MEC KAMADLOPHA-MTHETHWA MEETS DARD SUPPORT STAFF AT SPECIAL DUNDEE BRUNCH

DUNDEE — KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa, has met with KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) administrative support staff during a special “Brunch with Support Staff” engagement at the Dundee Research Station.

Held on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, the engagement was centred on recognising and appreciating the contribution, commitment and hard work of administrative support staff within the Department.

The brunch provided an opportunity for MEC KaMadlopha-Mthethwa to interact directly with DARD support staff and acknowledge the important role they play in supporting the Department's daily operations.

The initiative placed the spotlight on employees whose administrative and support functions contribute to the effective functioning of the Department and its ability to carry out its mandate across KwaZulu-Natal.

Recognising the people behind the work

The Brunch with Support Staff created a platform for the MEC and staff to come together outside the routine working environment, while recognising their dedication and contribution to the Department.

The engagement also highlighted the importance of staff appreciation and maintaining strong relationships between leadership and employees.

For the Department, support staff form an important part of the broader institutional structure, assisting with the administrative functions required to keep operations running effectively.

MEC KaMadlopha-Mthethwa's engagement with the staff reflects an effort to acknowledge their work and reinforce their value within the Department.

Addressing the support staff, MEC KaMadlopha-Mthethwa emphasised the importance of teamwork, collaboration and maintaining a shared commitment to excellence.

“Our strength as a Department lies in our ability to work together, align our strategic priorities and remain focused on excellence. Through stronger collaboration among our support functions, we can improve coordination, strengthen service delivery and advance the agricultural and rural development agenda of KwaZulu-Natal.”Hon. Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development

Strengthening the Department

The engagement at the Dundee Research Station also highlighted the importance of recognising employees whose work often takes place behind the scenes but remains essential to the effective functioning of government.

From an NWN Media perspective, engagements of this nature demonstrate the value of leadership connecting directly with staff and creating opportunities to recognise their contribution.

The brunch served as a platform for appreciation, engagement and reflection, while reinforcing the importance of collaboration among departmental support functions.

The engagement forms part of the Department's broader focus on building a professional and coordinated institution capable of supporting its agricultural and rural development objectives across KwaZulu-Natal.

NWN Media — Digital Voice of KZN