DHL Stormers scrum with City’s Corporate Services on leadership
25 October 2024
The City of Cape Town’s Corporate Services Directorate, led by Alderman Theresa Uys, held a masterclass at the Bloemhof Electrical Services Head Office in Bellville on 24 October 2024. The masterclass featured insights from Western Province Rugby Director, John Dobson, City’s Facilities Management Director, Regan Melody and three DHL Stormers rugby players – Leolin Zas, Herschel Jantjies and Ruben van Heerden. Rugby team management and field tactics were connected with the City’s leadership values to inspire a culture of high performance, trust, accountability, innovation and care within the City.
‘All rugby players are different and for effective leadership, I have found that understanding the players’ unique backstories helps a lot. Secondly, lead from the back and practise servant leadership. There is value in understanding your player’s ‘why?’ – why are they here? Working together is extractional and transactional so knowing why someone is here leads to better ways of working together. Building a winning team requires taking the time to know each individual. People will only come together and give their best once they are accepted for who they are,’ said the Director of Western Province Rugby and the Head Coach of DHL Stormers, John Dobson, to a packed auditorium at the Bloemhof Electrical Services Head Office in Bellville.
The audience mostly comprised of Corporate Services senior management staff from all departments in the Directorate.
‘Unleashing the power of people is an important driver to achieve service excellence in Facilities Management. Our aim is to empower and mobilise individuals to participate in meaningful work and foster an environment of collaboration and growth. We follow a centralised culture plan that is based on trust and ensuring that there is interaction across our branches for quality and efficient service delivery. The Facilities Management Department embraced an adaptive leadership style and focussed strongly on aligning the purpose, values and strengths of each individual to that of the organisation,’ said the City’s Director of Facilities Management, Regan Melody.
‘Much like the Stormers, the City also wants to put a smile on the face of Capetonians. We are building a City of Hope and I am hopeful that we are going to achieve that. We thank John Dobson and his players for joining us today and sharing positive team insights,’ added the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys.
Corporate Services’ Executive Director, Ernest Sass, was also acknowledged for his visionary leadership in setting up the masterclass initiative, under the leadership of Alderman Uys, and cultivating the environment for transformation in culture, management and performance throughout the City.
The audience also had the opportunity to interact, take pictures and hear more about the rugby players’ personal journeys.
‘When you are in an environment where you feel you belong, you will thrive! I have always wanted to be a part of something special, and playing for the Stormers is that thing for me,’ said Stormers lock, Ruben van Heerden.
‘One thing you realise fast when in a team, is that you need the player next to you. We might never agree on things all the time but we meet, learn from one another and inspire one another. Also understanding why each of you are here makes a difference,’ said Stormers wing, Leolin Zas.
‘It all boils down to the standards you set for yourself. I value family. In terms of teamwork, I would say always try not to let your emotions affect other guys negatively in your team,’ concluded Stormers scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies.
The day’s theme was ‘Lead with vision, transform through collaboration, and win by embracing innovation and accountability’.
End Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
