22 June 2006
The Provincial Cabinet met on 21 June 2006 and had very fruitful
deliberations on a number of issues, some of the more important being:
June 16th Assessment
Cabinet expressed its satisfaction with the entire month-long programme so
far in the 30th commemoration of June 16 1976. We believe that there is
significant evidence of hard, tangible, real delivery aimed at the youth. We
congratulated the various departments for the biggest interventions in skills
development (bursaries and learnerships) and the roll out of the most
comprehensive campaign against drugs in the Cape (a detox centre, training of
volunteers, etc).
In addition, the commemorations have been very successful on June 16 itself.
In Langa, 16000 young people attended the Rally. Cabinet expressed its
unhappiness with the actions of some South African Transport and Allied Workers
Union (SATAWU) members in attempting to disrupt the rally and harm the
speakers. Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the Police, Bambanani and
Private Security for their effective, yet humane way in dealing with the
disruption. Cabinet expressed the hope that the criminal justice system will
now take its course in dealing with the 14 people arrested on the day.
But Cabinet was also happy that Congress of South African Trade Unions
(Cosatu) (Western Cape) through its secretary, Mr Tony Ehrenreich, had
apologised unreservedly to the Premier and Minister Manuel for what happened,
and expressed the hope that no one was injured. Cabinet sincerely appreciated
this gesture (letter attached).
Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (AsgiSA) Western
Cape
Cabinet deliberated for some time, in preparing for the National Cabinet
Lekgotla in July 2006, where we would need to give further flesh to our AsgiSA
Cape Flats Renewal Programme. Cabinet reiterated its belief that by 2010 the
Western Cape could be growing in GDP by 6-8% if we all work together.
Cabinet agreed that the key to this growth has to be a solution to Public
Transport. Cabinet then restated that the start to unlocking the public
transport and traffic gridlock is the need to begin working on our central
public transport footprint, the Klipfontein Corridor. Around this, bus, taxi,
train and private transport would need to be reconfigured. At both ends of this
corridor are the concrete economic drivers of the World Cup Stadium and the
attendant construction in the hospitality industry, and on the other end the
Film City. Already we have seen retail investments (Vangate Mall, the
Promenade, the Khayelitsha CBD, etc) and we now begin to have the possibility
of an Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) around the Airport. These, and others,
constitute some of the key economic growth drivers.
But AsgiSA is also about sharing the benefits of growth. Obviously our
economic interventions are designed to develop empowerment, create work and
ensure other spin offs for entrepreneurship and Expanded Public Works Programme
(EPWP), etc. But for the poorest of the poor, the best impact Asgisa must make
on the Cape Flats is to help us with the challenge of Housing. It is for this
reason that the Western Cape Government is including Human Settlements and
infrastructure such as the sewage substructure in our overall Asgisa Cape Flats
Renewal Programme.
Appointment of High Level Public Transport Manager
Yesterday, Cabinet approved the appointment of a High level manager for
Public Transport. Government had specifically gone about recruiting a South
African citizen who has been working overseas and giving other countries the
benefit of his expertise. He is an expert in devising multi-modal public
transport systems, establishing the necessary Public Transport Authorities, and
conceptualising the required infrastructure.
This is part of our scheme to bring back talent and scarce skills that will
help us in South Africa, and specifically for the Western Cape, get us ready
for World Cup 2010. Because this was only approved by cabinet yesterday, the
offer is being made now, and Minister Fransman will announce the name of the
person on acceptance of the job.
We are, however, very excited about this appointment given the central role
of public transport in unlocking the economic potential of the Province.
Welcoming the agreement between South Africa and China
Given the difficulties faced by the Clothing and Textile industry in this
Province in the form of factory closures and job losses, Cabinet unreservedly
congratulates President Mbeki for the agreement with China.
The final product exceeded what we expected and if China implements the
agreed upon cutbacks in exports to SA in clothing and textiles, then the
province and its industry will have the opportunity not only to recover from
job losses and closures, but also to re-engineer the industry to become
globally competitive.
The Western Cape government has worked so far with the union (SACTWU) and
the industry in managing the difficulty. We look forward to continue this to
ensure the implementation and success of the SA-China Agreement.
SATAWU
Following our last cabinet meeting and our decision to ensure that
provincial government's procurement of security services should not perpetuate
the low level of salaries in the industry, cabinet is now ready to move on this
matter.
The first call for tenders will happen in two month's time. This new
generation of tenders will begin to ensure a minimum wage for security guards.
Minister Lynne Brown has been charged with the responsibility to ensure this
across all government departments.
This proves the point that government has never been against the strike, but
against the attendant violence and ill-discipline. We hope this action by
government will not only ensure a better life for security guards and their
families, but also strengthen and stabilise the industry as a major job
centre.
Enquiries:
Shado Twala
Director: Media & Public Relations
Office of the Premier of the Western Cape
Tel: (021) 483 3528
Fax: (021) 483 3921
E-mail: stwala@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial Government
22 June 2006
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
