Govt calling retired experts back
2010-03-17 07:50
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Johannesburg - The government is recruiting retired experts in various fields - such as education, health care and agriculture - so that their expertise may be channelled back into the country.
Retired doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social and health care workers have been recruited for an HIV testing campaign in two advertisements which appeared in newspapers on Tuesday.
Potential mentors in the agricultural sector were also asked to help with land reform projects.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has told retired health care workers that the country "now needs them again".
"You devoted your skills, experience and time to the health of our nation for many years. You, more than anybody else, realise what effect the HIV pandemic is having on our nation."
Mentors for land development
He asked those who can help to register with the head of their nearest health care institution.
An advertisement by the department of rural development and land affairs asks for mentors who can help with land reform projects.
The department has decided to recapitalise projects acquired since 1994 which are now struggling.
For this purpose they are looking for mentors who "have extensive farming experience, (are) successful commercial farmers - active or retired - and are involved with knowledge sharing and training for developing farmers".
However, it seems as if these experts will have to supply their services for free.
A spokesperson for the department of rural development and land affairs has said it has not yet been determined whether farmers who become mentors will be paid.
"Currently we're only compiling a list of people who make themselves available. Exactly how it is going to work will be communicated to them at a later stage."
Guidelines
Agri SA said in a statement on Tuesday that participation in projects such as the mentor programme will "only be possible if the position of all parties, including affiliates of Agri SA, have been clearly outlined in a guideline agreement".
The statement also says that "aspects such as risk distribution, expectations, conflict management mechanisms and the involvement of forums at various levels will have to be clarified".
According to them, a working group has been assembled to investigate proposals aimed at the recapitalisation of projects and particular models of co-operation.