Celebrating Excellence: DTCS Service Awards 2024/25 Shine at Park Inn, Polokwane

Celebrating Excellence: DTCS Service Awards 2024/25 Shine at Park Inn, Polokwane

On Thursday, 26 February 2026, the Department of Transport and Community Safety (DTCS) gathered at the Park Inn Hotel in Polokwane for its first Service Excellence Awards since 2019—a night of glitz, gratitude and renewed commitment to public service.

MEC’s Vision for a Culture of Excellence
MEC Violet Mathye opened the ceremony with a stirring address, reminding attendees that “excellence is self‑driven… it comes from within.” She urged staff to “embrace this moment as a groundbreaking one” and to view recognition as a catalyst that “inspires others and builds a culture of service excellence and innovation.” Highlighting the need for supportive workplaces, she said, “Our workplace must cultivate harmony, value talent, and promote continuous learning.”

The MEC also announced three new award categories for next year: Best Public Service Manager of the Year, Overall Batho Pele Principles Champion, and Public Sector Innovator of the Year (MEC Award), promising that “recognition will motivate higher standards of excellence across the department.” She praised Head of Department Mr Masilo Stephen Matjena, affectionately called “Mr Clean Audit,” and called on communities and civil‑society partners to help identify and celebrate hardworking public servants.

Departmental Excellence Award Winners
| Category | Winners (Team/Station) |
| Best Service Delivery Team of the Year | 1. Malamulele Traffic Station
2. Transport Operations – Mopani
3. Zebediele TCC |
| Best Support Team of the Year | 1. Internal Control and Compliance
2. Revenue and Debt Management – Capricorn
3. Moutse Traffic Station |
| Best Innovative Team of the Year | 1. Transport Operations – Sekhukhune
2. Road Safety – Capricorn
3. Sibasa Traffic Station |
Special Individual Recognitions

– Mr. Matome Taueatsoala (Acting Head of Communications) – Revived DTCS TV, launched a robust social‑media strategy, and kept road‑safety messaging front‑and‑centre during the festive season.
– Mr. Moraka Mokoena (Deputy Director, Transport Operations – Sekhukhune) – Pioneered digitisation of public‑transport licensing, enabling WhatsApp submissions, electronic payments, and a ten‑minute turnaround for special operating licences.
– Ms. Meggie Rathogwa (Provincial Inspector, Public Transport – Vhembe) – Delivered outstanding compliance checks, scholar‑transport monitoring, and vehicle‑impoundment work since 2012.
– Mr. Lesiba Mabote (Control Provincial Inspector, Law Enforcement) – Analysed accident data, informed officer deployment, and strengthened provincial traffic reporting since 2010.
– Mr. Malesela Ledwaba (Provincial Inspector, Mokopane Traffic Station) – Led law‑enforcement on the N1 corridor, maintaining high standards of road safety since 2007.
– Mr. Collins Manaka (Project Manager, Public Transport – Capricorn) – Championed compliance monitoring, curbed taxi violence, and enforced scholar‑transport regulations, making a tangible impact on cross‑border bus safety.

A Night to Remember
The ceremony, described by many as “the first historic step toward a brighter, more accountable department,” blended celebration with a clear call to action. As MEC Mathye concluded, “Beyond the glitz and glamour, this journey is about building a lasting culture of excellence.” The awards not only honoured past achievements but also set a bold tone for the year ahead—one where every public servant is encouraged to be a winner, a mentor, and a champion of people‑first service.