Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Train the Facilitator (TtF)

The engagement of the third group of IEC officers from all the nine provinces and National Office which attended the Train the Facilitator workshop began on Monday 15^th September 2025. In her welcome message to the 18 participants, Ms. Bonolo Gopane, the IEC General Manager – Human Resource, highlighted the following;

1. IEC found it necessary to embark on empowering its employees through BRIDGE training for personal growth and effective workforce.
2. With the changing political landscape, it is prudent for IEC workforce to be developed accordingly through engagements such as the BRIDGE Training Programme.

The official opening was followed by a group photo session and a safety briefing by the venue Health and Safety Officer. The workshop was facilitated by two BRIDGE Accrediting Facilitators, Ms Tomsie Dlamini and Dr Bridget Masuluke together with a BRIDGE Workshop Facilitator, Ms Rose Masetlane who completed the TtF years ago and used the platform as both a refresher and a training on new BRIDGE curriculum. 

Workshop participants went through a learning and unlearning process, where they need to unlearn the way they have been doing things and embrace the new. Many of the participants who came feeling anxious and not keen to try new techniques and methodologies, left quite enriched. The participants appreciated the feedback provided during both plenary as well as during pairs or one-on-ones. The comments were incorporated and very visible during the presentation sessions. “Indeed the Bridge workshop provided the safe space for me to eventually engage with my vulnerabilities openly and genuinely. I am now a new “me” who is well prepared to face life uncertainties with open mind and determination to let go of my comfort zone!” one participant was quoted as saying.

The participants’ left more equipped from the experience, knowledge and skills harvested through the course of the two weeks. They expressed appreciation to the IEC for investing on them and also the BRIDGE facilitators for helping them experience BRIDGE through them. The session ended on a high note with the Deputy CEO hosting the certification Ceremony.

Authored by: Teboho Nathane