interview the entire 41 candidates. The Committee needs to be inclusive in the number it has agreed to stick to. He would not want to have a process where the majority just impose names.

Way Forward

Co-Chairperson Gungubele said that the interviews would be conducted live and not through a virtual platform, given that the Covid-19 conditions will be adhered to. The proposed or provisional dates for interviews are set from 27 October to 3 November 2020. The dates will be submitted to the House Chairperson for approval. The interviews will take place in Parliament, subject to strict adherence of the Covid-19 regulations.

Members agreed to the proposal.

He was concerned about the variances in the provinces. The Gauteng province had a higher of candidates but there is nothing that can be done if people from the Eastern Cape did not apply. All national groupings are represented from the demographics but there were no women in the both white and Indian races.

Members were satisfied with the proposed list of the shortlisted candidates.

The meeting was adjourned.