Through the Augmented Field Service (AFS) model, the City is giving residents of Region A the hope that they can be the change they want to see.
A pioneering service delivery model designed to supplement municipal work performed by City Parks and Zoo, Pikitup, City Power, Joburg Water, and the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), the AFS programme not only creates hundreds of jobs for poor people but simultaneously accelerates service delivery in local communities.
Ramasela Jeridah Senoa (60) is one of many beneficiaries of the AFS programme in Midrand, which has brought about much needed relief in her life.
“Hope is what I had lost a long time ago, but thanks to this programme, hope has been restored in my life,” says Senoa, who considers herself a blessed woman chosen by God amongst several others.
“This opportunity knocked at my door at the time and age I least expected. I’m now an employee of the City,” she exclaims. Senoa shares that her voluntary work as a patrol officer for the Ivory Park police station is the reason she received recognition for her current occupation.
“My husband and I shared three children, who all passed away at once, leaving me devasted. I experienced depression but was forced to toughen up and take care of the rest of my family, thanks to this job,” says Senoa.
She says her mother, five siblings, two nephews and three nieces are all dependent on her, and thanks to the City, with only Grade 10 as her highest qualification, she is able to prevent hunger within her household. The AFS model also brought about meaningful change in 23-year-old Sbonelo January’s life, who had been unemployed since he matriculated in 2019.
The Rabie Ridge resident, who is his family’s sole breadwinner, says the work opportunity has changed things at home, enabling him to take care of his siblings, grandmother, and parents, who survive on a government grant.
Before his AFS recruitment, January says poverty drove him to fend for his entire family. “I used to sell fat cakes so the family can eat and survive. Now this employment opportunity is a great blessing for me and my family.” He says he plans to use his earnings from the City to further his studies in the future.
Pule Motaung had been unemployed for three years before joining the AFS programme last year.
“So far it has served greatness, from being unemployed to being employed, especially towards the festive season. Older men with kids like me need a job. Being employed is an achievement, especially in a country like ours with a high unemployment rate,” says the father of three.
Motaung considers the job to be not only beneficial to employees but the community at large, because service delivery has improved.
Administered by Group Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM), the AFS model is designed to create employment opportunities for poorer residents of Johannesburg without matric certification and those with no post-matric qualifications.
Lekoko Tjebane, the Deputy Director of AFS in Region A, says the minimum requirements for the recruitment of general workers are a Grade 8 and Grade 11 certification. More than 100 general workers and 13 team leaders have been employed in the programme since October 2021.
“The programme is unique to the City of Johannesburg, and it works with every entity and department in the municipality,” Tjebane explains.
Nonceba Mlisa, one of the supervisors of the AFS in Region A, says this model of service delivery contributes to economic growth.
“This job gives beneficiaries a stable income because they’re permanent staff and it benefits their families. It also boosts their confidence,” says Mlisa.
She adds that the AFS programme has also brought about meaningful change in her life. “I appreciate the City for creating these work opportunities for people like me, who have been unemployed for a long time,” she says with a smile.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi, Lehlohonolo Maishoane, and Kamogelo Moletsane
18/1/2022