8 March 2006
The Executive Council (Exco) - (Cabinet) of Mpumalanga - at its fortnightly
meeting held this week approved the report on the provincial departmentsâ
employment equity status for 2005/06. The report states that there are 41 386
public servants and a total number of 212 senior management services members,
which is composed of 143 males (67.5 percent) and 69 females (33.9 percent).
The Exco has also approved a recommendation that those departments that are
below the statutory 30 percent target should ensure that female senior managers
are employed as a matter of urgency.
The Exco also took note of the new employment equity targets of 50 percent
for females by 2009. In order to avoid complaints the Exco will monitor and
evaluate departmental employment targets on an annual basis.
Similarly, in relation to the employment equity targets in respect to
disabled persons, the Exco noted that departments are still below the statutory
two percent. However, it was also noted that it is difficult to find
appropriately qualified individuals for senior management posts. Departments
were tasked to consult with the office of disabled persons to headhunt highly
qualified people with disability.
The Exco also approved the convening of the conference of the Mpumalanga
Province on the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD), which
is to be held tomorrow, 9 March 2006, at Ingweyama Lodge in Nelspruit.
The anticipated outcomes include:
* Identification of challenges to sustainable development.
* The development of a specific plan for the implementation of the Decade of
Education for Sustainable Development and
* The establishment of the provincial Decade of Education for Sustainable
Development Forum.
Other issues to be discussed at the conference will be waste management,
pollution control; water, wetland and sustainable development; sustainable
economic development including sustainable tourism and corporate
responsibility.
The Exco was also informed on a series of activities to disestablish
Bohlabelo District Council and the preparations to hand over Greater Sekhukhuni
and Metsweding District Councils to Limpopo Province and the Kungwini Local
Municipality to Gauteng Province.
In terms of the memorandum of understanding signed between the Premiers of
Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, namely, Thabang Makwetla and Sello Moloto
respectively, both provinces must continue to provide services in the
disestablished Bohlabela for the 2006/07 financial year.
Limpopo Province will continue to provide services in Maruleng Local
Municipality and Mpumalanga will provide services in the Bushbuckridge Local
Municipality for the 2006/07 financial year.
Furthermore, the sector departments must enter into bilateral agreements to
provide continued services until the end of the 2006/07 financial year, for all
committed projects.
The Exco also approved the publication of the Mpumalanga Liquor Licensing
Bill, 2006, in the provincial gazette for public comment. The objective of the
Bill is to increase social responsibilities by licensees and create a platform
conducive for all, especially the previously disadvantaged communities.
The Minister of Education Naledi Pandor has turned down the request by the
Exco to establish a university in the province. The Minister has instead
advised the province to establish a national institute for higher education.
The University of Pretoria, the Tshwane University of Technology, the Vaal
University of Technology and the University of South Africa have agreed to
participate in such an institute. The next phase is to appoint a board to
facilitate the coordination of the activities of this institute.
Contact:
Lebona Mosia
Tel: (013) 7662244
Cell: 082 5616465
E-mail: lmosia@nel.mpu.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
8 March 2006
