Major Kobese
Futurist and Foresight Thinker
Midrand
Summary
Accomplished Director with a proven track record at the Department of Home Affairs, enhancing productivity and team morale through strategic planning and mentorship. Skilled in Project Management and Team Leadership, I've successfully spearheaded initiatives that fostered innovation and streamlined operations, significantly improving project efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
20
20
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Director
Department Of Home Affairs
01.2009 - 03.2023
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Participated in drafting of the Border Management Bill and the Foreign Missions Bill.
- Represented the Director General in the G&A cluster and JCPS cluster.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Spearheaded innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning.
- Led cross-functional teams to exceed benchmarks for SLA delivery, staying on top of challenging schedules with multiple competing timelines.
- Enhanced stakeholder satisfaction with timely and transparent communication strategies.
- Transformed organizational culture to embrace continuous improvement, leading by example and mentoring teams.
- Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine company's product offerings.
Director
Department of Local Government and Traffic
03.2003 - 06.2006
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Created a capacity assessment tool and system for municipalities.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- contributed in the improvement of performance monitoring of municipalities nationally
Program Manager
WCAR NGO Forum Secretariat
12.2000 - 02.2003
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
- Managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams.
- Collaborated with business leadership to set priorities based on business needs, resource capacity and risk exposure.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
- Coordinated the consolidation of UN Regional Reports
- Managed the sourcing of resource persons
- Coordinated the drafting and adopting of the NGO Forum Resolutions.
- Represented the Secretariat in Regional Meetings.
Researcher
National Association of Democratic Lawyers
02.2000 - 11.2000
- Gathered and organized information for research purposes.
- Conducted thorough literature reviews to identify gaps in knowledge and inform future research directions.
- Maintained detailed records of experimental procedures, observations, and results for accurate reporting and replication purposes.
- Presented research findings at national and international conferences, raising the profile of the institution.
- Participated in the drafting of the Municipal System Bill and Municipal Structures Amendment Act.
- Conducted workshops for civil society organisations on local government issues
Education
Master of Management - Governance
Wits University
Johannesburg 01.2024 - Current
MPhil in Futures Studies - Futures Studies
Stellenbosch University
Bellville, South Africa 02.2021 - 03.2023
BAdmin (Honours) - Public Administration
University of The Western Cape
Bellville, South Africa 02.1997 - 03.2010
Bachelor of Administration - Public Administration And Political Science
University of The Western Cape
Bellville, South Africa 02.1992 - 03.1996
Skills
Project Management
Operations Management
Business Development
Strategic Planning
Creativity and Innovation
Staff Development
Financial Management
Team Leadership
Problem-Solving
Analytical Skills
Change Management
Adaptability and Flexibility
Professionalism
Reading, mentoring young people, exercising, cooking, watching football and Formula 1, networking
I always crave new knowledge and challenge myself to be multidisciplinary. I read a lot of peer-reviewed articles and journals and watch international news to keep up-to-date with global dynamics. At every opportunity I buy a new book from fiction to leadership to keep my mind refreshed. I have spent the better part of my years being around young people, working with them on different projects. I like to motivate and mentor young people. I am an inspirational leader who acts as a servant for the downtrodden. To keep stress-free and mentally fit, I like to keep fit by jogging and going to the gym. This keeps me motivated and has a fresh mind to exploit. In growing up, my mother imbibed in me an interest in nice and good food. I love cooking and exploring different dishes. Watching football and Formula 1 are activities I do not pass easily. I am an ardent spot fanatic and this helps to keep my mind active I like to go out to meet new people to increase my networks and expand my knowledge base.
Timeline
Master of Management - Governance
Wits University
01.2024 - Current
MPhil in Futures Studies - Futures Studies
Stellenbosch University
02.2021 - 03.2023
Director
Department Of Home Affairs
01.2009 - 03.2023
Director
Department of Local Government and Traffic
03.2003 - 06.2006
Program Manager
WCAR NGO Forum Secretariat
12.2000 - 02.2003
Researcher
National Association of Democratic Lawyers
02.2000 - 11.2000
BAdmin (Honours) - Public Administration
University of The Western Cape
02.1997 - 03.2010
Bachelor of Administration - Public Administration And Political Science
University of The Western Cape
02.1992 - 03.1996
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