6 February 2006
The Executive Council (EXCO) of the North West Province (Provincial Cabinet)
held its annual Planning Lekgotla from 31 January to 1 February 2006 to reflect
on government performance over the past year and to identify delivery
priorities for the coming year.
This crucial meeting, held in Mafikeng, was attended by the Premier, Members
of the Executive Council, Mayors, senior officials in the provincial
government, heads of parastatals and municipal managers.
Taking place a few days after the Cabinet Lekgotla, the two-day meeting
sought to ensure synergy of government delivery programmes across departments
and spheres. Accordingly, the EXCO Lekgotlaâs deliberations and focus areas
were largely guided by national policy imperatives and directives. One of the
key priorities identified by the Lekgotla in this regard was the need to
improve co-operative governance across spheres.
The meeting reconfirmed that the critical challenges facing government and
its social partners remain poverty reduction and job creation. To this end, the
Lekgotla resolved that its intervention strategies to address these twin
challenges would be within the framework of the Provincial Growth and
Development Strategy as well as the Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative for
South Africa (ASGISA).
The Lekgotla noted the need to ensure effective alignment between the
Provincial Growth and Development Strategy and Integrated Development
Programmes of municipalities and resolved to pay focused attention to this
area. The EXCO reiterated its commitment to support businesses resident in the
North West, as part of its strategy to strengthen local economic
development.
After receiving a presentation on ASGISA, the Lekgotla made a commitment
that the North West would make a meaningful input and contribution towards the
fulfilment of ASGISAâs objectives. It acknowledged that for economic growth to
make a positive impact on society as a whole, its benefits needed to be shared.
The Lekgotla noted that it was important for poor people to share in the growth
that the country experiences. It was also agreed that the province needed to
pay focused attention to skills development if ASGISA was to become a
reality.
EXCO also resolved to work towards the integration of local development
projects within the guidelines and principles of the Expanded Public Works
Programme (EPWP). In addition, government across spheres would ensure that
every community was exposed to the benefits of EPWP.
The Lekgotla agreed to improve governmentâs relationships with traditional
leaders to ensure that the two institutions of governance co-exist within the
context of our constitutional democracy. The EXCO also noted the need for an
induction programme for new traditional councils.
The meeting noted the presidential directive to eradicate the bucket system
by 2007. It reiterated its resolve to address the housing backlogs and the
eradication of the bucket system in the province.
The provincial government would continue improving the provision of quality
social services such as education, health and social security as part of the
overall objective to expand access to a better life for all. The EXCO Lekgotla
also agreed to ensure that it utilizes sport in general, and the 2010 World Cup
in particular, to enhance the social and economic development of the people of
the province.
The EXCO acknowledged the negative impact of corruption on service delivery
and in society generally, and resolved to summon its collective strength and
capacity to uproot this scourge from both the civil service and society as a
whole.
The EXCO reaffirmed its view that local government is the front-desk of
service delivery and needed to be capacitated to discharge its responsibilities
more effectively. Lack of requisite skills and adequate infrastructure were
identified as some of the critical challenges that impacted negatively on the
ability of municipalities to provide quality services.
The EXCO urged the people of the province to help defend and strengthen our
democracy by voting in the forthcoming local government elections.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Tel: (018) 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
E-mail: cmonama@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
6 February 2006
