Statement on Free State Executive Council meeting of 22 Oct

Media statement on Free State Provincial Cabinet meeting held on 22 October 2014 at Olien Room, Lebohang Building in Bloemfontein        

The Executive Council of the Free State Provincial Government met on the Wednesday, 22 October 2014 at the Olien Room of Lebohang Building in Bloemfontein.

• The Executive Council (Exco) affirmed the assertions of the State of the Province Address, 26 June 2014 held in QwaQwa and the resultant Programme of Action that defines the Second Transition of Freedom and Democracy as a consequence of the May 7, 2014 Provincial and National General Elections that was outlined by Premier Ace Magashule.
   

• Informed by this background, the Exco discussed a number of economic partnerships that emanate from interactions that have taken place with Members of the BRICS countries and other international trips that have been embarked upon in the period of 2013 to 2014.

• The Exco also expressed the need to make follow up on a number of national partnerships that have been entered into with various role players in the numerous initiatives that have been aimed at widen economic participation and improving the quality of life of the people of the Province whilst contributing to national imperatives for economic growth and social security.
   

• Exco expressed its appreciation for the levels of Patriotism that have been observed in the conduct of the citizens of the BRICS countries in particular and expressed a need for a dedicated effort by the Free State Province to learn from these examples in order to emulate them in the Free State.
   

• The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation was applauded by the Exco for its campaigns and activities that included the teaching and singing of the national anthem, teaching the national symbols as stepping stones towards a comprehensive programme of Social Cohesion.
   

• Exco expressed satisfaction with the progress made by Free State Bursary Holders studying in the country and abroad.
   

• Exco is satisfied with the intake of students at Bachelors level that have been afforded overseas study opportunities, it has resolved to concentrate on Post-Graduate Qualification in the years starting from 2015 that will emanate from the relations established with Members of the International Community that have been visited by and who have visited the Free State Province in the period of 2013 and 2014.
   

• The Exco resolved to gradually phase out the programme on Computer Applications at schools and replace it with a much more concentrated Information Technology at schools.  There will be careful selection of passionate teachers that will be trained in credible overseas and national educational institutions that are Best Performers in the Information Technology Field.
   

• Furthermore, Exco resolved to embark on a programme of Mass Literacy in Information Technology for development.  The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and Small Business Development was applauded for having  already started with Information Technology educational literacy programme for Cleaners, Security Officers and General Workers. 

The Executive Council Meeting discussed the Provincial Health Indaba as follows:

• Firstly, Exco was informed and took note of the placement on Special Leave of the CEO of Universitas Academic Hospital, Dr. Gaelejwe with immediate effect whilst investigations are on-going to determine his suitability for occupancy of office.
   

• The current CEO of Pelonomi Hospital, Dr. Molokomme will Act in the capacity of Acting CEO of Universitas Academic Hospital concurrent with his responsibility as CEO of Pelonomi Hospital.  The Department will ensure that collective leadership prevails to ensure that services are maintained at optimum level in the best interest of the good health provision to the benefit of all our clients.
   

• The Exco noted the presentation of the Health Indaba Resolutions and the consultative process that continues to unfold to ensure improvements of the health services of the Province.  The Department will continuously report progress to the citizens of the Free State on the steps that are being taken to effect the Financial Turn-Around Strategy and the Strategy that is geared towards improving the Management and Provision of Health Services.

The Executive Council Meeting discussed the Provincial Economic Development, Cooperatives and Small Business Development Indaba as follows:

• Informed by the need to accentuate the dictates of the Second Transition of Freedom and Democracy that calls for the Radical Economic Transformation, the Exco meeting discussed progress on key issues that were resolved at the Indaba.
   

• On a number of areas, it was noted that Government was already making progress in implementing the resolutions and that the Department and the Economic Cluster need to facilitate a greater scope of inclusivity and integration of government programmes for wider economic benefit.
   

• The meeting noted the need to increase the Research capacity of government across the board.
   

• The implementation of the resolutions will clearly express the output on the set asides for the specially designated beneficiaries and the historically disadvantaged such as the Youth, the Women, Persons with Disabilities, Black people in general and Africans in particular.
   

• Exco assessed progress made in the process of declaring of disasters in areas affected by the recent veld fires and that more feedback is needed on the progress of interactions with the concerned national Departments.

The Executive Council Meeting discussed the Transport Month and Arrive Alive Campaign 2014 as follows:

• Efforts of the Department of Police, Roads and Transport of making Free State Roads safer throughout the year and the intensified programme since the beginning of Transport Month in October 2014 were noted by the Exco meeting.
   

• The programme of the Department of the Police, Roads and Transport that will be launched on the 30 October 2014 under the theme: Together, we move South Africa Forward – Re a Hlasela ka Road Safety Campaign was also noted.
   

• The Department will intensify efforts and showcase achievements in improvements made to Transport Infrastructure in disadvantaged rural areas.
   

• Exco noted the perception that most Government Programmes and events are going to Botshabelo and not Thaba Nchu.  The Provincial Government Communication Services was instructed to increase information campaigns on the balanced approach that is taken by Exco which will ensure that Government does visit all areas of the Province and showcase the benefits for each area and good developments that are planned and taking place especially in the rural areas of the province.

On the improvements in the response of Government to the Management Performance Assessment Tool (MPAT):

• The Exco re-iterated its disappointment for the dismal showing that was recorded in the previous period that saw the Free State being one of the lowest ranking provinces in the country.
   

• The Exco noted the expeditious resolve taken by the Forum of Heads of Departments that has ensured that the Province submits its report on time and signed off by the Accounting Officers.  The Province is looking forward to a much improved performance in the coming period of assessments.

Exco noted the excellent performance of the Police Officers under the stewardship of Lt. General Mpembe and MEC Komphela in dramatically decreasing the effects of crime in the province.

The Exco applauded the conferring of the Alumni Award to MEC Tate Makgoe by the University of the Free State.

Enquiries:
Provincial Government Spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi
Cell: 072 022 1598
Tel: 051 403 3238
E-mail: mondli.mvambi@fspremier.gov.za