Going just a bit above and beyond duty or the expected norm can make a huge difference in someone’s day, but also to the image of public servants.
A little bit of kindness can indeed go a long way, especially in the age of social media.
Recently Kuils River resident Porchia Christians, posted on a community group about “outstanding service” she received at Kuils River Police Station.
She went to the police station around 16:30 to get two documents certified. While waiting to be assisted police clerk Fikile (Fix) Mkhanyiswa, who was on his way home and had stopped to greet someone, suddenly turned around to ask her if she had been helped.
“I said no. My goodness, he said: ‘Let me help you’. He went around the counter and certified my documents.”
Christians wrote it was the first time she had experienced such outstanding service from a public servant at the police station.
“Thank you, Mr Fix, for your kindness and making me feel so important.”
In reply to Christians’ post, others also commended that they had received good service at the community-service centre of the local police.
As it turned out, “Mr Fix” is no stranger to living up to his name and helping people who find themselves in a bit of a fix.
Kamva Magconde recalled how Mr Fix came to her rescue when she found herself stranded at Kuils River court without transport and not knowing what to do.
Mkhanyiswa noticed her and came to ask if she was okay.
“I told him the story.
“There and then he turned around and asked me to come with him to the offices. He tried his best to help me. I thanked him because I was helped, and I got home safely to my family.”
People first
As human-resource development practitioner and skills-development facilitator at Kuils River police for the past seven years, Mkhanyiswa is a non-operational member.
He said it was a “wow” moment for him to be complimented on social media for his service. “I thought I was just being kind and doing my job.”
Mkhanyiswa normal working hours are from 07:30 to 16:00, but he normally goes past the community service centre (CSC) before leaving for home, he said. On the day he assisted Christians he noticed how busy his colleagues were and decided to help her.
“I was just doing my job as a Public servant, and not just as someone operating at the CSC. It’s a privilege to reflect my nickname, Fix, which I do enjoy being called.”
Mkhanyiswa enjoys his work and working with people inside and outside the police.
It was on 8 March, also around 16:30, when he was on his way home, that he saw Magconde, who lives in Robertson, standing outside the court, he said.
“She was stranded at court with no transport money to return home.”
Mkhanyiswa contacted the investigating officer involved and a commander to find a way to get her home safely.
He said it is important to present the public servant in a positive manner. “To say we are here, we will support our policemen and -women, and that there are public servants who will go the extra mile.”
Mkhanyiswa said public servants should go back to the basics of Batho Pele – to put people first.
“These principles motivate me a lot and it is rooted in the legislative frameworks of all government departments.
“As young people, especially within the public sector, we need to work on transforming public service, regardless of the level, race, gender, ethnicity, religion or political persuasion or language. These do not matter when it comes to service delivery; we have no excuse as government employees.”
Mkhanyiswa is also the chair and representative at Kuils River Police of Men for Change (MFC), a forum that represents men in the police opposing gender and sexual violence.
“It is very important to empower fellow men to eradicate their stereotypes and misconceptions.”
Whether it’s a woman, a senior citizen, or someone with a disability, everyone deserves good service and to be treated equally, he said. “These are the values I also learnt from my parents.
“Ethical conduct is very important, so let’s respect other people’s rights and do our best to take responsibility in our work space.”
