Premier Supra Mahumapelo: North West 2017 State of the Province Address

State of the Province Address delivered by Premier of the North West Province Hon Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo, Taung Sports Ground, In Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District

Hon Speaker of the Provincial Legislature,
Hon Members of the Executive Council,
Hon Deputy Ministers Present
Hon Members of the Provincial Legislature,
Foreign Dignitaries,
Leaders of Political Parties Represented in this House,
Our Esteemed Traditional Leaders,
Your Worship Executive Mayors and Mayors of our Municipalities,
Speakers of our Councils,
Heads of Our Security Agencies, Lieutenant Gen Motsoenyane
The Director General Dr Lydia Sebego and Heads of Provincial Departments
Leadership of Chapter Nine Institutions,
Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of State-Owned Enterprises,
Leaders of Labour Movements, Civil Society, Faith Based-Organisations and Business,
The South African Local Government Association Chairperson,
Comrades and Friends,
People of the North West,
Ladies and gentlemen,

“Visionary leadership is the ability to use lessons of the past to act in the present such that there is broad convergence of thought and action in determining future history”

Hon Members on the 27th October (Diphalane) 2017, South Africa will mark the centenary celebration of the birth of Oliver Reginald Tambo, born to Rre Mzimeni and Julia Tambo on 27th October 1917 in Bizana, Kantolo in the Eastern Cape.

We take this opportunity to thank the people’s movement the African National Congress under the inspirational leadership of President Jacob Zuma, to dedicate 2017 to remembering and celebrating the life of this hero of our people, the gentle revolutionary whose outstanding leadership and dedication to struggle guided our people to freedom in 1994.

Oliver Tambo, the people’s Teacher and Lawyer abandoned the comforts he could have acquired and enjoyed because of his education and profession. He volunteered sacrificed himself and his family to struggle. His life is an infinite lesson of humility, selfless, dedication and service to his country and its people.

Hon Members, allow me to remind you of the words of former President Nelson Mandela when he delivered his eulogy at the funeral of Oliver Tambo:

“OLIVER LIVED NOT BECAUSE HE COULD BREATHE.
HE LIVED NOT BECAUSE BLOOD FLOWED THROUGH HIS VEINS.
OLIVER LIVED NOT BECAUSE HE DID ALL THE THINGS THAT ALL OF US AS ORDINARY MEN AND WOMEN DO.
OLIVER LIVED BECAUSE HE HAD SURRENDERED HIS VERY BEING TO THE PEOPLE. HE LIVED BECAUSE HIS VERY BEING EMBODIED LOVE, AN IDEA, A HOPE, AN ASPIRATION, A VISION”.

In celebrating the centenary anniversary of the birth of Oliver Tambo, we call upon all the people of Bokone-Bophirima to recommit ourselves to the project of increasing the pace of constructing the National Democratic Society whose foundation Oliver Tambo guaranteed.

Fellow Citizens of Bokone-Bophirima, our Province is a moderate densely populated province with fragmented towns, villages, townships and small dorpies (VTSD). This is one of the contributory factors to the high unemployment rate as it is expensive for job seekers to travel to meet potential employers to sell their labour. According to StatsSA, there are about 1.66 million or estimated 475 000 households living in poverty in the province. The provincial population grew from 2.9 million in 1996 to 3.7 million in 2016 and is projected to reach 4 million in 2020.

A total population of 1.9 million are men and women constitute 1.8 million. It should however be noted that, despite such increase our population growth rate in the province is on a steady growth from 0.7 growth rate in 1996 to 1.6 growth rate in 2016 with the growth rate projected to slow to 1.3 in 2020.

A total number of 1.6 million people in our province reside in urban areas and 2.1 million in rural areas. 228 000 out of 262 000 of the white population resides in urban areas while only 1.3 million out of 3.2 million of Black resides in urban areas.

North West economy is characterised by high dominance of the Mining sector. Its share of provincial growth was 16.2% in 1996, increased to 31.1% in 2016 and is projected to drop slightly to 31.2% in 2020. The main minerals are uranium, platinum and coal. Nevertheless, the province’s economy bears the risk of submitting to vulnerabilities given that the mining sector is one of the main contributors to the province’s economic growth and the sector is vulnerable to exogenous demand shocks.

As we lead this second transition of the national democratic revolution, we draw inspiration from Oliver Tambo’s fearlessness and focus on the task of dismantling apartheid and its remaining legacy (makwati) of poverty, inequality and unemployment which still afflicts blacks in general and Africans in particular.

On our part as Bokone-Bophirima, in marking the celebration of the OR Tambo centenary anniversary we will launch the OR Tambo Public Service Excellence Awards in order to promote, inspire and produce a cadreship of revocrats in the public service who will be truly dedicated to the new culture of de-conventionalising how Government functions and delivers to the people.

We will also introduce the OR Tambo Top Maths and Science achievers for all grade 12 learners in all the VTSD Schools to fulfil Oliver Tambo’s wish to see the African child master science and maths subjects.

This OR Tambo initiative will launch the first cohort of learners who will be products of what we call consistent push, a year-long dedicated strategy aimed at identifying and giving support throughout the year to all learners from grade 9 to 12, with the possibility of placing struggling day learners into boarding schools in consultation with their families for intensive support.

As part of this initiative, NGO’s, retired professionals, university lecturers and other professionals will be recruited to provide extra classes  over weekends, evening, holidays and with cooperation of SGB’s during dedicated school hour periods.

Hon Speaker, for the first time in 2017, our Province will announce all pass rates in all public schools from grade 1-12.

Hon Speaker, this State of the Province address is also dedicated to the 20th anniversary celebration of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. This important document represents a formidable edifice grounding the foundation on which the new South African is built. It represents our collective aspirations and commitment to build a new society whose final realisation is a journey we must all contribute towards.

We in the African National Congress together with progressive forces in our broader alliance and society in general, believe that this constitution is the most progressive and revolutionary document to be used to effect fundamental change in this country.

Regrettably, the constitution has been abused by a minority who run to the courts under the guise of protecting the constitution when in fact they only seek to entrench their privileges and interrupt the transformation programme. We will however continue to defend their right to do so.

More than 20 years since our democracy, black people and Africans in particular still carry the heaviest burden of exclusion from sharing in the wealth generated by our economy despite the fact that many of our people provide the labour that enriches a few minority who control and exclusively enjoy the benefits of the wealth that has been passed-on from generations of colonial racist exploitation.

Hon Members and fellow People of Bokone-Bophirima, this situation is not only unsustainable for the stability of our country, but also unconstitutional. The state has done its part over the last 23 years to meet its obligations under Chapter Two of the Bill of Rights to guarantee amongst others the following fundamental rights:

  • Housing
  • Food, water and social security
  • Health care services
  • Children’s rights
  • Education
  • Cultural, religious and linguistic rights

It is therefore urgent that the state should use its legislative and regulatory authority as empowered by the constitution and relevant legislation, to ensure that the majority of the people in this country who are black and Africans in particular, are not relegated to only be beneficiaries of the social grants but are included and benefit from the wealth generated by our economy.

Government will no longer feed the greed of white monopoly capital at the expense of black entrepreneurs, majority of who live in villages, townships and small dorpies. We will not use public funds to perpetuate skewed accumulation of wealth and privilege by a few section of the society mainly white and male, who constitutes a small number of the population of Bokone-Bophirima.

In sectors of the economy where Government may not have direct fiscal control, we will use legislation and regulations to ensure that private companies do not avoid their legal obligations in terms of transformation and preferential procurement.

Whilst the state is criticised by many at times for not acting tough enough against some public sector bureaucrats, boards and shareholders in the private sector have allowed private companies executives to break the law and act criminally without consequences.

The culture of double standards and selective morality which has allowed private companies executives to use the deep pockets of their shareholders funds to settle criminal cases with the state without personally facing consequences, should no longer be allowed.

We hope that the recently reported case in which some banks are accused of crime and corruption will be used to establish a firm precedence by implementing the maximum penalty against all the banks and their executives.

Banks should no longer be allowed to be unaccountable corporate bullies who are above the law, immune from legal liability even when they break the law and cause untold harm to the economy and the public. In this regard, Honourable Members, we would be discussing our future relations with ABSA.

Hon Speaker, As the Province we support the pronouncement by President Jacob Zuma to establish a State Bank which shall utilise the State’s trillion rand budget to force transformation in the sector and open it to participation by more black players.

This should happen in every sector and industry where monstrous monopolies exist who are reluctant or refuse to embrace transformation and participation by the majority of our people in particular sectors of the economy. In the Province we are in the process of establishing the AgriFund (letlole) as part of resuscitating the Agribank.

The Province is also in discussions with VBS Bank on the role they can play strengthening VTSD economies.

Hon Members and People of Bokone-Bophirima, Bokone-Bophirima Government will in the next three weeks table a VTSD Preferential Procurement Bill in the North West Provincial Legislature to force both state and private companies to spend 70% of their procurement budgets to procure goods and services in Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies.

The VTSD Preferential Procurement Act will definitely come into effect from 1st April (Moranang) 2017 with the new financial year 2017/18 and Government is still committed to achieving the 70% procurement.

Ladies & Gentlemen, Mining houses continue to repatriate billions in procurement expenditure to support big corporates in some metropolitan areas of our country. The Total Discretionary Spend for the three of the four largest mines in the North West province in the last three years (2014-2016) is as follows:

  • Impala: Total spent R18,billion – spent in NW R 9,billion
  • Lonmin: Total spent R27,billion – spent in NW R 22,billion
  • Glencore:Total spent R16billion – spent in NW R15,Billion
  • Anglo:Total spent  N\A   billion – spent in NW R 2,6Billion

Of the total of R61 billion spent by mining houses only R48,6 billion is spent in the Province

We are at an advanced stage of discussions with the Minister Zwane of Mineral Resources on the necessary stick approach in this matter.

The North West Development Corporation will be repositioned to serve as our Provincial Mining Agenda Implementer to create state capacity to ensure that mining procurement take place in line with the new envisaged VTSD Preferential Procurement Act.

We wish to announce that one of the tangible outcomes of the VTSD Economic Development Lekgotla is the agreement reached between the Office of the Premier, Minister of Mineral Resources and all Dikgosi. 

Current geological information illuminates vast amounts of minerals that are yet to be quantified. These include, albeit not limited to the salt fields that span Delareyville, the limestone that cover Taung, through Mothibi to Severn as well as the Morokweng & Lichtenburg, the Tigers eye that span Mothibi, Severn and Vorstershoop, the untapped alluvial and eluvial diamond fields, as well as manganese and iron ore to the west of Vorstershoop.

These initiatives will be coordinated by the Office of the Premier working together with Minister Msebenzi Zwane’s Office through the following:

  • Expanding Small scale mining
  • Mining Beneficiation
  • Mining Procurement
  • New Venture Mining

The NWDC working with READ will further implement with aggression the following strategic mandates:

  • Acceleration of VTSD Agro-Businesses to build small scale agro hubs across the province;
  • Establishment of Special Economic Zones in addition to the existing one (The Platinum Valley);
  • Implementation of the Mahikeng Airport Logistics Hub strategy will be intensified through strategic partnerships. New interest has been shown by investors from United Arab Emirates, and the NWDC is mandated to conclude the negotiations process working together with relevant stakeholders.
  • Implementation of the VTSD Industrial Hubs in strategic areas across the province
  • Finalisation and Implementation of the Provincial Industrialisation Action Plan

Hon Speaker, let me illustrate the point why we believe that no additional funds are required for ignite industrialisation in the Province; the Department of Education’s Budget in 2016/17 for Learner Support Material is R500 million. The bulk of this Budget historically has been contracted to a Big Company in another Province.

Our Industrialisation Strategy is intended to use this allocation to set up a stationery manufacturing factory in the Province to supply all schools and Government Departments with stationery, working together with existing retailers in VTSD areas.

  • Accelerate the establishment of the People’s Economic Growth Agency (PEGA) through smooth integration of existing SOE’s as NWDC subsidiaries to bolster its balance sheet;
  • Work with Construction Industry with a view of establishing a Provincial Construction Hardware Factory with VTSD branches to support small enterprises through the housing settlement RDP budget;
  • Coordinate all Local Economic Development efforts across all municipalities in order to build strategic partnership with the private sector to ignite economic development particularly in rural municipalities;
  • The NWDC has been mandated to venture into the Retail Business by opening Retail outlets in each district throughout the Bokone Bophirima Province. This will enable the NWDC to buy directly from large suppliers and manufacturers, thus obtaining rebates which will then be passed on directly to consumers.

The Executive Council has mandated the NWDC to proceed with the implementation of core elements of Mahikeng Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal Programme (MRRRP), the Government Precinct, Stadium and MICC. Discussions are at an advanced stage to secure a strategic partner to invest R10 billion in these projects.

The NWDC will make an announcement before the end of the third quarter of 17/18 on the investor and the details regarding projects implementation.

In addition, the NWDC is facilitating the following strategic projects in the Province:

  • Rhino Studio (BRS) commonly known as Bop Recording Studios: The process of transferring ownership of the Broadcasting Studio to Bokone Bophirima is underway. The challenge has been the manner in which the studio fell into private hands and the ensuing protracted legal processes;
  • Chicken Bird Holdings (CBH) , through the NWDC, the Province is at an advance stage of securing a stake in Chicken Bird Holdings CBH with an aim of saving approximately 2500 jobs;
  • People’s Security Services (PPS):  Government in our Province through all Departments spends R400 million per annum or R1.2 billion over the MTEF on security services. The NWDC is in a process of finalising the establishment of Bokone-Bophirima Owned Security Company. The company will employ local youth across all the VTSD areas.

In line with its developmental mandate, the NWDC disbursed loans to a sum of R4,2 million to 16 small business enterprises in Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (8 In Ngaka Modiri Molema, 4 in Dr Kenneth District, 1 Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and 3 in Bojanala District) targeting wholesale & retail, agriculture, hospitality, and construction sectors across four district of Bokone Bophirima  

Agriculture, Culture and Tourism (ACT)

The ACT concrete represents the first and the core anchor concrete, supported by mining as a tributary to drive the economic policy development and approach of Bokone-Bophirima Province.

Fellow Citizens of Bokone-Bophirima, Taung College of Agriculture is the only college in the country accredited to offer a National Diploma Qualification in Irrigation Management. Government is in the process of engaging with various stakeholders in both public and private sector with a view of raising about R5 billion to implement the Provincial Irrigation Strategy, (completed by READ) in order to position Bokone-Bophirima and Taung village in particular through the Agricultural College as the Centre of Excellence in Irrigation in the entire country.

We are grateful for the good rains experienced in the province following the prevailing drought. As we recover from the drought about 9000 hectares  cultivated  for grain production in communal and land reform areas and our set target of 12 500 hectares will be reached. The North West has received a minimum of 304mm of rain the driest western part of the Province and 718mm in the eastern side.

We have already reached an agreement with the National Department of Agriculture and Forestry to utilise our Comprehensive Agricultural Support Grant to assist farmers for effective control of Armyworm in Bojanala and Ngaka Modiri Molema Districts. Other control measures on establishment of the fodder banks, control of veldt fires and other insect transmitted diseases will be treated with caution during the year.

Hon Speaker, the Regional Land Claims Commissioner for North West Office must be commended for their continued efforts in restoring the dignity of our people and bringing socio-economic changes in their lives.

An amount of R19 million was approved through recapitalisation and development policy to develop already transferred properties of Bahurutshe Boo Moiloa and De Paarl communities.

In an effort to restore the dignity, pride and honour of the lives of 201 ordinary households of Makweteng township in Delareyville who were dispossessed of their right in land between 1977 and 1981, financial compensation to the tune of R26,1 Million has been approved wherein each household will be paid R221 thousand.

Baagi ba Bokone-Bophirima, We are happy to announce that Government has appointed Dr Otsile Ntswane as the new CEO of Mmabana Arts and Sports Foundation.

Dr Ntswane is an accomplished activist, author and academic in the arts, and we are confident that he will bring stability to the institution and restore staff moral and other teething challenges afflicting the institution.

The immediate task of Mmabana, working together with both Departments of Education and Sports Development and CATA is to take the arts to all the schools in the Province. A comprehensive provincial plan for arts activities in all schools will be shared with the public by the end of March 2017.

Hon Members, the project to change all offensive names which are inconsistent with the values of our new constitutional democracy will gather speed in the new financial year. The MEC for CATA will provide full details when tabling the Department’s Budget speech later this year.

Hon Members and People of Bokone-Bophirima, it is regrettable to report to this house that we continue to receive disputes on traditional leadership and to date 11 traditional councils that have previously been resolved were presented to the Royal families and Dikgosi of the affected traditional councils.

Eight (8) new cases were received during the year and 5 have been resolved. 5 cases of Barokologadi, Ba ga Letlhogile, Ba ga Molefe, Bakgatla Ba-Kgafela and Baphalane are still outstanding. Traditional disputes from 4 traditional councils have been referred to the Commission on Traditional disputes and Claims.

Bagaetsho, we would like to appeal to all Royal families (dirubi) to work with Government in minimising disputes and strengthening internal dispute resolution mechanisms within structures of traditional leadership.

Hon Members and the People of Bokone-Bophirima, the National Liberation Heritage Route was initiated by the fourth administration in 2009. What the fifth administration has been implementing since June 2014 is the refinement and acceleration of an existing strategy developed by the fourth administration.

Hon Speaker, There are commendable signals indicating progress in our effort to position the Bokone-Bophrima amongst the top 3 most visited Provinces in the country. The focus of our agenda going forward will be anchored on building efficiencies in the sector, improving our tourism marketing efforts, strengthening tourism infrastructure in VTSD areas, building strong regulatory regime, partnering with bodies responsible for capacity development in the sector and aggressively attracting investment into the tourism sector.

We also wish to emphasise that the success of the Province to attract tourists will be largely dependent on security, stability, cleanliness, friendliness and improving our transport and road infrastructure.

The Department of Tourism will update both EXCO and the People of Bokone-Bophirima on the Provincial VTSD Tourism Action Plan behind which all of us should rally.

Hon Members, Achievements of the first concrete the ACT since 2016 includes the following:

  • 1030 households were supported from the Agricultural Food Security Initiatives across the province. Mazista Food Security Project in the Kgetleng Local Municipality as good example was set in motion for 60 households. The food security program will be extended to Derby and other VTSD areas;
  • In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, an amount of R 38 million was allocated for drought mitigation  through provision of emergency fodder to 21 000 farmers.
  • Bokone Bophirima Agricultural Growth and Investment Show (BBAGIS)
  • Agricultural Youth Awards were held on the 22nd and 23rd June 2016
  • North West Biodiversity Conference (Mebala Ya Rona) was held successfully on the 13th –  15th October 2016. 
  • VTSD Lekgotla which was held in December 2016 attended by over 1000 people including countries such as Nigeria, Angola, Malawi and Botswana
  • Springbokpan Silos are operational and receive first harvest during 2016.
  • A total number of 24 title deeds, constituting 50 thousand hectares were handed over to five Bahurutshe communities during this financial year.  This is true success of the 50/50 model between farmer farmworkers and related communities
  • During financial year (2016/2017), the Commissioner on restitution of land rights in the North West Province was allocated a budget of R247 million. The bulk of the allocated budget was spent towards land acquisition benefiting Barolong Boo Phoi, Bakwena Ba Modimosana Ba Manamela, Barolong Boo Rapulana, Barolong Boo Mariba, Mekgareng and Bakwena Ba Molopyane communities.

Honourable Speaker, the past is an important platform from which to use the present in order to shape the unknown future. Before we table our future plans for 2017/18 and beyond, the People of Bokone-Bophirima must at all times be reminded that our past serve as critical steps towards implementing our future programmes.

Agriculture, Culture and Tourism Initiatives for 2017/18

  • Government through CATA will develop and market visual arts, musical instruments and textiles through exhibitions, to support and strengthen Mmabana and the Arts & Culture centres;
  • Work with National Government and Government of Botswana to declare the historical sites in Botswana as heritage sites; where the first conference of the ANC in exile was held.
  • Build Monuments and Package of stories of freedom fighters who passed through our Province into Botswana. The proceeds of these efforts will go towards families of all freedom fighters.
  • Recognise Families and individuals who facilitated the transit of freedom fighters through the North West Province in particular through Ramatlabama Border.
  • Repatriate of remains of fallen cadres in collaboration National Prosecution Authority as part of Reconciliation Healing and Renewal.
  • Continue with the search the remains of those whose whereabouts are not known.
  • Launch the VTSD Tourism Action Plan.
  • Finalise the Establishment of both Bojanala and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Hotel Schools.
  • Expand the Tourism Youth Hospitability Learnership Programme
  • Arising from State of the Nation address 2017 on export of 20tons of beef to Peoples Republic of China. As a province, we will participate in the export program,

We welcome the pronouncement by President Jacob Zuma regarding the BRICS partnership including the opportunities for off take agreements on export of pulse, mangos and pork to India. The Province is ready to participate in the BRICS initiative following our visit to India last year.

  • READ and NWDC to establish a Provincial Feedlot, Feedbank and Abattoir Scheme working together with both commercial and small scale farmers as part of our Saamwerk-Saamtrek initiatives.
  • We have identified our own niche market to China on possible donkey value chain programs. READ will unpack provincial plans in that regard;
  • Nigerian Cross- River State collaboration with North West Province with is on the cards for the new financial year also for areas that covers agriculture and tourism. A framework agreement has been signed for immediate implementation;
  • Provincial plans are underway to conclude on process to list Marico Biosphere Reserve with UNESCO and for consideration during 2017/18 as an envisaged 2nd biosphere reserve following Magaliesburg;
  • The Revival Kaditshwene in Ramotshere Moioloa as National Heritage Site will be undertaken and we will explore possible partnerships in the private sector to ensure that planning and implementation thereof takes place;

Accelerated Radical Socio-Economic Transformation

Hon Speaker, The Province is implementing the National Development Plan through rebranding, repositioning and renewing Bokone Bophirima anchored on the five concretes; (ACT, VTSD, RHR, Setsokotsane and Saamwerk-Saamtrek). Implementing the latter cannot be achieved through typical bureaucratic approaches, but can be realised through innovativeness, risk taking, revocracy and people centredness.

We are happy to report to this house that VTSD procurement expenditure by Provincial Departments as at 31st December 2016 amounted to R1,1 billion expenditure recorded for VTSD areas. For the period of December 2016, of the R1,070 billion, R992 million was paid in 21 days and the remaining within 30 days in compliance with PFMA and the Presidential pronouncement.

Support to the youth

Hon Members, during the 2016/17 financial year, the Provincial Legislature passed into law the North West Youth Entrepreneurship Services Fund Act, No 6 of 2016 which repeals the NW Youth Development Trust Act, 1997 and establishes a new Youth Fund to serve as one Stop Shop for youth matters in the Province, with special focus on entrepreneurship, skills development and job opportunities.

Plans are at an advanced stage to operationalise this entity. YES would be starting the process of establishing VTSD YES structures (in all 753 VTSD area), as part of Local Economic Development initiatives led in partnership with municipality and led specifically by Offices of Mayors in all municipalities.

In the words of OR Tambo 'A country and nation that doesn't nurture its youth doesn't deserve its future'. In heeding OR Tambo words, these are some of the support Government provides to the youth:

  • Through the Social Development Department, we have trained 40 women and youth linked to Cooperatives and Non Profit Organisations (NPO) in baking and confectionary services in partnerships with food and beverages SETA;
  • 27 Youth Enterprise received training in business management;
  • Tourism is offered by 95 secondary schools in the Province out of the 399 schools;
  • 161 schools are offering agriculture science while 6 of them include agricultural Technology and 10 Agricultural Management Practice;
  • YES in the Office of the Premier, the NWDC as well as ongoing engagements with Development Finance and Institutions like the NYDA and SEFA are putting-up an enterprise support package through the roll-out of a customised and fit-for-purpose laundry on wheels platform with a smart portal creating sustainable jobs and working enterprises managed and operated by the youth of our province.
  • On the 1st March 2017, 200 youth will begin training in security related fields. 
  • The YES partnership with the NWDC and the SANDF, continues to give both financial and non-financial support to youth enterprises
  • Kgetsi Ya Tsie Bursary and Skills Development Fund is now  centralised in the Office of the Premier so as to ensure that allocation is done in line with the economy related skills needs of the province, including the demands of the VTSD economy. A re tsweng mo mokgweng wa boila kgaka bonwa moro.
  • Thus, the prioritisation of the awarding of bursaries will be driven by Agriculture, Culture and Tourism (ACT) as the primary drivers of the economy in the North West including Education, Health, Water and Sanitation, Local Government and Human Settlements, Roads and Financial Management, Auditing and Information Communication and Technology (ICT.
  • For the 2017 Academic year Government will be spending about R48 million to fund a total of 493 students in higher education institutions across the country.
  • In partnership (pataganong) with Denel Technical Academy a new satellite campus will be launched in Mahikeng in June 2017 with an initial intake of 40 students with at least 50% pass in mathematics and science (bonetetsi) in matric. The total cost of student funding for tuition in the first year will be R6 million, or R150 000 per student for full Government bursary.
  • The Office of the Premier working together with READ as the implementing agent will commence with the merSETA partnership to train 186 artisans in various agricultural trades to the tune of R26 million.
  • In partnership with Minister Nomvula Mokonyane’s Department of Water and Sanitation and the Presidential Youth Development programme 561 Artisans (tiro diatla) and Water Agents Training has commenced in four municipalities as follows: Madibeng 166, NW 405 90, Moretele 64, NMMDM 261 (561 in total). Other Municipalities would be targeted this year.
  • Government working with Eskom will be training 31 technicians sourced from various villages, townships and small dorpies. In addition 60 students who are resident of our province and are placed in various Universities across the country will be awarded bursaries for the 2017 academic year.
  • In partnership with the SABC through their WALLIS programme, the Office of the Premier and Department of Culture, Arts & Traditional Affairs, 40 learners across VTSD areas have been enrolled for a learnership sponsored by MICT SETA at the cost of R4.2 million. Each students will receive a monthly stipend of R 2 300 over the 18 months of the training.
  • Department of Community Safety and Transport Management in partnership with Transport, Education and Training Authority (TETA), Taletso TVET College will train (400) youth on trades related to Panel Beating, Windscreen repairs, Motor Mechanics, etc. We will soon release a request for proposals to refurbish and resuscitate government garages for this project to be implemented by recruiting backyard mechanics and motor mechanic graduates. This project will bring an investment of R500 million into the Mahikeng economy over a five (5) year period.
  • We have launched the Young Patriots Programme with an intake of 33 youths in the Province. The YPP’s will be responsible for monitoring some of the arts and culture programmes.
  • The Maize Soccer Challenge for 2017 will be implemented in the context of three weeks of intensive entrepreneurship build up events within the maize value to benefit the youth of our Province.

On the 6-8 September 2017, Provincial Government through Ikatisong School of Government will Host the inaugural VTSD Skills Development Lekgotla. This Lekgotla will bring together local, continental and global experts and role players in the Human Resources Development to craft practical strategies to develop youth skills required by the economy.

We have directed Ikatisong School of Government to work closely with the Department of Education, the University of the North West, TVET colleges and SETAs to ensure that the syllabuses are restructured to accommodate the teaching and development of entrepreneurship skills. Ikatisong has a critical role in coordinating skill development programmes to ensure that the necessary capacity exists throughout the province to maximise VTSD economic growth and development.

Hon Speaker, Provincial Government acknowledges the role of research, development and Innovation. The office of the Premier through the North West Development Cooperation (NWDC) collaborated with the North West University, National Technology Innovation Agency within the National Department of Science and Technology to host the first Provincial Innovation competition in the Province. The Competition was not only the first in the Province but it was the first in the country.

The Competition targeted ordinary citizens from VTSD's who created innovating solution aimed at addressing some of the challenges in line with the Five Provincial Concretes of the Province. We would like to congratulate the following winners of the inaugural competition:

  • 1st Prize: Mr Mpona Simon Khupari from Debrak Village in Moses Kotane Municipality. His innovative idea is on irrigation plan aimed at preserving water.
  • 2nd Prize: Mr Morebodi Maotsane from Pudumong village in Greater Taung Local Municipality. His innovative idea is on Livestock Reflector to increase visibility of stray animals at night.
  • 3rd Prize: Mr Prince Tumelo Nkoe from Mogwase Village in Moses Kotane Municipality. His idea is on Digital Risk Assessment Application that allows effective and interactive communication between workers and safety officers (e.g. in Mines)

The three winners each received a monetary package and will be attached with relevant institutions to be assisted in taking forward their innovations. We will continue doing all we can to guarantee the Future for our youth.

Support to women

  • Funded 10 (new) women cooperatives producing school uniform and other clothing items;
  • 123 women in cooperatives and 187 women cooperatives supported through Social Development Departments;
  • 186 women accessed entrepreneurship skills;
  • 2 130 women participated in socio economic programmes;
  • 24 Women, 10 Youth and 2 People with Disabilities benefitted from Empowerment Programme having been supported with training.

Support to older persons

  • 3 881 Older Persons benefitted from Economic Empowerment Programmes;
  • Construction of Taung residential facility for older persons completed during November 2016 at a sum of R21 million. The structure has a capacity to accommodate 100 older persons;
  • 1 166 food security beneficiaries linked to food production initiatives and 2 865 to other development opportunities;

Support to VTSD enterprises

  • National School Nutrition Programme is being implemented within the Framework of VTSD to a tune of R430 million. Schools will be expected to support bakeries that were funded by government and local agricultural products like community gardens.
  • More than 250 individuals from different SMME’s have been  assisted by FEED with registration and workshopped on pricing and invoicing; sewing machines; bakery equipment; cleaning chemicals; production machinery and equipment and packaging materials;
  • 03 Cooperatives where supported on technical training, mechanical job and installations of tunnels;
  • 153 SMMEs were supported in various skills development and access  to markets;
  •  258 private companies were registered with CIPC;
  • 126 Cooperatives were supported & 157 cooperatives were registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission;
  • 170 informal businesses received equipment as part of Informal Traders Upliftment Programme;

Fellow citizens of Bokone-Bophirima, in order to facilitate access to information and modernisation our villages, the NWDC working together with the Office of the Premier have finalised the business case for the implementation of phase 1 of rolling out WIFI in the following villages: Mofufutso, Gopane, Mocoseng and Mmanonyane.

The implementation of phase 1 will start in mid-March. A request for Proposal will be released in the next two weeks inviting prospective investors with necessary capacity to roll out VTSD WIFI Hotspots across all the 657 villages in Bokone-Bophirima.

It is our objective that every member of our community should have an equitable and seamless experience when they access government services. It should not matter whether you are in Pitsedisulejang, or Mofufutso, as a citizen your experience in accessing government services should be consistent and seamless and similar to a person in a bigger town or city. ICT connectivity (broadband network) plays a vital role in facilitating accessibility and quality of services.

We have realised that in order for us to eliminate inefficiencies within government, we need to keep the human element to a minimal. To this end when rendering services like Supply Chain Management (tenders), processes that are followed by various government officials should not just only be documented and published, but they should be automated, managed, measured, monitored, evaluated and improved upon on a continuous basis.

Service providers must be notified in advance if we are not going to meet our preferential procurement targets (for youth, local businesses and women owned businesses), if there are going to be delays in publishing and awarding a tender on time, if suppliers are not going to be paid within 21 days, or if there are any other delays that impact on timely service delivery as promised.

The envisaged benefits of Business Processes Driven Service Delivery approach include creation of an environment where Key Performance Indicators of employees are dynamically monitored.

Mafaratlhatlha a Tlhaeletsano (ICT)

In line with our Saamtrek-Saamwerk philosophy, we are engaging with the ICT industry and various stakeholders with appetite to contribute towards the socio-economic transformation of our Province. As part of this process, we will be hosting the 1st Annual Energy, Science and ICT Lekgotla in Tlokwe, on the 2nd and 3rd of March 2017 where all the stakeholders will engage on practical interventions required to empower our people in the villages, townships, and small dorpies. We look forward to this 2 day Lekgotla.

Ladies & Gentlemen, In the 2016/17 financial year, Bokone-Bophirima working with Eskom was able to give electricity to 19 407 which is 122 houses more than the target that was set at the beginning of the financial year.

The North West Province has reached an impressive coverage rate of 85%.  The reaming backlog for the North West to reach universal coverage is 15%.

For the 2017/18 financial year, Government working with Eskom will be connecting 4 787 houses in the Bojanala Platinum District, 4 832 in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, 2 203 houses will be connected in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and 178 connections will be completed in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.

Hon Members and the people of Bokone-Bophirima, Government is working with ESKOM and municipalities to clear all ESKOM debts. Out of the eight affected municipalities, debt management unit within FEED (MFMA) has managed to ensure that payment agreements by municipalities are complied with and in excess of R120 million has been paid to ESKOM.

Treasury will facilitate payments of outstanding debts and monitor the implementation of agreed plans between municipalities and ESKOM. The Province is taken a resolution to allow ESKOM to take over electricity distribution in municipalities which perpetually fail to manage electricity revenue and pay ESKOM accounts.

Payments made by Government departments from April 2016 to 30 June 2016 amount to R335 million for the period December 2016 to January 2017. In addition, an amount of R56 million was collected from Government departments’ through the Provincial Government intervention to assist municipalities’ service their outstanding Eskom debt.

We wish to applaud the following municipalities for the implementation of the campaign to encourage citizens to pay their rates and taxes NW405 LM, Matlosana, Maquassi Hills, Ramotshere Moiloa, Kgetlengrivier, Ditsobotla, Mahikeng, Tswaing, Mamusa, Greater Taung and Madibeng Local Municipality.

Bagaetsho, the North West loses R 428 million which represents 7.11% of lost revenue due to illegal electricity connections. We appeal to members of the public to report all those who break the law by stealing electricity including private companies. We urge municipalities to strengthen their systems to prevent and detect illegal electricity connections.

Hon Speaker, I am glad to indicate that NW 405 Municipality in North West has been targeted as one of the areas for the installation of solar water heater programme, to create employment opportunities for youth that will install 10 000 systems. Training programmes have been designed in plumbing, water reticulation and labour intensive construction methods, amongst others, for youth that are to be identified under the various programmes of the National Youth Service Programme.

The municipality will play a central role in identifying the installation sites for these solar water heater systems, and the Department of Energy expects NW 405 Municipality to finalise the agreement that outlines the project modalities.

Baagi Ba Taung le Bokone-Bophirima ka kakaretso, Government has built 13 002 houses in Taung over the years with a Budget of R644 million.

Some of the Projects implemented in Taung are:

  • Construction of the  Taung Bridge is with a total budget of R84 million,
  • Construction of a road from Taung through Manokwana to Maphoitsile for R140 million
  • Electrification of 2023 houses in 8 villages in and around Greater Taung Municipality at a total cost of R13,4 million

Hon Members, we are introducing a new human settlement delivery approach called the Bietjie-Bietjie maak meer within the context of VTSD preferential procurement strategy. Through approach a flexible cap of 50 units per developer will be introduced directed specifically at small contractors’ levels 1 - 4. Appointed developers will be encouraged to employ local people including subcontracting with the objective of transferring skills.

The building material will also be sourced locally before consideration is given to external service providers. We will launch this approach in Moretele Local Municipality in the coming financial year 2017/18 with allocation of 200 units at the cost of R24 million.

Going forward government will be focusing on dealing with the skewedness in terms of allocation of RDP houses beneficiaries in the VTSD areas with specific focus on senior citizens, people with disabilities and child headed families in villages.

Government has mandated the department of Local Government and Human Settlements to initiate the process of developing a set of regulations in an effort to manage the unapproved human settlement and the spread of informal settlements.

Hon Speaker, we are pleased announced that the Province all successfully eradicated all formal settlements bucket system in the Province which were reported to Government. We urge communities who may have been missed in the process to report any remaining budget system in formal settlements in the Province.

Hon Members, the Department of Local Government and Human Settlements will investigate the processes followed by municipalities in the allocation of Breaking New Grounds (BNGs) and rental housing units.

Hon Speaker, the Province still has a deeds transfer total backlog of 63 885 for post ’94 title deeds. To date, the department has transferred title to 6 868 homeowners and have spent R 4,8 million with respect to the title deed restoration programme. We have put aside funds to ensure that 24 000 title deeds are transferred to beneficiaries in 2017/18.

Later this year, the Department of Local Government and Human Settlements will give details on the piloting of the Enviro Mobi Waste Management Project in five (5) local municipalities namely Mahikeng, Tswaing, Kgetlengriver, Mamusa and Maquassi Hills.

The intention is to support five municipalities in the province with refuse removal to create employment, empower communities and protect environment. We are appealing to municipalities to continue with the implementation of the 10 point campaign by ensuring that for 10 days (10-20) every month intensive cleaning campaigns are carried out in all municipalities. We have already launched this campaign in Mahikeng under the leadership of the Office of the Premier and all Provincial Departments.  All other campaigns we commenced last year will be included in this focus work.

Bagaetsho, the Infrastructure Shared Services Model adopted by Provincial Government and all Municipalities in the Province is beginning to bear fruit. At the end of municipal financial year, June 2016; 16 Municipalities managed to spend 100% of their Municipal Infrastructure Grant allocations, three of them received additional allocation based on their good performance in terms of expenditure namely: Maquassi Hills LM R30 million, Tlokwe LM R30 million and Naledi R29 million. The total amount of allocation for 2016/17 is R 1.6 billion and the expenditure on projects by end of December 2016 is at 35% or R 583 million. (MIG to be redirected to MIG)

The Office of the Premier’s Planning Unit will continue to support integrated planning through assessment of municipal IDPs and Provincial Department APP’s for alignment with provincial priorities.

Over 350 MIG Projects were approved for Implementation in the whole province for 2016/17 Financial Year and most will be completed by end of June 2017.  In the next financial year 2017/18 an amount of R 1.7 billion MIG funding has been allocated for municipalities to implement projects.

Hon Members, The Executive Council together the Premier’s Infrastructure Coordinating Council has resolved that MIG grants in all municipalities in the Province be utilised to prioritise water and sanitation in the Province. This decision enjoys support of our National Cooperative Government & Traditional Affairs Department and hopefully National Treasury.

Confronting water challenges

Hon Members and fellow citizens of Bokone-Bophirima, Government through the Department of Water and Sanitation funded 7 Water Services Infrastructure Grant Projects at the tune of R290 million in the following municipalities;

  • Moretele Ground Water Development              R45 million;
  • Rustenburg Water Augmentation                     R30 million;
  • Moses Kotane Groundwater project                 R 38 million;
  • Kgetleng River Groudwater Project                   R 9 million;
  • Madibeng Water Augmentation Schedule         R25 million;
  • Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Ground water Supply in Different Villages   R 77 million;
  • Ngaka Modiri Molema Groundwater Supply in Different Villages Schedule 6B R 65 million

For 2017/18 Financial Year, the Department will fund the following Projects:

  • R13 million in Mahikeng Local Municipality  in the following areas, Madibe a Ga Molema, Schoongezicht, Masutlhe 1&2, Tsese, Setlopo and Tshunyane.
  • R 23 million in Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the following areas; Ga Maloka, Bodibe, Iketleng, Coligny and Bakerville,
  • R17 million in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality in the following areas: Supingstad, Mosweu, Gopane, Motswedi and Mokgola.
  • R26 million in Tswaing Local Municipality for the following areas: Kopela, Geysdorp and Delareyville.
  • R17 million in Mamusa Local Municipality in the following areas; Ipelegeng, Glaudina and Schweizer Reneke.
  • The R5 million allocated to Kagisano Molopo for the Pomfret Area has been delayed until the service provider is appointed.
  • The Swartruggens Project to repair leaks in Borolelo and refurbishment of the WTW optimisation will require more funding before the project is confirmed for implementation

Hon Members, EXCO has directed the Department of Local Government and Human Settlement working together with National Department of Water and Sanitation to develop a Provincial Plan to upscale municipalities with proven capacity to apply for and be granted Water Services Authority Status.

The Water Boards have also been mandated to develop and implement upgraded operations, monitoring and maintenance management systems for both drinking water and waste water treatment plants, to ensure their sustainability.

Hon Speaker, Bokone Bophrima Province requires a total budget of R8.6 billion to deal with our entire road network of 19, 786 kms. Due to the severe rains and floods that this province has experienced over the recent weeks, this figure will be even higher.

A total of 14 655 kms is unpaved (gravel) roads while 5131 kms is paved or tarred. This road network is distribution as follows - Bojanala has 2369 unpaved (gravel) and 1799 paved (tarred); Dr Kenneth Kaunda has 2255 unpaved (gravel) and 878 paved (tarred).

Ngaka Modiri Molema has 3653 unpaved (gravel) and 1641kms paved (tarred); and Dr. RS Mompati has 6332 kms unpaved (gravel) and 859 kms paved (tarred). Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr. Mompati Districts have unpaved or gravel roads in the majority. 

Hon Speaker, Department of Public Works and Roads will prioritise VTSD unpaved or gravel roads badly affected by the rains and floods mainly in the VTSD areas. Focus will be put on strategic economic roads that connect villages to villages, villages to townships and villages to small dorpies.

Some of the strategic road construction projects are the following:

  • Nelson Mandela Highway from Lichtenburg to Mafikeng is under construction for R500 million;
  • Dudfield to Gelukspan, Molatedi to Derdepoort, Lebotlwane Road, Setlopo – Dithakong – Mantsha to Mareetsane,  Lokaleng – Mogosane – Tlapeng to Mmasutlhe, Delaryville – Ganalaagte – Kopela to Mareetsane

The above projects would be going on tender before the end of the first quarter of the new financial year)

Hon Speaker, It is becoming increasingly difficult to rely exclusively on public funding given pressures on the budget. The Province is exploring possible Public Private Partnerships to deal with the effects of mining haulage or heavy mining transport machinery on our roads network. 

We would also have to double efforts to secure private sector funding for the building of roads.  The tendency by some of our residents to deliberately damage roads when the demand other basic needs complicates our challenges.

Hon Members and People of Bokone-Bophirima, in the spirit of “bietjie-bietjie maak meer”, no contractor in the Province will be allocated a road tender which is more than 20km with effect from the beginning of 2017/18 Financial year.

Fellow Citizens of Bokone Bophirima, For the 2016/17 period, this Administration has implemented EPWP (Tsena o sutele o Mongwe) and created 25, 690 work opportunities provide work opportunities and income support to poor and unemployed people through the labour-intensive delivery of public and community assets and services, thereby contributing to development.

The EPWP is divided into sectors namely Social Sector that created 7, 335 work opportunities; Infrastructure Sector that created 4, 182 work opportunities; Non-State Sector that created 7,644 number of work opportunities; Environment and Culture Sector that created 5,796 work opportunities and Community Works Programme that created 2,751 work opportunities.

Pursuant to the Honourable President Zuma’s Government’s 9 Point Plan to boost the economic growth and create much needed jobs, the EPWP Programme is on track with the implementation and rollout of Cooperatives Development Programme that has created 49 cooperatives together with 634 work opportunities.  These cooperatives are based and spread across the province in all 4 Districts; are in Small Towns and Townships offering various services including roads maintenance, office cleaning services, sewing, cleaning detergent, carwash, brickmaking etc.

Fellow Citizens of Bokone-Bophrima, progress although slow has been registered in engagements between Government, COSATU and National Department of Transport regarding the Swaartruggens Tollgate rate.

We are pleased to report that the Koster road has been completed as an alternative. Further rebates are being considered for N4 road users in surrounding areas along the N4.

Discussions are continuing with both National Departments of Transport and Rural Development for the upgrade of the Skuinsdrift road as another alternative for motorists travelling between Mahikeng or Zeerust and Sun City.

We will also engage with Bakwena Company that manages the tolled road to determine whether the review the rate after recouping the initial investment including considering whether the contract period could be brought forward. 

Hon Members, we remain committed to completing the forensic audit around scholar transport to ensure that this important service to our learners operates optimally and achieves Government’s plan to deal with poverty, inequality and unemployment. The operation of learner transport currently transport 36 000 learners and created job opportunities of up to 400 drivers with 113 operators, 30 mechanics and 100 administrators.

Hon Speaker, the NWDC and NTI are working on the best option for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to involve the taxi industry and other public transport operators in the roll out of NTI bus services to other parts of the Province.

Hon Speaker, the plan to roll out VTSD rail network and launch the passenger train between Mahikeng and Johannesburg was delayed due to internal challenges experienced by the responsible state owned entity, PRASA. We hope that PRASA will overcome their internal challenges so that this important initiative could be implemented.

Bagaetsho, the MEC for the Department of Community Safety and transport will outline initiatives to be implemented to enhance the vehicle registration revenue enhance for the Province. Unavoidable delays were experienced with the bidding process for the construction of the North West Traffic College due to limited tenders received. The project is going out on re-advert with the intention of launching construction before end March 2017.

During the past financial year 2015/16, the Province managed a reduction of 1% on Property Related Crimes. The Contact Crimes, which includes amongst others crimes against women and children, went up 1%. It is in this category that Sexual Offences fall. Rape went down 8%.  As part of intervention measure, the Province has come up with an Annual Operational Plan to mitigate the problematic crimes.

A multi-disciplinary approach is still needed in addressing crime. It is therefore important that other key stakeholders such as the Community through the Community Policing Forums, other Government departments and the business community participate in bringing the crime levels down.

Hon Speaker, The Adjusted Provincial Allocation for Infrastructure in the current financial year is R5.8 billion of which as at the end of January 2017 the spending is at 69% or R4 billion of the allocation. Departments are urged to do more to increase the speed of delivery to ensure that the remaining budgets are spent by the end of the Financial Year. 

The Department of Education will continue to support schools through infrastructure development through renovations, provisioning of water, sanitation and fencing including the expansion of the boarding schools using some of existing rationalised schools with a budget of R1 billion.

To address the poor performance in Mathematics, the department has embarked on a project of providing Primary schools with Maths Laboratories. 498 schools will be done within a 3 year period at the tune of R300 million.

Hon Speaker, we are pleased to inform this house that after long discussion and engagement all parties have now agreed that the North West University need a Medical School. The establishment and development of a medical school will attract medical specialists to the province.

In the meantime, the National inter-Country agreement with Cuba, Tunisia and Iran has facilitated the recruitment of specialists to the North West Province. These specialists (53 from Cuba, 1 Oncology Specialist from Iran) are contracted for three year periods which are renewable. A number of Cuban specialists were recruited to the Province in 2016.

Hon Members and People of Bokone-Bophirima, whilst our community health centres are not all providing 24/7 hours service, will be strengthened with doctors’ coverage and maternity services for pregnant women and under five children. Currently 47 clinics are operating 24 hours.

In 2017, we will be deploying an integrated public health care health mobile service to treat, diagnose and promote health for the rural poor. We have increased our Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) in the rural areas in collaboration with the private sector and the big corporates (mining houses).

The details of the our broader public health care interventions will be outlined by the MEC for Health during the Budget Speech of the Department .

Hon Speaker, we have launched one of our most ambitious service delivery initiatives since June 2014, the Setsokotsane Ward Operation Centres. These centres will be operationalised on 1st March 2017 in all the 407 wards in the North West to ensure that service delivery is taken direct to the people. Setsokotsane Ward Operation Centre will be managed in each ward by Community Development Workers (CDW’s), Ward Committee Members, EPWP, Community Health Workers, CPF’s, SGB’s, NGO’s, CBO’s, Traditional leaders. The Premier will launch the programme on 1st March 2017 in Boikhutso in Ventersdorp, NW 405 Municipality.

One of the immediate tasks of the Setsokotsane Ward Operation Centres includes:

  • Coordination of the 10 day intensive cleaning and services payment campaigns across all municipalities between 10-20 of every month;
  • Coordination of the distribution and retrieval Complaints, Compliments and Suggestions forms across all public schools in the Province;
  • Working with the Taxi and Bus Industries coordinate the distribution and retrieval of Complaints, Compliments and Suggestions forms across all public transport platforms.

Hon Members, to bolster our Setsokotsane approach to service delivery the Premier of Bokone-Bophirima will embark on visit to all 18 municipalities in an effort to engender the culture of entrepreneurship with special focus on VTSD areas in partnership with other social partners, Dikgosi, Business, Labour, NGO’s, CBO’s, DFI’s, FDI’s, DMR etc.

These visits will culminate in the launch of an Investment and Economic Development Index Book which shall contain full investment and economic development potential of each village, township and small dorpie in Bokone-Bophirima.

Hon Members, since the launch of Setsokotsane Call Centre on the 22nd July 2016, 22 permanent jobs have been created by the Office of the Premier. The Office of the Premier is gradually increasing and strengthening the call centre capacity to respond to all complaints registered with us within the stipulated immediate, short, medium and long-term periods. The centre has handled a total of 8014, majority of which have been resolved by Departments.

Housing, electricity, water, roads, health and unemployment are the top issues raised and registered by the call centre at both provincial and district levels.

Other success stories of the call centre include:

  • Repair to the electricity transformers in Motlhabeng and Masamane villages;
  • Stolen borehole cables replaced in Verdwaal Zone 2;
  • In Piet Plessies, Lesetlheseng and Witrantjie roads were re-gravelled including the patching of Mogwase and Madikwe roads through the Setsokotsane Operation Centre.

Irregular expenditure

Hon Speaker, Provincial Government is committed to ensure that irregular expenditure is prevented and reduced across all Provincial Departments, SOE’s and Municipalities. To indicate government seriousness about this matter, accounting officers have been directed to implement the following serious consequence management actions:

  • In instances where officials have committed fraud and corruption and have been found guilty, they will be dismissed with immediate effect;
  • To recoup financial losses suffered by the state from pensions;
  • Open criminal cases with the relevant law enforcement authorities;
  • Blacklist affected officials to make it impossible for them to obtain jobs with National Departments or other Provincial Administrations and Municipalities;

I am glad to announce that government has established a Provincial Advisory Committee (PACO) on UIF that will preside over the processes of regularisation of the irregular expenditure and implementation of consequence management by departments and entities. The Committee will also guide departments and entities through a systematic process of condoning irregular expenditure. The Committee which includes the Auditor General and Internal Audit have to date met twice to evaluate the submissions of various department and the process in continuing until all prior year’s irregular expenditure has been addressed.

More work in fighting corruption

Hon Speaker, the process to appoint the Integrity Officer as pronounced in 2016 was delayed by extensive consultations and our determination to secure services of a retired Judge. We are now confident that an announcement of the name of the Integrity Office will be made in the third quarter of 2017/18 financial year. The Province is pleased to announce the following interventions to deal with corruption cases in the Province:

  • All SIU reports have been referred to the Hawks and we have received confirmation that three Provinces including ours have been prioritised by the Hawks to deal with all cases of corruption;
  • All Forensic Investigations reports have been tabled before the Legislature and are being referred to relevant law enforcement agencies on a case by case approach
  • All Public Protector recommendations are being implemented and all recommended remedial actions implemented;
  • We are implementing an amnesty period in the Province over a period to be announced by the Premier, but the process will be piloted in Mahikeng through encouraging all people who have acquired or occupied state properties including houses illegally to come forward before necessary legal actions are taken against them.
  • A Provincial Forensic, Ethics and Integrity Forum comprising members from Hawks, SAPS, AG, Legal, Provincial Treasury and Office of the Premier will further be strengthened during this year.
  • The Misconduct and Forensic Unit within the Office of the Premier has made successful and commendable progress in assisting various departments and municipalities to deal with corruption related allegations

Baagi Ba Bokone-Bophirima, we are making a plea to all people of Bokone-Bophima to desist from the culture of making damaging and libellous accusations against our fellow citizens without any shred of evidence to substantiate such. Unsubstantiated stories of corruption allegations are not only damaging to the persons affected but also ruin and damage the good name of the North West Province and the country.  Real corruption has to be dealt with as part of building a society based on integrity and ethics.

Hon Speaker, The Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal programme has been implemented with increased vigour in 2016. We wish to express our gratitude to President Jacob Zuma for elevating our RHR event on 16th December 2016 into a National Event and gracing us with his presence.

Hon Members and People of Bokone-Bophirima, the good work we have done in Marikana is marred by acts of illegal occupation of RDP houses by a small section of the community. These completed houses together with infrastructure development jointly delivered by the Provincial Government and the Rustenburg Municipality represent practical steps taken by Government to develop Marikana.

We thank all communities and stakeholders for their support and enthusiasm in welcoming and embracing the RHR programme since its launch. We are committed as Government to support this programme and work together with all communities to address social ills afflicting many communities.

We thank in particular the people of Kanana in Matlosana who have successfully worked with Government to confront the problem of gangsterism and crime in their area. We thank the youth of Kanana for their willingness to take the exit option the life of crime and substance abuse, which has inspired seven (7) of them to be awarded bursaries by the Office of the Premier to pursue higher education studies.

Hon Members and People of Bokone-Bophirima, we are saddened though that over the last month ugly incidents of racism perpetuated mainly by South African males of European origin have reared their ugly heads in our Province. In particular, two traffic officers in Tlokwe were assaulted by two white university boys, a white male employee of a restaurant in Hartebeesfontein, were reported to have called several black patrons baboons, and in the same area about three weeks ago several school children and one adult black woman were deliberately ran over by a car.  Blacks were also assaulted by a white male in Ottosdal. We commend our people and the police for acting on the perpetrators alleged.

Hon Speaker, the task of creating the South Africa captured in the preamble of our constitution should be a responsibility of all South Africans, black and white.

It is sad that there is still a small section of South Africans of European origin who still entertains the notion of white superiority. Black inferiority is something that we Africans and Blacks must work against and defeat. This unacceptable and should be punished harshly by the criminal justice system.

Baagi Ba Bokone-Bophirima, we wish to thank men and women who constitute Bokone-Bophirima cadreship of public servants. These are the people who hold the key to and keep the engine of service delivery running daily. We have directed the Director General of our Province Dr Lydia Sebego to introduce innovations to keep the moral of our staff members alive and inspire them to do better in their given responsibilities. These initiatives include:

  • Launching of Public Service Choral Music Festival;
  • Strengthen existing Long Service Awards to prepare current and retiring public servants for entrepreneurship;
  • OR Tambo Public Service Excellence Awards;
  • Organised and Coordinated Monthly celebrations of Public Servants birthdays;
  • Intensification of existing Sports Wednesday programme

Hon Speaker, the Premier will resuscitate the effort to convene a meeting in the fourth quarter of 2017/18 with all North West professionals based in order parts of the country in both public and private service to share with them the work we are doing as the fifth administration and urge them to join us in the project to rebrand, reposition and renew Bokone-Bophirima.

This Premier will also meet with all North West residents who graduated in 2016 and previous years who may not yet be employed to inspire them to join the entrepreneurship revolution launched in Bokone-Bophirima.

Hon Speaker, these ideas are inspired by the many messages of support constant proposals from the people on how we can better Government delivery machinery. People of this Province want progress and are positive about the direction the Province is taking.

Mmusakgotlha, ntetle ko bofelelong go nopola ditemana mo lokwalong la ga Mateo, 5 temane ya bo 7 go fitlha go 12

7. Go sego ba ba kutlwelo-botlhoko; gonne batla utlwelwa botlhoko.

8. Go sego ba ba pelo di itshekileng; gonne batla bona Modimo.

9. Go sego badira-kagiso; gonne batla bidiwa bana ba Modimo.

10. Go sego ba ba bogisediwang tshiamo; gonne puso ya magodimo ke ya bone.

11. “Lo sego, fa batho ba lo kgoba, ba lo bogisa, ba bua bosula jotlhe ka ga lona ka maaka, ka ntlha ya me.

12. Itumeleng lo ipele; gonne tuelo ya lona e kgolo kwa magodimong . Gonne ba bogisitse baporofeti jalo, ba ba neng ba le teng pele ga lona.

Ke a leboga!

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