KZN Transport HOD wins top public service award

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements Head of Department Zibusiso Dlamini has been named the province’s Best Head of Department at the Premier’s Service Excellence Awards, in recognition of his leadership and contribution to public service.

Dlamini received the accolade during the awards ceremony held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on Friday night, where outstanding public servants and government teams were honoured for excellence in service delivery.

The Premier’s Service Excellence Awards recognise public servants, departments and stakeholders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving service delivery, promoting innovation and strengthening an ethical and capable state.

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Held during Nelson Mandela Month, the awards celebrate public servants who embody the principles of Batho Pele by placing communities at the centre of government service delivery.

Another recipient was the president of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, who was honoured for Best Social Cohesion and Moral Regeneration Programme.

Congratulating Dlamini, his political head, MEC Siboniso Duma, said the award recognised years of dedicated service and a commitment to ethical governance.

Duma also highlighted Dlamini’s previous tenure at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, where he had spearheaded programmes aimed at improving food security, supporting emerging farmers, and advancing land reform and rural development.

He is credited with ensuring sustained support for emerging farmers through the provision of mechanisation and the creation of markets for their agricultural products.

Duma said Dlamini’s leadership reflected the values of accountability and service that the government sought to promote across the public sector.

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The department also celebrated success in other categories during the awards. Dr Mduduzi Nhlozi received the Skills Development Award on behalf of Human Settlements, while Grace Slondiwe Zwane from the uPhongolo Local Office was recognised after the Ward 7 War Room won the award for Best Functional War Room of the Year.

Duma added that the achievements of Dlamini and other award recipients demonstrated the province’s commitment to building an efficient public service that responds to the needs of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

Ramlutchman said receiving the award was both humbling and deeply meaningful.

I accept this honour not for myself, but on behalf of every volunteer, elder, youth, and partner of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, who works daily to build peace in our communities.

“This win means that the work of unity is being seen and valued. It tells the people of KwaZulu-Natal that social cohesion is not just an idea, it is action. Action that heals divisions, restores dignity, and gives our young people hope that we can live together as one family,” he said.

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Other public servants and institutions honoured included the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Abbey Mchunu for Best Effective Food Security and Agricultural Programme; Thamoney Naidoo (Soil Conservation and Land Care) for Best Implemented Programme of the Year; Sibonokuhle Nkosi for Integrity and Ethical Leadership; and Hlengiwe Zondi for the Rural/Underserved Communities Impact Award.