Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Masebo calls for appreciation of secretaries

Masebo calls for appreciation of secretaries
By Kabanda Chulu and Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Tue 27 Apr. 2010, 03:50 CAT

CHONGWE MMD member of parliament Sylvia Masebo has said there is need to change people’s mindset to appreciate the vital role professional secretaries play in national development.

And Professional Secretaries Association of Zambia (PSAZ) Kitwe branch coordinator Keyna Nkumbula has urged members of parliament and other stakeholders to support the draft submissions that will regulate all secretarial training providers in order to improve standards.

Officiating at celebrations to mark Secretary’s Day on Saturday, Masebo said the theme; “Creating recognition for the secretarial profession in Zambia,” was timely.

“The theme will not only change the mindset of all secretaries in the country but will also help the public to begin to appreciate the important role that secretaries play in national development and I urge you (secretaries) that this day is not for mere matching and merry making but it is a serious and important day to reflect on the vital role that you play to ensure everything is in place,” she said.

Masebo observed that many emerging employers had not time to question the qualifications of some of the secretaries they were employing due to an influx of sub standard training institutions.

“It is pleasing to note that the PSAZ has recognised that there is an urgent need to build new foundations for future secretarial educational strategies in Zambia and I am therefore happy that the association has since made submissions to the ministries of justice, science and technology and other stakeholders and the success of this process will enable the association to start regulating all secretarial training providers in Zambia hence the PSAZ will become an institution with legal mandate to set ethical standards, define professional conduct and disciplinary procedures,” said Masebo.

And Nkumbula said the Kitwe branch invited Masebo because she was their role model and that she would be a platform to create awareness on the importance of having the draft secretarial Bill in place.
She wondered why such a demanding profession had not been recognised like other fields.

“When bosses are not around we sort out some of the issues that come about from customers and we defend bosses no matter what and we even have sharp memories and able to remember things everyone else forgets about,” said Nkumbula.

“That is why bosses must always remember and appreciate our work and there is still a huge need for a secretary hence the profession in Zambia has to be recognised and we urge people to ensure this Bill becomes law to help improve standards.”


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Monday, November 24, 2008

Fundanga urges secretaries to embrace many skills

Fundanga urges secretaries to embrace many skills
Written by Mwiinga Mukuwa
Monday, November 24, 2008 10:20:29 AM

Fundanga has observed that the secretarial profession is multi-skilled where workers can fit in different departments of an organisation without difficulties.

And a secretary from National Airports Corporation Sara Chimpuka has scooped the 2008 Secretary of the Year Award with US $300 prize money, a weekend for two at Southern Sun Ridgeway hotel, a laptop plus printer, fridge, dinner set, cell phone, a floating trophy and personal trophy.

Officiating at the Secretary of the Year Award ceremony themed 'Professional Secretary: Embracing Multi-skilling' in Lusaka on Saturday, Dr Fundanga said the theme was a challenge which could enable secretaries become top-notch professionals they aspired to be.

"The secretarial profession is a dynamic profession, time is long gone when secretaries used to perform traditional duties such as taking down dictation by short hand and transcribing the notes," Dr Fundanga said.

Dr Fundanga said secretaries nowadays were expected to be versatile with diverse skills at their command.

"Indeed a professional secretary needs to embrace many skills in order to effectively carry on the complex demands of the job," he said.

Fundanga said there was need for secretaries to adapt to the fast-changing environment in their profession.

"You need to strive to be an indispensable unit in your employment by mastering more skills and developing a wide range of interest in areas which can benefit the organisation,” said Dr Fundanga. “This is recommendable, because a professional secretary has to graduate to reach greater heights. Updating and upgrading skills constantly has seen many great men and women achieve what they have in various fields."

The 2008 Secretary of the Year award scooped by Chimpuka was tightly contested by six finalists. Others who participated were secretaries from the Copperbelt University, Zamanita limited, Bank of Zambia and Zesco.

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