Derik Thokoane
Derik Thokoane is part of the furniture at the Gamtoos Irrigation Board (GIB) and, since the beginning of June, he can also officially boast with the new title of manager of works.
“It’s business as usual for me,” says the man who has been fulfilling the role of acting manager for a couple of months.
“I can’t say that it feels any different as I’ve already been doing this job for a long time.”
Derik started working at the Department of Water Affairs in 1986 as a labourer, with his duties including the cleaning of canals. In 1992, when the Board was established to take over the management of the Gamtoos water scheme from the department, he became a truck driver for GIB and drove heavy vehicles, as well as moving machinery for contractors.
In 2000, he was promoted to a grade one foreman and assistant to the then manager of works, Fanie Bekker, for whom Derik often filled in.
“In this way, I was actually groomed for this job over the years. I know every aspect and possible danger that this position entails,” he says.
Derik manages more than 40 people: four foremen, six labourers in each of the teams and six drivers, who are responsible for repairs, leakages, fences and seeing that the canal is up to standard. He is also in charge of the mechanical workshop.
“The teams are working very well together. Throughout the years, I have come to know them all well and am familiar with their work. However, it is important to be strict – but in the right way, of course. I believe that a pleasant work atmosphere is essential to productivity,” he says.
He believes in open communication with his workers, holding weekly meetings with the supervisors and monthly meetings with the labourers.
Derik admits to having great admiration for the newly appointed CEO of the GIB, Rienette Colesky, due to her visiting the sites and interacting with workers at grassroots level.
“She knows how to enforce discipline in the correct manner,” he laughs.
Derik was born and bred in Patensie and is passionate about his work, especially being in the great outdoors.
On the home front, he says his wife, Princess, and his four children fully support him in all his endeavours.
“My aim is to have good relations with the workers and to maintain a high standard in my work. I like things in my place of work to be neat. We have already tidied up the building interiors and repainted the floors. That makes a person feel proud!”
Alhoewel Derik Thokoane al ’n ou bekende by die Gamtoosbesproeiingsraad (GBR) is, spog hy nou van die begin van Junie af met die amptelike aanstelling as bestuurder van werke.
“Die werk gaan eintlik maar net aan. Ek moet erken dat dinge nog nie vreeslik anders voel nie, aangesien ek die pligte reeds ’n geruime tyd uitvoer,” sê die trotse man – wat al vir ‘n paar maande as bestuurder ingestaan en bygestaan het – in sy nuwe kantoor.
Hy het al doer in 1986 by die Departement van Waterwese begin werk as arbeider met onder andere kanaal-skoonmaak as een van sy pligte. In 1992, toe die Gamtoosbesproeiingsraad gevestig is om die bestuur van die Gamtoos waterskema by die departement oor te neem, het hy as GBR trokdrywer die vallei platgery, swaar voertuie bestuur en masjiene vir kontrakteurs rondgeskuif.
In 2000, is hy bevorder tot graad 1 voorman, asook assistent vir die destydse bestuurder van werke, Fanie Bekker. Hy het hom ook gereeld afgelos.
“So is ek deur die jare vir my taak as bestuurder voorberei. Ek ken elke aspek en al die gevare van die werk soos die palm van my hand,” sê hy.
Derik het meer as 40 mense wat onder hom werk: vier voormanne, ses arbeiders in elke span, en ses drywers wat verantwoordelik is vir die herstel van lekkasies, heinings en om die kanaal op standaard te hou. Hy is ook in beheer van die meganiese werkswinkel.
“Die spanne werk baie goed saam. Ek ken hulle en ek ken hulle werk. Dit is belangrik om streng te wees, maar op die regte manier. ’n Lekker werksatmosfeer is altyd baie belangrik.”
Hy hou daarvan om die kommunikasiekanale met sy werkers oop te hou en vergader op ’n weeklikse basis met die toesighouers en maandeliks met die werkers self.
Hy koester ook groot bewondering vir die nuutaangestelde hoofuitvoerende beampte van die Gamtoosbesproeiingsraad, Rienette Coleske, juis omdat sy self ook op die “sights” kom en tussen die werkers op grondvlak beweeg.
“Sy is kwaai op die regte manier,” lag hy.
Derik is gebore en getoë in Patensie en is passievol oor sy werk, veral die buitelug-aspek daarvan.
’n Riem onder die hart vir dié hardwerkende man is die ondersteuning van sy vrou, Princess, en sy vier kinders.
“My toekomsvisie as bestuurder van werke is om goeie verhoudings met die werkers te handhaaf, en my werk op ’n hoë standaard te hou. Ek hou daarvan dat dit netjies moet wees in my werkplek en ons het reeds ons binnegeboue se vloere nuut oorgeverf en mooi reggepak. Dan voel ’n mens mos trots!”