KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance, Ms Ina Cronjé, briefed journalists today, Tuesday, 4 May 2010 on the Provincial Treasury's new improved suppliers' database.
The compiling of the new database, as well as the integration and training commences this month (May). The Provincial Treasury envisages implementing the system after testing it in June 2010.
MEC Cronjé said the new database was a milestone towards achieving the Provincial Treasury's vision to be the centre of excellence in financial and fiscal management in South Africa. The cleaning up and establishment of a new single suppliers' database for all provincial departments and municipalities will promote accountability and compliance. In addition it will assist government with location information and enable government institutions to rotate suppliers.
The current suppliers' database:
* Lacks clarity of suppliers' locations and core businesses
* Is sometimes outdated, incorrect and or incomplete
* Lacks reporting capabilities for measuring Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE)
* No interface with external organisations; South African Revenue Service (SARS), Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO), Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)
* Little or no document control and access to documents
* Lack of supplier flagging: blacklisting, under investigation
* Long turnaround times
* Not user friendly
MEC Cronjé said the new database has all the ingredients that would jack up supply chain management systems and induce responsible and wise spending of the public's money.
The new database will:
* enhance productivity, efficiency and compliance through effective document management and workflow
* improve communication with suppliers by using SMS functionality
* provide meaningful responses to department searches for goods and services
* focus on user experience by being more graphic and simple
* identify suppliers with poor track records
* rotate suppliers
"The database will be aligned with the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury objectives by creating a framework for a balance between basic service delivery and the growth of the provincial economy; creating opportunities for the participation of PDIs in the economy and promoting good governance, optimum financial and fiscal management and maintaining a culture of high performance," MEC Cronjé said, adding "in a nutshell, it will improve service delivery by increasing efficiency and reducing wastage, DOING MORE WITH LESS."
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury calls on all service providers to re-register their businesses. In terms of Practice Note number SCM 01 of 2006, a supplier must be registered on the database at the time of submitting a bid or quotation to a government department.
"We urge all suppliers to provincial government departments who are currently registered on the existing database to re-register on the new system by completing a new ZNT registration form. Only applications on the new form will be accepted," she said.
Forms may be obtained from Tender enquiries: Ground Floor, Treasury House, 145 Commercial Road, Pietermaritzburg or they may be downloaded from: http://www.kzntreasury.gov.za.
Alternatively forms can be obtained at the Provincial Treasury's road shows that will be held throughout the districts of KwaZulu-Natal. Please note that the new forms will be available from the 3rd of May 2010.
Completed forms should be posted by 23 July 2010 to:
P.O. Box 3613
Pietermaritzburg
3201
Alternatively, they may be hand delivered at the Winston Churchill Theatre from 19 July 2010 until 30 July 2010 between 10h00 and 16h00.
Roadshows will be held to inform suppliers of the re-registration process in the following districts:
* Zululand district (6 May 2010 starting at 10h00) at Ulundi legislature
* Umkhanyakude district (7 May 2010 starting at 09h00) at Mkhuze hall
* Amajuba district (11 May 2010 starting at 10h00) at Natu Centre, Madadeni
* Sisonke district (13 May 2010 starting at 10h00) at Fairview Hall, Ixopo
* ILembe district (17 May 2010 starting at 10h00) at KwaDukuza town hall
* UMzinyathi district (18 May 2010 starting at 10h00) at Moth hall, Dundee
* Ugu district (20 May 2010 starting at 10h00) at Isibanini community hall, uMzumbe
* UMgungundlovu district (24 May 2010 starting 10h00) at YMCA hall, Pietermaritzburg
* UThukela district (25 May 2010 starting at 10h00) at Ladysmith town hall
* UThungulu district (26 May 2010 starting at 10h00) at Aquadene community hall,
* EThekwini district (31 May 2010 starting at 10h00) Durban Botanic Gardens hall
For more information, call:
Ntokozo Maphisa
Cell: 082 773 0937
Issued by: Provincial Treasury, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
4 May 2010
