Deputy director general: fisheries given new post

The deputy director general: fisheries management, Greta Apelgren-Narkedien has been given a new set of challenges to address by the government. She will take over as the human settlements head of department in KwaZulu-Natal.

Apelgren-Narkedien commenced duty at the Fisheries Management branch of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) in December 2012. Her mandate was to address the challenges facing the branch. In the five months that Apelgren-Narkedien has been with the fisheries branch, her record has been unchallenged.

"Apelgren-Nakerdien has played a crucial role in steering the fisheries branch into the direction that it is now in. Her contributions to the MSC certification process for the hake fishery is noted; she has demonstrated strong leadership skills and tenacity to do her best at fisheries," Minister Tina Joemat- Petterson said.

Still supportive of minister

Greta Apelgren-Narkedien's respect for Minister Tina Joemat- Pettersson remains unwavering: "I have the highest regard for the Minister and enjoyed a very supportive and constructive working relationship with her. I have never seen a politician working so hard and against so many odds, and yet still achieve what a few would hope she will fail at. Despite what the media and a few other individuals say and write about her, my experience with Minister Joemat-Pettersson has shown she remains fully committed and driven in her resolve to stem out corruption and ensure the fisheries ship is navigated in a direction that is fully responsive to the triple challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment," Apelgren-Narkedien commented.

Regarded by many of her colleagues as "Ms Fix-it", Apelgren-Narkedien will certainly be missed but as she puts it: "The framework and road map is there and I'm just a call away. Bigger challenges are awaiting and as a committed citizen and public servant of the Republic of South Africa, I have an obligation and duty to go and attempt to address those challenges."

Apelgren-Narkedien will continue to play a supporting role for the fisheries branch for the next period to ensure continuity and further progress with regard to the road map and implementation plan for fisheries.