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As Unisa celebrates 150 years of serving and shaping humanity, the institution has invested extraordinary effort in positively impacting lives and futures. Among many other measures, in a gesture to embrace the principle of social justice, Unisa reached an agreement with the Multi Stakeholder Task Team (MSTT) on insourcing in 2016 to absorb vulnerable workers. The historic deal saw more than 900 cleaning and security workers employed permanently by the university. In addition, through the insourcing, vulnerable workers gained access to several benefits the university offers its employees. Kgomotso Tshabalala, Unisa's Security Officer under the Department of Protection and Security Services and a beneficiary of insourcing, shares how Unisa has impacted her life.

Kgomotso Tshabalala

Tshabalala says that she has learnt a lot of new skills at Unisa as it does not hinder its staff's progress but provides opportunities for them to empower themselves. She has embraced several good memories since joining Unisa. "I remember receiving a life-changing call to come and sign my permanent employment offer after being insourced," she says. As an institution that advocates for social inclusion, the university funds the dependents of its staff members to study at institutions of higher learning. Tshabalala explains: "My children will have access to education, an opportunity I never had growing up. Moreover, it means their living standard will be better than mine."

Also, Tshabalala remarks that she was able to build a home for her children, which would not have been possible without Unisa's insourcing. She adds: "We are still welcomed at my mother's house, but it is fulfilling and a great achievement to have built a home independently."

Tshabalala maintains that the university took pride in empowering its staff members even before insourcing. "I am an all-rounder, so it is an advantage that Unisa promotes staff empowerment through education and skills development," she remarks. She says that she plans to make good use of the learning opportunities offered by the university.

As Unisa celebrates 150 years, Tshabalala reiterates: "The university promotes good stakeholder relations. However, I recommend that it intensifies student responsiveness." She continues: "Students are our most important stakeholders; therefore, we need to prioritise them."

Tshabalala also encourages staff members not to be stagnant in their careers but to embrace various learning opportunities offered by the university. "It is the only way to improve our standard of living," she affirms. "If you cannot get a qualification," Tshabalala concludes, "at least learn new skills and be open-minded."

#Unisa150    #Unisa150Stories

* By Nancy Legodi, Acting Senior Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement

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Publish date: 2023-02-06 00:00:00.0

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