honourable T Makwetla, for the Office of the Premier 2006/07
9 June 2006
Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker,
Honourable members of the Provincial Legislature,
Distinguished members of the Executive Council,
Dear colleagues and comrades,
The House at large,
On this day last year when we addressed this august House to solicit support
for our work programmes in the Office of the Premier, we referred to the
observation by the political economist, Alan Ehrenhalt, that âWhen government
has the right people and the right systems and the right intentions many good
things are possible. The trick knows which ones they are.â
Madam Speaker, because over the past year we have continued in a disciplined
way to direct ourselves to this fundamental challenge to the success of our
mission we are more confident than at any other time before that we will
realise our goals. As we table the priorities of the Premierâs office this
morning for the current financial year 2006/07 we are buoyed up by the
considered view that the deployment in this office now consists of incumbents
whose gene pool is equal to the challenge of its mandate.
Furthermore, Madam Speaker, we are inspired in our poise by the fact that
these plans are tabled in the wake of successfully conducted local government
elections which resulted in the constitution of even stronger municipalities we
believe which enjoy a fresh mandate. The important place of local government in
our delivery system of government cannot be over-emphasised. Our newly elected
municipalities must indeed promote peopleâs power through democratic local
government. Our councils everywhere must translate into reality programmes of
action around economic development and job creation and the provision of
houses, water and sanitation and electricity among others.
Honourable members, when we presented our plans for the 2005/2006 financial
year we indicated that we were engaged in a process of strategically
repositioning the office of the Premier to ensure greater operational
efficiency and effectiveness. This was done to enable the office to effectively
play an improved leadership role as the strategic centre for cooperative and
good governance in Mpumalanga. I am happy to report that we have made
remarkable strides in enhancing our internal capabilities to discharge our
responsibility for overall macro strategic co-ordination and facilitation of
the transversal programmes in the province, performance management, monitoring
and evaluation.
Part of the progress we have made in building these capabilities is that in
the main the majority of senior managers in key management positions are
appointed. The new senior management cadre under the leadership of the
Director-General are enabling the office of the Premier to provide strategic
leadership to key interventions aimed at improving the quality of service
delivery to our people. We have just completed the appointment of top most
senior managers this week with the successful filling of the post of Deputy
Director-General (DDG) for the 2010 World Cup programme and interviews for the
DDG Macro Policy. Progress has been made also in improving the capacities of
the macro policy and corporate strategy divisions in the Premierâs office to
provide leadership and support to the implementation of provincial flagship
projects.
Internal renewal and corporate governance
Change management and the reorientation of staff to the new working model
and culture have been undertaken and will continue as part of the ongoing
internal renewal programme of the office.
Madam Speaker, we want to further strengthen internal control and financial
management systems in the office of the Premier. As part of the internal
renewal programme, we will continue to focus on building the integrity of our
systems and enhance corporate governance principles.
We must continue to deliver quality shared audit services to selected
Departments and support the implementation of risk management strategies in
departments. One of the major objectives will be to assist departments in
dealing with the emphasis of matter issues raised by the Auditor-General (AG)
from time to time.
There is going to be focus on compliance so that appropriate systems are put
in place to ensure accountability for the delivery of quality services to the
people of this province. It has also become apparent that we must continue to
improve our regime of checks and balances to address issues of fraud and
corruption that impact negatively on service delivery.
Madam Speaker, we have supported departments in the drafting of legislation.
Furthermore as part of the ongoing repeal of outdated provincial legislation a
further 47 pieces of âold orderâ legislation were expunged from the Provincial
Statute Book during the previous financial year.
Accelerated capacity building initiative
Madame Speaker, last year we reported the findings of the skills audit that
was conducted to evaluate the skills of senior and middle managers in the
province. We have acknowledged that one of the key determinants of state
capacity to improve the quality of service delivery is leadership and
management capability. The provincial skills audit for senior and middle
managers pointed out several shortcomings in the leadership capabilities of our
senior and middle managers in the province. We all agree that if not
systematically addressed, insufficient skills may pose a serious threat to the
provinceâs capacity to deliver its mandate to the people.
Therefore, it became necessary to respond to the findings of the skills
audit with the implementation of a package of targeted interventions in the
short to medium term. One of the critical interventions during this financial
year is the roll out of the Executive Development Programme (EDP) targeted
specifically at equipping senior managers with the requisite skills and
competencies to perform better in their positions. 250 senior managers will
commence their further training this month.
As part of improving the skills base of our administration we will focus on
enhancing the rigour of our selection processes when identifying suitable
candidates for appointment. In this regard the Executive Council (ExCo)
introduced competency assessments for senior and middle management
appointments. This will ensure that interview results, competency test results
as well as experience and qualifications are taken into account when
appointment decisions are made. In addition, we are strengthening the
implementation of performance management systems by ensuring that all senior
managers sign performance agreements.
Madame Speaker, as part of empowering senior managers in the province the
Director-General convened an inaugural provincial Senior Management Conference
in March 2006 in Witbank. This will become a feature in the provincial calendar
with a view to creating space for senior managers to reflect on their roles in
the growth and development agenda of the province. The annual conference will
enable senior managers at provincial and local government levels to discuss a
range of development and service delivery issues facing the province. It will
design solutions that will take the province to higher performance levels.
We will continue to sustain the implementation of the KHAEDU initiative in
partnership with Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) to
create opportunities for senior managers to be exposed to the coalface of
service delivery through deployment in service delivery institutions. This
should assist in creating a baseline for Batho Pele implementation. It will
also inform the service delivery improvement plans of departments and
municipalities in responding to issues captured in the KHAEDU reports.
Living heritage, branding and marketing
Madame Speaker, during the past year we have made progress in the project to
reconstruct the true image of our province and its exposure as a province that
is awash with possibilities because of its fascinating heritage treasures which
define the identity and make up of the people of Mpumalanga. Throughout the
work leading to the launch of the Provincial Heritage Manuscript in March this
year, we have come to realise that it is in heritage that a sense of nationhood
is constituted. The interest and approval that this initiative has received is
humbling and overwhelming. We must seize with both hands this opportunity to
showcase the human dynamic that defines the people of this region within the
universal entity that is our country, South Africa.
The heritage we have researched enables the province to utilise the
uniqueness of Mpumalangaâs heritage to leverage the development of our tourism
product further. The post launch programme we are rolling out presents exciting
prospects of taking the province to majestic heights, only if we can carefully
and with passion work on our strategies and plans.
Among the things we must achieve is the generation of positive energy about
our non-antagonistic numerous identities and to celebrate our diversity in our
homogeneity. Secondly, our researched heritage must give new impetus to our
economic endeavours as a province through among others the benefits to tourism
and the attraction of new investments. Furthermore, it must stimulate the
intellectual debate across the spectrum of sociological themes touched upon in
this heritage research project.
Last but not least this researched heritage presents us with the opportunity
for an authentic and credible branding of our province.
In the 2006/07 budget we have allocated sufficient resources to the branding
and marketing of the province. We envisage that the future returns on the
marketing investment that we are consciously making now, will yield tremendous
benefits to the province. Part of the return on marketing investment will be
growth in the tourism market share and increased trade, resulting in the much
needed jobs for poverty eradication. To the people of the province, a good
image of the province will also provide an intangible value of pride in the
projection that defines them as they know themselves in the not so frequently
visited subconscious mind.
Taking government to the people
Madam Speaker, honourable members, we continue to enhance access and
communication with our people through the Cabinet outreach programme. The
programme enables the executive of the province to interact with communities on
matters of development and service delivery in their areas. We must strengthen
a structured and coherent system of tracking issues raised by communities so
that these are factored into government programming and delivery. In the past,
improved communication with communities through the Cabinet outreach programmes
and izimbizo has enabled government to respond to service delivery
blockages.
Provincial Growth Developmental Structures (PGDS) implementation
processes
We have in the past year been facilitating, co-ordinating and monitoring the
implementation of the Growth and Development Summit agreement between
government and its social partners. This year we will present a comprehensive
review of progress made and lessons learnt in the collaborative partnership
towards the implementation of the summit resolutions. This will form part of
the review of the PGDS and enhancement of the institutional arrangements for
the effective implementation of PGDS objectives. We would like to see an
increased participation of organised business, organised labour and civil
society formations in the government efforts to improve the quality of service
delivery.
Madame Speaker, we value partnerships with governmentâs social partners in a
quest to collectively shape the destiny of the province. We are enjoying very
fruitful partnerships with organised business and organised labour in
addressing critical issues of economic growth, development and service
delivery. Last year, we held a successful conference with organised labour
focusing on shaping a collective vision and commitment to improving the quality
of service delivery in the province. We recently held a successful conference
with National Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) focusing on ways to
improve the quality of service delivery by service providers to government
especially emerging black businesses in support to the government delivery
programme. The conference also discussed issues related to the role of
government in promoting Broad Based Economic Empowerment (BBEE) with respect to
using government procurement spend to support small businesses. We are
committed to taking the recommendations of the conference forward in the broad
context of commitments made at the Growth and Development Summit in February
2005. Our challenge is at all times to keep these pacts alive. In this regard,
there is much room for improvement.
In 2006/7 we have committed resources to review the PGDS to ensure that
provincial planning takes into account the framework and principles of the
revised National Spatial Development Perspective (NSDP). This review will
provide further insight into the nature of the provincial space economy and
will indicate which areas have high economic potential. This will indicate
where infrastructure investment should be prioritised and focused in order to
achieve maximum growth and development impact. The review will provide an
opportunity for meaningful discussion and direction on various investment
options appropriate for areas with low economic potential and suggest
appropriate strategies to promote economic activity and sustainable
livelihoods. Macro-policy and planning will be working closely with district
municipalities to ensure that the Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and PGDS
initiatives are informed by integrated spatial planning, so that development
interventions achieve maximum impact.
The office of the Premier will continue to support departments in ensuring
that their plans are aligned with the priorities of the Provincial Growth and
Development Strategy (PGDS). During the Executive Council (ExCo) Lekgotla in
February 2006, a number of provincial flagship programmes were identified as
key to propelling the province to higher levels of economic growth and improved
service delivery. Some of these projects will make direct contribution to the
achievement of AsgiSA objectives. It will, therefore, be necessary to ensure
that these programmes are effectively implemented and monitored to achieve
desired results and impact.
Programme management unit
Honourable members, while the provincial administration is steadily building
programme delivery capacity it is critical to provide implementation support to
flagship programmes aimed at meeting the targets of the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs). To this end targeted programme management interventions will be
implemented this year to complement the capacity of departments.
Together with the Department of Local Government and Housing, the office of
the Premier is in the process of establishing a provincial Programme Management
Unit (PMU). The PMU will create the necessary capacity for effective programme
design, project planning and implementation as well as providing targeted
support in key projects where instances of non-delivery occur. In doing this
the PMU will enable the mobilisation and deployment of technical support to
high profile programmes such as bulk water infrastructure and sanitation
delivery.
2010 World Cup Co-ordination
Madame Speaker, the ExCo took a decision that the office of the Premier
should play a co-ordination role in the 2010 World programme. This came out of
a realisation that the contribution of the 2010 World Cup to stimulating
economic growth is immense and needs to be exploited maximally. Because of its
potential to add value to the achievement of PGDS objectives, it has also
become critical for us to build the necessary institutional infrastructure and
capacity to support the implementation of the 2010 World Cup programme. We are
working closely with the host city, Mbombela, to provide the necessary
leadership and co-ordination in the preparation of the 2010 World Cup. The
office of the Premier will ensure that an integrated plan for hosting the 2010
World Cup is in place and mobilise key sector departments in ensuring that
government guarantees in respect of hosting the 2010 World Cup, are
implemented. The appointed âDDG 2010â will now expedite these processes.
We believe that the 2010 World Cup will contribute to unlocking growth
opportunities in the value chain of economic activities in the province. These
opportunities will, in turn, contribute significantly to the achievement of the
PGDS objectives. We will in time unfurl our integrated 2010 development
programme to energise our push in government.
Target groups
The work on improving service delivery to target groups remains a priority
for the office of the Premier. We are building the necessary capacity for
policy development, analysis and mainstreaming of critical issues affecting
target groups into the governmentâs delivery agenda. The ExCo has taken a
resolution that senior management appointments should prioritise the
appointment of women in order to ensure gender representivity at senior
management level. In the year ahead the office of the Premier will also focus
on achieving its gender equity targets and preference will be given to the
appointment of suitably qualified women into managerial positions. In addition,
the office will also explore the creation of a learnership programme designed
and focused on people with disabilities so that they too can benefit from this
endeavour.
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the Sofunda Secondary School in
Middelburg, for coming first in an essay competition co-coordinated by the
office of the President through the office on the Rights of the Child in my
office. Four other schools received cash prizes in this competition which is a
great achievement for our province.
Yet again we celebrated, honoured and awarded the disabled people of our
province and recognised their valuable contributions to society in removing
barriers that inhibit development and integration of people with disabilities
within society.
The Service Delivery Innovation Project implemented at Thaba Chweu
Municipality in November 2005, raised awareness on disability issues and
appraised the community on what government is doing to address the backlogs in
certain services to people with disabilities especially the provision of
assistive devices. It is important that we bring government closer to people
with disabilities.
The establishment of functional gender machinery remains a critical
priority. With all departments having managed to appoint gender focal points,
the challenge is to make these focal points impact zones for accelerated
transformation in a manner that promotes women empowerment within the
provincial administration and beyond.
During this financial year, the three sub programmes for target groups in
the office of the Premier viz the office on the Status of Disabled People, the
office on the Status of Women and the office on the Rights of the Child will
adopt an integrated approach towards rolling out their programmes to guarantee
maximum utilisation of resources. We will ensure heightened inter-sectoral
participation and commitment to childrenâs rights issues. In 2006/2007 the
three programmes will focus on the establishment of the Provincial Childrenâs
Rights Advisory Council, the Provincial Disability Advisory Council and the
Provincial Women Empowerment and Gender Machinery.
Honourable members, the office of the Premier will be finalising the process
of de-linking the Youth Commission from the office of the Premier so that it
assumes the status of an independent public entity, with financial support from
government. This process must be moved faster than we have been doing. During
2006/2007 we will be supporting an intervention where all departments will
identify at least one flagship project that will be targeted at youth
empowerment and development. This has already started, albeit with less than
inspirational performance by some departments. In this regard it is proper that
we must remind one another of the stake South Africaâs youth holds in our
democratic dispensation, lest we forget the enormous price our youth paid to
get us where we are today.
International partnerships
Madam Speaker, we will continue to sustain our international partnerships to
achieve the objectives of our PGDS. We are currently building capacity in the
newly established International Relations Directorate to manage all twinning
agreements. As a province, it is essential that we make significant
contributions to the implementation of New Partnerships for Africaâs
Development (NEPAD) programmes. To this end we are conducting research and
exploring possibilities for more provincial twinning partnerships in countries
on the African continent. The ExCo has assigned the responsibilities for
political oversight on matters of international relations to the MEC for Local
Government and Housing and the Cabinet governance and administration
cluster.
During this financial year, there is going to be greater focus on
strengthening institutional systems for monitoring and evaluating
implementation progress on identified areas of co-operation in each of the
twinning agreements concluded. Efficient institutional arrangements are
critical in planning and programme design necessary for effective
implementation of twinning agreements. This will be done through the
establishment of technical committees responsible for the co-ordination of each
of the twinning agreements in place.
Through these technical committees which comprise of representatives from
different departments it is hoped that further impetus will be given to
developing project specific action plans that will align the areas of
co-operation of each agreement with PGDS priorities. This process will be
continuously monitored and evaluated as part of the progress to be made in
servicing these agreements.
Madame Speaker, honourable members, we humbly believe that all the work
above deserve your spirited support and therefore this House will find it easy
to garner the political will to support the amount of R148,779,000 as the
budget of the office of the Premier for this financial year. Without these
funds we will not be able to carry out our mandate.
It is perhaps poignant that we deliver this budget proposal a few days
before we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Soweto Uprisings. If anything
we owe it to the youth of this country to ensure that the better life that they
so gallantly fought for is indeed realised. We also owe it to the women who
predicted in 1956 that Strydomâs agenda would be defeated and to the patriots
who completed the race ten years ago when they delivered the Constitution we
are all so proud of today.
On that note, Madam Speaker, honourable members, let me evoke the pertinent
words of Franklin Theodore Roosevelt when he said;
âItâs not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man
stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done better. The credit belongs to
the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred with the sweat and
dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and
again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself
in a worthy cause and who at best knows the triumph of high achievement and who
at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place
shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor
defeat.â
Madam Speaker, in the humble strides we have made in the office of the
Premier and the administration as a whole, very many well meaning and
responsible citizens have come to the party. I wish to take this opportunity to
thank all government social partners in this province and to wish them strength
and the enthusiasm to carry on.
Allow me to put the spotlight on members of the ExCo by saying the obvious,
without their ever present sense of duty, none of the work accounted for here
would have been possible.
To the senior management in my office, ably led by Director-General, Mr
Khaya Ngema and all the functionaries in the Premierâs office, to the inner
office staff and advisers stoically co-ordinated by Lidia Pretorius, who I
receive accolades for all the time without acknowledging them but whose
failures I donât have to claim, thank you for putting up with me. I really wish
I was different.
The struggle continues!
I thank you!
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
9 June 2006
