Question NW2604 to the Minister of Employment and Labour

Share this page:

27 December 2021 - NW2604

Profile picture: Cardo, Dr MJ

Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

What are (a) the conditions upon which the Special Advisors to (i) him and (ii) the Deputy Minister in his department are currently employed and (b) their (i) names, (ii) responsibilities, (iii) qualifications and (iv) salaries in each case?

Reply:

Ministerial Advisers are appointed on a five (5) year contract basis, linked to the term of the Office of the Minister.

Dr Jonathan Lewis and Ms Onke Mjo are the Advisers attached to the Minister of Employment and Labour.

Among many, their responsibilities are:

 To contribute in the development of pieces of legislation as well as policies

 To play a role in the interpretation of the laws and advise where there may either be deficiencies, insufficiencies, gaps or over-elaboration, redundancies and irrelevancy.

 To assist in the process of reviewal of any statutes as and when that may be deemed to be necessary

 To advise on cross-cutting or transversal government positions to ensuring integrated governance

 To advise as to how best government policies could be implemented

 To work on Cabinet Memoranda to ensuring that they remain consistent with the direction that government has elected to take

 To provide support and serve as a resource to the Executive Authority when meeting both departmental, national and international stakeholders

 To monitor and observe both the internal and external environment relevant to the portfolio and advise the Executive Authority while providing responses to what may be needing such

 To scrutinise Departmental submissions addressed to the Minister and provide appropriate advice to the Executive Authority

 To write speeches for the Minister and conduct some relevant research

 To ensure that Minister’s views are communicated widely by contributing in developing media statements and giving a helping hand on fourth estate enquiries

 To perform such tasks as may be appropriate in respect of the exercise or performance of the Executive Authority’s powers and duties

When it comes to qualifications, please see below:

Dr Lewis

Matric
Bachelor of Arts
Master of Arts
Doctor of Philosophy

Ms. O Mjo

Matric
Bachelor of Arts: Human Movement Studies
Honours Bachelor of Arts: Exercise Science
Postgraduate Higher Diploma: Education

Pertaining to salaries, they are stipulated below:

Dr. JP Lewis
R1 614 972.00

Ms. O Mjo
R1 388 640.00

Ministerial Advisers are provided for in the Ministerial