​In honour of Child and Youth Care Workers Week, Reporter Sihle Gumede sat down with Zunkeri George Malungani (41), who is currently a Senior Admin Officer Support under the Institutions Directorate in the Gauteng Department of Social Development. 
What role do you play in Department/Institutions and how long have been occupying that role? 

I have been in the public service for the past 18 years and in the Gauteng Department of Social Development for 12 years. I started my career as a Child and Youth Care Worker in the department and got exposed to various roles in the field of childcare and in the department as administrator. 

My current occupation is Senior Admin Officer Support my role in this position is to provide administrative support under the Institutions Directorate, when it comes to the reports from 12 institutions. My role is not limited to admin work I also represent the directorate in other forums within the department. I have been in this role as an Administrative Support for the past 3years. 

Some of the challenges you've faced within your profession? 

My challenge in this position is having to wear too many hats and having to master them, upgrading myself to ever changing requirements (being flexible and open-minded and willingness to learn) of the job. 

How do you feel about the commemoration of CYCC workers week? 

It’s a huge honour for me as a Child and Youth Care worker (even after I have left the profession but practising it indirect ) to have a week where we are able to showcase the work that we do as Child and Youth Care Workers in institutions and communities. 

As Child and Youth Care Workers we need to take pride in the work that we do, for many years that this profession has been in existence. It is always evolving with new systems, new tech including ways in which we are conduct our work, this is also linked to the current education curriculum. Child and Youth Care Workers we need to adapt to the ever-changing system by upgrading ourselves to the current needs of our children. 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to venture into this career? 

You must love to work with children and youth in the communities and Child and Youth Care Centres (Children homes, Place of safety, Secure care facilities etc), adapt to ever changes systems and be open to learning, your openness to learning will lead to greater career path and you will be rewarded.