The Presidency’s Chief Operations Officer, Lakela Kaunda, is to steer the ship at the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs following her secondment to the department.
“We wish Ms Kaunda well during her tenure at COGTA and know that she will represent us well given her diligence, expertise and unwavering commitment to public service. We also thank Ms Kaunda for her sterling contribution to the Presidency in various roles over the years,” said Director General in the Presidency, Cassius Lubisi.
Kaunda was seconded to the department at the request of COGTA. Her secondment will span a period of 12 months.
Kaunda has been with the Presidency since 2009, first as Deputy Director General (DDG) and Head of the Private Office of the President and later as Chief Operations Officer.
Prior to her role as DDG and Chief Operations Officer, she previously served the Presidency from 2000 to 2005 as Head of Communications and spokesperson to then Deputy President Jacob Zuma.
She expressed gratitude to the Presidency for enabling her to join COGTA to become part of the coalface of service delivery.
“I am looking forward to becoming part of the actual building of better communities through serving in a line function department. COGTA is a huge portfolio and this will enable me to expend my energy in various fields during the duration of my secondment,” she said.
Kaunda will assume her duties next week from 20 March 2018. – SAnews.gov.za
