executive retreat
11 September 2006
The Gauteng city region's local and provincial government leaders held a
successful three-day retreat from 5 to 7 September 2006 to review progress in
fulfilling government's mandate and set common priorities for the years
ahead.
The retreat was chaired by the Gauteng Premier, Mbhazima Shilowa, and was
attended by Members of the Executive Council (MECs), Gauteng's District and
Metropolitan Mayors, municipal managers and heads of Gauteng government
Departments.
The retreat noted significant progress over the past two years in delivering
on the 2004 electoral mandate - A people's contract to create work and fight
poverty - and in implementing the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG)'s
five-year programme of action from 2004 to 2009.
Common priorities and plans were agreed upon to fulfil the provincial
government commitments to the end of the current term of office in 2009 as well
as local government commitments for its new five-year term to 2011. This will
lay the basis for the realisation of the province's 2014 vision, with a
particular focus on contributing to halving unemployment and poverty.
The initiative to build Gauteng as a globally competitive city region -
launched recently by local and provincial government, provided an overarching
perspective for the retreat's deliberations and joint planning.
A central theme running throughout the three days was an emphasis on
deepening integration and alignment across all spheres of government and its
agencies to maximise government's impact in improving people's lives and
building a better Gauteng for all.
The national planning framework, national government's priorities as
outlined in the Medium Term Strategic Framework and the National Spatial
Development Perspective provided the context for the setting of provincial
priorities.
The retreat noted progress on and reiterated the importance of existing and
new provincial strategies and programmes designed to transform Gauteng and
boost shared economic growth and social development in the province. A central
focus will be on the effective implementation of these strategies. These
include:
* the Gauteng global city region perspective
* the Gauteng Growth and Development Strategy (GGDS)
* the Gauteng Social Development Strategy
* the Gauteng safety plan
* the Gauteng road safety plan
* the Gauteng integrated transport plan
* the Gauteng human resource development (HRD) strategy, which will be launched
later this month
* the GPG Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) strategy
* the capacity and organisation of the State strategy
* the integrated housing strategy
* the 2010 integrated implementation plan and
* the twenty prioritised townships plan.
1. Stimulating faster economic growth and job creation:
The retreat noted that the Gauteng economy had experienced unprecedented and
sustained growth over the past decade with a decline in unemployment from 30,4%
in September 2001 to 22,8% in September 2005. It was also reiterated that
shared economic growth is the central prerequisite in addressing poverty and
achieving other development objectives.
Through implementing the initiative to build Gauteng as a globally
competitive city region, the GGDS and Local Growth and Development Strategies
(LGDS), the province aims to achieve an 8% growth rate by 2014 and contribute
to the national goal to halve poverty and unemployment.
1.1 The Gauteng global city region:
The retreat reiterated the need for the reprioritisation and alignment of all
key provincial and local strategies in line with the Gauteng global city region
initiative.
Progress was noted in the consultation with stakeholders on the Global City
Region (GCR) perspective, including the GCR launch at the end of August. Civil
society stakeholders have until the end of October 2006 to make further inputs
on the perspective.
It was agreed that the initiative needs to be further institutionalised at
all levels, including through the strengthening of both municipal and
provincial government, the strengthening of inter-governmental relations and
the improved functioning of the Premier's co-ordinating forum and its related
technical structures.
The GCR priority areas in which common priorities and plans would be adopted
by the provincial government and municipalities were reaffirmed in the areas of
safety and security; transport infrastructure and authorities; integrated
safety and transport system; sustainable human settlements; investment and
tourism promotion; the environment and sustainability and infrastructure
provision.
The implementation of flagship projects including the establishment of a
city-region observatory, preparations for the 2010 Federation Internationale de
Football Association (FIFA) World Cup and the development of the creative
industries sector would be fast-tracked.
1.2 Alignment:
It was agreed that LGDS should be aligned with the GGDS and across
municipalities to identify synergies and avoid unnecessary duplication and
competition.
The growth strategies identify, among others, key sectors and areas with
economic potential to be targeted for government support.
1.3 Smart province:
In line with the priority sectors identified in the GGDS, the retreat
identified further interventions which will help propel the Gauteng economy.
Among the key new initiatives planned is a joint project by the provincial
government and municipalities to expand world class information and
communication technology across the province. This includes increased
bandwidth, bridging the digital divide and extending connectivity to all
communities through schools and multi-purpose community centres. Attention will
also be paid to infrastructure and skills development to attract further
investment in the growing business process outsourcing sector.
1.4 Expanded economic access:
Initiatives to broaden access to economic opportunities among black people,
especially youth and women, will be further expanded and consolidated. The
Gauteng BBBEE including preferential procurement and the Gauteng Enterprise
Propellor (GEP), which provides support for small, medium and micro-enterprises
(SMMEs) remain central in this regard. The Gauteng government target is to have
70% of its procurement done by BBBEE companies by 2009. It was agreed that all
municipalities should adopt BBBEE strategies and that resources devoted to SMME
support should be combined to maximise their impact and reach. Plans are afoot
to mobilise private sector capital to enable more BBBEE companies to
participate in the mainstream economy.
1.5 Economic development in districts:
One of the goals of the Gauteng city region initiative and the GGDS is to
address uneven development and inequality in the province. Particular attention
will therefore be paid to stimulating higher levels of economic activity in
Gauteng's three districts, Metsweding, Sedibeng and the West Rand, which are
currently less developed than the Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane
metropolitan areas. In Metsweding, phase one of the Dinokeng Game Reserve which
is stimulating tourism in the area, will be launched in December 2006. The
provincial government and municipalities will also interact with the Mpumalanga
provincial government on Ekandustria, which was recently incorporated into
Gauteng. In the West Rand, a priority will be the development of the Amakhosi
stadium and sporting precinct, as well as further work linked to the Cradle of
Humankind sites, where government initiatives have already stimulated
significant investment, tourism and job creation in the area.
1.6 Impact of success:
The retreat recognised that Gauteng's economic success would continue to lead
to high levels of in-migration and rapid urbanisation. There is a need to
further examine the impact of successful growth and the challenges that may
arise as the province moves closer to its 8% growth target, in order to
effectively manage and respond to these challenges. This includes areas such as
traffic congestion, environmental impacts, energy, the supply of cement and
other inputs.
1.7 Transport:
Transport infrastructure was identified as a central priority in building a
successful Gauteng city region, in stimulating economic growth and in providing
for the needs of the province's people.
An integrated transport strategy is in place, with key aspects currently
being finalised. This includes:
* the formation of a single Gauteng-wide transport authority which will be
launched in 2007
* an integrated public transport system based on bus, taxi and rail to provide
reliable, safe and affordable public transport
* a better roads plan to upgrade the province's road network and stimulate
economic development in underdeveloped areas, including the twenty prioritised
townships
* a freeway improvement plan which will include intelligent transport systems
and give preference to public transport vehicles
* the development of special transport nodes and
* the road safety plan to help reduce fatalities on the roads.
The retreat also noted that October 2006 will be the annual Public Transport
Month which will be used to further improve the public transport system and
promote the use of existing public transport.
Gautrain will be a key backbone of the province's integrated transport
network. We are ready to commence with construction and will have a sod-turning
ceremony at the end of this month.
1.8 2010 FIFA World Cup:
The provincial government in collaboration with municipalities has developed an
integrated 2010 implementation plan to ensure that Gauteng is ready to
contribute to the successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The province
hosts three of the match venues, major matches including some of the finals and
is also the base of the Local Organising Committee, the South African Football
Association (SAFA) and FIFA headquarters. It will be the main point of entry
for international arrivals and act as a central nodal point in the distribution
of fans across the country.
The province will use the opportunity to upgrade infrastructure,
particularly transport and sports infrastructure, to create a lasting legacy
for the people of Gauteng. Host cities will play a central role as they have
the responsibility to comply with the bid book requirements in providing the
match venues and surrounding transport corridors. The province will seek to
position itself to effectively use the opportunity of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
to market and brand the province as a destination for investment, tourism,
competitive sport and the creative industries.
2. Fighting poverty and building safe, secure and sustainable
communities
2.1 Human settlement:
Among the key priorities in developing sustainable human settlements in the
Gauteng city region is the need to continue to reverse apartheid settlement
patterns and build dynamic, safe and sustainable communities.
We are continuing to implement an integrated housing strategy which provides
a variety of housing solutions for the unemployed, for low and middle income
earners, for those who need places to rent and so on.
The retreat reaffirmed the commitment by the provincial government and
municipalities to the R3 billion urban renewal plans in twenty prioritised
townships in Gauteng. The detailed plans have been approved and we will launch
the plan in Tembisa this week (Wednesday, 13 September).
The provincial government, working hand in hand with municipalities, will
continue to fast-track the implementation of existing initiatives such as the
upgrading of backyard shacks, the formalisation of identified existing informal
settlements by 2009 and their eradication by 2014. In addition, we are
finalising an inclusionary housing policy which will see to the allocation of
affordable housing as part of developments in Gauteng.
2.2 Fighting crime:
The retreat agreed that crime levels remain unacceptably high, that crime
impacts negatively on the quality of life of our people and that it is a threat
to our development.
The Gauteng safety plan, which will be released later this week, has been
developed as a comprehensive strategy to identify priorities to deal decisively
with crime in the province.
The retreat agreed that government and all law enforcement agencies must
adopt a zero tolerance approach to crime and that all peace loving South
Africans should be called upon to work harder to entrench a culture of respect
for the law at all levels of society. In particular, it was agreed that
effective crime prevention, policing and law enforcement should be complemented
by improvements in the broader criminal justice system so that those who commit
crimes feel the full might of the law and are effectively punished. We need to
ensure that in practice, crime does not pay. Organised crime, in particular,
should be targeted and brought to book.
The retreat agreed that the fight against crime required the mobilisation of
the necessary resources towards common objectives and priorities, including the
Metro Police, the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the private sector.
In particular, it was agreed that the role of Metro Police should go beyond
traffic law enforcement to include crime prevention. The municipal courts will
be reviewed with a view to strengthen them. An intergovernmental structure to
drive effective co-ordination and alignment of anti-crime priorities will be
established in the near future.
It was agreed that the fight against crime needs to mobilise the broadest
spectrum of society. In line with the Gauteng safety plan, a social movement
against crime will be established to mobilise communities and civil society
formations in the fight against crime.
The retreat noted the need for the equitable provision of policing and other
services linked to crime across all communities and to ensure that the
environmental design and planning of communities contributes towards crime
reduction. In this regard, attention should be paid to issues such as lighting,
cutting of long grass, etc.
2.3 The environment:
The retreat agreed that an urban province such as Gauteng, which faces rapid
urbanisation and growing population densities, needs to pay particular
attention to the environment and sustainable development.
It was agreed that environmental considerations impact directly on the
people of the province, now and in the future, and that there was a need to
balance the demands of rapid development with consideration of the
environmental impact of development and the need for long-term
sustainability.
Initiatives such as the Bontle ke Botho campaign have contributed to
improving the environment across the province. It was agreed that every ward
committee in the province should address local environmental issues and that
more attention should be paid to cleaning up the environment and beautifying
and greening underdeveloped and poor communities. This should include cleaning
up rivers, planting trees and providing attractive parks for recreational
purposes.
The provincial government in consultation with municipalities is currently
finalising a Gauteng Sustainable Development Strategy.
2.4 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP):
The EPWP was established to provide short-term job opportunities to people who
are unemployed as well as accredited training to enable easier access to the
labour market.
Progress has been made in implementing the EPWP in the infrastructure
sector. The retreat agreed on the need for a significant upscaling of the EPWP
programme to expand its impact and to pay more attention to driving the EPWP in
the social, environmental and economic development sectors. One of the
initiatives of the environmental sector will include beautifying the
environment in Gauteng's twenty prioritised townships.
3. Developing healthy, skilled and productive people:
The retreat concluded that government in Gauteng had made important strides in
ensuring universal access to health care and education. However, it agreed that
there is a need to improve the quality of public education and health care
services in the province. Among the mechanisms to achieve this are improving
facilities and human resources in these two areas, including the recruitment,
retention and training in both sectors.
The Gauteng HRD strategy to address the skills need of the provincial
economy and society as a whole will make an important contribution to economic
growth and social delivery, as well as in addressing scarce skills in the
public sector.
It was agreed that further attention should be given to improving overall
literacy and numeracy levels in the province and in stepping up the quality of
education in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector.
4. Deepening democracy, nation building and realising the constitutional
rights of our people:
A wide range of programmes are in place to deepen democracy, promote public
participation and ensure that all the province's people are able to effect
their constitutional rights.
However, the retreat noted weaknesses in the level of organisation of civil
society which impacts negatively on civil society's capacity to interact and
engage with government and therefore influence governance. It was therefore
agreed that government needs to provide support for civil society, including
exploring funding mechanisms.
It was also agreed that, while programmes are in place to address people's
rights, there is a need for proactive plans which will ensure the progressive
realisation of second generation rights and universal service over time.
The retreat reviewed strategies to promote women's empowerment and youth
development in Gauteng and identified further priorities with an emphasis on
promoting access to economic opportunities.
5. Building an effective and caring government:
A primary focus of the retreat was the need to further improve the capacity of
the state central to ensure accelerated delivery and better performance in line
with the electoral mandate.
Key focuses in this regard include:
* the effective implementation of the Gauteng HRD strategy including the
establishment of the Gauteng academy to improve skills, expertise and capacity
of the public service
* improving the functioning of the cabinet system, including the establishment
of a governance and administration sub-committee, to be chaired by MEC Ignatius
Jacobs
* the completion of a government-wide monitoring and evaluation system
* the implementation of performance evaluation system and service delivery
improvement plans including the setting of service standards and the
development of a GPG-wide service charter
* driving integration and alignment at all levels of the public service, within
the provincial government and municipalities, across the various spheres of
government and in co-operation with parastatals
* providing effective support for local government
* sharing best practices across the various municipalities
* improving the alignment and integration of planning and the Integrated
Development Plan (IDP) processes at national, provincial and local government
level
* exploring the decision to work towards a metropolitan system of governance in
Gauteng
* working towards an appropriate allocation of powers and functions to the
various spheres of government in Gauteng with a view to removing duplication
and improving delivery and efficiency.
Enquires:
Annette Griessel
Cell: 082 563 3614
Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
11 September 2006
Source: SAPA
